The Etsy Glass Artists (EGA) is having a "February Fling" Sale from February 1st through the 7th. See each shop's Announcement and the list below for their particular offerings! Please use the code "FEBFLING" in your notes to buyer upon checking out so you can get the sale price. A great deal and a great time to put a little sparkle into your day.

Etsy Glass Artists "February Fling" Sale

February 1st - February 7th

Participating Members:

http://glasscat.etsy.com/ BOGO on fused and dichroic jewelry
http://groovyglassgirl.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://mycabincreations.etsy.com/ 20% off
http://msotherdenartglass.etsy.com/ 10% off
http://jewelrybynatsuko.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://susanlambert.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://rwillisglassartist.etsy.com/ 20% off Shop
http://westernartglass.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://paulasstressart.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://vickileigh.etsy.com/ 25% off everything
http://creationsbykris.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://leahpellegrini.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://www.studiomarcy.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://prizmatic.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://popko.etsy.com/ Free Shipping
http://colorshoppestudio.etsy.com/ 20% off Stained Glass Jewelry

http://giapet.etsy.com/ BOGO


*BOGO - Buy One Get One 1/2 off

Come check out our new EGA website http://app.icontact.com/icp/relativeurlwarning/www.etsyglass.com.

Stop by our new blog for a chance to win some beautiful glass. http://app.icontact.com/icp/relativeurlwarning/www.etsyglass.blogspot.com. Just leave a comment on the One World ~ One Heart post with your contact information to be entered to win.

Use the word egateam in the search box on the Etsy front page to find a listing of all of our members creations.

Thanks so much for your past business and support of our shops!

February Featured Artist: Mandy Caird of Prizmatic Art

As 2009 gets rolling we decided to feature a member of our talented street team each month. We learned so much about each other when we did this a while back and we got such great feedback from our customers that we decided it was time to show you the artists behind the glass. February's featured glass artist is Mandy Caird of Prizmatic Art. Now I was lucky enough to be the secret Santa recipient of one of Mandy's gorgeous bowls and a magnet set this holiday season! So I can tell you firsthand that her art is absolutely stunning.

Mandy, can you give us a little background on yourself:

My name is Mandy Caird. I'm from the UK and now live in sunny Denver. I work as a project manager for an online training company. I originally trained as a Biochemist and worked in research for a few years and I still have some of the mad scientist in me when I work with glass!

When did you first become interested in glass?

I've always loved stained glass windows and any kind of art glass, but I could never afford anything. The only way I was going to have glass in my house was if I made it myself, so I took a stained glass class about 15 years ago. The class was so much fun that I immediately got the glass bug! Then 5 years ago my wonderful sister in-law loaned me her small kiln and I became an instant glass fusing addict! I'm also a bit of a tom-boy so the tools appealed to me. Other people can bake cakes, but my oven goes to 1700 degrees!

What do you like best about what you do?

I love the colors, especially blues and greens! I love seeing how different colors of fused glass will turn out. It's always exciting after I've had the kiln running overnight to find out the next morning what gift has been created for me.

Is there a pattern in the way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or light?

I select glass I like no matter what I am making. If I find a piece of glass that I think is drop-dead gorgeous I'll save it until I come up with with an idea of how to use it.

What inspires you? How are your inspirations expressed in your work?

Ordinary everyday objects inspire me. I can be driving to the grocery store or having lunch with a friend and I will see something that will make me think of glass. Glass isn't just for hanging in the window or wearing. I try to make many different things with glass, from clocks and candle holders to business card holders and magnets.

How much time is spent creating your pieces?

I'm usually very slow and often I will lay glass pieces out for days and play with the colors and shapes before firing. I once had a mirror frame for 18 months before I finalized it - it was a geometric design and I kept moving the pieces around until I was pleased with the final color balance - it was well worth the wait :-)

What are your techniques and style and how do these relate to the medium?

