Thursday, December 18, 2008

Metallic Scroll Designs

I've made a few new scroll design bead sets, this first one with a base of Amber Rose and scrolls of M-232b or "Pinky Purple Luster," the Double Helix test batch:Amber Rose and Pinky Purple LusterThis set has a base of CiM Hades and scrolls of Triton:Hades and Triton

A big Thank You to my Etsy customers for shopping with me this month!

Another big Thank You to my blog readers for visiting and writing comments, you really make my day and keep me inspired!

It's snowing here in northern Arizona. Stay warm everyone!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Shards, Pt. 2

I broke up the big shards from my last post into small pieces for applying to beads:Broken ShardsThe shards are Triton Odd(r), and in this set I've applied them to a regular Triton base:Triton Odd Shards on TritonI love the colors of Triton Odd! I do a cycle of reducing and then oxidizing to bring out the magentas and blues.

An on another set, I applied the shards to a Nyx base:Triton Shards on NyxThese beads are part of my next set, which is on a base of Curdled Ivory:Ivory with Triton ShardsFiguring out how to apply the shards took a little practice, but now that I've got the hang of it it's really fun!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Shards, Pt. 1

I've finally made some shards! Here is my first attempt, a Dark Silver Plum bulb, slightly collapsed!Dark Silver Plum BulbThis is my most recent shard bulb, Triton Odd(r). This one turned out better:Triton Odd(r) BulbMy boyfriend Steve came up with a great way to break the bulb. First put it into the coffee can to cool. Then, hold the blowpipe straight up and down with the bulb resting on the bottom of the can and tap gently on the end of the blowpipe with a piece of wood. It breaks the bulb nicely and it's easier than trying to crack it with a hammer or some metal tool. Here are some of the shards Steve got from breaking it that way:Triton Odd(r) ShardsEmboldened by Joe of Avenue Beads' shard techniques, I broke the shards up the rest of the way with my bare hands. So much easier than trying to wield a tool to crack off small pieces! And no, it never cut my hands.

Stay tuned for "Shards, Part 2" where I'll post photos of beads made with these Triton Odd(r) shards.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Translucent CiM Glass

Just a little sharing tonight of some beads made with translucent glass from Creation is Messy. Their translucent glass has a beautiful opalescent glow and it's very nice to work with.

This first set was made with a base of Kryptonite and a partial encasing of Effetre Pale Emerald Green. The scroll designs are Triton. Depending on the light, the beads look either jade, mint or lime green. The translucent CiM colors are really magical!CiM Kryptonite and Pale EmeraldThis set has a base of Crocus and an encasing of Larkspur. They can look pink, blue or purple depending on the light.Crocus and Larkspur with Triton Scrolls

Monday, December 1, 2008

Leaves of Lothlorien

I've been working on sets of sculptural leaves, inspired by The Lord of the Rings story of the forest of Lothlorien. This first set of leaves is made with Nyx and Triton glass:Leaves of LothlorienThis set is all Triton:Triton LeavesHere is a quote from The Lord of the Rings about the forest of Lothlorien:

"There lie the woods of Lothlórien!" said Legolas. "That is the fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of that land. For in the autumn their leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs in Mirkwood say. My heart would be glad if I were beneath the eaves of that wood, and it were springtime!"
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 'Lothlorien'


I've also made a set of Terra autumn leaves (I'm still hoarding a stash!):Terra Leaves
Happy December!