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Friday, July 31, 2009

Super Sassy Sale :: Save 25% Through Midnight August 1st {one-of-a-kind fused glass art | Knoxville, TN}




:: SUPER SASSY SALE ::

Sassy Glass Studio is having a Super Sassy Sale!! Sassy shoppers will receive 25% off through midnight August 1st, 2009!! Get 25% off the entire inventory of the Etsy shop for the next 36 hours!! Discount will be refunded via PayPal after purchase completion. Super Simple...Super Sassy!

Super Sassy Bonus...if you spend over $150 you will receive a free pendant ($25 value)!! Help Sassify the world and share this special opportunity with your friends and family.

Super Special Sassy Bonus...book a Beginner Fused Glass Class by midnight August 1st, 2009 you will save 25% too! Discounted class rate will be only $175!! Payment must be received by August 8th.
Visit the Sassy Glass Studio Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @AllThingsSassy.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Blame it on the Rain...a "dreary" Etsy Treasury featuring Ominous Sky {one-of-a-kind fused glass art | Knoxville, TN}

Ominous Sky Fused Glass Plate


Check out this fabulous Etsy Treasury of items in shades of always a classic grey. I especially love the umbrella pendant and the stormy ring. Beautiful!





Click here to view the Treasury!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Unleashing My Creativity in the Studio {one-of-a-kind fused glass art | Knoxville, TN}

Sassy Glass Studio had the opportunity to custom create several fused glass platters, vases and plates for Knoxville law firm, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz. Here are photographs of the pieces created to coordinate with their office decor. The color palette throughout the office is varying shades of grey and the glass was chosen to compliment those colors as well as accentuate the stunning photography of Senator Howard Baker, senior counsel to the law firm. The orange and white platter, shown below, is a unique addition to the firm's Volunteer Conference Room. This platter is entitled "Tennessee River" and reflects the river's flowing currents.









Sassy Glass Studio loves custom creations! Contact us to discuss your home or office decor needs today. Visit our Etsy shop for fantastic gifts and accents.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Sassy Glass Studio in the In Her Heels feature on She Takes On The World {one-of-a-kind fused glass art | Knoxville, TN}


Here is an interview about Sassy Glass Studio from the In Her Heels feature on Natalie MacNeil's She Takes On The World blog. This is an award-winning blog for entrepreneurial women. It's loaded with great information and resources.

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I would like to introduce you to the talented Lisa Gifford Mueller. As an artist and entrepreneur, she creates one-of-a-kind fused glass pieces and runs a boutique store, Sassy Glass Studio.

Tell us more about Sassy Glass Studio.
The Sassy Glass Studio story is a rather interesting one. Sassy Glass Studio was actually started by my sister-in-law, Mary Jane Borden, as her creative outlet when she wasn’t being a lawyer. Well, it grew and grew until it was consuming her free time and she needed to get away from it. One day she sent the family an e-mail asking who wanted to take over Sassy Glass Studio- the kilns, the glass, the supplies, everything- and I literally jumped at the opportunity. I guess I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Or maybe I did.
I have always been a thinker and creative and sometimes that can be a volatile combination. I dreamed about designs for the fused glass pieces I would create if I were the glass artist rather than MJ. My dreams came true the day I took possession of Sassy Glass Studio. I started working toward creating those pieces. Granted, it took me a while to learn how to cut the glass and operate the kilns, but only a couple of months later I was at my first art show selling the pieces I had dreamed of. It was then that the Sassy Glass Studio of today was born, just over one year ago. Sassy Glass Studio has come a long way in a short time and I love working with fused glass and experimenting with new techniques. I have recently begun teaching fused glass classes and really enjoy sharing my passion with others. My goal is to Sassify the World!
Sassy Glass Studio is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and hand crafts one-of-a-kind fused glass art that is often functional, but always decorative. Our fused glass art can be found in our Etsy shop, at local and regional fine art shows and coming soon to local shops and galleries.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find my inspiration in other types of art, especially paintings and abstract works. Glass comes in many forms, from sheets to powders as fine as talc, and I love combining them into pieces that are like glass paintings. My photography is also an inspiration for my work. Capturing an image is much like creating a piece of fused glass because lighting, composition, color, perspective and depth of field are all elements I use in both mediums. Many of my pieces are inspired by the flowers in my garden and I have begun working on some dog and cat pieces because I love dogs and cats (two dogs, five cats and a parrot!). Fashion is also an inspiration and, though I am no fashionista, I love looking through magazines to see the color trends especially for the creation of pendants. Home décor magazines are great for finding unique applications for fused glass art such as for backsplashes, sinks and wall and window art. Seriously, inspiration is everywhere -from my water garden to the Great Smoky Mountains to the Caribbean.

