How to Prevent Possible Lasik Eye Surgery Complications

Everyone I know has had Lasik and has ranted and raved about their results. So after ten years of being wishy-washy, I finally too the leap of faith and went for it. And I ended up with complications during surgery, which I thought I'd share how this could have possibly been prevented.

The Lasik eye technicians said I was the perfect candidate for Lasik. I had more than enough layers on my cornea to be able to reshape my eye. And all the other tests they did confirmed that this should have been a simple, in and out, procedure.

For three weeks I prepared. I took my mult-vitamin. I took Fish Oil. I took vitamin C. And I didn't wear contacts for over three weeks. My eyes were rested and had plenty of tears being produced to be able to do the surgery.

But they forgot to account for one thing. My bone structure around my eye. At least that is what they said. Personally, I think some of it may have been bone structure and some of it had to do with being the last patient of the day, on one of their busiest days of the year.

So I went in at 3:30 pm, with four kids in tow, believing the entire procedure would last 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I told my husband to take the kids to dinner and by the time he arrived back, we should be ready to go. Was I wrong!

While he was gone, they gave me a Zanax and numbed my eyes. I was feeling really good and comfortable and didn't have a worry in the world. When my husband arrived, it was time for my surgery. They brought me into the Lasik surgery room and laid me on the table. From there all they needed to do was get this plastic suction attached to my eyeball. The suction had a rim around it that needed to go under my eyelids. After two tries and  a lot of pushing, the surgeon finally was able to attach it to my right eye. And successfully lasered a flap.

Then came the 2nd eye, which we all were hoping was going to be a breeze. But it wasn't. The surgeon tried to attach the suction three times, causing bruising and swelling to my eyeball. Finally, they gave up and took me into another room with my husband to discuss options. I was still drugged up and my eyeballs were completely numb so I couldn't feel any pain. I also had no idea what my eyes looked like.

Options: 1. Wear a contact in that eye for the rest of my life or 2. Get PRK.

The primary difference between PRK and LASIK refractive surgery is that in LASIK, the vision correction occurs under a flap, while in PRK, the vision correction is performed on the surface of the cornea after the epithelium has been removed. The epithelial cells then heal during the following three to four days, in order to cover the cornea.

Originally, I told them I didn't want to do PRK no matter what. The healing process is almost two months. And you can't drive right away. With four kids and a husband that travels, I really didn't want to have PRK surgery. But at that moment, it seemed like the best option for me. It was one eye. So I went for it.

They reviewed everything I needed to do when I got home, like put eye drops in my eyes every 30 minutes and wear these plastic eye protectors every night for a week and take my vitamins. But they also stressed that I should take a pain killer the next night and then the following morning because my PRK eye will be hurting something fierce. And they weren't kidding!

At 8:30 pm, five hours later, we were finally ready to go home. My husband pulled up the car, loaded our four kids in, and drove us home for the night.

 

January 4, 2013

The next day wasn't bad pain-wise. My eyes were very sensitive to light. But they had given me the coolest sunglasses to wear to help. Both my eyes were blurry and felt like they had sand in it, making them uncomfortable to keep open. I guess my eyes looked pretty bad because my husband asked me not to take off my glasses. They were swollen, red, and had a blood clot appearance.

Later that night I started to feel pain out of my left eye, which was my PRK eye, so I took a pain killer and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning, my eye felt as if someone had stabbed it with a knife. I was in so much pain. I took another pain killer, which made me beyond nausea to the point I felt like I had the flu. I was miserable and snappy. And my uncomfortableness lasted two whole days--just the PRK eye. My Lasik eye felt great on the 2nd day. And I could see perfectly.

January 9th (six days later)

My Lasik procedure was on January 3rd and today is the first day that I'm starting to be able to see well out of my PRK eye. It's still a little foggy and itchy. But I've made it through the hardest part.

So here is my recommendation to anyone having Lasik.

Pre-surgery:

• Ask them if there is any way to know if they may have difficulty attaching the suction to your eye during the surgery.
• Take all your vitamins and do everything they say before surgery

Surgery:

• Don't be their last patient for the day.
• If you have complications with your Lasik, I would not recommend PRK if they have already tried to get the suction apparatus on your eye several times. My eye was so swollen and bruised, which I think caused my pain to be amplified.
• Discuss what you want to do with your spouse or whoever is with you prior to you being drugged and numbed. I was feeling so good that they could have taken out my eye and I wouldn't have cared.

