April around the corner! Spring is on its way!

Finally, March is heading out the door, fingers cross it goes out like a lamb! The snow is almost all melted here on the East Coast.

To bring a little spring into my home, even though it is cold outside, I have tried an experiment that many elementary schools perform each March\April....forcing branches to bud and bloom early.

I have in my kitchen window, a large vase of water with cut branches of wild cherry, apple, plum, honeysuckle. After 7 days, they are now budding out and a few leaves have gently opened... Hoping to have some blooming in another week or so!  The smell should be divine!

Here are the bead sets posted on Ebay this week, head over and place your bids!

Spring Silver Orbs
This set is NOW Sold
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses and 99% Fine Silver Wire

This set of 9 encased round beads was created on a base of rare Double Helix silver glass, simply known as OK-381R. Each bead core was wrapped in 99% fine silver wire and reduced to create the subtle variations in color. Each result was then captured under a thick encasement of Effetre clear glass. Eight shiny mini spacer beads are included in this set.

Golden Apple Streams
This set is NOW Sold
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

On a base of Effetre's Pale Apple Green, streams of Double Helix golden Aurae silver infused glass, decorate each round bead. When the silver glass was reduced to bring the shine to the surface, the silver gently fumed the apple green glass to a golden hue. The glittering shine from these 11 beads is amazing! Ten mini Aurae spacer beads are included in this set. Add some bling to your spring jewelry!

Silver Water Garden
Watercolor Focals # 1
This set is NOW Sold
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Silver Glasses

This silver watercolor focal bead combined a pale green yellow core on which combinations of Double Helix silver glasses including Clio, Aurae and rare Psyche Light. Handmade silver murrini were carefully added, reduced and struck to bring a multitude of silver hues to the surface. The watercolor like florals were then captured under a clear glass encasement and dots of glittering Aurae were added to complete the bead. Only 5 beads were created in this series, be sure to get one before they are gone!

On Wednesday, these two sets go on Ebay...

Silvered Coral and Turquoise
Materials: Effetre and Vetrofond Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

Handmade silvered coral handmade stringers are made by combining fine silver and Effetre SunMango Coral. Combine this with the Vetrofond Turquoise to create a bead set bursting with shades of bright summer. Lots of variety in shapes and sizes for your jewelry designs!

Pale Aqua Raku
Love Sonnet Series #12
Materials: Effetre Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit

Starting on a base of Effetre white encased in Effetre Pale Aqua transparent, handmixed Pendragonfyre Love Sonnet frit including Gaffer and Raku was sprinkled to create these 10 romantic beads. These have been etched to provide a smooth tactile feel to each bead. Perfect for the spring and summer season! Eight pale aquamarine spacer beads are included in this set.

So excited - Pendragonfyre featured in the Bead Trends April 2011 issue Sneak Peek Video

I logged into Facebook today to find the Sneak Peek for next months Bead Trends magazine was posted. I was so surprised and excited to see that my bracelet was featured in the video.
Check out the video!

 

Here is my design as it appears in the issue. It has lots of Pendragonfyre lampwork beads, crystals and general bling! Perfect for spring in lots of color to chase winter away!

 Smiles,
Darlene

Spring is here!!

Lots of spring inspired sets this week.. Blues, Greens and Purples are the themes!


Lime Cordial Raku
Love Sonnet Series #10
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit

Starting on a base of Effetre white encased in Effetre Lime Green, handmixed Pendragonfyre Love Sonnet frit including Gaffer and Raku was sprinkled to create these 10 romantic beads. These have been etched to provide a smooth tactile feel to each bead.
Perfect for the spring and summer season! Six lime spacer beads are included in this set.


Pale Purple Raku
Love Sonnet Series #11
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit

Starting on a base of Effetre white encased in Effetre Pale Purple, handmixed Pendragonfyre Love Sonnet frit including Gaffer and Raku was sprinkled to create these 11 romantic beads.
To coordinate, four dotted beads have also be added to this set. These have been etched to provide a smooth tactile feel to each bead.
Perfect for the spring and summer season! Eight pale purple mini spacer beads are included in this set.




