For Mother's Day

Need a new gift idea for Mother's Day?

These are perfect, especially if her kids/grandkids live in different cities.

Order as many as you need....1, 3, 12, whatever. I can package them individually, or up to 12 in a pack.

On Etsy, they are listed as a set of 4 ($15), so if you need a different quantity, contact me and we can get you what you need.

I have a tremendous selection of Vintage maps, so I'm certain to have exactly what you need.

Just remember, these are custom made, so you need to order by May 1 to receive them in time for her big day!

Enjoy!

(don't have an Etsy account? No problem. I also sell them on my personal website)

The show is over

But the chance to win is not!!! See this post for details!

Contest will end on July 25th!!

I can't really give you any hints, but I will say that as always, I had a great time at the show. Sales were good, but I was just grateful to be there. The broken foot was a bit of a challenge, but thanks to lots of help from friends, and volunteers, I was able to exhibit.

This was my 7th year exhibiting (over the last 10 years), and it's been wonderful to see so many loyal customers!

Keep guessing!

Guess and Win!!! A giveaway

Want to win something? Of course you do.

Tell me what you think my best selling item will be at the upcoming Guilford Expo (see this post to learn more about the show). At the end of the show, I will randomly draw a name from those that guessed the correct answer. Yup, it's that easy.

So, all you have to do is tell me what you think will be my top selling item in the Comment section. You will get a bonus entry if you tweet (use hash tag: #bestseller) or Facebook this, too!! Just make sure you tell me that you did so in the comment. And make sure I have a way of contacting you if you win!

Only one entry per person, please!!!!

What do you win?

The best selling item (you can pick the design)!!! Totally free. I promise.

I know, I make lots of different things, so let me give you some choices:

Magnets

Map magnets

Dog/Cat magnets

Bottlestoppers

Vases (all styles)

Hook (all styles)

You can see all these items in my Etsy shop

(I don't often list the Map Magnets in my Etsy shop, but trust me, I have lots of them).

Show Time

I love this show, plain and simple. This will be my 8th year exhibiting, and I am never disappointed. Of course, I expect this year to be a little different, as I will have to navigate on crutches. But, I couldn't let my broken foot stop me from being there.

If you're interested in attending, or know someone who is, please be so kind as to spread the word!!

When: July 15-17
Where: Guilford, CT
What: Super awesome craft show

Linkedy link: Guilford Expo

I must give a special mention to my friend KimV
Without her help, and her minivan, I don't think I could be there. Thanks a million Kim!!!

See you in Guilford!!!

Standing Out

Let's face it. I'm not the first to glue paper to the back of glass gems and turn them into magnets and paperweights. In fact, I am one of hundreds of sellers on Etsy that do this.

A simple google search will yield dozens of "how to's"......and that's how I learned.

You may think I'm a little nutty for telling you this. After all, now you all will click to google and search. And then you will create your own, right? Maybe. Maybe not.

I knew when I started making them that there were plenty of other sellers making them, too. But, I also knew I had ideas, resources and the ingenuity to make mine different.

After all, for the past 7 years, different was the key to my success as a glassblower. I didn't want to make what everyone else made. So I didn't. I saw a lack of smaller, affordable glass gifts in the marketplace, and quickly made that my niche market. I built my business on Bottlestoppers and Oil Candles, Bud Vases and Pocket Coins. To date, I have sold well over 5000 bottlestoppers. Crazy.

(what is even crazier is that I still enjoy making them. And I constantly add new designs and colors to the line).

Back to the glass gems......

When I began, I did what everyone else does. I went to the big Craft stores, sifted through scrapbook paper, bought my glass gems, and started creating. And they looked like everyone elses.

And then, the light bulb moment......I could make the glass gems. So I did. I don't make the little ones, but I do make all the larger ones. Now, I not only make them for my own use, but I sell them to one of the top Supply sellers on Etsy.

Thanks to a scanner, copier and photo editing program, I was able to execute some designs.....like the Fortune paperweights, and dog/cat themed magnets. The Hooks quickly followed.

Okay, quickly is not quite right. The learning curve was huge. I had many failures. MANY. But, I loved the idea, so I perservered until the kinks had been worked out.

