Thursday, December 30

On a completely different topic....

For those of you that follow my blog, you my have seen some posts concerning my "other" favorite thing other than beadmaking.... Rob Thomas and his music.

This was his twitter holiday greeting photo.... smiles!!

I have been thankful see and meet Rob in performance during his solo tour as well as touring with Matchbox Twenty. Over the years, his ability to write heartfelt songs and collaborate with other singers and songwriters makes him a true role model to young musicians making their way.  He is on the frequent (most of the time) playlist in the glass studio!

As a teenager, I grew up listening to Darryl Hall and John Oates (another favorite of mine!!)

You may be asking, where is this post going.... 

To celebrate the end of 2010, here is my present to you! The best of both worlds... Rob Thomas's visit to Darryl Hall's home.

This visit was filmed as an episode of his Live from Darryl's house internet show series. It combines Rob's music with conversation and even a cooking lesson!

The highlight below is Rob's version of Hall and Oates "Kiss On My List"...

Check out the whole show online

Enjoy the show and have a wonderful holiday weekend.... see you next year!

Smiles,
D.

Tuesday, December 21

Spring 2011 Color Forecasts, how will you use them?

Looking for inspiration for Spring 2011 jewelry designs?
Pantone has released their color forecast for next season and below is a snapshot of the palette.


In her overview, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, conveys that “By cleverly combining complementary colors, those that are opposites on the color wheel, they have created a striking intensity to the palette. These unique color combinations make it possible for consumers to pair existing pieces in colors traditionally associated with fall, with new favorites to punch up springtime wardrobes.”

Check out Pantone's site and download the 2011 Spring Report, click here.

Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting some bead sets using these color hues that are convertible in CiM- Creation Is Messy as well as Effetre glass colors.

I can already imagine experimenting with Beeswax (CiM Stoneground or Effetre Opal Yellow) paired with Honeysuckle (CiM Razzleberry) and Peapod (CiM Celadon).

How will you use the new Pantone palette in your designs?

Smiles,
Darlene

Sunday, December 19

One week to Christmas.... already planning for 2011


When the days countdown to Christmas, it always gets me thinking ahead to the new year. 

New Year's eve is special to me as it is my wedding anniversary and this year we are celebrating 11 years! Although we joke that it feels like 20 years, really the time has gone by so quickly. My children, from a previous marriage, are all grown and beginning their own lives, so my husband and I have more free time to pursue our personal past-times. 
For him, it is competitive bowling.... or me, the glass torch! It is a good balance, as Saturdays are our days for fun, holding Sundays for family day traditions.

As we head to 2011, reflect on what things truly make "you" happy. Explore new interests or uncover old traditions. Devote some time for your "heart and soul", as it deserves the open exploration to fulfill your true passion.

As the next couple of weeks will be busy times with family and friends, there are just a few new sets for this week!


New on Artfire - A set of 3 focal flat beads


Pink Silver Light Sonata
This set is NOW SOLD 
Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

Starting with an inner core of CiM Pink Champagne, a pink transparent glass, these beads were generously sprinkled with a custom blend of Double Helix silver infused frit, including Clio, Aurae and T-315.
After reducing the beads to bring out the beautiful colors of blues and roses, each bead was encased in Effetre Rose Quartz to capture the opal-like shine of the silver glass and was shaped into the flat shape.
To bring out the true bling of these beads, hand-drawn dots of Aurae silver glass were scattered on these beads and reduced to bring the golden shine to the surface.


NOTE: In the photos, the bottom view is back-lit to show the rose lavendar transparent interior of the beads. As with most lavender glasses, there is a slight color shift depending whether the lighting is natural or artificial.

New on E-Bay closing Dec 26th

Gunmetal Rounds
This set is NOW SOLD 
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy Glasses


This generous set of 16 round beads was created with CiM Gunmetal glass.
This glass creates mottled shine to matte metallic finish with hues of
grey silver, golden bronze to metallic pink.
These would be great combined with Hematite stones in a jewelry creation.

Stock up on rounds for your winter jewelry designs!


Blueberry Marble
This set is NOW SOLD 
Materials: Effetre Glasses


This generous set of 24 round beads was created with Effetre
Blueberry Marble glass. This glass creates mottled light pearl white
beads with blueberry purple striations with an organic stone-like finish.
These beads have been etched for a tactile feel!