Post-surgery:

• Get extra eye drops from them and tape to attach the plastic eye protectors.
• Take the pain killers for PRK. I didn't need them for the Lasik. But boy did I need it for the PRK.
• Remember that PRK recovery is a lot longer. Driving at night has been a bit challenging for me. Especially (prior to today) only one of my eyes has had really good vision.

Feel free to share your experience or questions.

Great Bowling Tip To Teach Your Kids

I grew up loving bowling! In fact, I even was on my high school's bowling team. Not ten-pin. I bowled candlepin, which is bowling with a ball that has no holes in it. The ball actually fits in the palm of your hand. Truthfully, I think bowling helped my softball pitching accuracy and vice versa.

The first time I bowled ten pin was when I was dating my husband. And what a great story that made. My now husband bet me to a game of bowling, thinking that he would win hands-down. I actually thought he would too. I had never bowled ten-pin. The bet...if I won, he would take me to Las Vegas, Nevada. If he won, I would take him to South Beach, Florida. And I won! He and I both were in shock because I could hardly even pick up the balls. But I did win, and he honored the bet and took me to Las Vegas.

Well...just recently, I learned that selecting the right bowling ball can have an affect on your bowling game. I wish someone would have shared that tid bit of information years ago. Below is what I learned. I do want you to know that the following is a sponsored post, where I did receive a small payment. Bowling is such a fantastic family sport. And what I learned is educational and something every parent can share with their child.

What a Bowling Ball Is Made of:

Selecting the best bowling ball will definitely have an affect on your bowling game. Every person will have their very own set of preferences when it comes to the size and weight of the balls that they use to bowl. If you are a beginner, you can be confused as to which kind of bowling ball is best suited for your needs. Maybe understanding how a bowling ball is created and exactly what is inside of it may help you make a greater decision regarding your own bowling ball.
 

The bowling ball is pretty much one solid piece of material. If you decide to cut one out of half, you might discover a solid core making up a lot of the ball. This core is manufactured out of polyester resin which is combined with various minerals such as limestone. This mixture is then simply placed in a container to accept the form of a bowling ball and then left to set. However, the shape the core of the bowling ball takes will differ in order to create various kinds of bowling balls. Some will not only be heavier than others because there is a bigger core, but they may also behave differently.

 

 

 

In order to take the round shape of a regular bowling ball, the core, which is asymmetrical, is then put into another container and is given a polymer shell. Lastly, the outer layer from the bowling ball is known as a coverstock. These are manufactured from various materials such as plastic and polyurethane and each one has its very own unique characteristics. It is up to you to determine which one is better for your game.

 

Once you do decide on a bowling ball, you will need to look after it properly such as keeping it in a bowling ball bag. At http://bowlingbags.com you will have a large choice of products to ensure that you are on top of your game.

Does Your Tween Need A Cell Phone?

For over a year, my ten year old son has begged us for a phone. His reasoning, "Mom, what happens if soccer practice ends early and everyone leaves and I'm there all alone?" The only thought that crossed my mind was, "The coach better never leave him or any kid at the field alone."

Here is the truth. Many of my son's friends have a phone. He wants to appear cool, so he wants one too. After a year of begging and coming up with every reason for why he needs one, this fall, my husband said, "If you raise enough money for a phone, we'll get you one." And then he suggested for Jake to start a pet sitting service. We all know what that means. Mom has more responsibility.

I helped Jake make and print out pet sitting flyers. He went around our neighborhood handing them out. And in December, only a few weeks later, Jake got his first pet sitting opportunity. It was the only one he needed to give him enough money for a phone, because there was an iPhone (which was the phone he wanted) on the market that was now priced at $99 and he had some money already saved.

My husband's brilliant idea of it taking Jake a year to raise money for a phone was a total flop. He had enough money, so we lived up to our agreement and got him a phone, which truthfully he really does not need.

Since we've had the phone, my son has only really taken it outside the house a handful of times. Twice to a friend's house (which they have a home phone) and a couple of times when he and I were running errands (I have my phone). The rest of the time it has laid on a table in our house. Not because he doesn't want to use it or bring it with him. Because he does! And he has asked.

