This week's new offerings...

Snow White
Fairy Tale Series #1
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM & Effetre Glasses

A dainty and spring-like combination of colours fit for a princess' tea-party!
CiM's Poison Apple & Peacock Green are matched with Effetre white
and Gold Rubino. Gold Rubino is a rich deep pink that gets its gorgeous
colour from the real gold dust used in making the glass.
With these glasses, this set is perfectly named Fairytale!

Nephele
Goddess Bead Series #12
This Set is NOW SOLD
Materials: TAG, Effetre & Double Helix Glasses

Nephele is the Greek myth name of a goddess of the clouds and mother of the centaurs, meaning "cloudy."

Encased storm portals of TAG & Double Helix silver infused glasses decorate
these beads over a base of Effetre Sediment & Dark Ivory glasses.
Highlights of Double Helix Psyche create the bling for this beautiful storm beads!

Patriot Waves
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM & Effetre Glasses

A simple yet colorful combination of a lovely brick red, CiM Lipstick Red,
Effetre Pearl Grey and Blue Adventurine Filigrana. These swirled flat tab
beads are coordinated with small flat tab spacers in each of the
three glass colours.

End of February - Can you believe it?

The end of February is always a sign to me that winter is almost over... here in Atlantic Canada, the short month usually brings the cold northern wind and the windchill factor. 2010 has been unusually warmer, less snow.. so fingers crossed that it will continue until the tulips bloom in April.

Here are a couple of sets created this past weekend, that are now on E-Bay. Lots in the kiln that need to be cleaned yet, and will be posted on this blog in a day or so in advance of their auction postings on Ebay next Sunday evening.

Keep an eye out for February's orphans, as it is nearing the end of the month and the orphan jar is nearly full. These latest orphans will be posted as an auction next Sunday evening.

Smiles,

D.

Dark Chocolate & Sandstone
Opposites Attract-Series #8
This Set is now SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glasses

Another study of opposites attract in this set of 16 simple dotted beads. Eight beads in Dark Red Chocolate Brown opaque with Sandstone dots and the other eight with the opposing combination.

Bonus: 4 dark Red Chocolate brown & 6 Sandstone spacers are included in this rich and earthy set.

The Deep Sea
This Set is now SOLD
"Beyond the sea, beyond the sea, My heart is gone, far, far from me;
And ever on its track will flee, My thoughts, my dreams, beyond the sea."
Thomas L. Peacock

Materials: Effetre & Double Helix Glasses

On a base of pale Aquamarine, Double Helix silver infused glasses, including Triton, Gaia, Psyche & Aurae, were sprinkled, reduced and encased to create these sea-inspired spheres. Coordinated with pale aquamarine spacers, this set captures a bit of the sea in each and every bead.

Erato
Goddess Bead Series #10
This Set is now SOLD
Erato is the Greek mythical name of the muse of poetry, derived from the Greek word arastos, meaning "lovely."

Materials: Effetre & Double Helix Glasses

Decorating these 7 Effetre Lichen based beads are encased storm portals of silver infused Double Helix's Olympic Rain & Ekho. Sealed with raised dots of gleaming Ekho finish off this set along with glittering Aurae spacers (6) which are included in this set

Golden Lavender
This set is now SOLD
Materials: CiM & Double Helix Glasses

The antique look is captured in this set of round beads.
On a base of CiM Heffalump, the glass was gently fumed a golden cast when
the Double Helix Aurae was reduced to bring the shimmering metallic glow
to the surface.

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


"Poseidon was a very vengeful and moody deity.
When he was angry he would strike the ground with his trident and cause
earthquakes, rough seas, shipwrecks and drownings.
Calm seas were manifested when he was in a good mood."


Inspired by the mythical god, this set of 24 beads were created with a base of
Effetre Light Aqua. Loaded in these beads are lots of Double Helix silver
infused glass in Triton frit, Electra stringers and Triton accents. Encased in
Effetre Marine Wave, each of these beads was created as a unique pieces
within this one of a kind set.

Gypsy
This set is now SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glasses


An abundant set of 23 beads on a base of Yellow Ocher sprinkled with
Multi-coloredfrit glass creating hues of blues, greens blacks and whites.

BONUS:
24 metal spacers are included in this set

Aphros' Seafoam
Materials: CiM & Double Helix Glasses
This Set is now SOLD

"Aphros was the god of the sea-foam who, along with his brother Bythos,
carried Aphrodite ashore at her birth. "


Inspired by the mythical fish-tailed centaurs, this set of 21 beads is a simple
combination of CiM Kryptonite, a beautiful seafoam glass and Double Helix
silver glass god, Triton, in shards and dots.