Stock up on rounds for your winter jewelry designs!

 

Silvered Murrini Barrels
This set is NOW SOLD 
Materials: CiM & Double Helix Glasses


This set of round barrel beads was created with a CiM glass base of Tuxedo black.
Handmade glass murrini swirls of Double Helix silver glasses were
melted into the surface and reduced to bring out the silver shine of
greens and blues with shiny dots of Triton silver glass.

Included in this set are 8 spacer beads of Triton silver glass reduced to pure shine!



Lempi 
Goddess Bead Series #70
This set is NOW SOLD 

"Finnish myth name of the mother of Lemminkäinen, meaning love"

Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art & Double Helix Glasses

This set of 11 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Sapphire blue transparent glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory & CiM Hades.
Trautman Art Glass rare silver infused Absinthe creates the swirls in each storm portal.

Highlights of
Double Helix silver glass, Triton, create
the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!

 
  

Silver Plum
 Silver Trails Series # 41
This set is NOW SOLD 

Materials: Effetre, CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

Shades of purple plums combine in this set of 21 Silvertrail
beads wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire.
A selection of beads include a centre ring of Silvered Ivory
along with the fine silver wire.

Hues include CiM Plum Unique #1 & Unique#2 and Effetre Medium Amethyst.

These colors will bring light and warmth to your winter jewelry designs.



Silvered Celestial Teal
This set is NOW SOLD 
Materials: Effetre Glass, Frit and Silver Foil

This unique set of 10 round beads was created with an
Effetre Light Teal transparent glass base.
99% Fine silver foil was burnished to the hot surface and then rolled
in Glass Diversions frit named Celestial.

The silver foil has raised to the surface of the bead creating
framing around the melted frit, resembling stained glass windows!

Add some glitter to your winter jewelry designs.  


Monday, December 13

Countdown to Santa's Day!!

As the days countdown to the holidays, I would like to thank all my Pendragonfyre clients over the past year! Your support and feedback has and will continue to be a valued part of each day! 
Best Wishes and look forward to creating for you in 2011!

This week on Ebay. Auctions close on Sunday, Dec 19th.


Organic Golden Triton

This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

Periodically, I like to keep things simple at the torch and pick two glasses and
see the variety that can be created in designs and shapes.

Effetre Dark Ivory and Double Helix Triton silver glass simple in dots, swirls, and blossoms.
These beads demonstrate why we love these two glasses.
Organic in the curdling of the ivory as well as shine of the silver infused glass.

Simple and stunning!



Psyche Orbs
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Double Helix Glasses & 99% Fine Silver Wire

This set of 8 encased round beads were created on a base of Double 
Helix silver glass, Psyche.

Each bead core was wrapped in 99% fine silver wire and reduced to create
the intense variations in color. Each result was then captured under a thick
encasement of Double Helix's clear Aether glass.

Aether when heated just right transforms silver to a golden glow!


Antheia
This set is NOW SOLD
Goddess Bead Series #67

"Greek myth name of a goddess of flowers, gardens, love, marshes, and
swamps. She was worshiped on Crete."


Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art & Double Helix Glasses

This set of 9 goddess series beads were created on a base of
CiM Crocus Unique#1 glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory & CiM Simply Berry.
Trautman Art Glass silver infused Juno creates the swirls in each storm portal.

Highlights of Double Helix Aurae silver glass create
the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!

Six CiM Crocus Unique#1 spacers complete this set.


Keto
This set is NOW SOLD
Goddess Bead Series #68

"Original Greek form of Latin Ceto, myth name of a goddess of the
dangers of the sea, meaning sea monster; whale"


Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art & Double Helix Glasses
This set of 9 goddess series beads were created on a base of
CiM Pulsar glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory & 
Double Helix ES-404 silver catalyst glass.
Trautman Art Glass silver infused Zeus creates the swirls in each storm portal.

Highlights of Double Helix OK-381R silver glass create
the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!

Four CiM Pulsar spacers complete this set.


Themis
This set is NOW SOLD
Goddess Bead Series #69
"Greek myth name of a Titan who was the mother of the three
original Fates by Zeus, meaning "law.""