Just the other day he asked to take it to soccer practice, but it was raining, so I said, "Jake, it could get wet, so I wouldn't. Why don't you just use your coaches if you need to reach me?"  He agreed. Then he asked if he could take it to his friends birthday party, which was at Sports Connection. I asked him if he really needed it and if he thought he may lose it? He said, "Yeah, I'll leave it here."

My son really doesn't need a cell phone. It's all for show. If you are considering getting your child a phone, below are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

• You can easily reach them as long as their battery is charged and they have it on.
• You can track their whereabouts with the GPS.

Cons:

• The cost. You need a case. You need insurance. You need a family plan. And you need to purchase the phone, if it's a smartphone. And then pay for a data plan, which adds up.
• Responsibility. Kids are kids. They'll lose things and drop things.
• Health. Playing games on a cell phone will eventually affect your child's eye sight. Watch out for headaches too.
• Obsession. It's another electronic device you need to manage your child's time.
• Noises. My son's phone beeps and rings constantly. His friends who have phones now have access to him. And when they are bored, they are sending lots of 'Whatz up' texts.
• Parent time commitment. It is another to do for me to monitor and manage. Especially because we only have a certain amount of usage on our shared data plan.

I'd love to hear about your experiences and thoughts!


The fifth Wunderkind Family children's fantasy chapter book will be released May, 2014!

Enter The Wunderkind Family 'Guess Who Max Is?' Children's Book Giveaway

I'm excited to announce my first children's educational giveaway - The Wunderkind Family 'Guess Who Max Is?' Giveaway! Max is the newest pet in the next Wunderkind Family fantasy children's chapter book series, which will be released May, 2014. The Wunderkind Family children's chapter book series target age is for kids 6 to 12 years old.

This giveaway is a fun way to encourage children ages 6 to 12 years old to research and learn. A year ago, when my now nine year old son was eight years old, I had him research the type of bird he would like in this book and he chose Max's species!

Throughout the giveaway, I will be sharing clues to help your child in their guess. All clues will be posted at www.wunderkindfamily.com and communicated on my social media sites.

CLUES:

1. Max is a baby raptor
2. Max is a male falcon.
3. Max is one of the most colorful raptors with his slate-blue head.
4. Max is North America's smallest falcon.

 

Guess the species of Max!

About 'The Super Secret'

 

Up until a few days ago, nothing extraordinary had ever happened in ten year old Josh Wunderkind’s life - except eating a whole pot of pasta by himself. But that all changed after a mammoth-sized bird hit him smack on the face with a glob of neon green bird poop. triggering his superhuman Wunderkind ability and leaving him with the responsibility of caring for a baby bird he named Max. Now Josh was just like his older brother and twin sister Madison-super extraordinary! But what Josh didn't realize was that being superhuman wasn't all fun and games.

And things only got more complex in Josh’s life when his two siblings and a couple neighborhood friends persuade him to lead a super crime-solving, neighborhood news team—the Gumshoe News Crew. But not before they agree on the Super Secret and complete Gumshoe Boot Camp.

Find out what the Super Secret is. Will the Gumshoe News Crew complete boot camp? Or will Josh let his team down?

 
The rules are simple.

• The first five participants to enter a guess of what species of bird Max is will win one autographed copy of children's author, Melissa Perry Moraja's fifth Wunderkind Family children's book - Josh and the Gumshoe News Crew 'The Super Secret'.
• Make your guess in the comment section below or on the 
  Facebook Post by Melissa Productions.
• The order of dates of when post was entered will determine winners.
• No more than five guesses are allowed by participant.
• Giveaway goes from January 20 to February 28, 2014.
• Contestants will be notified in March, 2014.
• Prizes will be distributed no later than April 30, 2014.
• Parents must give their children consent to enter.

ENTER BY:

Making your guess in the comment section below or on the
Facebook Post by Melissa Productions.

 

 

Rights associated with giveaway:
By submitting a guess, each participant (and parent or guardian) agree to be bound by these Giveaway Rules. Each participant (and parent or guardian) agrees to release and hold Melissa Productions, Inc., and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, parent companies, or other affiliated companies harmless from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in the Giveaway or resulting from acceptance or claiming of any prize hereunder. Melissa Productions, Inc. reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel the Contest at any time. Income and all other taxes are the responsibility of the prize recipient. Melissa Productions, Inc. is not responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with participation in the Contest.