You sell through Etsy right now. How do you find the Etsy platform and would you recommend it to other entrepreneurs?
I love Etsy. There are people who don’t like it or are frustrated because they haven’t sold many items, but it gives you what you put into it. I take a lot of time with my descriptions and, of course, the photographs so even though I haven’t sold a truck load of my work, I get noticed and gain admirers. Many of my fans and those they tell about Sassy Glass Studio eventually become buyers. You wouldn’t expect people to be knocking down your door the day you open a brick and mortar shop, would you? So why does almost everyone that opens an Etsy shop think buyers will just flock to them? It’s all about marketing, branding your business and your work, creating a niche and developing a following. I would definitely recommend Etsy to other artistic entrepreneurs because it gives you a shop and a website for virtually no investment and they give you all the tools to become successful. You just have to be willing to use the tools.
Another wonderful aspect of Etsy is the community it creates amongst sellers whether they sell the same types of items or are from the same geographic location. I have been instrumental in the creation of our local Etsy group, Knoxville Creative Hands Street Team, and we have already held one successful sales event featuring about 30 Etsy shops and are working on a second for holiday shopping. It was amazing how excited everyone was to be part of a group of artists and crafters brought together because we all reside in the Knoxville area and sell on Etsy. The networking, idea sharing and friendships that have come from it make all the time and effort put into it worthwhile.

It’s a great idea to have a local Etsy group! I love that. What did you do prior to starting Sassy Glass Studio?
Before I took a leap and quit my day job to focus on the photography business my husband, Allan, and I have built, I was a pre-sales consultant for a large telecommunications company. I was very unhappy because there was absolutely no creativity involved in my job. It was obvious that I needed an outlet for my creativity in that environment because nobody else decorated their cubicle with ‘70’s floral print and a Hello Kitty collection. I worked with Allan growing and developing our photography business for about six months before Sassy Glass Studio fell into my lap.

What’s your advice to other women entrepreneurs?
The advice I give is to be in business for your own self, first and foremost. Do it for you. Make your own decisions. Don’t let other people poop on your dreams. My other two bits of advice are, one, treat it like a business from the beginning and two, get help from local resources or get yourself a mentor. Somehow, by accident, I have become a mentor to several women who have decided to start their own creative businesses. It has helped me just as much as them to be involved with their development and it gives me an opportunity to share what I have learned so they don’t have to waste precious time and energy. Most of all, everyone needs a cheerleader! Find people to join your cheer squad.

I am a huge advocate of building a cheerleading squad for your business. What is a day like in your heels?
I ditched the heels a couple of years ago and depending on the season I can be found in cowboy boots or flip flops almost always paired with overalls or jeans and a black t-shirt. I get up relatively early each morning and head downstairs to my gym for morning cardio. I am a fitness nut. Nothing gets my days started better than 30 minutes on the elliptical followed by my boring, but healthy oatmeal breakfast and copious amounts of coffee. This is really the only part of the day I have any control over because after breakfast who knows what will happen. I handle most of the marketing for our photography business, ALM Photo, as well as all the marketing for Sassy Glass Studio so I usually try to get some blogging, Facebooking and Twittering done at various intervals throughout the day.
Some days I spend all day out in the glass studio creating fused glass pieces and other days I don’t go out there at all. I will admit that the glass studio is my private sanctuary. I love to go out there, crank up the rock and roll and really get the creativity flowing with a little AC/DC. Sometimes I spend the day on location shooting photographs with Allan. As my schedule permits, I head back downstairs for another cardio session and weight training in the afternoon. It’s such a great stress reliever! Then it’s time for dinner, perhaps a little more work on the laptop and finally its time for bed and some much needed rest. It’s a crazy kind of life, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. A couple of months ago I tried documenting a typical day in my life with photographs to put on my blog but gave up because it looked like it was staged. I mean, I was all over the place. Keep your eyes open because you may see me zipping past you on my blue and white hibiscus adorned scooter headed off on another Sassy adventure!
Thank you so much Lisa!

