Been busy!

Sorry I haven't done this for so long - I have all sorts to do, as does everybody at this time of year. I have been making lots of beads and jewellery for friends and family recently - here's a set I'm very pleased with..

I've also been doing more pendants, I like the lentil press at the moment!

Shame about the light reflections - I will be trying to get a light tent in order to take better pictures, especially now that the weather has gone gloomy.

Hi again!

Well, half term is over and the house needs a jolly good clean, which is why I'm on here writing this! The silver core beads are now being added to the etsy shop (see links) and I'm looking forward to my friday torching session tomorrow! I have made some more hearts, and will try and do quite a few because they are quite a popular theme.

Half term already!

I have just completed a commission for a christmas present for three sisters - and I already have three more bracelets to make!

I have made quite a few of my beads up into pendants, but I am also leaving many as beads for others to put into their designs - if I can figure out how, it would be lovely to start up a gallery for other people's creations with my beads. I have so many things I would like to do!

Happy half term, if you are off next week!

Rainbows

Hi again! I have photographed the beads that I made on Friday.. I'm particularly pleased with the silver cores.

I have also put on the photographic links for Etsy and Flickr as you can see on the right! ( I did have a bit of help!)

There are three more beads on Etsy today, here's one -

mist

It was really misty and atmospheric this morning - I took this picture at about 7am.

I didn't make beads today - but I am looking forward to it tomorrow..

Rainy day - colourful beads!

We have just been busy adding some more beads and pendants to the etsy shop (see links!)

I'm particularly fond of the carnival set - I think it will make some lovely jewelry, and the Sea spray pendant, which I wouldn't mind keeping for myself!

..It's Tuesday afternoon, the sun has come out, and I've just sold my black floral pendant!
This is how I have packaged it - hope they like it!

trying new things

I have been trying out new things from my bead books, and tutorials which are posted by helpful lampworkers - I'm really pleased with the results, and have some ideas about developing the style.

I also finally managed to make some beads for pendants which I feel go with the bracelets I am making for a commission..

The light areas are silver leaf.

Autumn sun

It's been a lovely autumn day, full of golden light..

After reading your kind comments, I have realised that I need to explain what lampworking is - I use a gas torch to melt glass, and because I am making beads, I wrap the molten glass around a metal rod called a mandrel. Then, the very hot bead needs to cool very slowly or it would crack, so I place them straight into a kiln, which heated to 530 degrees centigrade, and when I have finished for the day, I let it cool down very slowly.

Here's the kiln - I took the photo when it was new..

And some glass..

chunky pendants

I've been experimenting with making pendants which hang nicely like the hearts, the holes are horizontal nearer the top.

photos

It seems to take far too much time trying to get nice photos and messing about on the computer, I would much rather be making beads..






Here's a piccie of a bead from Friday's session - I thought it was cheerful for such a rainy day..

I also had a go with my new Messy Colour glass

It's encased with Vetrofond which is much nicer to use, clearer and sparklier (is that a word?!)

Friday - lampworking day

This is one of my finished bracelets - I'm very pleased with the way it turned out - I have made another and wear it most days! I also made the toggle clasp myself - it has a hammered finish. This bracelet and two others are currently on the Etsy shop (see links)



This is just a photo I took in the car - I wasn't driving, by the way!

I tried my new glass today - it's baking in the kiln at the moment. One lovely green colour surprised me by going a yukky green - just like that slime that you can get in tubs for children.. I must find out if it was supposed to..

Cold!

The weather has changed suddenly and I'm now wondering where my slippers are..





Here's what I've been doing this week.. Now available on the Etsy shop (see link)

Hi !

Hello, and welcome to my new blog!

I live in Hampshire, England, and I make lampwork beads whenever I can! I also do a bit of silver work, and love to paint, so I expect those are the things I will be sharing on here.

I've just made a fresh batch of beads, and I'm quite excited about the pendant shaped ones - will be doing more of those I expect.

By the way, we actually got pears on our tree, and they're big! I can't wait!