Book Review and Tour: Zoe and Zak and the Yogi's Curse

About the Book

Title: Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #2)

Author: Lars Guignard

Publishers: Fantastic Press

Publication Date: September 9, 2013

Pages: 340

Recommended Age: 8+

Summary

Zoe and Zak are back in India. Again. And this time they're attending Moonstock Himalayan Boarding School, which might seem fun except for the fact that the school itself is a little strange. Students ride elephants instead of school buses, snarling monkeys work as security guards, and angry parrots monitor the halls. And even when they manage to get used to the wildlife, the food is absolutely terrible. But living with a bunch of other kids their age can be a lot of fun, too, or at least it seems that way until Zoe's roommate goes missing. Following the directions written on a steamy bathroom mirror, Zoe and Zak fly through the clouds on their magic carpet to learn that the two of them have been chosen yet again. This time they've been asked to lift the Yogi's Curse. It's not going to be easy. Zoe and Zak don't even know what the Yogi's Curse is let alone how to lift it, but like it or not, they soon discover that a whole lot of people are depending on them. Now, if they're going to save the day, Zoe and Zak are going to have to fool the monkey guards, avoid the nasty parrots, and maybe even develop a supernatural ability or two. Because lurking beneath Moonstock is a powerful new enemy. And if Zoe and Zak can't stop him, nobody can.  

My Personal Review

Zoe and Zak and the Yogi's Curse was entertaining and full of adventure! And I highly recommend it as part of your children's book collection!

As a parent, I look for books that not only are fun and entertaining for my kids to read (if they aren't, then it's like pulling teeth out of their mouth to get them to finish it), but also ones that teach them values and morals. This creatively written adventure, fantasy story (which is full of many twists and turns) will make the reader think more deeply (there is quite a mix of problem-solving, which today's kids could value from). The topic of trust came up quite often. That is who should Zoe and Zak trust and who shouldn't they trust. This is a topic I'm always trying to get my kids to think about. And Lars Guignard was able to tackle such an important parenting topic with fun and zest.  In addition, he brought in another theme about how bad luck may possibly be good luck in disguise. I enjoyed following this theme as I read the story because I'm a true believer that even bad things can somehow end up a positive. We live in some tough times. This story left me believing that any thing is possible--even elephants flying which happens in the Yogi's Curse. Kids need hope. They need creativity. They need to believe. Zoe and Zak and the Yogi's Curse does just that.

The only con that I found while reading this story was how detailed it was. I felt as if sometimes Zoe (who narrated the story) gave too much detail in her description of areas and events for her age. Other than that, I think this is a great read for a tween and teen!

Purchase

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (Audiobook)

 

The Buzz

"I have a 10 year old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he's picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well written page turner! It's a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, 'every kid should read this series'. " ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon

"I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up "just a little longer" to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost." ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon

"Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard' & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school age readers, you can't beat this series. It's fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he's chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you've yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don't limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!" ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon

 

About The Author: Lars Guignard

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="154"] Lars Guignard[/caption] Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple. He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range. For news about new releases, please join his email list here: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

The Yogi's Curse Blog Tour Schedule (2013/2014)

December 15

Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)

December 16

Brooke Blogs (Review)

December 17

Houseful of Chaos (Review)

December 18

For the Love of Books (Review)

Mary-andering Among the Pages (Review)

December 19

Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Review)

December 20

Fiona Ingram (Review)

December 22

We are the DinoFamily (Review)

December 24

Fantasy Fun With Kirstin Pulioff (Review)

December 26

Black Words - White Pages Kids (Review)

December 29

Victoria Simcox (Review)

December 30

Stitch Says (Review)

December 31

Bound 4 Escape (Review)

January 2

The World of ContestPatti (Review)

January 3

Carpinello's Writing Pages (Review)

Best Kids' Reads (Review)

January 5

Bibliothecary Prescriptions (Review)

January 6

InKspired: A Blog (Review)

January 7

GeoLibrarian (Review)

January 8

Bookworm for Kids (Review)

BeachBoundBooks (Review)

January 9

Generation iKid (Review)

Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)

January 10

Books, Reviews, Etc. (Review)

January 11

Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom (Review)

January 13

Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)

January 14

Dalene's Book Reviews (Review)

Leave No Book Behind (Review)

 

** Be sure to look for the upcoming Blog Tour for Book 3 in the Zoe and Zak Series, "Tiger Temple" coming January 15, 2014. **

 

How One Child's Book Report Inspired An Author | Working Mother

As a children's author, I often wonder if one of my children's books touched a child's life. Last night, I received an unexpected surprise email from an eight year old girl who lives in California.