Please stop by Sassy Glass Studio to take a look at Lisa’s creations. You can find Lisa on Twitter @AllThingsSassy.

View the entire She Takes On The World blog post complete with photographs follow this link:: http://shetakesontheworld.net/2009/07/in-her-heels-lisa-gifford-mueller-sassy-glass-studio.html

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sassy and Sturdy...Fused Glass Plate Survives Movers Poor Packing {one-of-a-kind fused glass art | Knoxville, TN}

Hi! Just wanted to drop you a note with a story about this gorgeous plate I bought from you. We just moved cross-country, and our (insert bad word here) movers "packed" your plate at the bottom of a box, unwrapped, with a bunch of heavy glass items on top of it. I was so nervous when I saw the plate peeking out at the bottom of the box....it was completely unharmed!! Yippee!! That is one tough and beautiful plate--thanks! Elena

Elena purchased the Santa's Snacks fused glass plate before Christmas because it reminded her of a plate her dear aunt had made for her. Her aunt has since passed away and the plate broke. This plate was to serve as a centerpiece for the family's holiday table. I am so thankful that Elena shared this tale with me because people think the glass is so delicate even when I explain that it has been properly annealed and is very strong. Let's hope nobody else has an experience like Elena's, but it's good to know the fused glass I create is not only Sassy, it's also sturdy!

Be sure to stop by Elena's Etsy shop and check out all the quilts and quilted items she has created. Let her know I sent you!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Savvy Aunties Are Invited to Get Sassy on July 26th {one-of-a-kind fused glass art | Knoxville, TN}


I recently discovered a wonderful website founded and developed by Melanie Notkin for Savvy Aunties just like me. Please click here to visit the Savvy Auntie website and learn more about Auntie Melanie and what it takes to be a Savvy Auntie. Savvy Auntie is celebrating Savvy Auntie’s Day on July 26th which, according to the website, is a day to celebrate all the cool aunts, great aunts, godmothers and women who love the kids in their lives who are not their own. Aunts by Relation, Aunts by Choice, and Long Distance Aunties are honored on this day for all they contribute and do to help raise and nurture children. Please click on the Savvy Auntie's Day badge on the upper right to learn more.

In honor of Savvy Aunties in the Knoxville area Sassy Glass Studio is offering a special two hour fused glass pendant class specially designed for Savvy Aunties and their kids. Participation in this special class is limited to the first 3 Savvy Aunties or Mom's or Dad's of kids with Savvy Aunties who call me at 865-406-3870. There is a limit of two kids per Savvy Auntie. The children, with the guidance of their Savvy Auntie, will create two unique fused glass pendants for their Savvy Auntie to wear close to her heart.


The class will be held on Savvy Auntie's Day, July 26th from 2pm to 4pm and the pendants will be available for pick-up/delivery the following day. Cost of the class is only $50 and includes all materials and tools as well as condensed instruction.
Celebrate Savvy Auntie's Day with a Sassy Glass Studio pendant class and dessert for dinner...because that's what Savvy Auntie's do!
Please note: Savvy Auntie's Day is a day for kids to shower their Savvy Aunties with love but I realize that most kids might not have $50 to pay for the fused glass class which is why a parent or the Savvy Auntie herself should call and book the class. Visit the Savvy Auntie website for other great ideas on how to celebrate Savvy Auntie's Day.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Extra! Extra! Lisa and Sassy Glass Studio are in skirt! Magazine {one-of-a-kind fused glass art | Knoxville, TN}

The e-mail I received from Janet Testerman, editor of skirt! Knoxville, started with an explanation that I had missed the magazine calendar deadline to include the Knoxville Creative Hands Street Team Spring Show & Sale and ended with an invitation to be the 24/7 feature for the July issue. Not a bad consolation prize for all the hard work I put into getting the press releases out to the local media!

So, I thought it would be fun to share the page from the July issue (page 50 if you check out the paper version) along with my responses to all of the "interview" questions Janet sent my way. There were a lot of great questions and I think they will help you put a personality with the face (and name) and get to know me better. And by better, I really mean get to know more about me than you ever wanted. Enjoy!


