Featured Artist Header

Links to the artists featured in our header photo: Kathryn Newman Glass Art|| Holly's Folly || Prima Donna Beads|| Polychrome Beads||

Monday, June 30, 2014

Sculptural Lampwork 6.30.14

Last day of the month and year is half over... Dare I say it... it's "almost" time to start thinking about holiday beads. [Ducks and runs!]

Today's featured glass bead is a lovely hand sculpted glass rose with matching spacers made by our sponsor Suzanne of Fragiacomo Glass Art







Sunday, June 29, 2014

Glass Bead Spacers Space Out Sunday 6.29.14

Welcome Glass Bead Fans. Today is the day we celebrate the glass bead spacer. Today, our artisans will be posting pics that feature lampwork spacers today!

Today's featured artist is Michelle Bryant a.k.a. 'The Spacer Queen.' Her studio is The Spacer Bead Shop. Before we get on with the interview, let's take a look at some of Michelle's spacer beads:


What do you make? What or you known for?

I make primarily spacer beads. I've been making them for over 10 years. I'm known for spacers of consistent sizes and nicely dimpled holes.



Do you ever space out at the torch? What do you think about / listen to / watch?
 
I space out a lot at the torch! The reason I like to make spacer beads is because each little bead is a complete work in itself, and they don't take long to make! So there's plenty of time to think and sing to my favorite songs. I listen to Dave Ramsey podcasts or my music collection that was mostly compiled in the 1980s-90s and hasn't been touched since. My favorite artists are Warren Zevon and The Indigo Girls.
What was the Worst burn / cut you ever got??? How did it happen, where was it? Special treatment???
 
I've been pretty lucky regarding burns. The worst burn I've ever got was when I laid my forearm in front of my hot torch (which had just been turned off) as I reached past it for a rod. It made a perfect impression of the end of a Betta torch, holes and everything. No special treatment; it eventually healed and faded. I figure that I used up a lot of my artistic 'bad karma' when I was in college and cut my finger off in art metals class.


What was the hardest skill for you to learn how did you over come? Any tips to share?

Speed and precision. To make a living making spacer beads, you have to be good at both. I use a Mandrel Spinner from Bearfoot Arts to help with speed. The rest is practice practice practice. I've made (and sold) over a million beads over the years.

What is YOUR favorite jewelry to wear?  Favorite thing you've made.

I actually don't wear a lot of jewelry, despite having sold my creations at the local Farmer's Market and art shows for years and making thousands of earrings for a local jewelry wholesaler. I think I've OD'ed on it. I did make the attached spiral bead earrings recently for an earring exchange. I was pleased with the way they turned out


You can find Michelle's work here:  Etsy || Facebook|| Twitter ||  Pinterest









Friday, June 27, 2014

Fun Glass Beads for Summer 6.27.14

One the best things about glass beads is you can  find them to suit any occasion, theme or mood! And now that summer is here, thoughts turn to vibrant color and fun! The lampwork bead set we have to share to day is perfect for summer! These were made by Glenda of Amuse Beads







Thursday, June 26, 2014

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Artisan Glass Beads 6.24.14

Apologies for yesterday's late Blue Glass Beads post! Some days the publication scheduler doesn't take! Feel free to email me any time something is amiss!

Today's feature is a lovely blue lampwork focal from Nina Eagle:







Monday, June 23, 2014

BLUE MONDAY Glass Beads 6.23.14

Hello Glass Bead fans!! It's BLUE MONDAY here... the day we honor and admire the most popular and sought after color among lampwork collectors!

Our feature today is a blue winged heart glass bead from Cherie of Happy Skull






Sunday, June 22, 2014

Glass Beads for Bracelets 6.22.14

Glass Beads with big holes for fancy silver bracelets are so popular. But you don't have to settle for one of millions cranked out in a Chinese factory, prone to breakage! No! You can have a one of a kind bead for your bracelet by shopping from artisans! Check out this bracelet bead beauty from Peggy Sudz Lampwork.







Saturday, June 21, 2014

Glass Bead Lampwork 6.21.14

Welcome lampwork glass bead fans! Today is Saturday and our thoughts turn to more relaxing pursuits. Like hunting for shells on a beach... Wouldn't you just faint if you found a sculptural glass bead like this on a beach? This bead was made by Stone Designs by Sheila.









Thursday, June 19, 2014

Artisan Lampwork Jewelry 6.19.14

Welcome, welcome glass bead fans! It wouldn't be right to show you all these gorgeous glass beads and not show off some finished jewelry from time to time! Amy Sims made these fantastic lampwork glass bead earrings for her Trunk Show on Facebook's Jewelry Designer's Open Market. Remember to join these private groups to view the shows!!







Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Lampwork Focal Bead 6.17.14

The beauty of artisan glass beads is that there are so many different styles, it's bound to create a few collectors. Sculptural, whimsical, holiday themes, raised florals, cased flowers, dots and eyes... the list of favorite styles is endless. But the first thing I ever collected was silvered ivory. I simply adore the mottled lines created when silver and ivory mix... Oh, it makes my heart sing!

Today's feature is a silvered ivory focal from Michael and Brad, a/k/a The Flaming Fools.