Atlantis I

This set is now SOLD

Materials: CiM & Double Helix Glasses

This legend inspired set of 19 beads were created with a base of CiM Hades, a
deep and dense black. Loaded in these beads are lots of Double Helix silver
infusedglass in Kronos frit, Electra stringers, Psyche shards and Triton accents.
Encased in Double Helix Aether, each of these beads was created as unique
pieces within this one of a kind set.

Steampunk Geometrics
This set is now SOLD

Materials: CiM Glasses

"Steampunk is a loose term used to describe an extraordinary fashion trend.
By remixing styles from the Victorian era, classic Goth, gypsy, and industrial fetish,steampunk fashion creates a unique and beautifully disturbing look."

This 19 bead set is inspired by the industrial infleunce of Steampunk.
On a base of the darkest green-almost black,CiM Slytherin Unique,CiM's Gunmetal glass was used as the detailing glass creating rivet looking dots, welding lines and gunmetal spacer beads.

Terranova Barrels
This set is now SOLD

Materials: Vetrofond & Double Helix Glasses

This set of 10 barrel beads was created on a base of creamy Vetrofond light
Ivory opaque glass. A generous sprinkling of Double Helix's, silver infused
striking glass, Terranova was carefully added. The glass was swirled and
when struck in the flame, the beautiful feathered silver glass
bloomed in blues and greens.

Pebbles from Heaven
This set is now SOLD
Materials: Double Helix Glasses

In a combination of Double Helix Aurae and clear glass, this set of 12
pebble beads captured the pinks, blues, creams and purples that the
silver infused glass can bloom. Each Pendragonfyre bead is hand-formed,
never using a press or mold, making each a unique piece of each set.

Wednesday - Mid Week Offerings

Sea Breeze Luster
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Double Helix Glasses

Double Helix's rare test batch known as KA-357 was used as a base for this
mini set of 5 encased beads. The gentle pink hue glows under the
Luster captured by reducing this glass in a zero oxygen environment of the
torch flame. The bead was then reduced and encased with Double Helix
clear glass, Aether. Although it is difficult to photograph, the "mother of pearl"
luster is amazingly rich.

Psyche Vines
This set is NOW SOLD
Botanical Series #4
Materials: CiM & Double Helix Glasses

This Olde English inspired set of 13 beads were created with a base of
CiM Stoneground. Handpulled microthin stringers of Double Helix's Psyche
were used to create the botanical scrolls on the surface of the 8 flat tab bead
in this set. To complement the botanical beads, Stoneground flat tab spacer
beads are included in this set.


Rhiannon

This set is now SOLD
Goddess Jewel Series #9

"Rhiannon is the welsh myth name of a moon deity, and legend name of the
mother of Pryderi, probably derived from the Old Celtic title Rigantona,
meaning great queen."

Materials: Effetre, & Double Helix Glasses

Decorating these 7 Effetre Sage Green based beads are encased storm
portals of silver infused Double Helix's Olympic Rain & Triton.
Sealed with raised dots of gleaming Triton finish off this set along with
Sage Green spacers (6) are included in this set.

New Sets for this week

I spent the past week working on glass testing with some new glasses and all time favorites.

Loving the combination of black and Light Turquoise. So classic and so trendy for 2010. Pantone's color of the year is Turquoise.
Read about it in a previous blog posting, click here.

This set is NOW SOLD

Plum and Lime Brights
This set is NOW SOLD

Materials: CIM and Effetre Glasses

This bead abundant set of dotted beads were created on bases of CiM's favorite Plum and their new bright green named Poison Apple. Dots of Effetre Intense Black were added to complete the look. This set is complete with Poison Apple and Plum spacers.

Periwinkle Blooms
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM and Effetre Glasses

A simple set combining the beauty of Effetre Periwinkle with CiM's classic black, Tuxedo.
Six bloom beads coordinated with dotted beads and periwinkle spacers complete the 18 bead set. Simple and classic for both casual and business dressing!

Then I tested a few new frits, including this one that reminded me of the African plains.

Serengeti
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre, CiM and Glass Diversions Glasses

This tribal set of 15 frit and 8 sienna colored spacer beads captures the rich hues of the Serengeti plains.
Each bead brings a little sunshine in this mid winter chilly weather.

And of course, no session at the torch would be complete without playing with some silver infused glass. I LUV this STUFF!

A couple of mini bead sets for Artfire with the new Test Batches from Double Helix.

