Tuesday, January 20, 2009

More Etching with Copper Green

I really like how these Vetrofond Odd Olive and Copper Green beads turned out. The reaction between the two glasses made a dark line between them and gave the scroll designs an organic look. They're etched:Odd Olive and Copper GreenI also tried Copper Green over Vetrofond Moss Agate, and I love the results of this mix too. These are also etched:Moss Agate and Copper GreenThe Moss Agate set is available in my Etsy shop right now. The Odd Olive set has sold! :-D

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Etched Copper Green Beads

Browsing through the Lampwork, Etc. message board can be a good way to find creative inspiration when the glass muse is taking an untimely nap. I saw mentioned in one of the threads that CiM's Canyon de Chelly has a nice reaction with Copper Green, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I made these round beads with a base of CdC and Copper Green scroll designs. They measure about 12mm x 15mm. I'm really happy with them! It's fun for me to use non-silver glass once in a while! They're etched, which is a good thing to do with Copper Green beads to get rid of the grey metallic patina they sometimes get. This set is in my Etsy shop right now:

Canyon de Chelly and Copper GreenCanyon de Chelly and Copper Green

I just pulled a set out of the kiln made with a base of Vetrofond Odd Olive and Copper Green scrolls. I'm going to etch them, and if they turn out semi-cool I'll post a photo of them.
Have a beadyful day!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Nyx!

I just put these Nyx accent beads into my Etsy shop. I love the color range on this set. Nyx can be unpredictable in the flame, and it also strikes from dark blue to turquoise the longer it soaks in the kiln. I love this glass!Nyx Spacers

Sunday, January 11, 2009

A Terra and A Silver Glass Set

I have been soooo slooooow getting new bead sets listed ever since the Holidays! Someone remind me that vacation is over and it's time to get back to work! I know it's Sunday, but what is up with this laziness?

These two sets will be going into my Etsy shop at some point today. Probably after the parent/teacher conference, trip to ACE hardware, grocery shopping, driving my daughter's friend home, and cooking dinner! I sometimes enjoy forgetting the 'Mom' duties!

This set is encased Terra:Encased Terra - BeadAbundantI love the variety of colors I get when I work with Terra. These were all made at the same torch session, yet each one came out a little different!

This is one of my eclectic mixed metallic sets. I used a lot of Nyx with some Triton:Mixed Metallic Set
Lovely day, everyone!

Monday, January 5, 2009

The Shave Ice Gekko

He didn't lower our car insurance, but this cute gekko was ready to lap up any sugary drips from our shave ice on Kauai. Here he is peeking up through a crack in the painted picnic table at the shave ice stand:Shave Ice Gekko, KauaiHere's a close-up. Isn't he the epitome of cuteness?Shave Ice Gekko, close-upShave Ice is the Hawaiian version of a snow cone. Ours were huge and it took two people to eat one. Here's a picture of shave ice that I gleaned from the web:When some shave ice would fall off our cone and melt on the table, little gekkos came up through the cracks and licked up the puddles. So cute!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Ahhh... Kauai!

Ok, brag time: I'm writing this blog post from poolside at the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort. Really, It's true! :-D

I've been here for about a week and I'm going home today. Here's a picture of the beautiful Waimea Canyon we drove up to the other day:Waimea Canyon
Yesterday we went horseback riding and hiking to a waterfall on the north shore. It's the rainy side of the island, and wow was it raining cats and dogs. Torrential rain. We had a blast, though! Here's the waterfall we went to:Kauai waterfallHere's the poor, sweet, patient horses who waited so dutifully for us in the pouring rain and squishy mud while we hiked down to the waterfall:Hawaii horsesHere's my mom and dad crossing the stream at the top of the big waterfall. The water was raging, as you can see. We had to hold onto that wire (we were also clipped to the wire with mountain climbing hooks), and wade through the torrent to the other side. The wetness didn't bother us since we were already soaked to the bone from the rain. My dad is in the yellow rainjacket. He actually has a prosthetic leg and is missing most of the fingers on one of his hands, yet he still managed to get across this stream. After we crossed here, we had to rock climb up a very wet, slippery rock wall. He did that, too. Amazing guy:Crossing above the waterfall, KauaiWe've had a great time. Back to the beadmaking when I get home, which is something to look forward to, as well!
:-) Aloha!