Her work is funky and fresh, and one of the most striking aspects of Amanda’s designs is her innovative use of glass. The jewelry in her Etsy store, Ebb and Flo, spans the range from an elegant wire-wrapped glass necklace to an edgy felted and beaded choker. Read the rest of this entry »

Card protectors (also called card guards, spinners or covers), are usually made with sterling silver, and are popular with the Texas Hold’em crowd. I’m more of a member of the Go Fish crowd, but even I can see why card protectors are a must have for serious poker players.

After your cards are dealt, you place the cards face-down and put the card protector on top of them. This prevents the dealer from accidentally grabbing your cards, thinking that you have folded. It also protects your cards from being accidentally mucked (declared dead) by another player, which can happen if their cards accidentally touch your cards. If it is clear which cards are yours and which are someone else’s, your hand won’t be declared dead. The card protector also weighs the cards down, protecting them from falling off the table (another way your hand can be mucked).

Fused dichroic glass is the perfect material for card protectors, because it’s flashy and will probably distract the other players with its cool color changes, but also has the strength and durability necessary for something that will be tossed onto a poker table.

Check out my fused glass card protectors here!