And the beat goes on....

Cranberry Twist Cube on Etsy

Here is another round of red.  The body of the bead is a vibrant red that is wrapped in a smooth cream glass.  I then gently shape it on a flat metal surface to create the cube shape.  I throw it into the flame for another quick visit but remove it before it looses the desired square-like shape. 

I hope everyone is having a good week.  Monday is behind us and onto the excitement of Tuesday:)

I made this as a quickie to myself. They are not my beads but wanted to create something with these stone beads...couldn't resist the red.  I think I might just keep them for myself or give them to an awesome friend that I love!

Red Week

I love red and I also love themes.  Hmmmm.... It might just be that Valentine's Day is around the corner or simply because it is a beautiful color but here comes RED WEEK.  I always seem to make red beads whenever I am at the torch.  I gravitate to the color and seem to grab the red glass rods to make solid red beads or to integrate the gorgeous hue into other half created beads.   This particular design is one I have made before and come back to because I love the repetition of the circles... and the red:) I hope everyone has a great week. 

Red Disc on Etsy

Fire up the weekend...

Clear glass with red and purple transparent spiral

 I unloaded the kiln this morning from yesterday's fun. They are still on the mandrels and awaiting their fate. 

I left my release (the gray matter I dip the mandrels in so the glass will not become one with the steel) in the garage....made for some clumps on the mandrels...live and learn on that one:)

The body of the bead is white and then rolled in a reduction frit...never quite know what you are going to get. 

Brown body of the bead with cream and turquoise stringers wrapped around the bead and shaped to be flat. 

The simple copper circles with funky blue accent circles highlight the dripping dots in the bead.  The body is made up of a deep emerald transparent glass. I then lay the turquoise dots on the bead and heat them in the flame until they are flush with the bead.  I spin and swirl the glass to create a slight distortion and drip in the bead dots...and there you have it.  I love the colors and they easily catch the eye in this simple design. 

It is a bright and beautiful winter day! I was able to get out into the woods yesterday and then out for a quick walk this afternoon.  The temps are in the single digits.  Now for a toasty fire and some metal bending and jewelry making.  Hope all are cozy and warm. 

Let It Flow...

Sometimes it's nice to let a piece come together and grow as it goes.  This bracelet is a collection of my lamp work beads but also stones, buttons and eclectic 'this and thats' from a variety of vintage pieces and gathered things.  I really like it and sometimes it is easy to just be you and let it flow link by link. 
I hope to be at the torch this weekend and create some more beads.  We have about 2 feet of fresh snow on the ground and the woods are amazing.  It is still coming down and I plan on staying put, watching some movies and getting outside into this winter wonderland. 

Tiny Treasures

This piece is quite the mix...some of my beads, vintage metal work, leather and some treasured buttons.  It came to be in a tiny way and sits so beautifully as a necklace.  
I hope everyone is having a great January and new year so far. Buffalo is struck with a wild warm spell...the grass is sneaking out again and few runs are open on the slopes. What is going on? Do I mind?....the vote is still out. I love the driving conditions but might want to ski a bit this year and can't help but feel the pain of those that really want to get on the slopes.   

The deer are sleeping in the yard, the winter birds are at the feeders and I suppose it is winter.   I have to be at the torch more in the coming weeks.  Shows coming up and creative thoughts are all around. Excited to make, make, make. 

Beautiful Saturday morning walk