24/7 with Lisa Gifford Mueller, Fused Glass Artist/Professional Photographer, Knoxville, TN

My family: is full of interesting characters.
My work: allows me to express myself as creatively as I wish!
My passion: is guiding others to reach their goals in their creative business.
My favorite possession: Honda Metropolitan scooter…blue and white with hibiscus flowers all over.
My hometown: Marstons Mills, on Cape Cod, MA
I’m thinking about: whether or not to put pink streaks in my hair again.
Words I live by: "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." — Scott Adams
I can’t live without: a cup of coffee in the AM (and it doesn’t even have to be good coffee!)
I am most proud of: my recent body transformation…fit, fabulous and over 40!
What keeps me awake at night: Snoring
One thing I never want to do again: Work for someone other than myself!
If I could be totally wild, I would: pose for Playboy
I am guilty of: taking the bigger slice of pie for myself.
Right now I’m reading: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
The one item that has changed my life: My Canon 5D (or cameras in general)…totally changed the way I look at things, from perspective to composition, and how I create as an artist.
Favorite web site: Etsy.com
Last major purchase: My motorcycle, a Honda Shadow Spirit 750
The nickname I wish I had: Kitty Fantastic
My theme song: hasn’t been written yet, but I know it will totally rock!
If I had a vanity plate on my car, it would say: Sassy (of course!)
If I could do it all over again: I would have gotten a more interesting tattoo.
My favorite body part: my new abs!
The food I could eat every day: Freshly caught New England seafood
If I were a superheroine I would be: Hello Kitty!
My blog: http://sassyglassstudio.blogspot.com
The most important thing I ever lost: my mind…but only temporarily!
The best thing I ever won: my husband’s heart
My best friend says I am: tall.
I still can’t get the hang of: applying makeup
I wish I’d known: That I would love to travel…I would have started much sooner!
The world would be a better place, if only: people woke up with a positive attitude
I’d like to learn to: stop taking everything personally.
Something most people don’t know about me: I suffer from a painful neuropathic disorder, Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is thankfully in remission right now.
My mother always said (says): I take good care of her, but maybe that is only because I bought her a house. (See worst idea!)
The worst idea I’ve ever had: to buy a house because it was cute…then dump oodles of money into its ridiculous renovation.
The smartest woman I know: Carlene Steenekamp. She should be a doctor, not a personal trainer.
My first job: waitress in a little diner on Cape Cod.
What are you most vain about? Not vain about anything
Whose diary would you most like to read? Princess Diana’s
What do you fear the most? Hurting someone’s feelings.
Best one-liner you ever heard: (Oh, I am so terrible with remembering humorous bits!)
Always...have positive thoughts!
Never...think that you can’t do something.
I wish…my cats would stop being lazy and clean the house.


So, there you have it, everything you always wanted to know (and more) about Lisa Gifford Mueller of Sassy Glass Studio. Be sure to check out skirt!Knoxville on the web and on Facebook too. Skirt! is fun and entertaining and always a great source of information.


Visit the Sassy Glass Studio Etsy shop for one-of-a-kind fused glass art

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Deep Blue Sea Fused Glass Tray {one-of-a-kind fused glass art, Knoxville, TN}

The Deep Blue Sea fused glass tray has been featured in an Etsy Treasury by thegoblet of pieces inspired by, you guessed it, the deep blue sea. Check out the other gorgeous items featured here. You may find something for you or your home. Be sure to check out the makeup and the dresser...awesome!

Check out the Sassy Glass Studio Etsy shop while you're there...

Friday, July 3, 2009

Paws-itively Unique :: Fused Glass Art Inspired by Your Pet {one-of-a-kind fused glass art, Knoxville, TN}



Just a quick post to show off the canine inspired coasters and photo frame I recently created. I have been working toward developing some new dog bone designs as well as incorporating the dog paw into coasters, bowls and plates. It took a little research to make sure I had the basic design correct. I didn't want the paw prints to look like cat prints or bear prints. Dogs are smart and would know if it wasn't quite right!
These pieces can be created in any color glass is available and I can create a custom design also. Please contact lisa@sassyglassstudio.com to inquire about price or place an order for coasters, photo frames, bowls or plates.
Keep up-to-date with Sassy Glass Studio on Twitter @AllThingsSassy and if you aren't already become a fan, check out the Facebook page- search Sassy Glass Studio. And don't forget to check out the Etsy shop too!
Interested in learning how to create your own fused glass art and jewelry? Beginner glass classes can be taken on your schedule. Contact Lisa for more information.