Sugar'd or Snow'd - You choose!

After the huge snowstorm that the east coast experienced last weekend, I have to bless the universe that our local area got a small dump but not the +150 cm that our Nova Scotia neighbours received.

On this snowy note, I wanted to share some sparkling beads that some call snow beads. 

I prefer to call them sugar beads.

The beads within this blog post are simple glass frit beads, but the combination of base pale color and clear frit raised frit create a beautiful tactile finish.

These beads are rolled in clear glass frit, which are small pieces of crushed glass. 

The frit melts and forms a thin layer of transparent glass over the sugar beads, enhancing their appearance.

The clear glass frit was from Glass Diversions. Reach out to Julie Miller for more information or to place an order!

I purchased the base glasses from Nortel in Toronto. 

The pink peach is part of a SALE BUNDLE currently being offered

First up, these beads are on a base of Italian Vetrofond Peach Pink 068 transparent glass.

This set is over Italian Effetre Light Yellow Emerald #071 transparent glass.

These sets are currently available in my Pendragonfyre Etsy shop.

Have a great Saturday!

Busy in the studio this past week!

Lots of new sets this week, as I am trying out some new concepts in the flame.

Frosted Apple
Materials: Effetre and CiM - Creation is Messy Glasses

Nine of this set's beads were created on a base of Effetre White glass and encased with CiM's Appletini transparent glass.

The beads were then etched to create the frosted look that is smooth to the touch.Ten Appletini etched spacers are included in this set.

Silverdrops
Materials: Effetre, Trautman Art & Double Helix Glasses

These droplet shaped beads were created by first creating a round bead of clear glass. A droplet of silver infused glass was then added to one side of the base bead and then encased in a large droplet of clear glass to capture and magnify the silver glass encased within. There are 33 droplet beads within this set in a variety of colors and were created with 3/32" holes.

Iridescent Blush
Materials: CiM- Creation is Messy & Double Helix Glasses

This glittering set of 21 beads were created with a combination of CiM's Blush pink transparent and scrolls of Double Helix silver glass, Psyche Light.
The silver glass was reduced to bring out the irridescent metallic hues of blues, green, purples and pinks. The metallic bling seems to shift in hues when looking from different angles. Awesome Bling for this fall and winter!

Lakshmi
Goddess Bead Series #107

"Hindi myth name of the wife of Vishnu, goddess of fortune and wisdom, derived from the Sanskrit word laksya, meaning aim, goal, mark"

Materials: Effetre, Trautman Art and Double Helix Glasses

This set of 10 goddess series beads were created on a base of Effetre Dark Red opaque glass with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory and mixtures of various silver glasses.
Double Helix silver test glass, XX-463 is paired with Trautman Art Glass named Juno to create the multicolored portals captured under each drop of clear glass. Highlights of Double Helix's Triton create the dots of shiny bling.

First Snow
Materials: Effetre Glasses

Thirteen sugared beads were created on a base of Effetre Extra clear transparent glass and sprinkled with fine clear glass frit. Eight clear etched spacers complete this set.

Golden Nuggets
Materials: Effetre & Double Helix Glasses

These 11 kalera nugget beads were created on a base of Effetre Rose Quartz with a sprinkling of Double Helix Ekho frit. Each bead was then reduced to bring out the iridescent bling.

 
Golden Aurae and Mulberry
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy & Double Helix Glasses

These 14 round shard beads were created on a base of CiM's Mulberry Limited Run glass on which Double Helix Aurae shards were carefully placed.
Each bead was then reduced to bring out the glorious metallic bling in hues of gold, copper, pink and blue! Six Mulberry spacers complete this set.

Mulberry and Jade
Silver Trails Series # 66
Materials: CiM - Creation is Messy and Effetre Glasses and 99% Fine Silver

This beadful set of 23 Silvertrail beads combine rich jewel tones wrapped with 99% Fine Silver Wire. CiM's Jade Palace and Mulberry Limited Run glasses are coordinated with  Effetre Medium Amethyst and Light Teal green transparent glasses.

Golden Lemongrass
Materials: Vetrofond & Double Helix Glasses

These 12 kalera nugget beads were created on a base of rare Vetrofond Lemongrass glass on which Double Helix Aurae shards were carefully placed. Each bead was then reduced to bring out the glorious bling!

New Bead Sets with a Spring focus!

Can you believe that it is almost March!  For my part of the world, that is like a faint light at the end of the winter tunnel.
March brings little longer days, and hopefully some mild weather to melt away all the accumulated snow.
Here in New Brunswick Canada, we broke the record for the most accumulated snow on record in February of any year! Last time I checked we were up to 120 cm and counting!!   For those of you not in the metric world, that is 47.2 inches!

We have run out of places to move the snow out of the driveway and many neighbours are shovelling the snow off their roofs due to the heavy weight bearing on their houses!

So March is my month to think positively and bring on the sunshine and spring! The bead sets in this post are the start of my spring!

I have been playing with some silver infused murrini from Double Helix this week... and here are a couple of the groovy test beads!

These two below are on a base of CiM's blue opal, Electric Avenue.



This one is a big encased bead on a base of Double Helix Terra 2, looks like a big marble!




This week on E- bay...