It's always a challenge as an artist, crafter or designer to stay inspired, to stay original, and most important, to stay true to yourself. Etsy is a constant reminder of the amazing talent and diversity that exists, and I have found much inspiration on that site. Unfortunately it is also a reminder that many people will copy others. Being inspired by others and copying others are entirely different things. It's up to us (as artists/crafters to know the difference).

(stay tuned, as I will discuss why I think the Bandwagon is not always a bad thing).

I love that I have the inate desire to be a little different. Tanner Glass wouldn't be here without it.

Handmade Helps Haiti

Inspiration struck, and I created a new blog.

It's all about Helping Haiti, and is inspired by the countless artists, crafters and designers that are donating to various Relief efforts.

It's a win win.......by purchasing from these artists, you are helping a GREAT cause, and supporting the Handmade movement.

Take a look and spread the word!

Thank you!!!

Odd versus Even

(don't ask me what the photo means. I was not a math major. Or a science major. I was an Art History Major. So, if you'd like me to critique the photo, I can. As a matter of fact, I'm not really sure what this photo is all about. Answers are welcome).

Sooooooo. I made it to 500 sales in my Etsy shop *hooray*.

500

What a nice number. A nice, even number. When I reached 500, I did a little dance ("little" being the operative word), and relished in the joy of seeing that number next to my Items Sold.

I was happy.

No sooner had my little dance ended.....and the nice, even number was gone. I had sold another item, and was now at 501. *hooray again*

Now, this certainly isn't a complaint, as I do LOVE to sell things, but I also have a thing for even numbers. I like them. When I'm working, I have to make an even number of items.......20 bottlestoppers, for example. Not 19, not 21. Occasionally I will end on an odd number, and it always is a little unsettling. But, I move on.

And when I put gas in my car, I try to end on an even number......but that's more of a game, really. To see if I can let go of the trigger at the exact moment that the price changes to an even, whole number. Most of the time, I nail it *hooray*

So here's something to ponder......looking at the photo above, I actually prefer the Odd one. It's more interesting. Hmmmmm, odd=interesting.

I may have to rethink my ways.

Rhode Island Loves Us!

Handblown pieces by Suzanne Tanner of Cranston turn house- hold items into eye-catching accessories.$18; tannerglass.etsy.com



The July issue of Rhode Island Monthly has featured eight talented Etsy sellers (including myself. Hooray!)



With a special mention of ArtsinRI (my Etsy Street Team)



Congrats to all those that were featured......especially my fellow ArtsinRI team members:

Pink Lemonade Boutique

Heather Jeany






A la mode

Need a Favor?

Twice this month I was contacted to make magnets as Wedding favors.

And, it got me thinking.......

That is a really great idea.

So, now I offer them in my Etsy shop

I've been part of Weddings in the past (I've made Bottlestoppers as favors, and Bud Vases as centerpieces)......but this is a smart idea. They are inexpensive (for a handmade, custom designed item), and they are FUNctional. Hooray!

I have to admit. The packaging is good. Really good.

I will also admit that I have a small obsession with little boxes, or any small, clever packaging. There are times that I look forward to receiving my latest copy of Retail Packaging (catalog) more than I look forward to receiving Anthropologie. Is that bad?

..........

If you need a Favor, I can help.

Earth Day + Handmade

My first memory of Earth Day was in 1991.....while attending Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. The neighboring State University (SUCO), had an all day event planned, with bands, vendors and lots of information.

To be honest......I went for the music. Some of my favorite local bands were playing, the sun was shining, and we were all excited about the prospect of being outside, listening to music and escaping our day to day college life.

But, the day quickly became more than music. It was inspiring and motivating. Recycling, the rainforests and global warming were the hot topics (and they still are, 18 years later). I returned to campus with a new found appreciation for our Earth, and a new beaded necklace.

I loved that necklace..... a simple, beaded necklace. Handmade. And I loved it (that bears repeating). From that point, I made a conscious effort to buy more Handmade products. I went to street fairs, and filled my jewelry box with handmade goodies (many of which I still own). I went to bead shops, and started making earrings and necklaces (many of which I do not own...as I gave most of them away, or they reached an untimely demise).

I fell in love with creating. And I'm certain that April 22, 1991 is one of the reasons I do what I do today.

Happy Earth Day! And Hooray for Handmade!