Time for me to run. Thanks so much for stopping by ! I hope you come back again soon to see what's going on. :)
Monday, April 30, 2012
For The Kids at Beads Of Courage
Been playing hard all week at the torch and so far, the picture below is what BOC is getting from my torch time ! :) I am pleased as punch how these beads all turned out and had a bit of a sniffle over the several that ended up in the water can. :( It happens. One I was pulling off the mandrel after annealing and the end broke off ! That one was at least 3 1/2" long ! Oh well........onward and upward as it were. I'll be back at the torch hopefully tomorrow making more of these for Beads Of Courage and I hope the kids love them. I'm actually sculpting again too by making the little dino's ! I had forgotten how to make them so had to figure it out all over again. lol !
I will be making more of them that's for sure. Just a bit time consuming right now. Once I get back into the hang of making them, they'll move along faster.
This second photo is of beads I made some time ago that I dug up to send to the kids. I was REALLY into sculpting back then ! The only one in this pile that was made recently is the whitish color one. Not sure why it's in this photo ! lol !
Time for me to run. Thanks so much for stopping by ! I hope you come back again soon to see what's going on. :)
Time for me to run. Thanks so much for stopping by ! I hope you come back again soon to see what's going on. :)
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Old Stuff, New Stuff, Whatever Stuff
It's been one of those weeks where you just don't know what's going to happen next ! Geesh. To make it easier on myself, I got back to the torch at last ! :)) Happy, Happy Debbie ! lol ! It's been FUN too. The title pretty much says it all. I did some "old stuff", things I've done before, "new stuff", something I've been wanting to do for a long time and finally did AND the whatever stuff is pretty much everything else in between. :)
The old stuff: Back to bright colors again. Yummy, fun, put a smile on my face colors ! lol ! All for BOC kids whom I hope will smile at them as well. So much fun to do. Picture of what I've done so far is below.
They're big, bold and I love 'em. LOTS more coming as I'm in that mode and I don't think it will go anywhere too soon. Because they are so big it takes a long time to make just one so I'm only getting a few done at each session. My torch sessions generally only last a couple hours. Anyway, I'll make plenty more before I ship them off.
So now we come to The New Stuff. Below is a picture of something I've been wanting to do for a while now but just got around to it. It's another form of a blown hollow bead. These have been around for a while actually in the form of a vessel or globe. Done off the end of a hollow tube or mandrel. The blown hollows I was making previously were done off something called a puffy mandrel that has the hole the bead forms around on the side of the hollow tube. Anyway, this bead not only has a hollow inside, it's also covered with blue enamel then encased with clear glass. Encasing a hollow bead in this fashion is usually not the norm however that said, I'm sure it has been done in the past since there is very little in the glass world that is considered brand new. There is one bead artist that is doing them beautifully right now and her artistic renditions are fabulous ! I was thrilled to have accomplished this on my own even though I am pretty bad at encasing. Encasing a hollow is a pretty touchy thing to do as the hollow part can and will collapse easily from the heat of adding more glass. It all came together the other day and this is my second try. I won't even show the first one. lol ! So all in all, it's pretty basic. If you can make a vessel or globe off the end of your hollow mandrel, you can make one of these beads.
The old stuff: Back to bright colors again. Yummy, fun, put a smile on my face colors ! lol ! All for BOC kids whom I hope will smile at them as well. So much fun to do. Picture of what I've done so far is below.
So now we come to The New Stuff. Below is a picture of something I've been wanting to do for a while now but just got around to it. It's another form of a blown hollow bead. These have been around for a while actually in the form of a vessel or globe. Done off the end of a hollow tube or mandrel. The blown hollows I was making previously were done off something called a puffy mandrel that has the hole the bead forms around on the side of the hollow tube. Anyway, this bead not only has a hollow inside, it's also covered with blue enamel then encased with clear glass. Encasing a hollow bead in this fashion is usually not the norm however that said, I'm sure it has been done in the past since there is very little in the glass world that is considered brand new. There is one bead artist that is doing them beautifully right now and her artistic renditions are fabulous ! I was thrilled to have accomplished this on my own even though I am pretty bad at encasing. Encasing a hollow is a pretty touchy thing to do as the hollow part can and will collapse easily from the heat of adding more glass. It all came together the other day and this is my second try. I won't even show the first one. lol ! So all in all, it's pretty basic. If you can make a vessel or globe off the end of your hollow mandrel, you can make one of these beads.