Sedona Spacers
Materials: Effetre Glasses
This set is NOW SOLD

This generous set of 25 round beads was created with Effetre Sedona glass.
This glass creates mottled beads with orange caramel, rose and purple striations reminiscent of the Sedona sunset skies.

Stock up on rounds for your spring jewelry designs!




Kiwi Brights
Materials: Effetre Glasses
This set is NOW SOLD

This set of 15 round beads was created with bright and wild Effetre Kiwi glass.

This glass has lots of striations to add depth to each bead's color!

Stock up on rounds for your spring jewelry designs!



Antiqued Mauvelous
Materials: Vetrofond Glasses
This set is NOW SOLD

This generous set of 22 round beads was created with Vetrofond's rare Mauvelous glass.

This glass starts as a palest mauve, but when reduced in the kiln creates a golden antiqued finish with amazing shine!

Stock up on rounds for your spring jewelry designs!



Softness
Etched Organix
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: Effetre, Vetrofond and CiM Glasses and Silver

This is an abundant etched 23 round bead set has a natural organic feel.
The combination of Effetre, Vetrofond and CiM Colors with silvered ivory stringer give a natural yet colorful choice to brighten your winter jewelry.

Soft hues include Effetre Rose, Copper Green, Vetrofond Lemon Meringue, CiM Glacier and Plum Unique 3.




Peacock Green Sugar Beads
Materials: CiM and Effetre Glasses
This set is NOW Sold

On a base of CiM's Peacock Green, milky green moonstone glass, clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface..

These would be lovely in bridal sets or any spring jewelry designs!




Alcyone
Goddess Bead Series #80
This set is NOW Sold

"Latin form of Greek Alkyone, meaning kingfisher In Greek mythology, this was the name of a daughter of Aeolus and Cyx."

Materials: Vetrofond, Effetre & Double Helix Glasses

This miniset of 7 goddess series beads were created on a base of Vetrofond Mauvelous with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory
and Double Helix silver glass, Luna. Layers of Double Helix test glass, RE-391 were captured under clear glass bumps to create the the swirls in each portal.

Highlights of Double Helix Tritoncreate the bling dots for this set.




Despoine
Goddess Bead Series #81
This set is NOW Sold

"Greek myth name of a daughter of Poseidon and Demeter, meaning "mistress.""

Materials: CiM, Effetre & Double Helix Glasses

This miniset of 8 goddess series beads were created on a base of CiM Oliphaunt Ltd Run, an opaque gray, with layered dots of Effetre Dark Ivory, CiM Hades and mixtures of Double Helix silver glasses,OK 380 and Catalyst 405.

Highlights of Double Helix's newest silver glass, Helios, create the bling dots for this set.


On Artfire this week!

Love Sonnet #4
Mixed Raku Frit and Pink Sugar Beads

Materials: CiM and Mixed Raku Glass Frit

Raku and Lilac custom
mixed frit speckles on a base of CiM's Desert Pink Unique#1 glass to
create these romantic English sonnet beads.
Four Rose Quartz sugar beads coordinate with the floral beads to complete the set
Perfect for the spring and summer season!

Romance and Sugar... the combination for Valentines....

This posting is in honor of Valentines... and all the romance and sugar that goes with it..

These new spring 2011 sets are ready and available through the Pendragonfyre Artfire studio or through 7 day auction on Ebay (closing next Sunday evening)

These would be lovely in bridal sets or any spring jewelry designs!

Spring Crocus
This set is NOW SOLD
Materials: CiM and Effetre Glasses
On a base of CiM's Crocus Unique #1, a vibrant translucent opal purple glass, clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface..



Spring Green
This set is NOW SOLD 
Materials: Effetre Glasses
On a base of Effetre Green Yellow transparent glass clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface.



Golden 14K
Materials: Effetre Glasses
On a base of Effetre golden transparent, 14K, clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface.



Pale Aquamarine
Materials: Effetre Glasses
On a base of Effetre pale aqua transparent glass clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface.



Light Pink
Materials: Effetre Glasses
On a base of Effetre Rose Quartz transparent glass clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface.



Lavender
Materials: Effetre Glasses
On a base of Effetre Dark Lavender transparent glass clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface.



Light Blue
Materials: Effetre Glasses
On a base of Effetre Light Blue transparent glass clear Effetre glass frit was sprinkled to create a sugared effect on the surface.



Apricot Raku
This set is NOW SOLD 
Love Sonnet Series #1
Materials: CiM Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit
Raku and Lilac custom mixed frit speckles on a base of CiM Unique Creamsicle #2 to create these romantic English sonnet beads.
Perfect for the spring and summer season!
Included are coordinating spacer beads to complete the set!
Photos were taken in both natural and studio lighting to show the the vibrancy of this set!



Rhubarb Raku
Love Sonnet Series #2
Materials: Bullseye Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit
Raku and Lilac custom mixed frit speckles on a base of Bullseye Rhubarb Pastel to create these romantic English sonnet beads.
Six pale lavender glass crystal roundelles are included in this set.



Sedona Raku
This set is NOW SOLD 
Love Sonnet Series #3
Materials: Effetre Glass and Mixed Raku Glass Frit
Raku and Lilac custom mixed frit speckles on a base of Effetre Sedona to create these romantic English sonnet beads.
Six pale lavender glass crystal roundelles are included in this set.


Much love, and have a lovely day!

Smiles,
D