Doesn't this red and ivory glass bead set from Sonja of Silver River Glass make your heart skip a beat?
>>>>Many apologies for the late post yesterday! Your hostess has been under the weather!<<<<
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Glass Bead Set 4.30.14
There are so many ways to shop for artisan glass beads! Color, size, shape... and then do you want a single focal bead to make a statement or earring pairs or are you looking for a nice set for a necklace or bracelet.The choices are endless... and your best bet is to follow several of your favorite artisans and then go with what speaks to your heart!
Doesn't this red and ivory glass bead set from Sonja of Silver River Glass make your heart skip a beat?
>>>>Many apologies for the late post yesterday! Your hostess has been under the weather!<<<<
Doesn't this red and ivory glass bead set from Sonja of Silver River Glass make your heart skip a beat?
>>>>Many apologies for the late post yesterday! Your hostess has been under the weather!<<<<
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Lampwork Beads 4.29.14
Hello! Our featured lampwork bead today is a large silvered glass focal from Aimee of Polychrome Beads
Monday, April 28, 2014
Glass Bead Art 4.28.14
Welcome Glass Bead Fans!
Today's feature a lovely lampwork focal from our sponsor, Amy Sims Designs.
Today's feature a lovely lampwork focal from our sponsor, Amy Sims Designs.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Glass Bead Spacers - Space Out Sunday 4.27.14
Welcome Glass Bead Fans. Today is the day we celebrate humble, but not always plain, glass bead spacer. Today, our artisans will be posting pics that feature lampwork spacers today!
Today's featured artist is Laney who sells her beads under the name Izzybeads, who is actually the dog! Before we get started, let's take a look as some of Laney's spacer beads:
What do you make? What or you known for?
I am known for my animal beads and also my flowers. My lampwork is all about the sculpture. I love to poke and pinch the glass whilst its molten and make it come to life, I get bored very quickly so each bead being different is the only way I can make a set. I tend to swing from fun and humour to 'grown up' so my animals fill my need for humour and my flowers for growing up. Just lately, after another birthday, I have found myself finding my inner feminine side and the flowers have really consumed me this time round: maybe its something to do with age? I am also known for my bumble bee beads, I make hundreds of them and each one makes me smile when I make him. The more I make at one sitting the more cross eyed they become, those ones are always the first to find new homes!
Do you ever space out at the torch? What do you think about / listen to / watch?
I listen to the radio. Radio 2 here in the UK all those golden oldies from the 70's and 80's that I can sing, badly, along too. Its been known that deliveries have failed to be delivered and my kids think its because I was singing my head off in the shed at the bottom of the garden and the driver took fright and drove off. I love rock music, Abba and anything that's got a good sing along tune. I even make it up if I need too.
What was the Worst burn / cut you ever got??? How did it happen, where was it? Special treatment??? My worst burn was a freak accident. The glass rod shattered in the flame, a small chunk broke away bounced on the desk and hit me under the chin and then slowly burned a track all down my neck! It was incredibly painful and sore for weeks and I had a bead fair within a few days of getting the burn. I think I may have got sympathy sales from it! I am not very good at treating my burns and cuts, I heal really quickly, usually, and other than maybe sucking a finger that got too close to the flame or using the water from the dump jar to quickly splash onto a burn I rarely do anything else, but that neck burn I did have to use some very soothing cream for a long time.
What was the hardest skill for you to learn how did you overcome? Any tips to share?
The hardest skill...ummm... I am not sure really, other than one accidental lesson - my life is full of opportunity accidents - I have taught myself everything from encasing to sculpting the glass. I get really frustrated when I have something in my head and I can't make it happen in the 'real' so I do something over and over and over again until I finally get it. Before I 'found' glass as an artistic medium, I used to draw and that I think does help me in my beads. If something doesn't go right first time round, I tend to sit and doodle it until I figure out why it didn't happen and what I can do to make it right. I do live by the mantra 'if at first you don't succeed, jump, spit, shout and scream, dig the garden over and have another go'. LOL
What is YOUR favorite jewelry to wear?
