Distressed and Tumbled - The Beads!

I wanted to share some new beads recently posted in my Etsy shop.

These beads have a distressed stone like appearance as they have been tumbled in my rock tumbler.

I do not use etching chemicals as I prefer a more natural process and do not like to have harsh chemicals in my studio. As well, there are a number of glasses that are resistant to etching chemicals but all can be naturally tumbled.

There is a variety of brands of glass bead sets that have been tumbled to create a natural stone like finish. 

Many jewelry designers will use these with semi precious stones to create a mixed media design. 

Each set paired the glass with fine silver wire wrapping creating droplets of silver around each bead.

First up, this set gives both a distressed and aged look. CiM - Creation Is Messy's Marble was used as the base glass. You will notice the reaction where the silver meets the base glass producing a gold yellow cast reminiscent of ancient marble statues in Europe.

CiM's Nymph is a green misty opal glass on which I wrapped a stream of Effetre Light Ivory and a wrap of fine silver. This is a beautiful color of green that when tumbled seems to glow from inside.

Another variation of this bead style was created with Bullseye's Sunset Coral with a wrap of French Vanilla and fine silver. 

I had expected this glass to be a brighter orange coral, but the silver fumed the glass creating a deeper red brown effect. Still beautiful with the tumbled matte stone finish.

Note the reaction to the silver in the second photo creating the weathered burnished look to each silver droplet.

I purchased this next glass as part of a special bundle at Nortel Glass. 

Jean is clearing out older Vetrofond glass in bundles of 4.5 lbs of glass for $25 CAD

Vetrofond Pink #068 is a peachy pink transparent that I wrapped with a stream of Effetre Light Ivory and wraps of fine silver. This glass tumbles so nicely and allows the light to transmit through the bead 

This last bead set used just the base glass of Bullseye Juniper Tint with a wrap of silver wire.

Bullseye Tints are extremely light transparent glass colors that are beautiful in this application style,

I thought the color of the glass reminded me of sea glass once it was tumbled and it really didn't need the ivory added to the design. The silver droplets do look sea tumbled with the distressed edges of silver.

I primarily purchase all my glass from Jennifer and Jean at Nortel in Toronto so I am not sure if they have any of these specific colors in their back stock. 

You are welcome to reach out to them to check or they may have suggestions of similar offerings for your needs.

#creationismessy

#cimglass

#effetre

#cimmarble

#cimnymph

#vetrofond

#bullseyeglass

#nortel

#pendragonfyre

#handmade

#handmadeincanada

@creationismessy

@nortel_glassgirl

Just Another Spacer Sunday (To the tune of Manic Monday)

I love going to the glass studio on Sunday to create some new spacer sets. 
It's like a ritual for me, and I always have this song in my mind...

"It's just another manic Monday (Woah, woah)
I wish it was Sunday (Woah, woah)
'Cause that's my fun day (Woah, woah, woah, woah)
My I don't have to run day (Woah, woah)
It's just another manic Monday"
Credit: Manic Monday by the Bangles.

That's why I'm showing you these Sunday spacers today. 

I never plan ahead what colors I'll use, I just pick them randomly from my glass shelves and enjoy the peaceful and relaxing process of making spacers.

A lovely peachy pink that I received in a order from Nortel. An older Vetrofond pink #068 that I would describe as yellow pink that transmits a peachy hue.

A lovely Effetre Light Teal transparent #026.

Effetre Light Yellow Emerald transparent # 071. This glass is lovely in both it's natural state as well as etched to a sea glass feel.

Next up, a few new Bullseye color spacers. It has been a while since I played with rod in my collection, so these are the first few colors that drew my eye.

Bullseye Raspberry Cream # 4002. This was a special offering of glass that seems to now be out of production, but it is lovely for Etsy 2024 Year of Berry.

Bullseye Pale Steel Blue #1506 is a lovely blue, much different that what is offered in other glass palettes. It reminds me of denim blue.

Bullseye Aquamarine Blue Tint # 1803 is one of their pale tint glasses that seem to glow from inside. These glasses are lovely also as etched faux sea beads.

Last but certainly not to be missed, CiM - Creation Is Messy's two spacer sets from this Sunday session

CiM's Burnt Sugar which is a rich amber hue that looks like maple syrup. Yummy!

CiM's Midnight, a dense transparent that color shifts between purple in daylight and navy blue in fluorescent light.

#pendragonfyre 
#handmade
#handmadeincanada 
#lampworkglass 
#maker 
#lampworkbeads 
#glassbeads 
#lampwork 
#lampworker 
#beadmaker 
#softglass 
#handmadebeads 
#sodalime 
#craftsperson 

#nortelglass

#creationismessy

#vetrofondglass

#effetreglass

#bullseyeglass
#madewitheffetremurano

A few new sets to kick off October!

Treasure Relics
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy and Double Helix Glasses

This set of beads was created on a base of CiM Ltd Run, Frangipani, very pale opal purple.
Double Helix's Aurae frit was generously sprinkled and reduced the glass to a golden sheen and metallic shine!

Asiaq - Goddess Series# 158
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy, Effetre, Trautman Art and Double Helix Glasses

"Asiaq is a weather goddess (or, more rarely a god) and was quite frequently invoked by the angakoq for good weather, for instance if spring was late it was important content her to make sure she would send rain and melt the ice." 

On a base of CiM's Neon Blue Ltd Run, portals were created using layers of Dark Ivory and CiM's Trade Winds Ltd Run. Trautman's rare JD Mix silver glass creates portals in water hues. Each portal was encased in clear glass and dots of Double Helix Triton were added and reduced to bring out the shine of each highlight dot.

Silvertrails - Harvest 
Materials: Bullseye Glasses and 99% fine silver wire

This large set of 16 Silvertrail beads combine the colours of the Harvest wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire. Hues include Fudgesicle, Butterscotch, Cinnabar, Amber and Carnelian.
So rich and vibrant for Fall!

Quick Post for Summer Beads

Just a couple of summer sets to share.
These are available in the Pendragonfyre Artfire Studio.
These sets are created with Bullseye Glasses

Etched Dotties created on a base of Bullseye White Opaque and encased with Bullseye Aqua Blue Tint transparent glass. Dots of white were added and the beads were tumble etched for a smooth tactile feel. Spacers are included in this set.

Etched Dotties created on a base of Bullseye White Opaque and encased with Bullseye Pale Yelow Tint transparent glass. Dots of white were added and the beads were tumble etched for a smooth tactile feel. Spacers are included in this set.

Tumble Etched Simple Rounds in Bullseye Coral Orange Tint transparent glass

Have a great week!

Fresh Sets...

Silver'd Frit Rounds

Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy Glass, Val Cox Frit and 99% Fine Silver Foil

On a base of CiM's Hippo, 99% fine silver foil was added and layered with Val Cox Pink Lipstick frit, a fine mix of pinks. The combination was then melted into the surface.

The result is a golden peachy-rose brown silvered pattern on each bead. So rich and vibrant!

Golden Emerald

Materials: Effetre and Double Helix Glasses

This gleaming set was created with a base of Effetre Dark Emerald transparent

Shards, swirls and dots of rare Double Helix silver glass, OX 459, decorate these beads. Lots of variety in the shapes to allow for lots of art glass design options.

Blue Windows

Materials: Effetre Glass and Pendragonfyre frits

On a base of Effetre Pale Lavender, mixed blue frit  was generously sprinkled and  melted into the surface.

Silver'd Sand

Materials: Bullseye Glass and 99% Fine Silver Foil

Five organic stone inspired beads draw the eyes in this set. Bullseye French Vanilla glass wrapped in 99% Fine Silver foil and then sprinkled with mixed frit to create the jewel pools within the sand. Each bead was encased in Bullseye clear to magnify the design.

Etched Tapestry Organix Mixed Set

Materials: Effetre Glasses, 99% Silver and Assorted Glass Frit

Various bases of Effetre glasses were combined with fine silver foil and wire and sprinkled with my own hand blended glass frit to create this organic set of beads. Glasses include Effetre Light Turquoise, Copper Green, New Violet, Coral, Light Sky Blue and Vetrofond Mauvelous. These beads were etched to a matte organic feel with the silver microdots sprinkled among the tapestry patterning.

Catching up on the news!

I had mentioned some wonderful news last week on my Facebook page.
CiM - Creation is Messy's latest newsletter featured my work and I was honoured to be included.
If you missed the issue, click here to read it now!

Here are a few sets to brighten your January days!

All sets within this post are NOW SOLD

Seafoam Opal Spacers
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy Glass

A delicate and rich hue of Seafoam in this set of 23 spacer beads. Simply elegant for your jewelry creations!

Dreams of India Frit Rounds
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy and Gaffer Glass

On a base of CiM's Submarine yellow opaque glass, this set of frit beads was created with a generous sprinkling of Gaffer mixed purple frit. The mixture pulls together rich India inspired hues of curry and light purples.

Turquoise, Coral and Ivory
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy and Effetre Glasses

The combination of CiM's Fremen, a light turquoise, and Phoenix, a bright coral orange create bright and colorful beads to brighten your winter jewelry. Highlights of Ivory were added for variety.

Aurora Whispers
Materials: Bullseye Glass

Whispers of silver rich rare Bullseye Aurora glass are captured within clear glass rounds.
Each bead is unique and unusual for a true one of a kind set!

Celestial Sky Frit Rounds 
Materials: Effetre Glass and Glass Diversions Frit

This set of 15 beads was created with a base of Effetre Sky Blue opaque glass sprinkled with Robin Koza's Celestial blend glass frit. A classic combination perfect for both casual and business jewelry designs!

Raspberry Cream Rounds 
Materials: Bullseye Special Production Glass

Created with rare Bullseye Special Production glass named Raspberry Cream, these round beads have striations of dark raspberry pink and streams of creamy white.

2012 End of the Year Orphans - 114 BEADS!!!
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy, 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 foil and wire! Lots of shapes and sizes including barrels, crystals, lentils, flat tabs and rounds. There are beads with various size holes to allow for you to create jewelry or simply wear a single bead on a cord or chain.

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!

Change in tradition....keeping it simple..

This was the first Thanksgiving weekend in recent memory that my family was not together for turkey and stuffing. With my daughter relocated to Calgary for her Masters program and son working the overnight shift, my hubby and I decided to enjoy our Thanksgiving Sunday with my Dad traveling to a heritage orchard in Prince Edward Island picking apples.

The weather was crisp, the drive to the orchard was beautiful and I kick myself now that I didn't take a few snapshots for this posting.

So many types of apples without a Macintosh in site. Heritage apples are breeds of apples now longer commercially on a large scale basis. My dad recalls fond memories of his family's orchard with apples such as Wolf River and Alexander. We found the latter at this orchard. Alexander apples are great for cooking and are huge in size... larger than a softball.  I love the fact that 4 of these apples are enough for  big apple crisp. 

Wandering through the orchard, we sampled and picked Golden Spy, Spartan, and my favorite Honey Crisp! Yum Yum!!.. 

We ended up bringing home 96 POUNDS of apples... 

At 50 cents per pound, it is well worth the trip. Local grocers are charging $2.49\lb. for my favorites, so I am set for the next month in apple snacks!

I spent Monday working on a few items that I share with you below. 

Let me know what you think!

Smiles,

Darlene

Midnight Magic Big Beads

Reserved Special Order

Materials: CiM and Double Helix Glasses

I had a client request some of my Midnight Beads in a larger size for her client. I normally work on bead sizes of 7 to 12mm hole to hole. 

The challenge of working on a larger scale was fun and these beads are the result.

THe base glass is CiM Charcoal, a deep charcoal that when fumed with the silver glass shards and dots can vary from a deep black to midnight blue. 

The silver infused Aurae shards and dots make each of these beads really shine FULL ON BLING!

Organic Golden Aurae

Organic Silver

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.

Effetre Dark Ivory and Double Helix Aurae 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!

Fairy Spheres

Silver Droplets

Materials: Bullseye Glasses & 99% Fine Silver

I was in a pink and silver mood. I have been hoarding my Bullseye Special production rods of Aurora glasses.

Bullseye being a COE 90 glass cannot be combined with silver infused glasses such as Double Helix without the risk of compatibility issues.

Back in 2008, I was able to get my hands on a limited run of Bullseye Aurora and Aurora II. These high-silver-content glasses opalize and strike with striations of

yellows, greens, blues and violets with subtle transitions of color. I only have 2 rods remaining of each Aurora, and I think I will cry when it is all gone.

Unfortunately, it seems that Bullseye has not experimented with silver infused glasses over the past 2 years, so these beads are precious as a result.

These beads are Aurora II glass on a base of Light Fuschia wrapped in fine silver wire and encased in crystal clear glass.