Lampworking, Glass Bead Making, Making Beads, Flameworking, Torching, Etc, Etc......................

  So many names for one art form/craft.  Take your pick as to what you prefer.  Everybody that makes beads is partial to one or the other.  I guess it depends on your point of view as to which name you do prefer.  Technically, the proper and correct title is lampworking.  That term is from many hundreds of years ago.  In those days, when a bead was being made, it was made in the flame of an oil lamp.  Hence, lampworking.   As for the other terms, I couldn't say when they became popular.  That's a history lesson I need to find but these days, when I myself talk of making beads, I say torching or at the torch.  I'm sure that's very incorrect or improper but it's just easiest for me.   It also describes to those in the know what I'm doing.  For those that are not in the know, it does require definition.  Which is fine.  I'll explain but around my neighborhood, most folks don't care until I say," I melt glass".  That seems to spark a bit of an interest.  So maybe that little statement, " I melt glass" needs to be included as one of those titles ?  Probably because that pretty much gives a great description even though it says nothing to making beads.  Melting glass could take one in an entirely different direction.  Like to a hot shop where vases and such are made.  lol !  Then there's lampworking which conjures up all sorts of wild ideas, like I'm sitting at a table making lamps !  lol !

In the end, whatever we call it, it's what we are passionate about.  It's what makes us happy.  Whether we are doing it as a hobby or making a living at it - it's what we do.

With all that said, here's a few things I've been doing lately - SETS !  Sets were always my downfall.  I rarely made them.  For so long I was into sculpting and focals.  I have to admit this has been enjoyable.  I've been making beads using a few tutorials actually but one in particular.  Why I picked that certain one I'm unsure.  The original beads are gorgeous and something I've yet to achieve.  I don't have the same torch as the writer of the tut & I am missing one particular ingredient that the writer uses.  Still, I do like how these sets have turned out.  Only one set follows the tutorial perfectly.  In the photo below, that would be the first tiny set, up at the top of the photo. The other 3 sets, I've added an extra ingredient, removed an ingredient or changed up the order of the ingredients.  :)  Part of the fun of it all is doing your own thing, even with someone elses tutorial.  lol !  

 

So that's what I did most of last week.  Of course, there's more which I'll show another time but for now, this is good.  :) 

 

Thanks so much for coming by.  I hope you come back again soon ! 

Please take a moment and check out my Fan Page on Facebook and come on by my Etsy shop and maybe shop a bit.  :) 

 

Until next time..............

 

          

Post and Run

Yes, it's one of those days where there's lots to get done so this is a hit and run sort of thing.  :) 

Had some terrific torch time this past week and looking forward to lots more !  Feels good to be playing again.  :)  I've been experimenting with a tutorial this past week and using one of my new presses.  It's for a very large lentil focal bead so I'm enjoying it since large beads are my "thing".  lol ! 

The experimenting has been a lot of fun.  Following the tutorial and doing my own thing with that tut.  The first two pictures below are of those experiments. 

The last photo is of a small set that turned out all wrong.  lol !  I was trying to duplicate a set I made many years ago and so far with no luck.  I still really like how they turned out anyway.  Cobalt blue is one of my favorite colors.  There is lots of silver in those beads too. 

 

Time to get moving.  Thanks so much for coming by.  I hope you come back again soon.

A New Week - Even Though It's Friday

I don't know if that even makes sense but I guess in a way it does.  Depending on when your week "starts".  lol !  I figure mine starts today cause it's kinda been a rough week.  Anyway, enough of that and on to more fun things.

I finally figured out how to add my Etsy shop to the links over there to the right of this writing.  :)   Took me a while but finally got it right.  So no more posting my shop in my posts.  Just click on any of the photo's and it'll take you right over to my shop. 

Speaking of the shop, the Grand Re-opening Specials are still going on but only for a limited time now.  Check them out.  I've also run out of Destash BEADS  to list as far as those go, that's it. I still have lots of other goodies to get listed.  More jewelry, some kumihimo braids and Viking knit and more beady supplies possibly.  

Ok so onto the really fun stuff !  I've been back at the torch a bit for the last few days !  Yay !  It's kinda like riding a bike but then again it's not.  lol !  Just depends on what I'm trying to accomplish I guess.  I've been making those great little bell flowers, some organic stuff and then a lot of stuff is ending up in the water can !  lol !  I got some new presses to use and I'm just not use to those at all.  I rarely used them in the past.  In fact, for many years I only had one and that was it.  So now, I have 5 brand new ones plus one I got at Christmas.  So lots of PPP has to take place before I can get a handle on them.  Just trying them out the last few days has been lets say a tiny bit frustrating so back to relearning. It's just a matter of figuring out how much glass to add for the mold and then pressing.......and pressing..........and pressing.  lol !   

So here's one focal bead that is worthy of showing right now.  Using my favorite color blue then adding silver foil and my all time favorite frit over that.  Thing is, I put it in my Etsy shop one night and the next morning it was sold.  :)  I really didn't expect that but hey, I'm glad it did sell.  :)  I made it using one of those new molds and got very lucky with the shape.  :)  It is BIG coming in at 12x30mm and the second mold in that group of two is even bigger !  lol !  I'll make more of these for sure.  I love the look.  I need one for myself.  lol ! 

 

So it's time for me to get my week started.  lol !  Thanks so much for coming by.  Please come back again soon.  And if you get a chance, come by my Facebook page and like me or make a comment or just enjoy. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/AllMyBeads