I wear a very simple chook (chicken) bead the first one I made, it was after the loss of my first chook Duracell. We had battery chooks Duracell, Ever Ready and Lithium and although they didn't live too long I loved them and they started my chicken bead phase. I have no chooks now since fox and badger killed the second group of girls we had but my chook bead reminds me of my girls and one day I will have some more. I also have a pair of fried egg earrings that I wear to match my chook pendant.
What is your favorite thing you've made? I don't think I have a favourite thing I have made, I have favourite 'muses' - the flowers and the animals. I will like one more than something else but then, I make something different and that could be my new favourite. Other than my chook that I wear, I have a collection of dragons and dogs dotted around my house, usually the ones that don't make it, the chipped and broken or invalids as I call them. They are all my favourites :)
You can find more of Laney's work here:
Ebay || Facebook || Izzy Beads on Etsy || Izzy Beads Blog
Today's featured artist is Laney who sells her beads under the name Izzybeads, who is actually the dog! Before we get started, let's take a look as some of Laney's spacer beads:
What do you make? What or you known for?
I am known for my animal beads and also my flowers. My lampwork is all about the sculpture. I love to poke and pinch the glass whilst its molten and make it come to life, I get bored very quickly so each bead being different is the only way I can make a set. I tend to swing from fun and humour to 'grown up' so my animals fill my need for humour and my flowers for growing up. Just lately, after another birthday, I have found myself finding my inner feminine side and the flowers have really consumed me this time round: maybe its something to do with age? I am also known for my bumble bee beads, I make hundreds of them and each one makes me smile when I make him. The more I make at one sitting the more cross eyed they become, those ones are always the first to find new homes!
Do you ever space out at the torch? What do you think about / listen to / watch?
I listen to the radio. Radio 2 here in the UK all those golden oldies from the 70's and 80's that I can sing, badly, along too. Its been known that deliveries have failed to be delivered and my kids think its because I was singing my head off in the shed at the bottom of the garden and the driver took fright and drove off. I love rock music, Abba and anything that's got a good sing along tune. I even make it up if I need too.
What was the Worst burn / cut you ever got??? How did it happen, where was it? Special treatment??? My worst burn was a freak accident. The glass rod shattered in the flame, a small chunk broke away bounced on the desk and hit me under the chin and then slowly burned a track all down my neck! It was incredibly painful and sore for weeks and I had a bead fair within a few days of getting the burn. I think I may have got sympathy sales from it! I am not very good at treating my burns and cuts, I heal really quickly, usually, and other than maybe sucking a finger that got too close to the flame or using the water from the dump jar to quickly splash onto a burn I rarely do anything else, but that neck burn I did have to use some very soothing cream for a long time.
What was the hardest skill for you to learn how did you overcome? Any tips to share?
The hardest skill...ummm... I am not sure really, other than one accidental lesson - my life is full of opportunity accidents - I have taught myself everything from encasing to sculpting the glass. I get really frustrated when I have something in my head and I can't make it happen in the 'real' so I do something over and over and over again until I finally get it. Before I 'found' glass as an artistic medium, I used to draw and that I think does help me in my beads. If something doesn't go right first time round, I tend to sit and doodle it until I figure out why it didn't happen and what I can do to make it right. I do live by the mantra 'if at first you don't succeed, jump, spit, shout and scream, dig the garden over and have another go'. LOL
What is YOUR favorite jewelry to wear?
I wear a very simple chook (chicken) bead the first one I made, it was after the loss of my first chook Duracell. We had battery chooks Duracell, Ever Ready and Lithium and although they didn't live too long I loved them and they started my chicken bead phase. I have no chooks now since fox and badger killed the second group of girls we had but my chook bead reminds me of my girls and one day I will have some more. I also have a pair of fried egg earrings that I wear to match my chook pendant.
Ebay || Facebook || Izzy Beads on Etsy || Izzy Beads Blog
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Lampworked Beads 4.26.14
Last weekend in April... and a third of the year is gone! We're so happy you decided to share a little bit of your Saturday with us! Let's check out some lampworked glass beads!
Today's feature is a glass bead focal with Cubic Zirconia embedded in the glass! It was created by Cindy Lynne Glass.
