Evermore

A quick post before a new batch of CIM glass arrives for testing.  The lovely beads in Evermore feature Grumpy Bear, Cranberry, and Ginger.  Looking forward to playing with some lovely new Messy colors! 

The Primrose Collection - found a good home

The Primrose Collection has been listed on Etsy.  A lucky beader will be thrilled with these lovelies.

Dia de los Muertos Set

A bead set finally made it to Etsy, although it won't last long.  I combined the "Lollies" lentils with a fabulous new sugar skull.  Good luck!

Flowering Cactus Paperweight

Love how this off-the-cuff project turned out (below).  I made a larger version (above) at home.  Hoping it brings you a little bit of sunshine to your day.

Lollies

Minion Invasion

Picture above is a "Dream Bead" for a special kiddo participating in the Beads of Courage program.  After the bead went into the kiln.

Boys need beads too

I think we tend to associate beads with girlie-girl jewelry, however some of my favorite beads are designed for boys.  They can be strung on a backpack clip or lanyard.  This one is for my nephew, however the design would be great for Beads of Courage donations.  Real life superheroes do not always wear capes!

Check your Boo-bies 2014

An oldie, but a goodie.  Check your Boo-bies 2014 is a throw back design from years ago.  Love the little ghost holding a pumpkin.  The pumpkin's vine is a hidden hope ribbon design.  A friendly reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Freestyle Swirled Marble Bead

Occasionally, I have a bit of time to experiment after the regular class demos.  Many times, I am limited to the glass rods running loose in my travel size storage container.  Here is a fun freestyle marble bead resulting from a bit of experimentation with gravity swirls.  Love the color combination! 

Brunch

It's not quite breakfast, it's not quite lunch... it's Brunch.  A cabochon demo from class last week, featuring a tiny frog and a yummy snack.  Enjoy!

Larkspur

 "Larkspur" is a lovely dichroic focal featuring hues of lush violet.  The ends are capped in jet black for a polished finish. 

Dive Into Glass

It is complete and available for instant download on Etsy.  The eBook is a compilation of techniques and recipes to create your own duck themed glass projects – included in this booklet are step by step text and photograph instructions for intermediate to advanced flameworkers, 80 high-quality color photographs and helpful tips. In addition, I include all CiM and Effetre names/numbers used throughout the tutorials. All of the glass referenced in this 47 page book is COE-104.  Here is a sneak-peek for your eyes only: 

Join me @ the Beads of Courage 2014 Bead Challenge - September 20th

Beyond the Torch and the ASBG is hosting the 2014 Beads of Courage Bead Challenge in Scottsdale, AZ.  Donna from CG Beadrollers donated some fabulous beadrollers for use during the event, then auctioned after event to benefit BoC.  The ASGB asked me to share a list of silly "kid" themed beads which were made with the BR-132 Snowman/Animal Body roller.  Here is a sneak-peek!  

If you would like to see the rest of the whimsical designs or place a bid on the wonderful CG Beadrollers, join me at the free event, hosted by Beyond the Torch.  I will be flameworking challenge beads and demonstrating the versatile CG Beadrollers between 10-2pm.  Come see the fabulous tools in action!

Omgosh, he has a belly button!

Green with Envy

About five years ago, I had a lady refer to my beads as juvenile.  The comment made me pause for a moment.  My better-half insisted the lady was referring to the fact that my beads are "youthful, fun, and whimsical", instead of the correct definition "reflecting psychological or intellectual immaturity".  After the comment, I felt the need to branch out and experiment with more "grown up" designs.  Another part of me wanted to rebel, stomp my feet, and refuse to create anything which could be labeled as "mature".  If you have followed my blog throughout the years, you can tell which part of me has won in the design department.  Maybe I suffer from PPS (Peter Pan Syndrome) and I'm too full of sheer mischief for grown up designs.  So, for the readers who are suffering from PPS, this post should contain a warning of mature content... shield your eyes! 

Leopard Geckos



A clutch of leopard geckos for Beads of Courage.  My goal is 200 beads, so far the count is up to 130.  Off to fire up the torch!

