News & Spotlights — creativity

How Creative Detours Lead to Breakthroughs in Art and Craft Projects

Posted by Megan Petersen on

When Creativity Has Other Plans I sat down fully prepared to make a bracelet. Beads, wire, tools—all ready to go. But soon after I started threading the beads, something changed. Instead of making a bracelet, I found myself creating a beaded barrette. It wasn’t part of the plan, but I went with it. What started as a random detour ended up becoming an entire line of beaded barrettes, and that collection is still one of my best sellers over at my boho jewelry website. This kind of unexpected shift happens often, especially when I’m designing glass eyes. The materials pull me in...

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Realistic Handmade Octopi with 78mm Glass Eyes

Posted by Megan Petersen on

Michelle S. from Spokane, WA shared these amazing photos of her recent projects with us. On this project she used both the 78mm Blue Octopus and 78mm Orange Octopus eyes in her hand-crafted creations.⁠⁠"I thought you might like to see my octopus with the 78mm blue octopus eyes.  I’ve made 2 with the 78mm eyes and several with 30mm and 40mm.  Your eyes add so much realism to an octopus.  I included some photos of the red octopus with 78mm eyes which I don’t think I ever shared with you. Usually I make the red style octopus, but this time I made the...

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Floral Skull made with Bloodshot Zombie Glass Eyes

Posted by Megan Petersen on

Ginny L. from Ottawa, OH sent us this review about the Bloodshot Zombie glass eyes from her Random Overstock purchase used in her project:⁠⁠"I love your eyes for my floral/skull art!"⁠ ⁠ Ginny, This skull is absolutely stunning and has such a fierce gaze! Amazing work! We look forward to working with you again in the future and thank you for your support of this small business! ~ Megan   About the glass eyes from handmadeglasseyes.com: All artisan glass eyes are original graphic designs designed by Megan Petersen of Spokane, Washington Each cabochon is handmade with attention to detail and...

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Hand Carved Trout with Dark Fish Glass Eyes

Posted by Megan Petersen on

Carl L. from Scottsdale, Arizona said this is an email about the Dark Fish Eyes used in their project:⁠⁠"Glad to do business with you. Love your products!  I don’t have any pictures as cute as your daughter, but attached are my 3 hand-carved trout with your eyes added today as the final touch!  Love it! Cheers, Car"⁠ Carl, those trout look so incredibly life like! What an amazing detailed creation! Thank you for choosing our eyes to bring them to life and we appreciate your support of this small business! ~ Megan   About the glass eyes from handmadeglasseyes.com: All artisan glass...

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How to Finish a Creative Project When You're Stuck in the Middle

Posted by Megan Petersen on

Finishing a creative project can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for any maker or artist. It's easy to get excited about a new idea and dive in headfirst, but when you hit that inevitable roadblock somewhere in the middle, it can feel like the project will never see the light of day. But I'm here to tell you that you have the power to push through and complete even your most ambitious creative undertakings. It's all about tapping into your passion, breaking down the process, taking a rest, but ultimately refusing to give up. Start with recalling why...

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