Today's feature is a glass bead focal with Cubic Zirconia embedded in the glass! It was created by Cindy Lynne Glass.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Glass Beads Lampwork 4.25.14
Welcome lovers of lampwork! Today's feature is just the perfect glass focal bead to wear with your favorite denim! This organic bead is from Stone Designs by Sheila
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Self Representing Artist Glass Beads 4.24.14
What is the difference between a cheap glass bead and one made by a Self Representing Artist??? Lampwork Beads have to returned from a liquid to solid state at a slow and steady temperature.The process is called annealing and is done in a kiln. Additionally, a true artisan cleans the mandrel dirt or "bead poop" out of the bead to prevent that stuff from dirtying the stringing material a jewelry designer uses. There is artistry in design. The ends of the bead are smooth... all the little details that takes a bead to the level of art and not cranked out for pennies a dozen in some sweat shop. You really do get what you pay for!
Today's feature is an organic glass bead focal by Debbie of All My Beads:
Today's feature is an organic glass bead focal by Debbie of All My Beads:
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Art Glass Beads 4.23.14
Howdy Glass bead fans!Our feature today is a pretty glass bead for Pandora / Troll / Links of London style bracelets. Artisan made glass beads really make those bracelets extra special, don't you think???
This beauty if Cherie of Happy Skull:
This beauty if Cherie of Happy Skull:
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Lampwork Art Glass 4.22.14
Wasn't yesterday's blue glass bead show amazing!!! The colors and variety is mind blowing! Do take a moment and scroll down to vote for your faves form the last week!
Today's feature is an elegant glass bead set from Daniela of Dan-Ell's Glassworks
Today's feature is an elegant glass bead set from Daniela of Dan-Ell's Glassworks
Monday, April 21, 2014
Blue Monday Blue Glass Beads Lampwork 4.21.14
Hello Glass Bead fans... It's the Monday after a holiday here in the States and that's always a little blue... what a perfect time to celebrate the most sought after, most searched for color in glass beads... why BLUE of course! ALL OUR LISTINGS TODAY WILL BE BLUE!
Our Blue Glass Bead feature today is a wonderful silvered glass bead focal from Michael and Brad, a/k/a The Flaming Fools.
Our Blue Glass Bead feature today is a wonderful silvered glass bead focal from Michael and Brad, a/k/a The Flaming Fools.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Spring Lampwork Beads | Easter 4.20.14
Happy Easter Beadheads! Thanks for popping in on a holiday! Our artisans are going to be sharing SPRING GLASS BEADS with you and sharing two links! Our feature today is a sweet glass bead set in a myriad of muted spring colors from Mallory of Rosebud 101.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Glass Beads 4.19.14
Welcome Glass Bead fans and artisans alike. As it is Easter weekend, FEEL FREE TO SHARE TWO LINKS!!! Let's give our fans something pretty to see! Tomorrow is spring beads!
Our feature is a beautiful pink Glass bead bracelet from our sponsor Lezlie of Creek Bottom Glass
Again, please feel free to share TWO LINKS!
Our feature is a beautiful pink Glass bead bracelet from our sponsor Lezlie of Creek Bottom Glass
Friday, April 18, 2014
Glass Bead Jewelry
Welcome Glass Bead fans! You don't have to be a jewelry designer to put together your own glass bead jewelry. Just find a bead maker selling big hole glass beads, buy several and slide them on your favorite heavy duty bracelet. Check out this lined big hole lampwork bead from Darlene of LTD Art Glass:
A few special posts of note: Easter Sunday April 20 will be a SPRING post and Monday the 21st will be BLUE Monday! On with the show:
A few special posts of note: Easter Sunday April 20 will be a SPRING post and Monday the 21st will be BLUE Monday! On with the show:
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Lampwork Art Glass 4.17.14
Welcome lovers of lampwork glass beads! We've made it over the hump so we're showing off a bend... Check out this bent glass bead from Holly's Folly Glass
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Artisan Glass Beads 4.16.14
Happy Hump Day! Our featured glass bead set today is this vivid trio of big hole glass beads from Nina Eagle:
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Hot Glass Beads 4.15.14
OH My! Tax day has slipped upon us! Never fear! We've got gorgeous glass beads to sooth your nerves my dear!