Materials: CiM, Effetre, and Double Helix Glasses


This set of 9 goddess series beads were created on a base of
Effetre Wine Red Brown glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory, CiM 
Black Currant Unique & Double Helix OK-376 glass.
OX-376 a yellow-green tourmaline, jewel super luster silver test glass that
was created in small batches and is no longer available for sale from Double Helix.
This amazing rare silver glass creates the swirls in each storm portal.

Highlights of Double Helix Aurae silver glass create
the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!


Larkspur Metallics
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM and Double Helix Glasses

This 10 shard bead set is a base of CiM Larkspur with Double Helix, Aurae,
silver infused glass shards.
CiM Larkspur is a transparent glass color that shifts between blue
and lavender depending on your lighting.

Love it for winter as it is rich and luxurious...
The Aurae shards cast golden, silver and copper tones within each reduced shard.


Fossil Rounds

This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glasses
This plentiful set of 21 spacer beads was created with Effetre
Fossil glass. This glass creates mottled ivory tan beads with brown striations
with an organic stone-like finish.

Stock up on rounds for your winter jewelry designs!

Monday, December 6

Holidays are fast approaching, are you ready?

The holidays are in full swing in my world, trying to balance time between the "day-job" and time in the glass studio. With the daylight disappearing earlier each day, it seems that I am heading to the studio most days in the dark and cold here on the east coast of Canada.
Luckily, I have wonderful studio lights and a wood burning stove that warms the studio and heats the hot cocoa for a cosy evening.

Over the fast few days, I had time to try out a few new glasses that I received over the last couple of weeks, including Double Helix's Kalypso and a new golden transparent from Effetre, aptly name 14K.
I also enjoyed spending some time making spacers. It is important sometimes to completely clear the mind and focus on making groups of spacers to test my consistency in "putting glass to mandrel". Along with experimenting with new glasses, practice is important in glass bead making skills. Check out my dark ivory and red copper green spacers..

All sets this week are available through Ebay auctions, closing next Sunday evening. 

Over this coming week, I will be testing out additional unique batches of CiM glass, combining them with more silver glass. Expect good things!

REMINDER: Earrings are on sale in my Artfire studio, buy 2 or more pairs and receive $5.00 each pair.. With the coupon code PENDRAGONFYREBUY2SAVE , many pairs are 50% off.

Enjoy your week!
Darlene
Visit our site at www.pendragonfyre.com
E-Bay id: pendragonfyre_designs
On Artfire at: www.pendragonfyre.artfire.com
Follow me on Twitter: Pendragonfyre
Visit the Pendragonfyre Fan Page at: http://on.fb.me/bgZvFe
Check out my designs in Bead Trends magazine, October 2010 through December 2010 issues, available at Barnes & Noble or Michael's


Kalypso Bubbles
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre & Double Helix Glasses

On a base of Effetre 14K golden transparent glass, layers of Double Helix newest silver infused Kalypso glass was reduced and encased with captured bubbles for a three dimensional look.



Golden Aurae
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

This 10 shard bead set is a base of Effetre 14K golden transparent glass with
Double Helix, Aurae, silver infused glass shards.

To complete this set, 13 Aurae spacer beads are included in this set
making a total of 23 beads for your glass designs!

Love it for winter as it is rich and luxurious...

These colors will bring light and warmth to your winter jewelry designs.



 
Alala 
Goddess Bead Series #64
This set is NOW SOLD
"Greek myth name of the personification of the "war cry.""

Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art & Double Helix Glasses


This miniset of 6 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Sapphire blue transparent glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory & Double Helix's silver
glasses, Triton & Olympic Rain.

Highlights of
Trautman Art Glass' limited edition, JD Mix, silver glass create
the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!



 

Kunti
 Goddess Bead Series #65
This set is NOW SOLD
"Hindi myth name of the mother of Karna, meaning to call, to invoke, to pray"

Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art & Double Helix Glasses


This miniset of 6 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Glacier
blue glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory & silver glasses Double Helix's Psyche & Trautman Art's Golden Emerald.

Highlights of
Double Helix Aurae silver glass create
the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!



 

Vidya 
Goddess Bead Series #66
This set is NOW SOLD
"Hindi myth name borne by Saraswati, meaning "knowledge."

Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art & Double Helix Glasses


Clients have been requesting goddess beads in a larger bead sizes measuring 10mm to 13mm, so this offering is the first of the larger bead sets.

