Etsy Update

I have been busy over the last few days taking photos and adding new stock to my Etsy store. Not easy when the days are so gloomy. I thought you might like to see a few of the beads I have made and put for sale, so here is my little montage:



This focal lentil was made using a recipe from Jacqueling Parkes (Gems in Bloom) tutorial 75 Lampwork Bead Recipes. It reminds me of one the painting of my favourite artists Monet. This one being The Japenese Bridge.

This one was upon the same lines but experimenting with a different glass. This definately speaks Monets Garden to me.

These are two pairs of little lentils which would look great as earrings. They have been etched for a matt finish.

And finally.... these 3 are the experimental beads I made for the Psychedelic set I made for the Frit Happens monthly theme challenge. I wasn't suer what to do with them but thought someone might like them so have put them up for sale at a bargain £10 for all 3.

Thanks for looking

Linda
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Merry Christmas

I know it's a bit late but Christmas Wishes to all my blog readers.

I've not been idle over Christmas. I've been adding some items to my Etsy store so please have a look.

I made these beads a while ago and have been wanting to make them into a necklace. I finally got round to it and am quite pleased with the results. The copper rings are by Faith Bowman. The silk ribbon was from Ebay and is a perfect match to the beads.

 

 

It's monthly challenge time on Frit Happens. The colour for this month is Effetre transparent Olive and I couldn't summon up much inspiration but came up with this tube bead which would make a great focal for a necklace and is for sale in my Etsy store.

 

 



The theme challenge is the 60's. I was thinking flower power, psychedelic colours etc. I decided to go with psychedelic colours and pattern and thought I might have a play with spreading colours. For those of you who are not lampworkers some glass colours react with others in strange ways. Some spread and some contract. I also decided I would use my tab press and was quite pleased to discover that I could fairly accurately gauge how much glass was needed to fill the press as the bead needed to be created before it was pressed - no glass could be added later.

I had a few attempts before I was pleased with the colour mix but the results are quite pleasing.

Also available for sale in my Etsy store.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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Christmassy fun weekend at Diana Easts Studio in Leicester

When Diana East announced that she was having a Christmassy Fun Weekend I knew I just had to go. Last year was the first workshop I attended since starting lampworking and I made some lovely friends.

Di showed us how to make baubles and icicles and Sally Carver showed us how to make some really cute penguins.

Unfortunately my first bauble exploded whilst it was in the kiln and the second one got a hole in it so I got a bit creative and made this

Don't ask me what it is as I haven't got a clue but it has a lovely organic shape.

Back in the summer I bought a fuming kit from Di but have never got round to using it. So whilst I was there I took the opportunity to have a play and gold fumed the icicle I made.

It's so amazing how the gold fumes turn the clear glass pink. If you keep going the icicle would turn blue and then completely gold. I liked the pink so I stopped there.

I got a bit carried away with the penguins. I think they are so cute and my first real foray into off mandrel work.

A friend of my said they all have their own personalities and she is so right.

When I got home I thought the technique would work for a cat and made this

I had a devil of a time trying to get it's eyes to look how I remembered. I gave it a little red collar with a diamonte stud. Sweet isn't it. Think I might have a go at making some more of these.

Happy Christmas to you all.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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GBUK bead competition - Winter

I recently entered the CGUK bead competition. The theme was winter.

This was my entry

I didn't win but I love the bead anyway.

These are the entry's. http://www.gbuk.org/pages/winter-competition-voting-form/

The winner was Claire Hall with number 5.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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Gallery update

On Thursday I visited the gallery in Newport that is stocking a few bits of my jewellery with some pieces for their display.

The gallery is The New Rembrandt Gallery and I couldn't find a website when I looked before. They assured me that there was one and it was a work in progress. I found it here: http://newrembrandtgallery.co.uk/.

I took along some busts and earrring stands that I found on Ebay.

The bust is from buy-save08 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260832851149?var=560043734663&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 they are very cheap and cheerful. This one is £2.69 plus postage. They are just cardboard covered in pu. I was pleased with the first ones I ordered but the second lot came with creases in. They did send a replacement and the second one came the same. They said to send back for a refund but as I am sure I can hide the crease I decided to keep them. No good for photography as the light reflects off the pu too much so I have now purchased a black velvet one for that purpose.

The earrings stands are from hsukltd http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110973360887?var=410146246235&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649.

at £4.99 for 3 including postage they are a bargain.

Anyway, in the meantime Sharon (who owns the gallery together with Martin) had displayed my jewellery in her glass display cabinet on some gorgeous etched glasses that she had for sale and I have to say they looked fantastic. So light and delicate compared to the black busts I had taken along. So we decided to leave things as they are.

I took some pics but please excuse the quality as I took them with my phone

They look lovely don't they?

Latest Update:

I just received an email from Martin and yesterday they sold 2 necklaces and a pair of earrings. How great is that? They now want me to take over some more stock.

Thanks for looking.