The Whatever Stuff: I stepped on my glasses and broke them and my computer is dying a slow and painful (to me) death. The new computer is already ordered but the glasses, well I gotta get to the eye doctor and get that done. The cheapies I'm wearing are giving me horrible headaches. UGH.
Time to go for now. Thanks so much for coming by and paying me a visit. I hope you come back again soon to see what's happening. :))
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Wow ! New Blogger look and New Necklace
Wow ! I have some catching up to do ! I don't know if I like this new blogger thing yet. Well, will have to just keep playing.
So it's been a very busy week this past week. Very little creative time but I did manage to put together the necklace pictured below.
I wanted to use the enameled beads I made a few weeks ago before the pollen hit and this is what I came up with so far. I'm not sure if I like it nor am I sure it will stay as it is. I like the solid black beads bringing out the black in the enameled beads however I'm not sure the shape of those black beads is right. Someone mentioned a more organic shape to match the enameled beads & I do believe they are right. The more I look at it, the more I agree. :)
I am getting closer to being able to torch again. Yay ! I can't wait. Am getting very impatient now. I got some filigrana glass I am so very anxious to use ! Filigrana rods are a solid color encased in clear & ready to use. Also stocked up on some glass at very good prices to use with the enamels. I'm ready to get back to that and the blown beads as well. Have LOTS of ideas floating around in my head. Need to get back to making some BOC beads as well. I gave up on the butterflies. They just weren't very good at all. Those need to be very special. So I will just stick with making the beads for the kids. It's all good. :)
That's all for now. Thanks so much for coming by. I hope you come back again soon. Lampwork beads or jewelry - it's all good ! :)
So it's been a very busy week this past week. Very little creative time but I did manage to put together the necklace pictured below.
I am getting closer to being able to torch again. Yay ! I can't wait. Am getting very impatient now. I got some filigrana glass I am so very anxious to use ! Filigrana rods are a solid color encased in clear & ready to use. Also stocked up on some glass at very good prices to use with the enamels. I'm ready to get back to that and the blown beads as well. Have LOTS of ideas floating around in my head. Need to get back to making some BOC beads as well. I gave up on the butterflies. They just weren't very good at all. Those need to be very special. So I will just stick with making the beads for the kids. It's all good. :)
That's all for now. Thanks so much for coming by. I hope you come back again soon. Lampwork beads or jewelry - it's all good ! :)
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Words of Wisdom
I wouldn't normally post something like the following but I found that every statement is so true. I enjoyed reading it all & wanted to share. I hope you enjoy. :)
Written by a 90 year old
This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!!
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don't worry; God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't
save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will
this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive but don’t forget.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd
grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!!
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don't worry; God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't
save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will
this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive but don’t forget.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd
grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Finished
With the beaded beads that is so here's the picture.
They all turned out pretty good. A few threads here and there that need to be cut but I have to wait until I get a small pair of scissors to do that. I only have big ones.
That's going to be it for beaded beads for a while. My patience wore very thin doing the last 3 so I guess 15 was a bit too much. lol ! Even with these fairly easy to make ones. Still I love how they turned out and can't wait to use them in a piece of jewelry.
I had someone ask me not long ago why the dime in the picture. Well, with lampwork beads especially, the dime helps to show the actual size of the beads. With lampwork beads without a dime, lots of people have a hard time realizing what say 8 mm. is. So I just always used the dime to show size. There are alot of lampwork people, actually the majority of them that do not use dime shots for whatever reason. When I was selling, this was always very helpful. Right up front it gave the customer an idea the size of the bead in the photo along with the actual dimensions. In the long run, it saved both the customer and me from having to deal with unnecessary emails. And it worked. So, I still use dimes in shots even though I don't sell anymore. I take pictures of beads and jewelry with and without.
