Grilling Yams or Sweet Potatoes...

To me there is nothing like fresh vegetables grilled to perfection (or burnt) to accompany that grilled steak, chicken, fish or burger...The other day I grilled Yam Wedges...I've never tried this before and man were they delicious...You've gotta try them...I served them with grilled scallops which were also scrumptious...

Here's how I made them...
First, I sliced the yams into wedges...
Then, I sprinkled them with a little sea salt,
Rubbed them with olive oil and chopped fresh basil...
I then placed the seasoned wedges on a medium high grill and covered for about 5 minutes...
I turned them, covered again for 5 minutes and kept this routine up for about 20 minutes...

YUM YUM YUM...I didn't take a picture because they were eaten before I thought of it but here is a good example of what they looked like...
BTW: Oh, mine were more burnt as you can imagine...

LOOK at what people are creating with My Beads...

How cool is this?...Very cool...
I get so much joy and pleasure out of seeing what my customers create with my lampwork beads...I would love to share with you some of these beautiful pieces of wearable art...

This awesome necklace is made by Lorelei or Designs by Lorelei...She has some amazing pieces in her shop...A unique original style all her own...Check out her shop on Etsy...

Here is a necklace and earring set called Arktos created by Kristen of Knit And Pearl...She has lots of beautiful jewelry and knitted items in her shop, all handmade by her...


I love this bracelet that Diane from EversoDear created with my "out of the jungle" lampwork set...This bracelet is listed in her shop as "Earth Dance"...



Diane has done a fabulous job with this set of lampwork beads...Her Etsy Shop is filled with an array of beautifully created jewelry...Take a look around...

A new addition to my Customer Creations article...Dawn, from CalysJewelryCreations just couldn't wait to show me what she created with this fabulous set of Aqua Marine beads she purchased from me...I love how she adorned the bracelet with things from the Sea...Kudos to Dawn for creating such a gorgeous bracelet...and...Thank you for sharing it with us...Please visit her Etsy Shop for more of her beautiful work and jewelry supplies...

I would like to take this moment to thank these few customers who have been so kind to share their creativity with me...I am thrilled that the beads I create are findings such amazing and talented artisans...

Have you been in a TREASURY lately?...

I love checking in with the Etsy website...Every morning I update my shop, check the threads and then look for treasuries that I am featured in...I see that little "gold" star and my heart goes a flutter...I try and try to get my own treasury but my timing has been off lately...I am determined and hope to create my own treasury very soon...Here are just a few of the treasuries I have been featured in lately...

Groundhog Relocators

OK...I admit it...WE HAVE A HUGE GROUNDHOG PROBLEM!...They seem to be taking over our pool area and will soon be eating the veggies in the garden we've worked so hard at...We, meaning my husband, my son and my two women partners in gardening have decided to tackle the problem with a friendly animal trap...So far we have caught 3 of the 8+ groundhogs that seem to be living under the pool...


Once we catch them we are relocating them to a safe and groundhog friendly environment...Lots of trees, water and food...I know they will be happier in their new location...The problem is, they keep coming and coming and now are getting smart to the trap...Apple, carrots and broccoli pieces are missing from inside the trap but no captured groundhogs...So, it is a waiting game...

We will take any suggestions anyone has to offer to rid ourselves of these adorable destructing rodents...

Fractured Elbow - Now What?...

About 3 weeks ago I fell while walking my dog and fractured my left elbow...OMG...The pain, the pain...I am slowly recooperating and gradually getting back to the torch...In the meantime, I want to keep my Etsy Shop updated with new lampwork...I have been creating "slider" beads for 2 local boutiques that sell Pandora, Troll, Camilla and Biagi bracelets and necklaces...After giving this much thought I have decided to add these beads to my Etsy Shop...I know there are many of us lampworkers that have these beads in our shops...I have now joined the club and hope you enjoy my selection of BHB's (big hole beads)...These beads will fit Pandora, Troll, Camilla, Biagi and other European slider chains...The hole size is 5mm on each of the beads...

Take a browse around my Shop to find my Slider beads...

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade DorsetHillBeads.etsy.com

Etsy Artist Lounge Interview - Designz By Lizzie

I am so honored to have the pleasure of interviewing Lizzie of Designz By Lizzie…The first time I saw Lizzie’s shop I thought her work was totally amazing, unique and very cool…She is one of the nicest Etsy artisans and a proud member of the Etsy Artist Lounge Street Team…Enjoy the interview…

1. Tell me a little about Lizzie?...Hi. I am a mother of three ,and a crazed jewelry artist 24 hours a day! I went to school for fashion design many years ago and after taking care of everybody I decided to get back into Art, this time my focus was on Jewelry and my love for Precious Metal Clay.

2. What inspires your work?...I find inspiration in everything, especially my children one of whom has Autism. My youngest child is 9 and a working actress. So I find a lot of inspiration from what I see on Movie sets. It’s so exciting to see the eclectic personalities of the actors!! But mostly I just sit down with the clay and just start creating, whatever comes to mind, whatever I feel at that moment. I try to have fun and make fun pieces. I want people to have fun and enjoy what they are wearing. It is an honor to have people purchase my goods and to know they wear what I made with love.

3. How long have you been creating your one-of-a-kind jewelry?...I have been creating one-of-a-kind jewelry for years and just giving them away, literally right off my body for years. But when my mother got sick with cancer I made a promise to try and make a go of it and I am having the time of my life doing so. I just opened my second shop in honor of my mother Helen. It’s here on Etsy, called sweetbabyhelens.etsy.com after my mother. That shop is totally different and filled with steampunk style jewelry. That shop is for my mother.

4. What other interests, hobbies do you have?...Hobbies!! Let’s see. Taking care of my family is my number one hobby. Other than that I love to go to antique stores and out of the way shops and cafes. I like to watch people and see what they are wearing and the style that they have created. I am very involved with Autism research, and Special education rights!! I can also be found in NYC a few times a week taking my daughter to auditions or jobs!! But I am not a stage mother!!

5. Where else can people find your creations?...People can find my work in seceral galleries in NJ, and NYC. I will be going into a new shop in Red Bank, NJ very soon. I can also be seen on June 7 at The East Brunswick, NJ Art Show. I am very excited to have been accepted into this highly prestigious juried art show. Last year I was a shopper. Who knew!!I would love to add that being a part of the EAL is one of the highlights of my career!! I have met so many talented artists and people I consider my friends. We all have mutual respect for each other’s work and I love it. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this interview. It has been a delight.

Kisses, Lizzie

Welcome to My Etsy Shop...

Welcome Everyone...I would like to introduce you to my Etsy Shop...Here is where I list most of my unique, handmade lampwork beads...I create my beads in my home studio...I really enjoy what I do and love sharing my little creations with other extremely talented people...Etsy is a great community of so many different kinds of artists coming together to share their talents with the World...I have meet (online) some amazing people from all over the world...

Here is a taste of what I have for sale in my Shop right now...

Etsy Buy Handmade DorsetHillBeads