Linda

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Design Seeds

If you are ever looking for colour inspiration you can't go far wrong with Design Seeds. They take a picture and then choose a colour pallet from colours within the picture.

You can also follow them on Facebook http://design-seeds.com/index.php/search?hex=bdb9b9

I was inspired today with this pallet

Isn't it gorgeous? I have pulled out some colours from my glass stash

From the top down

CIM Plum Unique 658-3
Effetre Cool Green Tea
CIM Peacock Green, Reichenbach Antique Crystal
Effetre Purple, CIM Plum
Effetre Light Ivory

This is a little set that I selected from the beads I made last night:

In the end I used

Effetre Light Ivory

Effetre Cool Green Tea

CIM Plum Unique 658-3

Effetre Purple

a little Reichenbach Antique Crystal

and Silvered Ivory Stringer.

Could have perhaps done with a little more green in it but still nice all the same.

A cutesy little set which is now up for sale in my Etsy store.

I think this is also appropriate for the Craft Pimp monthly theme challenge of Kitsch, so I posted it there.

Thanks for looking.

Linda

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Apricot Yellow Competition

Manda and David of Mango Beads have decided to brighten up these dull winter days with a little competition.

You can read all about it on their blog here: http://mangobeads.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/show-us-your-apricots-and-fight-those.html?m=1

So the idea is to make a bead or a set of beads incorporation this lovely glass Effetre Apricot Yellow. I didn't have any but a kind lady called Kathy on the Frit Happens forum sent me a rod to play with.

I didn't have any great inspiration and Helen from Alchemy lampwork has already shown a fantastic bead but I thought I should try anyway.

I have never made a double layered flower encased bead before so I was quite pleased with this attempt and this is my entry.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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pizap

Readers of my blog will know that I am a member of the forum Frit Happens. A couple of days ago one of the members recommended Pizap.

What is it you may ask? Well it is a cool photo editor that lets you create a collage, have fun with photos, create a background and more.

 

 

I had a quick play and made this little collage of some of the beads I made yesterday. Cool isn't it.

Have a go, you don't even have to register.

Thanks for looking.

Linda

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Weird or wonderful?

I'm not sure what I was on last night but I produced some odd looking beads.

See what I mean? I'm not sure where I was going with that purple dichro bead and what on earth is that strange looking green and purple bead on the top right? Acutally I think a whole necklace made of odd shape beads in bright colours might look quite good.

The monster started out life as a hollow bead that was too big, how it evolved into a monster I don't know and then to add a second one? He's got the lurgy by the way.

The colours used are my favourite. Purples and greens. Vetrofond Nile Green, Reichenbach Opaque Lilac, Effetre light grass green and Lt Violet (both transparents).

A closer look:

Grrrrrr!

Fiele of Poppies

Field of flowers.

I hope to make some of the beads into a little set to add to my Etsy store so watch this space.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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Winter colour

I felt in the need of some brightness on these dull winter days so I had a rummage in my inspiration boxes and came up with loads of little sets of beads.

They looks so bright and cheerful don't they.

I have listed 3 sets on Etsy so far, more will be added over the next fews days.

Tourquoise, blues and red.

Pinks and greens

Already gone to a new home

Green and purple (my favourite colours)

Click on the link to my Etsy store if you would like to purchase.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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Upgrading

I was lucky enough to win one of the recent oxycon generators that was up for sale on Ebay recently. So I am now a two oxy gal!

I have also been thinking of upgrading my torch to a Carlisle Mini CC. I have had a play on one of these torches a couple of times and really liked it. I also wanted to be able to improve my stringer work and whilst I was able to do this on the Minor to get the small flame that I wanted resulted in the flame squealing - not a nice sound.  I had read that there was more radiant heat in the Carlisle and that also the flame is softer.

Fortunately someone was selling their kit and was happy to split it so I now have a secondhand Carlise Mini CC.

Trying to fit the second oxycon in was proving a little bit more difficult than I imagined. Ended up having to re-design my studio corner and move the glass to another location. Bit annoying as it now isn't in arms reach but I was a bit worried that the table wouldn't take too much more weight.

So, the two oxycons and the new torch are plumbed in and I'm ready to go.

Lit the torch and wow! I like. The flame is much hotter so the glass melts more quickly and the flame is sooo adjustable, from a huge bushy flame to a small fine one. I found that I could apply stringer better without having to adjust the flame up and down so often - due to that radiant heat. Got to be careful of my little fingers though and I need to get a torch top marver as this one didn't come with it.

5 beads in and my propane runs out. Would you believe it? The gas man who usually delivers seems to have gone out of business so I have to wait until I can get to Newport. Bah!

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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A neat idea

Well, quite a bit has happened since my last post. Last Wednesday I was invited to a private viewing at a gallery. I've never been to one before so I popped along to have a look. It was two couples showing their work. One of the ladies was Melanie Swan who I did the PMC and Enamelling course with at The Quay Arts Centre. You may remember I made her some headpins recently.

She absolutely loves my beads so I took a couple of my latest ones to show her.