That's all for now. Just wanted to update the beaded beads. Thanks for coming by and I hope you come back again soon. :)
They all turned out pretty good. A few threads here and there that need to be cut but I have to wait until I get a small pair of scissors to do that. I only have big ones.
That's going to be it for beaded beads for a while. My patience wore very thin doing the last 3 so I guess 15 was a bit too much. lol ! Even with these fairly easy to make ones. Still I love how they turned out and can't wait to use them in a piece of jewelry.
I had someone ask me not long ago why the dime in the picture. Well, with lampwork beads especially, the dime helps to show the actual size of the beads. With lampwork beads without a dime, lots of people have a hard time realizing what say 8 mm. is. So I just always used the dime to show size. There are alot of lampwork people, actually the majority of them that do not use dime shots for whatever reason. When I was selling, this was always very helpful. Right up front it gave the customer an idea the size of the bead in the photo along with the actual dimensions. In the long run, it saved both the customer and me from having to deal with unnecessary emails. And it worked. So, I still use dimes in shots even though I don't sell anymore. I take pictures of beads and jewelry with and without.
That's all for now. Just wanted to update the beaded beads. Thanks for coming by and I hope you come back again soon. :)
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Beads - All Kinds Of Beads
What is the facination with these little gems of whatever they are made of ? I'm not real sure but whatever it is, I LOVE THEM ! I love them all but of course my favorite is glass beads. Big and small. Right now, I'm playing with small. Yep. Since I still cannot be at the torch because of the derned pollen, I've been playing with seed beads again. I set aside the jewelry making for the moment and am concentrating on making beaded beads to use in jewelry making. I haven't quite decided what I'll end up making - a bracelet and earrings or a necklace and earrings. I just keep making the beaded beads. :)) It's been fun too. A bit frustrating at times and very time consuming. I forgot how time consuming it can be. Nevertheless, I'm trudging forward. There have been those moments I want to just forget it. I mean, I'm not selling this stuff so why let it get to me ? Then I settle myself down and keep on going. I WANT the beads for the piece I'm going to make. :) So onward and upward as it were. I am using this pattern and it's pretty simple really. http://www.beadinfinitum.com/Kits/SpinningTopInstructions.pdf There are other free beaded bead patterns out there but this is a great way to learn this technique. Gives you some idea what you're in for if you decide to go further with it.
So pictured just below is how far I've gotten up to this point. There are 10 using the 8mm round bead as the base bead. The bigger bead is an experiment. I wanted to see how this pattern looked with the bigger beads. I used a 10mm bead as the base bead, 8/0 is the turquoise color and 6/0 are the silver color. It was done very quickly so there are a few threads showing. It's not bad but the smaller ones are much nicer in comparison. I think if bigger size bead caps are used in a piece the bigger size would be ok. Just my opinion.
I'll keep with the smaller size. Who knows how many I'll end up with ! Geesh..........lol !
Thanks so much for coming by for a visit. I hope you come back again soon to see what else I can think of to do ! lol ! You just never know ! :)
So pictured just below is how far I've gotten up to this point. There are 10 using the 8mm round bead as the base bead. The bigger bead is an experiment. I wanted to see how this pattern looked with the bigger beads. I used a 10mm bead as the base bead, 8/0 is the turquoise color and 6/0 are the silver color. It was done very quickly so there are a few threads showing. It's not bad but the smaller ones are much nicer in comparison. I think if bigger size bead caps are used in a piece the bigger size would be ok. Just my opinion.
I'll keep with the smaller size. Who knows how many I'll end up with ! Geesh..........lol !
Thanks so much for coming by for a visit. I hope you come back again soon to see what else I can think of to do ! lol ! You just never know ! :)
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