The Colors of Double Helix Hydros - Copper, Silver and Reduced to Gold!

Just a quick post to show how the color in Double Helix Hydros can capture spring colors of green, aquamarine and sparkling gold. 

Hydros is a silver and copper glass creating an aquamarine color with a strong silver luster that maintains its pearlescence under encasement. 

I love the colors that remind me of spring greens and aquamarines.

The website recommends to work the glass in a neutral flame, allow to cool for a few seconds, reheat far out in a large reducing flame.

These two barrel beads captured the reduced glass beautifully under layers of clear. 

The surface was encrusted with microdots of Hydros glass that was then reduced to the glittery golden shine!

#effetre

#hydros

#doublehelixglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

Double Helix Arke 2 - A Closer Look!

After the first test of Double Helix Arke 2, I decided to take a closer look at this surprising glass at a recent session at the torch. 

Arke 2 is a transparent cobalt luster color that develops a variety of exterior metallic finishes and holds it’s luster under a clear encasement. 

It’s the lightest of our three cobalt silver glasses; Arke 2, Triton and Iris. 

What got me thinking was Jed's note about variations in flame chemistry, exposure time and temperature alter the color of the exterior luster.

The first two barrel shaped beads were created on a base of Effetre Superclear with a surface encasement of swirls and scrolls of Double Helix Arke 2.

I allowed gravity to move the glass around and after reducing it in the flame, I encased it again in Superclear.

I was pleased with the patterns of blues and greens that resulted in the beads.

This set of 3 round beads would be lovely as focal points in a necklace.

These were also formed with layers of Arke 2 captured between layers of clear glass.

It is a great way to use up shorts of clear glass and economically use the beautiful silver glass!

#effetre

#arke2

#doublehelixglass

#silverglass

#nortel

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker 

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

#sodalime 

#craftsperson 

@nortel_glassgirl

Testing A New Glass Frit - Glass Diversions Praline

I am working through all the new glass frits as part of my restock for 2024. 
A new frit to me is Glass Diversions Praline. It is described as an earthy blend has wonderful browns, tan, rust, copper & gold tones.  

I used a neutral CiM - Creation Is Messy's glass named Buttermilk as a base for this set of tile beads. This glass was a creamy opaque ivory with silver content. This glass is showing as SOLD OUT, but CiM's neutral palette has some other options.

I love the color patterns the glass frit created when I twisted each bead surface. 

This is a lovely blend that I am looking forward to trying on other pastel glass bases in future!

Please check out Julie Miller's Glass Diversions website or her Etsy shop to try out her blends as they are truly lovely!

#etsylove 
#etsyshop 
#madeinCanada 
#handmadejewelrydesigns 
#2024 
#pendragonfyre 
#handmade 
#handmadeincanada 
#lampworkglass 
#maker  
#lampworkbeads 
#glassbeads 
#lampwork 
#lampworker 
#beadmaker 
#softglass 
#handmadebeads 
#sodalime 
#craftsperson 
#creationismessy
#glassdiversionsfrit
@nortelglassgirl

Green Tea and Kismet

This set of  lampwork round beads was created on a base of Italian Effetre glass named Green Tea, a light green pastel glass that I find has an aqua undertone.

Each bead was sprinkled with Glass Diversions Kismet glass frit blend.
This frit is a dramatic and fun blend with a burst of colors including aqua, amethyst, rose & several different greens. 

I created twists in each bead to swirl and enhance the color streams and I am very happy with the end result.

Nortel Glass in Toronto is my Effetre supplier in Canada with quick shipping and most colors in stock and ready to ship to you.

#etsylove 
#etsyshop 
#madeinCanada 
#handmadejewelrydesigns 
#2024 
#pendragonfyre 
#handmade 
#handmadeincanada 
#lampworkglass 
#maker  
#lampworkbeads 
#glassbeads 
#lampwork 
#lampworker 
#beadmaker 
#softglass 
#handmadebeads 
#sodalime 
#craftsperson 
#madewitheffetremurano
@nortelglassgirl

Measuring Handmade Lampwork Beads - How Do You Measure Yours?

Due to the extraordinary heat that we have been dealing with this summer, today's post speaks to different subject that every bead maker has encountered after the beads emerge from the kiln.

A few Sundays ago when I was spending my torch session making over 200 spacers, it took quite some time to remove them from their mandrels, clean it hole and group them for common bead sizing (hole to hole).

When I post beads for sale, I like to measure the beads and note the range in measurement from small to large so that jewelry makers have specific measurements to use in their planning of a new design.

Someone reached out to ask me how I measure my beads to be so exact in my millimetre sizes.

Answer: I use a handy digital calliper. These are available for purchase at some hardware stores or online.

A set of calipers are a tool that can measure the diameter, thickness, and length of an object with precision. 

Here are the basics of its use.

• Turn on the digital calipers and set the zero point by closing the jaws and pressing the zero button. If you are using an analog calipers, align the zero mark on the scale with the needle.
• Hold the bead in one hand and gently open the jaws of the calipers with the other hand. 
• Place the bead between the jaws and close them until they touch the bead lightly. Do not squeeze the bead or apply too much pressure, as this may damage the bead or affect the measurement.
• Read the measurement on the display or scale of the calipers. This is the diameter of the bead at its widest point. 

• You can also measure the thickness of the bead by placing it between the smaller jaws at the end of the calipers. 
• To measure the length of the bead, use the depth gauge at the bottom of the calipers and insert it into the hole of the bead.

• So I created a quick template to assist me in sorting the beads into groups by size.

• I measure each bead and place them in the grid based on the recorded size in millimetres.
• As I usually measure many beads within the same stringing session, I have found that beads can fall within the same range of measurement... with a few outliers. 

Based on the grouping of the sizes, I then choose the beads to include in my string of wire for photographing and posting on my Etsy online shop.

Any outliers go into my "bead soup" bottle for a future offering of orphan beads so nothing goes to waste!

Measuring your lampwork beads with a caliper can help you ensure quality, consistency, and accuracy in your bead making or collecting. It can also help you create beautiful jewelry designs that fit well and look great.

My latest sets of spacers are now posted and available for purchase in my Pendragonfyre Etsy Shop. 

#Beadwork 
#Beadspacing 
#SpacerMaking 
#JewelryMaking 
#JewelryDesign 
#Mandrels 
#Beads 
#Beading 
#Crafting 
#PrecisionMeasuring
#AccurateMeasurement
#DigitalCaliper
#MeasurementTool
#DIYJewelry
#Handmade