This was the main one that I took as I was so pleased with it.

The owners of the gallery were so friendly that while I was there I showed them my beads and enquired as to whether that might be something they may be of interest in stocking in their Gallery. Well, they practically snapped my arm off and said yes please. They only charge a 20% commission which is very reasonable for a gallery and could they please have them before Christmas. How fantastic is that?

So since then I have been trying to get some stock together, working out prices etc.

I made these two wheel beads to match some silk ribbons of Sowereze.

 

I had some more wheel beads that I have made but didn't have the ribbons to match them. So I paid to visit to Harvest Moon in Shanklin and bought some faux suede thongs. I bought some ends for them but was unsure as to how long to make them as people are all different sizes and like them to hang in different places, ie; long over a jumper or above the neckline.

Years ago I used to sell name necklaces, you know the ones letters that hang on a thong and I used to do a slip knot affair so that the necklace was adjustable and could slip over the head. I tried that with the faux suede but it didn't look very classy. Then, whilst browsing the internet for some silk ribbons I came accross this blog posting: http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/tutorial-tuesday-adjustable-silk.html

This is turn led me to http://glassaddictions.com/free-tutorial-friday-hand-coiled-finding-for-creating-adjustable-necklaces/ with step-by-step instructions on how to create it. Although to be honest it's pretty self explanatory from just looking at the picture.

I thought this was just perfect to finish off my necklaces. I used a 3mm mandrel to make it and finished the ends of with some little spacer beads.

Looks pretty good doesn't it.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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A little bit of sparkle.

I love a little bit of sparkle in my beads and you may have noticed the addition of some Cubic Zirconias to my work lately.

The big wheel bead in the centre and the two florals beads have cz's to the centres of the flowers.

There are also flowers in the centres of these little white flowers.
I have to say they are very hard to photograph. Next week I have a photographer coming round to give me some tips. Watch this space.

Anyway, the reason I am posting this is that I have found a supplier of Cubic Zirconias suitable for lampworking on Ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390485645002?var=660095692657&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Delivery is quick and I think the prices are very reasonable.

If you purchase them through Top Cashback you can get a little extra back too. Any of the Ebay cashback tabs will pay out regardless of what they say on them. If you would like to join, send me your email address and I will refer you. (gives me a little bonus for recommending them). I also use them to get money back on insurances.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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Yesterdays Beads

I was really pleased with yesterdays beadmaking session.

Colours used were: Effetre purple, baby pink, amethyst, yellow green, light green and rose quartz. CIM lapis, simply berry, peace and slytherin.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
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Craaaaak!

I have been trying to perfect my big wheel beads after my glass with Anita from Unikal Glass Design.

You can see some of her fabulous wheels here: http://pinterest.com/pin/71142869083585863/ and here: http://pinterest.com/pin/71142869085156623/

I also just found her Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/atelierimwoeschhuus?ref=seller_info_count

I am fortunate enough to be the proud owner of this beautiful piece of art.

So the followers of my blog will know that I have been practicing my big hole/wheel beads since my course in September.

So Sunday night I started to make another one. I was over 2 hours into making the bead when craaaak! well, I say crack but it's more like a tink, or in this case several tinks. This is what happens when the bead gets to cold whilst you are working on it. I tried to heal the cracks by re-heating the bead but it was too late.

Such a shame isn't it? Any ideas what I can do with it?

Undeterred I had another go. Not such a big hole this one as I only have one mandrel that size. This one is made on a 9mm mandrel that I bought from Mango Beads.

This is the front and back shots of the second attempt. I am really pleased with it and I think I have finally made some progress with these beads.

I am really pleased with the colour combination. I need to work on the centre a bit more and I would like less white to show in the dot decoration around the top rim, but I'm getting there.

Getting a good photograph is tricky. I've emailed a local photographer to see if he can give me some lessons.

Linda
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An early start

Yesterday I spent a lovely afternoon with the lovely Teresa from Bo Hulley Beads. We poored over one anothers stashes and admired each others beads. Teresa makes the most gorgeous ceramic beads. Check them out using the link above.

Whilst I was there I admired a bracelet by Rebecca Anderson of Song Beads. She has a lovely blog that I follow and admire her jewellery work on there. I had a quick flick through to see if I could find the bracelet on there but couldn't. It was an unusual combination of tourquoise with a splash of bright red.

Well, I found myself wide awake at 4am this morning with tourquoise and red beady ideas running around my head. I simply couldn't get back to sleep so decided to get up and do some torching.

This is the results:

I used various colours, Effetre tourquoise 232, Lt red 438 and teal 026. CIM Jade Palace, Clockwork and  Peace. I threw in a bit of Recichenbach Iris Orange both in frit and rod form.

I found myself making this gorgeous big wheel bead which is just about to go for sale in my Etsy store along with this selection of orphans from todays bead make and a few extra from my stash

Isn't that a lovely colour selection. Just waiting to be made into lots of lovely jewellery.

Linda
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