My Oak Leaf Buttons in Etsy Treasury.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cddcaac0a248eef267ae4f8/c-o-l-o-r#4cddd91fa6c16d913cb3d0ca

New Fox Buttons

Okay. I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for trends. It's not that I intentionally set out to follow popular trends but I seem to get drawn into them. You'll notice the over abundance of bird and owl buttons on my www.buttonsbyrobin.com shop on Etsy. Well now I seem to see that foxes are popping up all over so had to give some fox buttons a try http://www.etsy.com/listing/52399193/fox-buttons-set-of-six-handmade-by-me. Honestly I'm not just willy nilly (is that even a saying anymore - I must be old) trying to put up what I think is popular. I do try to put up what I like and when I saw these fox images I just had to try my hand at these buttons. I have two other fox images from the same Etsy artist (helloaimi) which are in the works. I can't wait to get them listed as well. They're so darn cute!

Button Jewlery Using My Buttons

I am constantly surprised with the beautiful things that people make with my buttons. Check out the beautiful button jewelry/jewellery at a Need to Create http://www.stleen.zoomshare.com/. I love how my bird buttons are incorporated with the other buttons. The colors/colours blend perfectly. What a creative use of buttons! You can find these bracelets along with other beautiful button bracelets here http://www.stleen.zoomshare.com/1.shtml/Jewelry%20-%20Button%20Bracelets.

Happy Birthday Mom

I kind of hesitate to put a picture of Mom on my blog as I'm not sure she'd like it. She never really liked to have her picture taken. I'm hoping she'll forgive me because this is a nice picture of her with my son when he was little. The sun rose and set on him as far as she was concerned. Today would have been her birthday. It's the second birthday that she's no longer with us. I think of you every day Mom. I love you and miss you. I hope you know how I feel. I wish I had the chance to tell you one more time but I hope that you know and hope that somehow you can hear me. Love you Mom. I think of you every day. A big hug to you. I appreciate everything you did for us (Penny, me and Matt).

A Hot Summer Treasury on Etsy

Must be my lucky day. My butterfly buttons are featured in yet another treasury on Etsy which can be found here http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3bb5dc05818eef22bb9f0f/god-its-so-hot-here?index=0. Thank you to Digital Perfection. Please take a moment to check out the beautiful images from Digital Perfection which can be found here http://www.etsy.com/shop/DigitalPerfection?ref=seller_info.

Another Etsy Treasury - Halloween Themed

I've been lucky enough to be chosen for another Etsy treasury. This one is Halloween themed and can be found here http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3cbd8492578eefbd799fa3/a-hallowed-night#4c3cef3150f26d912b6c5f02. Thanks to Firebolt Creations on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/FireboltCreations for choosing my items.

My Butterfly Buttons in an Etsy Treasury

My buttons are in this beautiful butterfly treasury on Etsy. The treasury can be found here http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3b988908386d916c3c0217/butterfly-bliss?index=0. Thank you to momosboutique http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoMosBoutique for including me. Please be sure to cheque out her shop.

Happy Birthday Dad

This is the second year without my Dad on his birthday. The picture above was probably taken in 1965. It is of my Dad with my younger sister and myself.

Happy birthday Dad from Penny and I. We miss you but you are in our hearts every day and know you're watching over us. We love you.

Button Button, Who's Got the Button?

I don't really remember the rules around the Button Buttons Who's Got the Button game but I do remember the saying. I think I'm going to have to google it to see if I can find out anything about the game. Anyway despite that it seems that I have the buttons right now. Pictured above is my latest batch of buttons after they're drilled and before their individual pictures are taken and they're ready to be listed at http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonsbyrobin. Whew! So many buttons it took quite a while to get the holes drilled and then even longer to get the individual pictures taken. I guess I'd better get to work now though and get them listed in my Etsy and Artfire shops. I also have a big wholesale order to do and a smaller custom order to get ready. Good thing I have this Monday off from the day job. I also want to get a bit of glass work done. So many crafts so little time........................