This set of 9 larger goddess series beads were created on a base of Effetre Pale Yellow Green transparent glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory & CiM Slytherin Unique.
Trautman Art Glass silver infused Golden Emerald creates the swirls in each storm portal.

Highlights of
Double Helix silver test glass OK-381 create
the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!




Dark Ivory Spacers
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glasses

This 19 bead spacer set was created with Effetre Dark Ivory glass.

Stock up on spacers for your winter jewelry designs



Red Copper Green Spacers
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glasses

This plentiful set of 26 spacer beads was created with rare handpulled Effetre
Red Copper Green glass. This glass creates mottled grey-red with threads
of green beads with an organic stone-like finish.

Stock up on spacers for your winter jewelry designs


Silvertrail Series Orphans
This set is NOW SOLD

Materials: Effetre, CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver


This selection of Orphan Silvertrail beads combine assorted glasses with
wrappings of 99% Fine Silver Wire. 

There are 6 light pink etched within the set and the remainder are left glossy.
With 66 beads, there is lots of opportunity for many jewelry and art ideas.



Sunday, December 5

Quick Sale Announcement!

Artfire Studio Announcement:
Earrings promotion now on until Dec 10, 2010 or while supplies last.
Buy 2 or more pairs and receive US $5.00 USD off each pair!
USE COUPON CODE:PENDRAGONFYREBUY2SAVE 
 

Friday, December 3

Pendragonfyre Chainmaille Featured in Bead Trends This Month

Just a note to share this month's Pendragonfyre design featured in December's issue of Bead Trends.




It was a departure from a lampwork focus this month, as I chose to submit one of my chainmaille necklaces.

Check out Bead Trends magazine's online blog! 

Enjoy this first weekend of December!

Monday, November 29

Make it a handmade Holiday!

On Artfire this week, Moonlight Sonata.

These were recreations of my bead designs that were published in the September 2010 issue of Bead Trends Magazine!

The original set of beads has been reserved for purchase by a client, so based on a number of requests for additional sets the 2 below are offered.

Moonlight Sonata
Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses


Starting with an inner core of CiM Hades, a darkest black opaque glass, these beads were generously sprinkled with a custom blend of Double Helix silver infused frit.
After reducing the beads to bring out the beautiful colors of blue and green, each bead was encased in Effetre clear to capture the opal-like shine of the silver glass and was shaped into the flat tab shape.
To bring out the true bling of these beads, hand-drawn dots were scattered on these beads and reduced to bring the golden shine to the surface. 

Set #2 has 7 flat tab beads measuring 17mm to 22mm



Set #3 has larger beads for those looking for sizes measuring 21mm to 24mm



This week on Ebay, closing Dec 5th

Spanish Leather and Aurae
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses


This 11 bead set is a base of Effetre Spanish Leather, a limited edition red
coral glass, with Double Helix silver infused shards and dots of
Double Helix Aurae glass.

Love it for winter as it is rich and luxurious...



Fire Embers
This set is NOW SOLD
Silver Trails Series # 39

Materials: Effetre, CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver


This fiery set of 20 Silvertrail beads combine the various
red, orange and amber hues wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire.

Hues include Effetre Spanish Leather, Light Amber, Rootbeer,
CiM Pumpkin and Lipstick Unique #1.

These colors will bring light and warmth to your winter jewelry designs.



Trio Colors
This set is NOW SOLD
Silver Trails Series # 40



Materials: Effetre, CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

This unique set of 20 Silvertrail beads combine the various
red, sepia transparent and dark gray hues wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire.

Hues include CiM Lipstick Unique #1, Sepia and Charcoal.




Silver Rose Selection
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses


This 9 bead set is a selection of various combinations of Effetre Rose Quartz with
Double Helix's silver infused glasses, KA-457, Clio and Aurae.

The result is golden pinks with striations of hues, glittery accents and
mother of pearl portals encased under clear glass.
With the variety of bead shapes, there is lots of possibilities for beautiful jewelry creations!



Andraste
Goddess Bead Series #62

This set is NOW SOLD
"Celtic myth name of a Briton goddess of victory, meaning invincible"

Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses


This set of 13 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Maple
with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory and Effetre Dark Chocolate. Double Helix's silver infused Olympic Rain storm under each encased glass portal.