Angel's Kiss
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM and Double Helix Glasses

This gleaming set uses a base of another of my favorite CiM glasses, Blush. In natural light, it is a rich pink. In other lighting, it can cast hues of a pinky purple. Mixed with Double Helix's Aurae, a golden hue is fumed over the set's Aurae decorations. In any light, it is simply gorgeous!

Shards, scrolls and dots of Double Helix Aurae decorate these beads.
Lots of variety in the shapes to allow for lots of art glass design options.

Captured Storms
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre, TAG 104 and Double Helix Glasses

This 13 bead set is an electic assortment of various storm portal beads.
The uniqueness of each storm bead allows the designer to create a truly one of a kind piece of precious glass jewelry. Each bead uses an base of Effetre glass with portals of silver infused glass encased in clear glass to capture the flow of each minature storm.

Psyche SwirlsThis set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

This unique set of swirl beads were created on a base of Effetre Ink Blue Violet transparent
glass on which layered swirls of Light Ivory Effetre and Double Helix's Psyche silver infused glass were added.
After a slight reduction to bring out the blue, purple and amber tones of the Psyche glass,
the colors were captured under an encasement of clear glass.

It is February - 1 month closer to Spring!

I keep hoping each time mild weather comes around that maybe - just maybe - we are at the end of winter.

My hopes were dashed this past Friday, I took a vacation day from the dayjob to spend in the studio. Although I got lots of things done, I opened my studio door at the end of the day to +25 cm of snow. It definitely looks like winter now. Light fluffy snow everywhere.

Despite the amount that appeared on the ground, the lovely winter wind had gently moved all the snow into a 4 foot drift just outside my studio door. The wind created the drift in a semi-circle that cleared a path from my kitchen backdoor and allowed me to walk in my sneakers to my studio.

Now if that is not a sign from above to make more beads, I don't know would be.

Clients have requested that I create a few more "royalty" inspired sets, goddess bead sets and Opposites Attract color studies.

Enjoy these new sets, and have a wonderful Feb 1st!

Smiles,
Darlene

La Bella Rosin
This set is now sold
Materials: CiM, Double Helix & Vetrofond Glasses

"La Bela Rosin, was the mistress and later wife of Victor Emmanuel II, King of Italy.

She was made Countess of Mirafiori and Fontanafredda, but never Queen of Italy.
Their affair caused a great scandal in 1849 when Victor Emanuel was crowned King of Sardinia,
however, when his Queen died in 1855, the King named Rosa Countess of Mirafiori and
Fontanafredda by royal decree in 1858."

With an inspiration from this Italian love, this set of beads was created on base of Vetrofond Light Ivory. CiM's Bordello and Leaky Pen were dotted and twisted.
The reaction to the ivory glass created the deep jewel hues of red and green.
The set was completed with accents of Double Helix Aurae to bring out
the royal bling in this Italian inspired set.

Niamh
This set is now sold
Goddess Jewel Series #7

"Irish/Gaelic myth name of the daughter of a sea god, meaning beauty, brightness".

Materials: Effetre, Precision 104 & Double Helix Glasses

Decorating these 8 Effetre Sage Green based beads are encased storm portals of silver infused Precision 104 glass, Giovanni Garzoni and Double Helix's Triton. Sealed with raised dots of gleaming Triton finish off this set fit for the goddess, Niamh. Sage Green spacers (9) are included in this set.

Mohini
This set is NOW SOLD
Goddess Jewel Series #8

"Hindi myth name borne by Vishnu when in the form of a woman, meaning to bewitch".

Materials: Effetre, Precision 104 & Double Helix Glasses

Decorating these 7 Effetre Sage Green based beads are encased storm portals of silver infused Precision 104 glass, Giovanni Garzoni and Double Helix's Psyche. Sealed with raised dots of gleaming Triton finish off this set.

Sand & Coral
This set is now sold
Opposites Attract Series #9

Materials: Effetre Glasses

An example of opposites attract in this set of 16 simple dotted beads.
Eight beads in Coral opaque with Sandstone dots and the other eight with the opposing combination.
Bonus: 4 Coral & 2 Sandstone spacers are included in this beach inspired set.

A couple new focal beads to be listed on Artfire later this week.

These were created with the test batch from Double Helix. It is simply known as TE 315.
Double Helix describes it as: Ekho prototype, reduces and strikes.
I am certainly getting different result with this glass based on whether it is on a coloured or clear glass base, time worked and amount of reduction used.
The "mother of pearl" luster is beautiful!

Haven't named the beads yet, so here is the preview!