Happy Belated Fourth of July

Oh oh. I guess I am a bad Canadian as I forgot to post a picture on Canada Day (July 1st) and now I'm posting a Happy Fourth of July for my American friends. It is a belated happy fourth however. I guess I'm just not very good at recognizing these things. I hope I'm forgiven both at home in Canada and across the border by my American friends. I'm sure lots of Americans are off today since yesterday was the fourth. I hope everyone is having a wonderful long weekend. In honour/honor of the holiday I have posted a picture of my patriotic crows http://www.etsy.com/listing/24655207/handmade-buttons-primitive-americana.

My Bluebird Buttons in an Etsy Treasury!

My buttons are in an Etsy treasury which you can find here http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c26a2a918cd6d9102cc651f/birdy. Thank you to redchuckstress http://www.etsy.com/shop/redchuckstress for selecting my buttons to include in the beautiful bird treasury!

Latest Finds at the Antique Market

My husband and I went to the antique market last Sunday and I found a couple of things that I just had to have. I had to make a deal with my husband that I would limit my purchases of these "treasures" and he promised we'd come back if I actually used them to make something with. You see I have a habit of collecting these items and then not actually using them on anything. I sometimes can't bare to use them as they're one of a kind and then once they're gone, they're gone. This means I usually let them sit around waiting for the perfect thing to use them for and sometimes that perfect thing never materializes. Well I do have an idea for these and I've actually started on my project since I'm on holidays from the day job this week. I have to show my husband that I'm right and he's wrong and that I really really will put these treasures to good use.

By the way, in case you don't know what these are, these are antique wooden letter press letters that were actually used in printing at one time. I chose to purchase a few x and o's and am hoping to make them into some kind of jewelry. My first attempt didn't look very good so I've made some modifications and am waiting for some glue to dry and then I'm going to try again. I'll post the finished picture here when it's done. It will be beautiful! I just know it this time! Do you every purchase items and then can't bare to use them in projects because they'll be gone. Are you a crafting supply hoarder?

Halloween Mouse and My Cat Buttons

Here is another absolutely adorable creation by fibre artist Barby Anderson. This one uses my handmade black cat button. Don't you just love Halloween?

Here is the link to Barby's eBay auction for this adorable creature http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270597913863&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Another One Of a Kind Needle Felted Mouse with my Handmade Buttons

Wow another adorable one of a kind handmade mouse by Barby Anderson which incorporates my handmade buttons. This one has two of my buttons. A piece of "button" cheese it tucked in the back pocket and the sheep is sewn onto the back pocket. How cute! You can find the auction here http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270597012827&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT.

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to say Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's out there and Happy Father's Day to my Dad. I miss you and love you and you're still in my heart.

One of a Kind Fibre Artist and My Buttons

I'm so pleased to see that this wonderful fibre artist is using my buttons to add a little bit of embellishment to her creations. These mice are so adorable. This one is currently up for auction on E-Bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270593914391&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. Hurry up and check it out before the auction ends!

Vacation Starts Tomorrow

Tomorrow I get to start my vacation. I'm just taking a week off and since I'm staying home I'm hoping to get lots of creating done. My husband has an event he's going to tomorrow which I'm going to bow out of so I can create and we'll have to do something for Father's Day with his Dad tomorrow. We'll visit the cottage and get it ready for the summer one day but other than that I have a week of free time. Sometimes I find though that when I have a whole lot of perceived time ahead of me I tend to procrastinate. When I have just the short weekend I tend to jam it full of projects. One thing I'm going to have to do is remake a button order that got lost in the mail I'm afraid :) That's not something I look forward to but it happens every once in a while. Chances are it will show up when I've made up the new ones. The customer is being so patient though and I want to make sure I get the replacements to her. My head is bursting with things I want to to try - mainly some upcycled jewelry/jewellery items so we'll see how that goes. Have a great weekend everyone!

Staycation

I'm going to be on vacation next week and while I tried to find something to do and somewhere to go, in the end I decided we'd stay home. I love travelling and especially love Mexico but somehow couldn't bring myself to spend the money to travel there when we have beautiful summer weather here. I'll save my pennies for a vacation to the warmer climates in the winter. Now I have to decide what to do while I have a week away from the day job. My husband will be off as well so we'll have to figure out something we both want to do.