This set also includes 6 spacer beads of CiM's Maple.
Highlights of DH Aurae silver glass create the bling for this beautiful storm beads!



Hemera
Goddess Bead Series #63

This set is NOW SOLD

"Greek myth name of the primeval goddess of day, daughter of Erebos
and Nyx, and sister-wife of Aether, meaning day"


Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

This set of 13 goddess series beads were created on a base of Effetre Rose Quartz
with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory and CiM Hades. Double Helix's silver infused
Clio storms under each encased glass portal.

Highlights of DH Aurae silver glass create the bling for this beautiful storm portal beads!

BONUS: Metal Spacers are included in this set.



Monday, November 22

End of November- The push for holiday shopping is ON!

"Black Friday, the U.S. kickoff to the year’s biggest shopping season, officially takes place this week, the day after American Thanksgiving.
Cyber Monday – the Monday after U.S. Thanksgiving that has become the e-commerce equivalent of Black Friday – is gaining momentum. This year, 17 per cent of consumers plan to shop online that day, compared with 13 per cent last year, according to Consumer Reports."
Source: Globe & Mail

Not sure if you are ready for the busy last minute shopping, but certainly check out all the great gift ideas at the online artisan sites, including Artfire and Ebay!

To all those that have support artisans in 2010, thank you!

Here are a few new items posted over the past week!

Golden Peace
Silver Trails Series #38

This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver


This mini set of 10 Silvertrail beads were created on a base of
CiM Peace, a pure white opaque glass.

By wrapping 99% Fine Silver Wire around it bead, a reaction occurred to
fume a golden glow to the wire at the points were it adhered to the white glass.



French Petitpoint
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy Glasses


This set of 17 dotted beads and 6 matching spacer beads combine the
shades of CiM Creamsicle Unique #2, French Blue and Peace.

With these 23 beads, there is lots of options for glass art jewelry with this set.


Organix Sedona Pearl
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glasses


This 18 bead set was created with combinations of Effetre
Sedona Pink, Pearl Gray opaque and clear glasses.
Sedona Pink is a muted glass that has striations of rose, mauve and ambers.

The bead set was etched to bring out the organix stone like finish.


Psyche Flowers
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM and Double Helix Glasses


This 7 barrel bead set was created on a base of CiM Butter Pecan, creamy opaque beige, on which blossoms of Double Helix silver glass, Psyche Light were placed, reduced
and encased in clear glass.
Dots of Double Helix Aurae highlight each flower centre and along the shoulders of the beads.

BONUS: 8 Champagne 5mm & 4 Light Rose 4mm crystal faceted
glass spacers are included in this set.


Verdandi
Goddess Bead Series #61

This set is NOW SOLD
"Old Norse myth name of the Norn of the present, meaning necessity"

Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses


This set of 13 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Chai, a limited run light brown opaque glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory & CiM Hades.
Double Helix's silver infused Gaia glows under each opal like encased glass portal.

This set also includes 6 spacer beads of CiM's Chai.
Highlights of DH Aurae silver glass create the bling for this beautiful portal beads!


On Artfire:
Bits and Pieces

Aqua Silver beads PLUS 2 FOCALS
Materials: Effetre, Double Helix Glasses & 99% Fine Silver 


This set of encased beads created on a base of Effetre Aquamarine. Some beads have a selection of stringer trails of rare Double Helix silver glass known as Psyche Light or wraps of 99% fine silver wire and encased with Effetre Pale Aquamarine glass.

Within this set are two focal beads--- a heart and a flat tab bead.
Metal spacers are included in this set as noted in photo.


Silver Trails Lampwork-Set of 5 Lightest Plum Beads
Materials: CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver


A cheerful set of 5 beads were created on a base of very light CiM Plum Unique 511658-3 glass wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire.


Bullseye Glass- 6 Light Fuschia Spacer Beads
Materials: Bullseye Glasses


A bright set of 6 spacer beads were created with Bullseye's Light Fuschia Pink glass.


Commission Sets:
Moonlight Sonata- Bead Trends Original Set

This bead set is the original set that was published in the national magazine, Bead Trends - September 2010 issue.
In the magazine, these 7 beads were fashioned into a bracelet, along with light beige faceted crystal spacers and a simple Sterling silver toggle clasp.
The purchaser has the choice of using the bracelet as it was designed, or refashioning the beads into their own creation.

