Another Trunnk Show!

Okay this one isn't by me but is being hosted by my friend Holly of Holly's Folly.  She make glass lampwork beads as well and will have some real beauties up for grabs and some great prices!  I have my eye on a few of them for myself!  Click on the link to join the show so you don't miss anything!  She has a great variety of beads!  Show start on Dec 6th at 7 am and runs until Dec 7th at 8pm.

Holly's Trunk Show

Dark Rose Transparent Pink Beads

New beads today in a pretty dark transparent rose pink.  You can find these beads on Etsy and Artfire so you can shop wherever you feel the most comfortable.  I have two of these sets available at the moment.

I Love What I Do!

You know, every time I think I can't enjoy what I do any more than I already do, I sit down at the torch and realize that yes, I can enjoy it more lol.  Part of the joy of  making lampwork beads for me is that I find it very relaxing, it takes me to a different place and all of my energy is directed at the torch and watching how the glass flows and figuring out how to make it do what I want it to do.  Its that place where time kind of stops because you are so IN the moment.  Helps me keep my sanity lol!  As always if you would like to purchase this pretty set of periwinkle blue etched beads, simply click on the picture.

Awesome Customers!

Just wanted to show this great pair of earrings made by one of my customers who bought some lampwork beads from me.  I love to see what people make from my beads, its usually very different than what I would think of, so its really fun to see the different interpretations people make.  And these are gorgeous!  You can find this pretty pair of earrings in her shop on Artfire.  Just click on the link or on the picture of the earrings.
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   From ShadowDogDesigns

 These are the beads.  If you are interested in beads just click on my etsy bead shop on the right

Fire Divas Quartery Jewelry Challenge!

Don't forget, entries for this challenge are due by the 15th of October. Go check out the Fire Divas Blog for rules and prizes. Honestly as a jewelery designer myself I wish I could enter since the prizes are seriously to die for! Unfortunately for me, since I am a member of the Fire Divas and make beads myself, I am not eligible to play lol!

Here is a breakdown of the rules for the challenge but you have to go to blog to see the prizes, there are too many for me to list here!

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than October 15, 2010. No Flickr account? No problem. You can also email your submissions to firedivas @ gmail . com (no spaces). Please include, in the comments section or in your email, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information

Bead of the Week September 3rd 2010

This is one of my favorite techniques! I love the organic feel but it also has a bit of sparkle. Just click on the picture to go to this listing.
To see more of my beads please visit my artfire shop.

Glass Bead Item of the Week

Today I am featuring an elegant set of beads in shades of gray with 99.9% fine silver wire. These are very simple yet sophisticated and could easily be used for a pair of earrings and a bracelet or as a lovely, statement necklace.

Pale gray oval focal bead with lighter gray shading to a darker gray in the center. Both the focal and the spacer beads are wrapped in fine silver wire. Elegant and sexy! Set of five.

24mm focal
9mm-10mm spacers

New Beads

Well, my life is at its typically insane pace +10 the next couple of weeks lol. Lots of family stuff going on and I have to work extra since there are lots of vacations going on in the office. Schools out in a couple of weeks (thank goodness!), my daughter has her dance recital two days after school is out so we have lots of rehearsals (which would be no big deal but the car is in the shop until June 4th, due to an accident s0 she can't drive herself, rental car companies frown on 16 year olds driving their vehicles) and we have a holiday weekend in there. Just totally crazy all the way around. I have lots of new beads to list but haven't had time to take the pictures. Some new jewelry designs also, which incorporate beading, metal etching and lampwork. But you will have to wait just a bit to see those til I have time for pictures lol.

Any way, here are a couple of beads that I just recently listed. Simply click on the picture.

Also don't forget about the new sale section in my jewelry shop! 20% off or more on selected pieces. The discount has already been applied.

Orange and Yellow Summer Flower Handmade Lampwork Bead

I have been working on my floral and encasing skills. I am quite happy with some of my most recent results. The florals can be quite challenging as they are a multi layer bead. The first layer is the base color or the background if you will. Then comes the vine or stem layer, usually a twisty of whatever combination you think will compliment the flowers. This is encased in a layer of clear. On top of that layer of clear go the flowers. Most flowers are also multi layer for depth. You base petal color, then usually a transparent on top of that for depth. This is melted in and then the centers are plunged, (many times with a contrasting color for the center of the flower). A dot of clear over the center if you want a bubble. Then of course you have another layer of clear to finish it off. This is the simple version, I have seen floral beads that have four to six layers of clear and are complete works of art! I am happy with my progress so far lol!