CNBC Media Money

EmpirePublished: Thursday, 31 Mar 2011 | 4:53 PM ETText SizeBy: Julia BoorstinCNBC CorrespondentEtsy is like eBay, but for a niche market — handmade goods. If you've not one of the site's eight million shoppers, imagine a hipster's DIY dream of handicrafts and art. Instead of buying something mass-produced from a giant corporation, you get to browse for a unique gem.EtsySource: Etsy.comOver

Recycle/Reuse/Upcycle

The Blue cobalt dish was just completed. I turned a blue cobalt water bottle into a beautiful amazing dish. The dish is cleaned,sanitized,fused,slumped,etched and wire wrapped with beads. I LOVE it! Let me know what you think.

Recycle Glass

How do you reuse/upcycle different items in your everyday life?I guess its time to stop buying new glass for my glass projects and start using what is already available. Glass does last forever. I might as well use it. My current project is cobalt glass water bottles and actually they can be used as vases with out even redesigning them.Ive decided to slump and etch mine. My first one is slumped

Toledo Art Treasury

Blue Bird Feeder

Here are pictures from the bird feeder I started last week. Its Nearly complete. I just have to add the stand! Love the Blue Glass! It turned out perfect.

Take A Vacation

Etched Leaves on glass vase

Here is my Tall vase with long tulip leaves hand drawn and etched around it. A couple of the leaves are bent over and the rest are straight. the vase is 12" tall. I'm going to add a little color to this one. Some green and yellow accents will look good. this image is before the paint and after the etch process.

Fused Glass

Here are a  few glass pieces I found while straightening up.  Some fused glass , blown glass, recycled glass

Starting the day on my blog.

I just figured out I can have every channel I need to start the day, right on my blog. News updates and Etsy on Live Stream/FB and Twitter. So I grab my coffee and check in with news, weather and then onto the Etsy Virtual labs. Watch Etsy Live right from my blog, This is perfect.Its early morning and I'm brain storming for some new unique handmade ideas. Paying extra attention to recycling and

For the Love of Writing - With Music

I can't write when it's quiet. But neither can I write when the TV's on. I watch very little television. After a full day of teaching, my evenings are for writing, so I can't afford too many distractions.

However, I have to have my music. Soft background music. Sometimes by a particular artist, but usually motion picture soundtracks.

I have my iPod sitting on a base with dual speakers. Once it's on, I'm able to concentrate. And now that I think back on it, when I was in school and college, that's how I used to study -- with the stereo going constantly.

And if I'm very lucky, a song will inspire me for another story. :D

True Inspiration.....

"Water Lilies" by Claude Monet: 1840-1926

I have little "writing inspiration" today so I thought I would give you some one else's "artist inspiration" instead.

Oh I do have "inspiration" in other realms......but not in the writing arena today.

I think my mind is clouded and I have been frustrated at myself lately for not writing any "good articles" actually......it's just mainly "what's going on with our family" and things of that matter and that is all good and fine.

But I have a "Deeper Well" within me and I love it when I can tap into it and release what's there......but that takes time.

I've had my "quiet times" of reading and reflection and such but I'm talking about writing. I have so many more things inside of me but I can't seem to get them out due to time or....like today...lack of "writing inspiration."

Right now the best and truest inspiration I can give you in 10 seconds is......."help change the world."
There is a lot to be done and a lot that just ONE person can do.