I do want to work on my buttons some and I have a ton of ideas for jewellery. Jewellery is such a hard sell on Etsy because there is just so much of it and, to be honest, I don't really spend a lot of time promoting it (shameless plug here www.outspokenjewelry.com) because I'm usually busy promoting my other store (shameless plug number two www.buttonsbyrobin.com).

Anyway I'm sitting here at my day job thinking of all the wonderful things I could do next week. I have a week of possibility ahead of me. I guess that's something special in and of itself.

I hope you all have the opportunity to take a vacation this summer and whether you go somewhere fun or exotic or just stay at home I hope it gives you time with family and friends and an opportunity to recharge your batteries and perhaps spend a little extra time creating or doing what you love.

Bird Silhouette on Turquoise - My Newest Favourite Buttons

Why is it that my most recent buttons are always my current favourite/favorite? Well in this case that's certainly the case. I love, love, love these buttons http://www.etsy.com/listing/47086846/bird-silhouette-on-tuquoise-buttons. These are recently listed in my Buttons By Etsy Shop at www.buttonsbyrobin.com. I just read a newsletter from Fire Mountain Gems that said turquoise is the not new colour/color right now. It has been one of my favourites/favorites for a while now. I also am loving turquoise and red right now as a combination. Hope you like these as well.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there. This is the second year without my mother and I miss her terribly. As time passes though I am able to remember and be thankful for all the good times we had. Happy Mother's Day Mom. Love you and miss you.

Buttons By Robin Link Love

I've just figured out how to get my short url for my Buttons By Robin face book page. It is http://www.facebook.com/buttonsbyrobin. I've started a link love discussion on my discussion page. If you'd like me to fan your page please leave your info there and we can all share links. Please only link to my page if you like my items though. No pity links please :)

As always you can see my work on www.buttonsbyrobin.com.

Turquoise Owl Buttons

My turquoise owl buttons have found a new home and are packaged up and will be on their way to Australia later today. I just love the idea that my buttons and jewelry/jewellery items have found places all over the world. I just wish I had started marking on a map all the countries where they have been sent. I think that would have been fun. I don't have any more of these owls listed in my Buttons By Robin shop at the moment but I hope to get some more made this weekend. In the mean time there are lots to look at including owl buttons of different designs http://www.buttonsbyrobin.com/

White Rabbit from Alice In Wonderland Fused Glass Pendant

I know that my site is primarily for handmade buttons but I couldn't help designing a few Alice in Wonderland pendants in fused glass and listing them here. I particularly love the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland and have incorporated him in this design http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44533015. This is made with a laser toner fused glass decal. When you use the right type of laser printer you can print the image in black and it fuses to a really dark reddish brown. The image becomes part of the glass and you can add anything you want. Too bad it only works in black but I'm working on doing some screen printed designs that will work on glass as well. That way I'll be able to add colour/color. Anyway hope you enjoy Alice in Wonderland as much as I do. As always you can find more of my buttons and jewelry at http://www.buttonsbyrobin.com/.

Fireman or Firefighter Buttons

These buttons would be great for the little fireman/firegirl (I do have an image of a female firefighter for anyone that would like that.) I love the bright red colours/colors against the white. Also I think it's great to encourage children in their dreams to be whatever they want to be when they grow up. Firefighters are truly modern day heroes and these buttons help celebrate that. They can be found in my etsy shop at http://www.buttonsbyrobin.com/ or http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonsbyrobin the specific listing for the buttons is here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44084032

My Owl Buttons in an Etsy Treasury

My Owl buttons are featured in this Etsy treasury http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=124891. I love all of the colours of these items. Thanks so much to mycyberfiber http://www.etsy.com/shop/mycyberfiber who included my buttons in this treasury. Please check out her Etsy shop if you love fiber. She has a wonderful selection of items including hand dyed yarns. They look delicious!

New Buttons By Robin Zibbet Shop

This is just a really quick note to let you know that I've opened up another Buttons By Robin shop on Zibbet. I only have one item listed at this moment but will be adding more as time permits. You can find it here http://www.zibbet.com/buttonsbyrobin. My main shop is www.buttonsbyrobin.com which is my Etsy shop. The vast majority of my items are there. I also have a few listings still on Artfire at www.handpaintedbuttons.com but I have sadly neglected that the last while. I am considering opening up my own website but we'll see how that goes. For now I just wanted to let you know about the Zibbet shop.

Artist or Studio Fused Glass Button-Bird Silhouette on Orange and White

I'm so excited to be adding some handmade artist or studio buttons to my www.buttonsbyrobin.com . This is one of my latest creations http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44265729. Of course I'll still be adding my usual handmade resin buttons that seem to be so popular. I just wanted to expand a bit and add something a bit more unique and special for when you really want to add an extra special touch to something. I'm also adding a bit of my artisan jewelry/jewellery as well. My latest jewelry/jewellery additions are some fused glass Alice in Wonderland pendant. There are also a few fused glass Alice in Wonderland buttons. I've got more to add and will be doing so slowly over the rest of the week as time permits. The day job does get in the way and sometimes you just have to spend time with the hubby. Hopefully I'll be able to get some serious glass fusing done on the weekend. So many ideas, so little time.................

Newest Fused Glass Lime Green Owl Brooch or Pendant

I've been very busy lately working on wholesale orders and custom orders for www.buttonsbyrobin.com making some really unique handmade buttons and I have a really interesting project in the works that I don't want to mention just yet but it's really exciting and I hope to be able to share the information shortly. Working so much on my buttons doesn't leave me much time for other creative endeavours like my fused glass. A couple of weeks ago I did manage to make some fused glass pieces and I really love them. The picture here is one of them. It's a fused glass owl and has a metal finding on the back that allows this to be worn as a pin/brooch or as a pendant. I really love this little guy and he's available in my other Etsy shop www.outspokenjewelry.com . Here is direct link to the listing http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43311115 I have also been working on some painted quilts and can't wait to get one finished. This is strictly for my own pleasure at this time and won't be something I'll be selling - at least not this one. I may try my hand at designing some painted art quilts and then we'll see. Oh so little time for all these projects I want to do. If only I didn't have to sleep...............

Knit Shop Carrying My Buttons

A while back a new knitting shop which opened up in Stratford, Ontario asked for some of my buttons to carry in their shop. Their philosophy is that they want to support local artisans. I was thrilled when they asked to carry my buttons and even more thrilled now that they've placed another order. I guess this means my buttons are a hit in Stratford. If you are ever in the area please stop by CloseKnit http://www.closeknit.ca/index.html and tell them Robin of Buttons By Robin sent you.

Juggling

I feel like I'm juggling too many balls at the moment and can't seem to get a good handle on any one of them. I'm trying my best to keep up with my Etsy shop(s) http://www.buttonsbyrobin.com/ and www.outspokenjewelry.com , list an item or two on Ebay and think of new ideas so that I don't get tired of making the same types of products. I'm also trying to get back into going to the gym and that leaves me extra tired and sore in the evenings. As if that weren't enough I'm really trying to go on a major kick to clear out some clutter (especially from my art studio). That seems a bit overwhelming so I've started with my kitchen and will work my way through the house up to the studio. Don't get me wrong my house is quite clean and clutter free but it's those hidden little junk drawers and the kitchen cupboards that collect stuff that is never used but sure does get dusty somehow. I started trying to clean out one drawer or one shelf most nights and run an extra load of rarely used dishes through the dishwasher to freshen them up. So far so good. As for going to the gym - I love it when I get there and feel so good when I do a class (well except for the fact that I can barely move for a day or two but that comes from having neglected going for so long and that will pass as I get used to using these muscles.). I'm just such an all or nothing person that if I don't' do everything perfectly I get really down on myself and usually just give up and do the "nothing" part. I'm trying to find that balance between doing some of what I want to do/need to do and the "all" or "nothing" part of me. Oh yes, I do have a day job so that takes a good part of my weekday hours. I'm up at 6 a.m. and (if I don't go to the gym) usually home by 5;30. I have to figure this out as I do want to do all of these things. I just don't want to be exhausted doing it. If anyone knows how to get more hours in the day please let me know. (The picture here has nothing to do with my post but of course I have to get in my shameless self promotion for http://www.buttonsbyrobin.com/ whenever I can.)