In the email, Sophia shared that she chose one of my children's chapter books - Madison and GA Tale of the Slimy Spitball- to write a book report about. Immediately, a smile filled my face. I was so honored that one of my books was one that a child picked for their school project to share with their class.

As I continued to read, I was blown away with the creativity and talent that this eight year old girl had. She actually wrote and sang a song for her book report about Madison and GA (My Guardian Angel) Tale of the Slimy Spitball and shared it on Youtube.

The lyrics are great and her voice is precious! And the song actually sticks in your head once you hear it.

As an author who hoped to make a difference in a child's life, this little girl made a difference in mine! I look forward to more kids doing the same and to hear about how one book inspired them to go after their dreams and believe in themselves!

Below are the lyrics and link to hear Madison and GA's song by Sophia.

Madison and GA

by Sophia

My name is Madison

I have a guardian angel

She’s a klutz

doesn’t even know where to put her halo.

Oh, now...

What would you do if you blamed spit balls on her

or knocked over your twin brothers chair?

She’s been with me since the second I was born

and was taught to look after me.

Oh, oh, nobody really believes in G.A. so

were gonna stick together every single day.

So, give it up for G.A.

give it up for G.A.

My life would be a wreck

if it wasn’t for G.A.

All the things I do with G.A.,

only not when she’s at her little angel school, bleh.

So, give it up for G.A.,

give it up for G.A.

My life would be a wreck if it wasn’t for G.A.

But the best part is I know she’s always there for me

even though people call her

imaginary, imaginary, imaginary friend.

So not true.

Five Ways To Make Type 1 Diabetes Fun For Your Child | Working Mother

Every parent who has a child with type 1 diabetes knows this is not a fun disease to live with. You have to prick your fingers eight to twelve times a day. You have to count every carbohydrate that you eat. You have to be careful for blood sugar highs and lows because they can cause hypoglycemia (blurry vision, hunger, irritability, shakiness, fast heartbeat, fatigue, and headache and possibly even passing out) and hyperglycemia (increased thirst, frequent urination, headache, stupor, inability to focus).

As a parent with a nine year old daughter who has had this disease for two years, I've become an expert on managing her blood sugar highs and lows, making sure the tips of her fingers don't turn black because she pricks one more than the other, and teaching her how to take care of herself so she grows up to be a healthy confident adult. But this isn't the only thing that I'm teaching her. I'm also teaching her how to find ways to have fun in between the not so fun moments.

Below are five fun ways to make living with type 1 diabetes fun! The little things such as the below has truly made a difference in my daughter's life. And the smile I get when I do one of them is so worth it!

1. For dinner, eat dessert first. Then eat the meal.
2. For breakfast have a piece of birthday cake or a slice of pizza. My daughter has been invited to late night birthday parties and has been unable to eat the cake because of the time of day. So instead, we wrap it up, take it home, and she eats it for breakfast.
3. When changing her inset, I let her take the pump off for an hour and a half, and without any inset or tape on her behind (that's where we have to attach the inset) she can run around and have some freedom.
4. Give a lollipop after your child's plays baseball, basketball, or other extracurricular competitive game. After every softball, basketball, and soccer game, I surprise my daughter with a different colored lollipop. This keeps her blood sugar from dropping fast and also puts the sweetest smile on her face. It's her special treat after the game.
5. Sneak two pieces of hershey kisses into your type 1 child's lunch box. I usually try to sneak two pieces of chocolate because it doesn't affect my daughter's blood sugar as much as other treats. And she loves chocolate! Two Hershey kisses are only 5 carbs.

I would love to hear how other parents make their type 1 diabetic child's life fun! I plan on writing a children's chapter book about an elementary aged girl finds out she has type 1 diabetes. It will be one in my Wunderkind Family series.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it.

How to Paint Wine Glasses - Painting Techniques (Part Two)

Now that you have all your glass painting supplies, it's time to begin painting!

When painting anything, the first place to start is planning what you are going to draw (or paint). With wine glasses, I typically chose based on current seasonal theme such as holiday, birthday, or other celebration. Christmas is done and Valentine's Day and spring is in the air, so as you can see below many of my current designs and colors are focused around these two themes.

The above wine glasses are not finished pieces.

Now how to begin painting!

1. Plan your design.
1. I highly recommend searching the Internet for some hand painted wine glasses ideas. Here is a link to my Wine Glass Pinterest page for examples I have found.
2. Create a sketch of your design on a piece of paper or print out the design you found on the Internet.
2. Prepare your area for painting.
1. Lay down newspaper or cardboard box where you plan to paint.
2. Get all your supplies out. A must to always have out are paper towels, bowl of water, and alcohol to clean up mistakes and paint spills.
3. Prep your wine glass. Wash your brand new wine glass in hot soapy water. Old and new wine glasses can accrue dust on it. Once it is washed, clean the surface of the wine glass with rubbing alcohol.  
   
4. Methods for glass painting.
1. One Stroke painting by Donna Dewberry. I hand painted the below using One Stroke technique for my children's schools fundraiser event.
   
2. Etching using adhesive stencils.  I have not etched as of yet, but the finished pieces I have seen online look breathtaking.
3. Use a sketched drawing (you can also printout clip art from the Web.
1. Sketch freehand. I found a few illustrations in one of my kids fingerprinting book which I use to create some fun and sassy wine glasses. I've just started sketching and painting the below wine glass.  
   
   
   


2. Sketch using a drawing or clip art printout. First you draw your image on a piece of paper. Then you tape your sketched drawing (or clip art printout) inside your wine glass. Next you begin tracing the drawing that you can see inside your wine glass. When sketching, I usually use a paint pen. It is much easier to control. 
4. Freehand. Most of my wine glasses are done freehand. 
   
   
   
5. Creating stripes. You can do this free-hand, but I've found it to be easier using stencil tape. Tape off the area that you want create stripes. Then apply paint using a flat brush, dauber, or spouncer. While wet, carefully remove tape. Do NOT allow the paint to dry with tape in place, because paint may lift off when tape is removed. Hint: if you need to clean an edge after removing the tape, scrape using your craft knife when paint is dry.
6. Polka dots. I love polka dots on wine glasses. 
1. Small dots. I sometimes use a Sharpie Paint Pen (see picture below). But have also used a stylus, tip of paint brush, or brush handle. Dip the end of the brush handle into the enamel paint and then touch the surface of the glass where you want to put the dots.
   
2. Large dots. Use a dauber (or spouncer). Dip into the enamel paint, dab on palette, then reload with paint and then paint dots on the glass. Repeat as needed.
   
   
   
5.  Cleaning up mistakes.
1. With wet paint, use rubbing alcohol. Dip paper towel into alcohol and then carefully remove paint mistake on glass.
2. With dry paint, use a craft knife. I also find that I have to clean the area with rubbing alcohol because some paint remained or smudged.

Once you are finished painting and before you put on any gems and glitter, let the paint dry for at least 24 hours.

Curing Instructions: FolkArt Enamels should be cured prior to using; there are two recommended methods:

• Air Dry Method: Air dry the glass piece for at least 21 days before using or washing..
• Bake Method: Place your painted glassware in a cool oven. Set the oven temperature to 350ºF and bake for 30 minutes. Glass must heat gradually with the oven to avoid breakage. After 30 minutes, turn the oven off and leave the glass piece in the oven until completely cool. Painted glass should heat up and cool down in the oven. Set aside for 72 hours.

Care Instructions:
Once your painted stemware has been cured, it can be hand washed in mild soap and water or dishwasher cleaned on the top shelf.

FolkArt Enamels and Glassware Paint Important Facts:

• Food and beverages should not come in contact with glass paint. When painting glasses, it is best to leave 3/4" top around the rim free of paint so your mouth never comes in contact with the paint. 
• Glass painted items are not microwaveable. 
• Never soak painted items. 

How to Paint Wine Glasses - Adding Glitter and Gems (Part Three)

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