Check out this hand-shaped triangle glass bead set from Laurie of Isinglass Design:
Check out this hand-shaped triangle glass bead set from Laurie of Isinglass Design:
Monday, April 14, 2014
Glass Beads Sets 4.14.14
Happy Monday Lampwork Lovers! We've got a fun set to kick off the week. Doesn't this glass bead set by Carrie of CLO beads just look like candy??? I'd sure love some in my Easter Basket!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
SRA Art Glass 4.13.14
Hello Glass Bead fans! Today's feature for Sunday is a beautiful fumed implosion style glass cabochon from Kristin and Julio of Redside Designs:
Pretty cool, eh??? O.K.... on with the show!
These types of beads are so cool... You have to see another view of this bead:
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Lampwork Beads 4.12.14
Happy Saturday Beadheads! Today's featured lampwork is from Donna of Prima Donna Beads. Check out her ribbed glass bead set called Amber Gold:
Friday, April 11, 2014
Glass Beads Lampwork 4.11.14
Welcome! Today's featured glass bead is a fun and whimsical lampwork focal kitty cat from Cindy of Cindy Lynne Designs.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
SPRING Lamp Work Beads | Contest Winners 4.10.12
Welcome Glass Bead fans! First up, our artists will be posting Spring Glass Beads... birds, flowers, nests, pastels or brights... whatever spring means to them!
First our feature today is a whimsical floral glass bead focal from Suzanne of Fragiacomo Glass Art. Aren't those little murrini flowers it perfect for Spring?
And... our contest winners from our anniversary post:
1st place and a 125 x 300 ad for one month goes to Donna of Prima Donna Beads:
2nd place and a 125 x 150 ad for one month goes to Darlene of LTD Art Glass:
Ladies, get me your artwork and I will get your ads scheduled! And on with our Spring Show:
First our feature today is a whimsical floral glass bead focal from Suzanne of Fragiacomo Glass Art. Aren't those little murrini flowers it perfect for Spring?
And... our contest winners from our anniversary post:
1st place and a 125 x 300 ad for one month goes to Donna of Prima Donna Beads:
Ladies, get me your artwork and I will get your ads scheduled! And on with our Spring Show:
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Glass Beads Lampwork 4.9.14
Welcome Glass bead fans and lampwork artisans! Two quick announcements and we're on to the show:
- Winners from yesterday's post will be announced tomorrow!
- Tomorrow is a SPRING post! Come share whatever spring means to you!
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Celebrating One Year of Glass Bead Artisans 4.8.14
What a year it has been!!! I cannot believe this blog is a year old! This is our 366th consecutive post! There were times I didn't know if I could make this happen... like the month I had to spend in Louisiana with no Internet connection! And I was just as afraid that, if I built this, no one would come! But the glass bead artisans showed up and so did the fans and buyers! I am so grateful to the glass community that has accepted this site and more importantly, shares their work here.
And that's what today is about. This blog is a place to share lampwork when you have some to share. The only requirement we've ever asked is that if you share something, promote the page somewhere... Pretty easy, eh? But there are a handful of artists who posted from the beginning and a year later, they are still here. For those of you that are our hard core artisans, I salute you! YOU make this site special.
I spent last night counting shares... I wanted to know who shared the most. I wanted to how early they found us us and how often they shared. I was amazed that some of most regular posters found us right off the bat. And more importantly, they're still here!
So, I want to take a moment to thank EVERYONE that shared their amazing glass bead work here in the past year! I hope you will continue to make this site all it can be to promote glass bead artists everywhere! But extra special kudos go to:
I also want to mention a few others. Jo of Kitzbitz, Doris of Glaszwerg and Laurie of Isinglass Design. You guys are here a lot and from the beginning and I appreciate all of you so very much!! You will all each get two weeks of a small ad as well.
But that's not all! For those of you that share today, our anniversary, we're having a random drawing and will give away both a 125 x 300 and a 125 x 150 ad for one month! So share and tell your friends! Check back Thursday for winners!
Finally... On with the show:
And that's what today is about. This blog is a place to share lampwork when you have some to share. The only requirement we've ever asked is that if you share something, promote the page somewhere... Pretty easy, eh? But there are a handful of artists who posted from the beginning and a year later, they are still here. For those of you that are our hard core artisans, I salute you! YOU make this site special.