Just a quick tip to our friends who share from the Facebook Sales Groups. Please! List your studio name! List the name of the group you sell in! Often when we click on the link, the items are sold and there is nothing to see! Please try to give people a way to find you.







Monday, June 16, 2014

Sculpted Glass Bracelet Beads 6.16.14

It's another glorious Monday here at Glass Beads Daily...not that the day of the week matters! We've got fresh glass beads served up every single day!

Today's feature is a wonderful square bracelet bead for a Pandora / Troll / Links of London style bracelet. This beauty was made by Darlene of LTD Art Glass


Just a quick tip to our friends who share from the Facebook Sales Groups. Please! List your studio name! List the name of the group you sell in! Often when we click on the link, the items are sold and there is nothing to see! Please try to give people a way to find you..






Saturday, June 14, 2014

Lampwork Sets 6.14.14

Welcome lampwork lovers! Today's feature is stunning and yet simple. Just beautiful glass, masterfully shaped into a gorgeous set of glass beads. They were made by Jo of Kitzbitz Art Glass.








Friday, June 13, 2014

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Monday, June 9, 2014

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Glass Beads Lampwork 6.7.14

Hello Glass Bead Fans! Take a moment and scroll down and vote for your faves...Your votes help pick our cover artists!

Today's feature is a pretty heart focal with lots of accessory glass beads to round out any design. This set was created by Sharon of Right Turn Artwerks.








Friday, June 6, 2014

Artisan Glass Beads for Sale - Facebook Friday 6.6.14

Welcome fans of artisan made glass beads! Lampwork glass bead sales venues on Facebook are the hot new place to buy glass beads! I thought we would focus on one of the newest ones: Artisan Glass Beads for Sale.  GBD interviewed co-founder Irene Giorgio.

Why did you start the group?
 I started this group because looped pendants were not allowed on the other beads for sale pages. I felt that if it was made using normal lampworking techniques, then it should [be allowed]. 

I also wanted a site where buyers and sellers could have input. I didn't want a rigid site where rules were set and if you didn't like them, you must leave the group. Rules are just guidelines and if sellers and buyers feel that something might work better, I am all for hearing it and implementing it into the site. This is a community site for all. The person that starts it doesn't make it what it is, it's the buyers and sellers that make it succeed and grow. 

Why do you think Facebook is such a good venue for selling glass beads? 
I think because Facebook is in real time! No messaging and waiting days or weeks for an answer. Not only can we ask questions and get 3 responses in a minute, we can also communicate with each other and it helps us get to know each other better. 

We can create a fun atmosphere instead of it being "business" only like Etsy or Ebay. That personal touch, I believe, is what people want. I know I want it. 

What are your goals for the group? 
My goals for the group is to have a successful site. I want sellers to be able to sell their beads and buyers to be able to buy artisan beads that are made with passion for their craft. Not mass produced items where people are forced to make beads in order to make a living. I want it to be a place where people connect with each other and know everyone they are buying and selling to. I don't care about numbers. I like being a smaller group because it allows sellers to have their items seen instead of dropping to the bottom of the page in 10 minutes. I would like to have more fun things to do that would have everyone want to be involved in it. 

Who can list? 
Anyone who makes lampwork beads. All levels. The beads must be properly annealed; they must be quality beads with no sharp edges in the holes, no cracks, and general stuff like that. I want everyone to feel welcome and to also give the newbie a chance to sell and to help motivate them to keep going.  

What can they sell?  
Beads! All shapes and sizes. They can sell pendants and focals. As long as a torch and lampwork rods were used in the traditional way, it's okay to list. 

Finished products like wire wrapped pendants or beads are not allowed. Nor is finished jewelry. We want the buyers to have the vision in their head of how they would like the finished product to look. We just give them the [great beads] to create that vision. 








Thursday, June 5, 2014

Beautiful Lampwork 6.5.14

Welcome Glass Bead fans! Today's feature is a stunning lampwork focal from Beads by Stephanie. This one is for the sale on the Facebook sales venue Lampwork Bead Market. You must be a member to view the listings.







Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Lampwork Jewelry 6.3.14

You know we can't just post the most fabulous lampwork glass beads here day after and not show you some jewelry ideas too! The beautiful glass bead earrings are from Maren of Hilo Beads.








Monday, June 2, 2014

Artisan Glass Beads 6.2.14

Hello Glass Bead fans! It's that time of the month when we say goodbye to last month's header artisans. Kristan, Elizabeth, Debbie, Holly, Jo and Lezlie, thank you so much for allowing us to use your beads in our header and continue to promote quality glass beads!!

Let's take one last look:

You can find their work here:
Prairie Girl Glass || Elizabeth Beads || All My Beads|| Holly's Folly Glass || Kitzbitz Art Glass || Canterbury Keepsakes ||




Sunday, June 1, 2014

Sculptural Glass Beads 6.1.14

Hello lovers of Lampwork! Can you believe a new month is upon us? Today's feature is a lovely sculptural shell glass bead from Mallory of Rosebud 101. This piece is for sale on the new Facebook marketplace, Artisan Glass Lampwork Beads for Sale.