Azure Treasures
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM and Double Helix Glasses

On a base of CiM's new color, Azure, a rich transparent blue, Double Helix Triton silver infused glass frit, decorate each round bead.
Eight Triton spacers are included in this set The glittering shine from these beads is amazing! Add some bling to your spring jewelry!



Leucothea
Goddess Bead Series #84
This set is NOW SOLD
"Greek myth name of a sea goddess who assisted sailors in distress, composed of the elements leukos white and thea goddess"

Materials: Effetre, Trautman Art and Double Helix Glasses

This set of 12 goddess series beads were created on a base of Effetre Dark Aqua transparent with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory and mixtures of Trautman Art Glass, JD Mix, and Double Helix Triton glasses. Lots of variety in this bead set including both round and cube beads.
Highlights of Double Helix's rare silver test glass, OK381R, create the bling dots for this set. Six Dark Aqua spacers beads are included as a bonus in this set.



Fresh and Wild
Silver Trails Series # 46
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre, CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

Shades of fresh and wild hues combine in this large set of 22 Silvertrail beads wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire.
Hues include Effetre Pastel Ink Blue Purple, Spring Green, Intense Blue, Lime, Periwinkle Blue, CiM Crocus Unique#1 and Fremen.



Summertime
Silvered Ivory Organix Series #2

Materials: Effetre and CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

Silvered Ivory handmade stringers are made by combining fine silver and Effetre Ivory. Combine this with the shades of bright summer soltice and this 27 bead set was born. Lots of variety in shapes and sizes with hues including Effetre Pea Green, Periwinkle, Light Red and CiM Creamsicle Unique#2 and Fremen.



Completely forgot to post last week’s new items..Last week was a crazy busy week, so I apologize for not blogging!
These sets close on Ebay March 21st before midnight., so hurry on over there!!

Spring Silver OrbsThis set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses and 99% Fine Silver Wire

This set of 7 encased round beads were created on a base of rare Double Helix silver glass, simply known as OK-380.
Each bead core was wrapped in 99% fine silver wire and reduced to create the subtle variations in color as well as a golden fuming of the silver in some spots. Each result was then captured under a thick encasement of Effetre clear glass.



Silvered Ivory Psyche Orbs
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

Silvered Ivory handmade stringers are made by combining fine silver and Effetre Ivory.
On a core of silver infused Psyche Light by Double Helix Glassworks, a stream of silvered ivory stringer was added.
The silver glass was reduced and double encased in Effetre Extra Clear glass to capture the hues of blues and purples.



Silvered Ivory Etched Duos
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

Silvered Ivory handmade stringers are made by combining fine silver and Effetre Ivory. On a dual cores of a variety of Effetre and CiM transparent glasses, a stream of silvered ivory stringer was added. These beads were etched to a smooth finish, similar to beach glass and include hues of Effetre Blue, Kelp, Aqua, Medium Amethyst, Light Grass Green, Light Topaz and CiM Pink Champagne. Very tactile and ready for your summer jewelry designs



Soltice
Silvered Ivory Organix Series #1
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre and CiM Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

Silvered Ivory handmade stringers are made by combining fine silver and Effetre Ivory. Combine this with the shades of bright summer soltice and this 26 bead set was born.
Lots of variety in shapes and sizes with hues including Effetre Pea Green, Periwinkle, Light Red and CiM Creamsicle Unique#2 and Fremen.


Spring is now here and April showers are just around the corner! Enjoy your week!

Smiles,
D.

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Testing a new CiM Glass and loving it!

I am starting off this blog post with results from a new CiM-Creation is Messy glass that I have just finished testing.... I was so pleased... and I will definitely be ordering this glass as soon as it is available!

I can describe it a couple of ways:

-it melts like butter with little to no bubbles

-it reminds me of a crisp green apple or maybe a classic green Coke bottle... depending on the light

-it combines with silver glass like magic!

Thank you Kathy for giving me the opportunity to try out this new color... I LOVE IT!

Appletini and Aurae
This set is now SOLD

Materials: CiM and Double Helix Glasses
 

On a base of CiM's not yet released color, Appletini, dots, scrolls and streams of Double Helix golden Aurae silver infused glass, decorate each round bead.

The glittering shine from these 11 beads is amazing! Six Appletini spacer beads are included in this set. Add some bling to your spring jewelry! This set is now available on Ebay auction!

Also new on Ebay this week!

Red Heart
This set is now SOLD
Love Sonnet Series #7

Materials: CiM Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit
Raku and Lilac Red custom mixed frit speckles on a base of CiM's Lipstick Unique#3, an opaque orange red, to create the look of an english wicker garden in these romantic love sonnet series of beads.
This set includes both round beads as well as a focal heart bead along with coordinating spacer beads to complete the set of 18 beads!
Perfect for the spring and summer season!

 
Brights
Silver Trails Series # 45
This set is now SOLD
Materials: Effetre, CiM and Bullseye Glasses and 99% Fine Silver
Shades of summer brights combine in this set of 18 Silvertrail beads wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire.
Hues include Effetre Pastel Ink Blue, Light Red, Acid Yellow and Spring Green, CiM Creamsicle Unique#2, Bullseye Blue.

Bast
Goddess Bead Series #82
"Original form of Egyptian myth name Bastet, a cat-headed goddess. Originally, she was a sun goddess depicted as a lion, who defended the pharaoh and, consequently, the chief god, earning her the title of Lady of flame, and Eye of Ra Later, the Greeks changed her to a moon goddess."
This set is now SOLD
Materials: CiM, Precision, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses
This set of 11 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Adobe Ltd Run#2 with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory, Precision Double Amber Purple and mixtures of Double Helix silver glasses,OK 376 and Catalyst 404.
Highlights of Double Helix's silver glass, Aurae, create the bling dots for this set.
Eos
Goddess Bead Series #83
"Greek myth name of the goddess of dawn, meaning "dawn."
This set is now SOLD
Materials: CiM, Effetre and Double Helix Glasses
This set of 13 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Grumpie Bear, an opaque periwinkle blue with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory and mixtures of Double Helix silver glasses and Catalyst 404.
Highlights of Double Helix's silver glass, Ekho, create the bling dots for this set.

 
February Orphans
This set is now SOLD
Materials: CiM, Effetre, Trautman Art & 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, flat tabs and rounds.
With 100 beads, there is lots of opportunity for many jewelry and art ideas.
New on Artfire this week, 2 new sets of Love Sonnet beads!
 

Blue Garden
Materials: CiM Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit
 
Raku and Lilac Red custom mixed frit speckles on a base of CiM's Grumpie Bear, an opaque periwinkle blue, to create the look of an english wicker garden in these romantic love sonnet series of beads.
 
Green Tea
Materials: Effetre Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit
 
Raku and Lilac Red custom mixed frit speckles on a base of Effetre Green Tea, an opaque periwinkle blue, to create the look of an english wicker garden in these romantic love sonnet series of beads.

Enjoying the present and looking to the future

First to the present...

I was thrilled to see the new March issue of Bead Trends is now out to the stores. I was honored to be featured in this issue with my design named "Our Love".
The design is a combination of rich purples including CiM's Eggplant( a great base for silver frit), Effetre Purple Glycine and lots of Double Helix silver glass decorations!
Check out Bead Trends website and their Facebook Fan page!



Now to the future...

As with fashion, jewelry has it trends and forecasts. As most fashion forecasts can be subjective, I prefer to use color forecasts to provide me the guides within I can be inspired to create my bead sets.
Working with lampwork glass rods remind me so much of playing with my crayons as a child. Vibrant colors, mixing and matching to create new collections of color designs. Maybe that is why I am attracted to glass so much, as the colors available are vast and there are always new ones to try and experiment with.

The color forecast experts, in my opinion, are the Pantone group. In watching their forecasts over the past decade, it is amazing to see how the colors that they predict, end up in more products than just clothing and paint products. Walk in any department store and you will see the colors they have forecasted show up in household items, food labels, storage containers and even toothbrushes! Turquoise was the color for 2010 and it was everywhere!

Pantone's 2011 color of the year was announced a few months ago and I blogged about it in this past post. Now the fall color forecast was released a couple of weeks ago. Below is a snippet of the color palette!
Over the next few months, I will be creating bead sets that will get you ready to create jewelry pieces for fall 2011, let me know if you like what you see and if a particular color is your favorite.

Love to hear from you!

Smiles,
D.

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