So today I do a bit of web searching and I find a site that gives resources for lampwork beads and one of the resources is Austin Hamilton – this upsets me so much. First Austin Hamilton is NOT a person, and he/she/it does not make their beads – they are cheap imports, made using sub-standard glass, and even worse, they are made by slave labor – horrific!! Why not be honest and just say we import beads from China – from children and impoverished adults, that sit in front of a flame and melt glass for pennies. We don’t anneal our beads, so they won’t last very long, but go ahead and pay our mark up of 200 percent and have fun!
As a glass artist it just frustrates me to see people being duped this way. I don’t think it would bother me as much if I didn’t know the conditions that these beads were made in. I just find it so interesting that people are willing to do anything to save a buck or make a buck. At least when we go to Target, Walmart, KaMart and a dozen other places and pick up those lovely cheap jewels we sort of know that they are imported knock-offs. And, if you don’t know – well they are, so if you enjoy wearing children’s tears on your neck – buy your jewels from them. But, if you enjoy wearing things that were created by an artist, someone who willingly labors over their work try out etsy or go to your local art boutiques. Support someone who wanted to make something for you to enjoy. OK I am done with my rant 
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On to good news – I almost finished my entire household list! I got all the tile floors sparkling – even the grout. I discovered a great way to keep your grout really clean – clean the floors with hot water and OXY CLEAN – the oxy clean just eats the dirt out of the grout. Now, here is the real trick – don’t just mop all your dirty water around – just suck it up. I have a Bissel floor machine – but you can use a wet/dry vac – takes all the dirty water off the floor and out of the grout too – instead of just swishing dirty water with a mop – you are actually removing all the sludge. Works fantastic . This is great for spills too – I have one of those tiny wet/dry vacs and it is great for clean ups. Speaking of grout – my DIL, Marcy uses Lysol bathroom cleaner on the grout in the kitchen – and the grout lines look amazing – just spray and wipe – smells good too . AND if you are really on a roll, you can shampoo your carpets – use the OXY CLEAN again – even removed an old rust stain that was on the carpet when I moved in – love it!
If you haven’t noticed yet, I like to clean – lol. Well… I don’t LIKE to clean but I like the way I feel after the house is clean . I think I may like to paint too – at least I am trying it. I took 8 Ikea chairs that we picked up for a song, and a craigslist dining table – and painted them white…take a look
My kitchen table redo
Now I am off to do the am dishes, make some beds, get mom all settled in – maybe even cut her hair today