Don't let their size fool you, they eat a lot!  #highmaintenance

CiM Testing - August 2014, batch 1

Primrose is a lovely addition to the Messy family.  To the naked eye, the light pink could easily be mistaken for Effetre 256.  Photographed under incandescent light, Primrose appears to be a slight shade lighter than Effetre 256.  The quality of glass was superb without bubbles.  No shocking on day 1 of testing, slight shocky during day 2 of testing, however a gently heating of the rod was a perfect remedy.  

Project Recommendations:  Anything floral inspired for a lovely petal pink palette,  floral canes, sculptural hearts, pastel stringer work, and pink cheek detail.

Bubblebath is a transparent opal lavender with slight hues of pink; very "lavender quartz" in appearance.  Unlike many opalinos which tend to trap bubbles, the glass had minimal bubbling.  No discoloration reported after multiple heating/cooling in balanced flame.  No shocking was experienced. 

Project Recommendations:  Raised flower petals, heat stamping raised surface detail with themed bead presses, pastel backdrop for floral frit beads.

Coronation Day is a deep, rich lilac.  The depth of color is hard for the camera to accurately capture.  Using a variety of flame conditions will produce highs and lows in color gradient.  A thorough flame polish is recommended for an overall deep purple hue.  Repeating heated and cooling will lend to more variety of highs and lows.  Working the molten glass with a cool shaping tool will also achieve variations in the rich tones of Coronation Day.  No shocking or bubbling experienced.

Project Recommendations:  Rich backdrop for raku frit or silvered ivory shards/stringers, hearts, sculptural work (the glass was fabulous at retaining shape).

Chai is a soft pastel nude with a hint of peach.  Chai easily reacts with fine silver to create deep moody tones.  During testing, Chai was paired with Daffodil and Butter Pecan.  No distortion occurred in the testing.  No shocking or bubbling.

Project Recommendations:  A variation on face tones for a portrait bead, florals, a base for silver foil encasement, murrini projects, pastel Autumn palette.

Poppy is a bright, cheery red.  The overall finish is glossy and without variation of color.  The glass can easily be wrapped and worked without concern for striations.  Easily pressed or manipulated in a bead roller, Poppy was a joy to flamework.  No shocking or bubbling.  When paired with Phoenix and Daffodil, no distortion was noted.  Color remained clean and crisp. 

Project Recommendations:  Florals, murrini projects, berries, encasements, hearts, stringers for peppermints, Rudolph's nose.

CiM Testing - August 2014, batch 4

Gypsy is a dark, ink purple.  Initial observation led me to assume the glass was a transparent black, boy was I wrong!  Pulling stringers reveal the true dark violet color.  The transparent stringers flowed nicely into a abstract "cloud" shape in the vessel, retaining the crisp, clean line without distortion.  The No shocking or bubbling experienced. 

Project Recommendations:  Organic themes, purple iris frit, floral cane for a hint of deep violet, sculpture.

Trapeze is a transparent, medium lavender.  The vivid color is a wonderful addition to the CiM color palette.  The stiff glass is perfect for sculpting or creating vessels, but flows easily for a lovely encasement.  No shocking or bubbling. 

Project Recommendations:  Hearts, encasing, etch projects, floral projects, frit, a base for scrolling stringer work, sculpture.

Whisper is a pale opal pink with tones of gray.  When layered over a transparent such as trapeze, the subtle opalino will take on the hue of the base color and render a lovely stippled texture (as can be seen in "Cloudscape" on the right-hand side of the vessel, above the Gypsy detail).  No bubbling or shocking experienced. 

Project Recommendations:  Organic themed beads, hearts, combining with transparent glass for a milky effect. 

Ice Floe is a transparent, light powder blue.  Expecting the glass to have an aqua cast, I was happily surprised by the soft, cloud blue color.  The glass was a dream to sculpt and shape.  The neck and opening of "Cloudscape" were wound from Ice Floe.  Over the hour of heating and reheating the vessel, I never once had to "fight" the glass or touch up the crisp lines of the vessel's neck.  No bubbling or shocking.  

Project Recommendations:  Sculpting, encasing base beads, anything pressed, a base for stringer work and dots, etching.