When I began I used to try and fire pieces so they would almost come out of the kiln ready to use. However over time I have collected more equipment that allows me to manipulate the glass more after firing. I think I have more tools than my husband! Fusing glass is just the first part of the process. After grinding, shaping, slumping or sandblasting, the final pieces have usually been in my kiln at least 3 times. The trick is knowing when to stop!

What do you find most challenging about your work in the glass arts?

Time and space! Since I like to mull over my designs, you can image I need quite a lot of space for all my projects-in-progress! Luckily I have the run of the basement and my husband has the garage - I think I won on that deal.

How did you find Etsy? What do you like most about it?

A friend at work liked my earrings and asked me if I sold them on Etsy. Within a week I had an Etsy account and items listed in my shop. I love the "buy handmade" concept and being part of such a creative community.

Ice Cream In Cold Weather- Here's a Tutorial on How To Make Your Own by Studio Marcy

A terrific tutorial from Marcy Lamberson of Studio Marcy. Go check out the rest of her blog here.

To me, it's never the wrong time of the year for ice cream, no matter how cold outside it is.
I thought I'd tell you how to make your own ice cream cone, so when the warm weather hits, you can have plenty on hand.
1. Using dark ivory, make a small cone. I use my torch mounted marver to roll it out.
2. Using the ice cream color of your choice, start adding glass to the top of the cone shape and once you have the top section full enough, gently melt it so it becomes rounded and smooth.
Hint: be sure to rotate your mandrel so the glass can flow into place, I often have my mandrel upside down, so the glass flows next to the mandrel and rounds out on the very top.
3. Now you're ready to add your "drips". At the bottom edge of the "ice cream scoop", I make "V" shapes with more glass. I also take the end of my rod and drag it farther down, if I need to.
Melt slightly so it's smooth.
4. With a razor or the sharp edge of your Stump Shaper, carve a circle around the original scoop, so it shows well. That also pushes glass in each direction and enhances your drips.
5. With your razor, gently heat one area at a time on the cone and make your diagonal slashes. I do one direction first and then the other direction afterwards.
6. Using a red of your choice, you can add the cherry on top.
7. Voila! A calorie free ice cream cone ready for you.
If you want to purchase a ready made ice cream cone, click here. And don't forget, I'd be happy to make one in your favorite flavors...just ask me.

Gentlemen & Ladies, don't forget about your sweetheart!

Show them how you feel with something that will last forever- GLASS!

Everything you see here was handmade with love.

Click on the photos above to search for more ega/heart related items. Have fun shopping!

ONE WORLD ~ ONE HEART GIVEAWAY

Members of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team are donating items to participate in the One World ~ One Heart Giveaway. Leave a comment on our blog to be entered to win one of the terrific glass items shown below. Please be sure that we have a way to contact you if you become one of our winners, and please stop by our website to see all of the wonderful items that our members create. While you are there sign up for our newsletter to be informed of upcoming sales and special offers. We take great pride in the quality of our work and hope that you will visit our shops for that special gift for you or a loved one.

Created by Jewelry by Natsuko -

This sweet glass enamel disk pendant is complemented with 20” copper color brass chain with lobster clasp.

The winner is Bella Modiste

Created by Wild Sage Lampwork -

Lampwork glass heart on a 24 inch silvertone chain.

The winner is Morna

Created by Fire-n-Sand -

"Boro heart on a 24 inch silvertone chain"

The winner is Joanie

Created by Studio Marcy -

He's an elf mischief maker who loves to make people laugh.
His name is Loki.
He has a 1/16th vertical hole.

The winner is Mari

Created by Susan Sheehan -

Juicey raspberry pink glass topped with vibrant orange and yellow. This flower reminds of popsicles and hot summer days.

The winner is Jaimie

Created by Rwillisglassartist

These three little sparkles were handmade with dichroic glass. A black cable cord will be included in a size of your choice.

The winner is Nichola

Happy New Year!