I spent last night counting shares... I wanted to know who shared the most. I wanted to how early they found us us and how often they shared. I was amazed that some of most regular posters found us right off the bat. And more importantly, they're still here!
So, I want to take a moment to thank EVERYONE that shared their amazing glass bead work here in the past year! I hope you will continue to make this site all it can be to promote glass bead artists everywhere! But extra special kudos go to:
- The Flaming Fools, Michael and Brad who posted 254 times this year. The focal glass bead above is Dubuque on Ebay.
- Elizabeth of Elizabeth Beads who shared 266 times this year. Her glass bead focal, above left is available on Etsy.
- Sheila of Stone Designs by Sheila who shared 291 times. Her glass bead set, bottom left, is on Etsy.
- And finally... our most constant sharer... is Aimee of Polycrhome Beads. She shared a whopping 318 times. Her lampwork set, bottom right is Tahitian Sun on Etsy
I also want to mention a few others. Jo of Kitzbitz, Doris of Glaszwerg and Laurie of Isinglass Design. You guys are here a lot and from the beginning and I appreciate all of you so very much!! You will all each get two weeks of a small ad as well.
But that's not all! For those of you that share today, our anniversary, we're having a random drawing and will give away both a 125 x 300 and a 125 x 150 ad for one month! So share and tell your friends! Check back Thursday for winners!
Finally... On with the show:
Monday, April 7, 2014
Beads of Glass 4.7.14
Monday, Monday and no need to be blue! Tomorrow is our one year anniversary! One whole year of posts celebrating the most awesome glass bead artists! That's kinda exciting!
So is our feature today! Check out this colorful large glass bead focal from Jody of Elasia's Gifts
So is our feature today! Check out this colorful large glass bead focal from Jody of Elasia's Gifts
Sunday, April 6, 2014
SRA Lampwork 4.6.14
Happy Sunday Bead heads! Let's take a look at what our self representing glass artists have for you today!
Today's feature is a floral sculputural glass bead from Laney of Izzy Beads
Today's feature is a floral sculputural glass bead from Laney of Izzy Beads
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Art Glass Lampwork 4.5.14
It's Saturday! It's Spring! Tax season is winding down and it's time to think of more important things...like glass beads!
Our feature today is a stunning lampwork focal from Heather Kelly Glass.
Our feature today is a stunning lampwork focal from Heather Kelly Glass.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Glass Bead Sets 4.4.14
Hello Glass bead fans! We've got a gorgeous glass bead set for our feature today from Elizabeth Beads. This set features luscious greens and metallics - a gorgeous blend for spring and summer Lampwork Jewelry!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Lampwork Glass Beads 4.3.14
Running a little late here... massive power outage! But let's enjoy some beautiful glass beads.
Check out our feature from Rosemarie of Spawn of Flame. She's gotten such a delicate color bloom on this glass bead set.They would make the perfect summer bracelet!
Check out our feature from Rosemarie of Spawn of Flame. She's gotten such a delicate color bloom on this glass bead set.They would make the perfect summer bracelet!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Artisan Glass Beads 4.2.14
OMG! Can you believe we are on our 12th header??? Yes, we are ONE YEAR old in just a few days!!! Time to say goodbye to last month's header artists who shared their beautiful beads with us all month long! Peggy, Kristin and Julio, Julie, Judith thank you so very much!!
Shop links:
Peggy Sudz Lampwork || Redside Designs || AutEv Designs|| Icarus Beads ||
Peggy Sudz Lampwork || Redside Designs || AutEv Designs|| Icarus Beads ||
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Glass Bead Pairs 4.1.14
Did you know that glass bead pairs are often in demand??? Jewelry designers love them to create earrings with or to place an even number of similar beads in a necklace or bracelet design. And our artisans are all over that ...naturally! Many of them offer pairs of lampwork beads just for such designs.
Check out this colorful rainbow of glass bead pairs from Kristan of Prairie Girl Glass:
Check out this colorful rainbow of glass bead pairs from Kristan of Prairie Girl Glass: