Craft, Eat, Travel, Sleep.....Repeat

Shop Update

My shop, B Glass Designs, is updated and ready for browsing.  Enjoy.

One of Those Weeks

It has been one of those weeks.  The kind where Monday morning kicks off with a mystery leak in the kitchen.  So you call the handyman and before you know it he is working on the dishwasher problem when the fumigator shows up, a client calls, there are 5 billion urgent e-mails waiting for a reply and your crock pot granola burns. 

So you take a deep breath buckle down and work through the never ending to do list.  Then when 6:30 rolls around you log off you immediately order pizza and begin inhaling chocolate.  Yup, that kind of week. 

But today is Thursday and today the Mister is taking me to see Sherlock Holmes.  I've been promised popcorn but forbidden to order nachos.  It is for my own good since movie nachos are a nasty creation that I suspect are laced with crack.  Why else would I order them time after time when I know they make me sick? 

And that my dear pals is all I have to report since I must get back to work.  You know that thing that puts a roof over my head, food in my mouth and shoes on my feet but interferes with internet surfing and e-bay shopping. 

What a Crock!

Personally, I find the seventies to be the heydey of crock pots.  People were whipping up roast beef, chili and hot fruit in vessels of bright orange, brown and lime green.  Occasionally, you get lucky enough to come across the unmistakable butter yellow that transports you back to the days when a men proudly wore a chunky belted sweaters and women doused themselves in Jean Nate.   With my 20th high school reunion just around the corner and I suspect it is making me feel nostalgic.

So I am whipping out my crock pot which sadly is a sleek new stainless steel with plastic black handles.  Lovely to look at but for now unlike an older model it lacks soul.  Hopefully, a few batches of stewed apricots, pot roast, kheer, Boston baked beans and Moroccan chicken my little baby will be the Aretha Franklin of crocks.  And demanding that I give her R-E-S-P-E-C-T! 

Like child or a J Peterman catalog writer, I love to name things.  From crabby neighbors to kitchen appliances.  With that I dub my crock, Aretha! 

So tomorrow Aretha and I start with granola.  No, I haven't been sneaking shots of tequila, I actually said granola.  Staples of hippies and children of Whole Foods loving moms everywhere.  And now I'll be making in a crock pot (gasp) for my sweet hubby and little ol'.  I am hoping to take what I am confident will be scrumptious granola and make a proper energy bar.  Then the ol' husband can take in long bike rides up the mountain.  Since I long ago abandoned the hobby of pedaling and cursing my way up long never ending inclines, mine granola will cereal or sprinkled in homemade yogurt.  Yum! 

I have a feeling this is the start of a long love affair between Aretha and I. 

On the Precipice of Becoming Productive

I am on the edge of becoming far more productive.  All I need is a new non-linux laptop.  Fortunately, in less than a week that will be my reality.  Excuse me a moment while I do a happy dance. 

Since the untimely death of my pretty pink Dell laptop in May, I have been using an Asus Eee PC Series mini laptop.  It can handle the basics but photo downloads are not an option.  As you can imagine it makes blogging tough and trying to get a jewelry company off the ground even harder. I've managed with help from my dear husband. He doesn't complain and is a great sport.  But I am a hands on control freak who cannot wait to be in the driver's seat again.

My in-laws arrive in less than a week bearing gifts. Actually, they have graciously agreed to be mules for us and bring things like laptops, converse, a modern square mandrel and a host of other odds and ends.  Not a single complaint though clearly we ordered enough to single handedly buoy the lagging economy.  Rather than look at it as being greedy, I prefer to say we are patriotic and are helping America.  (cue patriotic music)  So really everyone wins.

The bottom line is that in six days I'll be posting with pics while wearing great shoes and munching on butterscotch chip cookies.  And isn't that what it is really about? 

My Brand Spankin' Shop!

My etsy shop is finally up and running.  And drum roll please.....my official site B Glass Designs is fully operational too.  Finally, I got off my duff and put my work out there.  Will it be beloved or lost in the vortex that is the internet?  Only time will tell.  But I do hope if you read this blog you'll stop by and give a gal an ego boost.

At the moment, I only have two items but I've got more on the way.  I just finished another wax model last night and it promises to be gorgeous.  Best of all it has my style geometric, clean lines and a pop of color.  This time I left out whimsy, I am saving that for a rainy day.

Torre in Wax

Fresh off the high of selling my first piece, I began working on a geometric-faceted pendant inspired by an exhibition on architecture at the Recoleta Cultural Center in October. 

The piece is inspired  by César Pelli's La Torre Cristal (Crystal Tower) in Madrid.

Pelli's version has 52 floors and stands over 250 meters tall.  Mine version is somewhat smaller.  And since mine is meant for wear, I was  able to add more facets.  I am tempted to do create a version that is truer to the original.  Really very tempted. 

In the meantime, I am trying to come up with names.  Torre Crystal isn't a great name for silver faceted pendant and I fear Pelli isn't a great either. So what's a designing gal to do?

Rings!

My newest designs are done!  And just in time since my site is a week away from being ready.  Finally, I'll be able to sell my wares. 

Americ Airlines: The Break Up

I hate to sound like a shrill ex-girlfriend but I cannot believe American Airlines still hasn't replied to my complaint letter. I guess this whole thing is a bit like a break up.  Especially, since it drives me to say thing like the following;

If you can't be bothered to reply it is the same as saying what happened was a-okay by you.  And why on G-d's green earth (that I love to fly around) would I chose you over Copa or Us Airways? You obviously don't care about my feelings.  Even after all the miles....I guess that is the part that bugs me the most. 

Seven Designs in Seven Days

I have been quiet lately but don't let that silence fool you.  I've got a new project in the works and  expect to debut it in a matter of weeks.  Likely four which is technically a  month but still dear readers a WEEKS! 

For the last two years, I have been taking jewelry making classes.  And I finally feel ready to put an etsy store and a site to sell, sell, sell!  I thought with the economy crashing don around us it is the perfect time to sell handmade artisan jewelry.  I said I had a plan, I never promised it would make sense. 

So in honor of the excitement and sudden flow of creative juices  I am planning on creating seven designs in seven days. Wish me luck........with everything.

Hey American Airlines Do the Right Thing!

On an American flight in August, I received the absolute worst treatment ever in all my years of flying.  I have sent my complaint letter to American via the their site as suggested with no response.  Then again via fax as instructed by a customer service rep with no response and then again via a letter mailed directly to company's president and STILL no response. 

Rather than continue to try and work with American in hopes of being compensated for the very poor treatment provided by several members of the flight crew, I am posting the letter.

Here is the letter;

Gerard J. Arpey
CEO, American Airlines
4333 Amon Carter Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76155

Re: Poor Customer Experience on Flight XXX from Buenos Aires to Miami

Dear Mr. Arpey;

I am writing you to express my disappointment with my treatment during Flight XXX from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Miami, Florida on August 3, 2009.

My work requires that I return to Buenos Aires and based on my experience I have opted to fly XXX Airlines. The fare was more expensive however, I felt it as worth the cost. As a regular American Airlines customer I felt you should know why.

Let me begin by saying, the tickets were purchased from your site. When I inquired about an upgrade at check in I was told my fare type would not allow it. At the time of purchase the ticketing information did not indicate anything aside from normal travel restrictions. My experience would have been favorable and your company would have earned additional monies had I been simply been allowed to buy an upgrade.

Instead, I was moved from my seat to provide an extra seat unpaid seat for a couple traveling with a baby. The seat was provided to make their flight more comfortable with little concern for other passengers.

My husband was unable to make the return flight. So I had hoped to take advantage of his unused seat. The flight attendants, seeing the extra seat decided to move the the couple to provide a third seat for their 
baby carrier. The couple already had several passengers relocate themselves to accommodate them. The crew was aware of this. When I politely explained I was hoping they would find me an equally roomy seat replacement they got upset. I said if it was an issue I could simply stay where I was. They replied “you do what you want but they will be moving there.” Essentially, making it clear I would moving.

So feeling uncomfortable, embarrassed and bullied I moved. The family was provided three of the five center seats. After take off they happily took the fourth seat which was used as a diaper changing station 
or foot rest.

The passenger seated at the end of the row was moved to business class. Since the seating was available I believe they should have considered moving both of us. It was clear that the crew was upset with me and this was a way to teach me a lesson. They made sure I knew the other passenger had been upgraded.

Later in the flight, I went to the restroom area near the galley and spoke briefly with a flight attendant. We were discussing her experiences flying internationally with American. I was enjoying the conversation. However, one of the crew who had participated in the seat move repeatedly shooshed me. The flight attendant I was speaking with with asked her to stop. When she continued I returned to my seat. 

My husband and I are regular travelers with the bulk of our travel being international. I had come to enjoy flying with American Airlines and began choosing your routes even over less costly options. I felt the service alone was worth it. I feel we are the kind of brand loyal customer American Airlines would want to keep,

To compensate for the poor treatment, I would like to request an upgrad to first class for my husband and I for reservation/record locater number XXX.

This gesture would go a long way to restoring my faith in the the quality of service. As well as, ensuring my continued use of American Airlines. Thank you.