Source: Bead Trends- Sept 2010 Issue

Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses.

Starting with an inner core of CiM Hades, a darkest black opaque glass, these beads were generously sprinkled with a custom blend of Double Helix silver infused frit.
After reducing the beads to bring out the beautiful colors of blue and green, each bead was encased in Effetre clear to capture the opal-like shine of the silver glass and was shaped into the flat tab shape.
To bring out the true bling of these beads, hand-drawn dots were scattered on these beads and reduced to bring the golden shine to the surface.

BONUS:8 round 5mm light beige crystal faceted beads are included in this set.

Moonlight Sonata #2

This bead set has beads averaging 17mm to 22mm hole to hole.

Moonlight Sonata #3

This bead set has beads averaging 21mm to 24mm hole to hole.


Have a great week!

Friday, November 12

Friday's series - Inspired By "Magical" by Jason Samfield

Originally uploaded by Jason A. Samfield

When I saw this photo by Jason on Flickr, it immediately reminded me of a new glass that I have had so much fun experimenting with over the past few weeks.

CiM' - Creation is Messy's Razzleberry.  I first tried it simply as some spacer beads (on a previous blog post) and the colour is a translucent hot pink... very pretty.

Pink glass is traditionally a color that seems to react unusually to silver infused glass, and the result is not always a good one.

Razzleberry is one of those reactions that I fell in love with!

Golden Razzleberry
This set is NOW SOLD



This set is a base of Razzleberry with shards and dot of Double Helix Aurae glass.
The result is a golden kissed amber over the pink...

Love it for winter as it is rich and luxurious... not the pinks we see in spring and summer!

Be inspired today!

Monday, November 8

This week is unusual for me...time away from the studio

Well it is official, I am taking a week away from everything to spend with the family.... away from the daytime IT career and away from my glass studio.

I think this is the first time in 3 years... and the first few days were hard to get used to..

Had a great time on Saturday catching up with some bead colleagues at the Toronto Bead Society fall show. Great to see Sue Hood (Glassharp), Stephanie (the Dixon Chick) and Diane Henry-Baratta. Stephanie and Diane were the first to teach me how to crochet beads and wire together at last year's show. That was lots of fun!

Sunday, took in a show... Rock of Ages.. I will have to say, it was great, the music was a fun ride through the eighties and the cast didn't take themselves so seriously that it was full of laughs too. I have to give a shout out for Aaron Wampole as Lonny. For those in Canada, Aaron was a runner-up in Season 3 of Canadian Idol, so it was great to see him in this production as it proves that a little break and lots of confidence can get you into show business.

Although I am away from the studio, there were a few new items posted last night on Ebay, including  a set of orphans, so be sure to check them out. Click on the icon at the top right of this page.

Psyche Streams
This Set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM and Double Helix Glasses

On a base of dark grey, CiM Charcoal, streams of limited edition silver infused
glass, Psyche Light, flows around each round bead in hues of blue and golden metallics.

The glittering shine from these beads is amazing!

Get a headstart on your holiday jewelry designs with this set of 10 bling-filled beads!



Simplicity
This Set is NOW Sold
Silver Trails Series #37

Materials: Effetre Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

This simple and classic set of 21 Silvertrail beads combine the hues of Effetre
Light Ivory and Light Turquoise glasses wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire.



Mneme
This Set is NOW Sold
Goddess Bead Series #60

"Memory. Greek myth name of one of the three original Muses, daughters of Mnemosyne."

Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

This set of 11 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Charcoal
with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory. Double Helix's silver infused
Psyche, Trautman Art Glass Absinthe and Cobalt Blue transparent
storm and shine under each encased glass portal to create hues of blues, greens and purples.

This set also includes 4 spacer beads of Effetre Lapis Blue.
Highlights of DH Aurae silver glass create the bling for this beautiful portal beads!

BONUS: Metal spacers are included in this set.



November Orphans
This Set is NOW Sold
Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art and Double Helix Glasses

This set of orphans are the various color and bead trials over the past 6 weeks.
Lots created with silver glass and 99% fine silver wire!
Lots of shapes and sizes including barrels, hearts, flat tabs and rounds.

With 103 beads, there is lots of opportunity for many jewelry and art ideas.