Handmade Button Gift Packs - Red Owl

I've recently added some button gift packs to my shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40216620. I've packaged these buttons in little mini CD cases that I've decorated with a decorative cover. The second picture shows the cover of the CD case. The first picture shows the inside of the CD case with the buttons. The inside cover is blank so you can write a message to the person you're giving the gift to. Inside the CD cover I include a little tag that says "Secret Pal". This can be changed to the persons name or some other phrase such as Happy Easter, Mom, Button Collector or anything else that you would like. I think these are a little bit of a special way to gift a button gift. Of course the packages of buttons themselves can be given as gifts but sometimes it's nice to have an extra special presentation for even the smallest of gifts. We'll see how these go over but I think they turned out quite well. What do you think?

Pink and Green Owl Buttons - Handmade

I quickly uploaded these little guys last night http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40045782 to my shop. I think they're adorable. I have quite a few owl buttons in the process and will hopefully get them done this weekend. I think they're adorable and although I know they're popular and trendy right now I still like to make them - even if it makes me look like I'm simply jumping on the owl bandwagon.

Branding

I'm trying to figure out how to brand my products. I've read a lot which says that branding is important. I think up until now I've packaged my products in a simple way. I was packaging my buttons on a simple hang tag. I think they looked kind of cute but they didn't have my contact information on the packaging. I've recently switched to adding a bag topper and placing the buttons in the bag. I think they look kind of cute and they do have the information for all three of my website. We'll see how it goes. I know that if I want to move this business forward as a business and not just a hobby that I have to figure out packaging, branding etc. I also have to be able to ship economically (which is a problem in Canada because the postal rates are pretty high compared to the United States.) I've had some really cute packaging ideas but if they bump up the shipping to the next category they more than double my shipping charges which make the little buttons too expensive to ship. No one wants to pay that much shipping for buttons - even if they are in a cute package. I do have an idea for packaging up some gift type buttons (maybe some for a secret pal or just because gift etc.) but I won't talk about that just yet until I work out the kinks. For now here is a picture of how I currently package my buttons.

Red Owl Buttons

Here are some of my newest buttons. I'm quite in love with these but then I always love my newest creations best! I know that owls are everywhere on Etsy and and some people think they're a bit overdone. I just know that I fell in love with this image and couldn't wait to get these buttons made. I like them so much I'm going to make a bunch more similar owl buttons in different colours. These are at www.buttonsbyrobin.com and the direct link to the listing is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39766135.

A Magazine Wants My Buttons!

I got an email yesterday from a Knitting Magazine (I'll name it later if this actually happens). They wanted a picture of my buttons for their magazine. They were going to put a picture of them and my web address on their recommendations page! How cool is that. I would imagine that IF they use the pictures that it will be a few months down the road but you can bet I'll be watching that magazine for my button images and if they do actually use them I'll be sure to buy a few issues. It's so exciting how these things can come about by having a product out there on the web and I think a huge part of this is having a site on Etsy. Etsy is becoming so popular these days and there seems to be a fresh feeling to the site these days. There seems to be a more positive outlook in the forums. It may be that their new/old CEO is back and he seems to be bringing a positive outlook with him. I also watched a Wayne Dwyer show on my local PBS channel this weekend - The Power of Intention. It basically said if you want something you have to intend for it to happen. For me this means you have to do the things to make it happen. Since the New Year began I've been focusing more on my buttons and to a lesser extent my jewelry. Exciting things have happened already this year. In addition to the magazine wanting my pictures I also have my buttons in a local store here in Ontario. I have been asked in the past to do wholesale orders for brick and mortar stores but have turned them down. This time I decided to go for it and put my buttons in an actual physical store. I always thought that I didn't have time. I'm going to play it by ear and see how it goes. I also just did a big button order for someone for their wedding. They are going to use the buttons for wedding favours/favors. How honoured I am for my buttons to be a part of such a special day in someones life! How cool is that.

Lot's Of New Buttons!

I just added lots of new images to www.buttonsbyrobin.com and these are some of my newly listed wooden buttons. These are available now in my Etsy store. I had a request by someone with the same first name as myself (Robin) for some robin buttons. Funny I hadn't thought of that before since I have lots of bird buttons. I took the request and made a couple of different kinds in both wood and my usual resin buttons. I think they turned out really well. I also took a few of my wooden buttons and made them into pendants. I listed a couple of these at my other Etsy shop www.outspokenjewelry.com although I haven't been listing too much jewelry lately these were seen and featured in this blog http://www.thischarmingcandy.com/2010/01/since-were-offering-free-shipping-on.html by This Charming Candy. That was a really nice surprise. Thanks very much Charming!

New Kilns

What a day. We went and picked up a couple of new kilns that I purchased from the parent of a co-worker. My husband I went and picked it up and it was a fair bit heavier than I anticipated. I am very excited to have the much larger kiln even though it will mean that I have to get an electrician in to do some rewiring. I will also have to call my insurance guy and make sure I am covered before we get this big boy going. I also got a second test kiln which I can use for small runs of ceramic or glass. Right now I only have a very small tabletop kiln I use for glass but hopefully once we get these all up and running I can make larger items.

Anyway the problem came when we came to lift it out of the van we had borrowed (with no help). I have an injured shoulder at the moment so was concerned about trying to lift the 250 lb beast with my hubby. I could just envision either crushing my fingers, injuring my shoulder more or having the whole kiln either crash into my father-in-laws van or just simply crash to the ground. I do not know how we did it but we did manage to get it out of the van and onto a dolly and then somehow lift it to its stand. What is even more amazing is my husband did not get upset, did not get angry and just calmly did what had to be done. We had no choice. We worked as a team. We did it.

It was a good day.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone. Here is to a great year and fresh start. The new year is the perfect time to focus on fresh starts don't you think? Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to leave work early. They let us go at 1:00 because it was New Year's Eve. My husband was working so we didn't do anything but he did manage to get home shortly before midnight so we were able to share a midnight kiss. I've never beenmuch into New Year's anyway. I usually do manage to stay up and ring in the New Year but don't usually go out or anything. Last night while hubby was at work I did manage to get over 70 bird silhouette buttons made for a custom order for a wedding. Today the resin should be set so I can add the holes and take the pictures and hopefully the bride to be will be pleased and I can get them mailed off to her. She wanted them for February so for once I'm ahead of the game. It's really an honour for my buttons to be included in such a special day. I hope she sends me a picture of the finished wedding favours. I also finished up a couple of robin (the bird) buttons that were requested. My first name is Robin and so it's the name of the preson that requested the buttons as well so I'm pleased to be making them. The ones I made are resin but I'm also going to be making some in wood. I've go the wood all painted up so just need to add the image. These wooden buttons are priced a bit higher priced as they're much more labour intensive than the resin buttons so we'll see how that goes. I think they look great but so far not too many wooden buttons sales. I also found or refound some fused glass pieces I had etched a while back. I'm hoping to do some silversmithing today and make some bezels for them. I've go some really cute ideas and we'll see how they turn out. I'm really new to working with metal/silver so it takes a bit of time to make these items and its hard to get the quality to the point to where I could sell it but I guess that's where the practice comes in and I actually love the finished pieces I've made so I'm very happy to wear them. I'm probably the only one to see the tiny imperfections but until they're perfect I won't be listing them for sale. Anyway so New Year's eve was productive and today I've made a couple of purchases so all in all the New Year is off to a pleasant start. Today my husband and I are just relaxing at home and tomorrow I get to go and pick up two (yes) two kilns I purchased from a co-workers parents so I'm very excited. The one kiln is pretty large compared to what I have now so I can try new things and the other is a bit bigger than my current kiln so now I can fire a lot more items if I want without having to wait a whole day for the one small kiln I have to cool down. I may end up giving one of the small kilns to my son who is super creative as well and makes jewlery for a living - stainless steel and titanium mostly for body piercing etc. but he's getting into silversmithing so would love a kiln to expand his creative possibilities as well. We'll see.