Hex Shaped Summer Beads for Period Inspired Jewelry Designs

This set of handmade hex shaped lampwork round beads was created on a base of Italian Effetre glass named Alexandrite, a blue/lavender colour changing glass.

Each bead was sprinkled with Val Cox Moonflower glass frit. 

This frit is an opaque blend of salmon, pink and soft pink tones, primarily opaque with some transparent pinks.

The spacer beads are Effetre Alexandrite showing how the color can shift from purple to blue based on the lighting.

These would be lovely in a summer necklace! 

https://pendragonfyre.etsy.com

#etsylove 

#etsyshop 

#madeinCanada 

#handmadejewelrydesigns 

#2024 

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade 

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker  

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

 #sodalime 

#craftsperson 

 #madewitheffetremurano

Firecracker Celebration Beads for the Holiday Long Weekend!

Today's post highlights a set of glass frit beads with multi-coloured patterns created using glass frit.

Effetre White opaque is sprinkled with Glass Diversions frit named Firecracker. This blend is a mix of cherry cold red, indigo, pinks with iris orange raku.

Glass frit is a wonderful addition to a bead maker's tool and supply box as it allows beads to be created in unique combinations of colors using mixes of crushed glass blended by hand.

A shoutout to Julie Miller at Glass Diversions! I started using this frit over a decade ago when Robin Koza was the owner. I am running low on my stash, so 2024 will be my restocking year to select a new sampler set.

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

#pendragonfyre 
#handmade
#handmadeincanada 
#lampworkglass 
#maker 
#lampworkbeads 
#glassbeads 
#lampwork 
#lampworker 
#beadmaker 
#softglass 
#handmadebeads 
#sodalime 
#craftsperson 
#madewitheffetremurano
@glassdiversionsfrit
@nortelglassgirl

Blue Sky and Wild Mulberries

This set of handmade lampwork was created on a base of CiM - Creation Is Messy sky blue named Fremen.

Each lentil bead was sprinkled with Glass Diversions Wild Mulberry glass frit. 

This frit has fun shades of blue, pink, mauve, orange & green colors.

The spacer beads are CiM Fremen.

These would be lovely in a summer necklace!

Fremen is showing as in stock current at Nortel. 
Reach out to them for your glassy needs!

https://pendragonfyre.etsy.com/listing/1738928784

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

Blooming Bead Set To Start Summer

This set of handmade lampwork round beads was created on a base of Italian Effetre glass named Alexandrite, a blue/lavender colour changing glass.

Each bead was sprinkled with Val Cox Songbird glass frit. 

This frit is an opaque blend of soft spring colors with just a hint of transparent fuchsia.

The spacer beads are Effetre Alexandrite showing how the color can shift from purple to blue based on the lighting.

These would be lovely in a summer necklace!

https://pendragonfyre.etsy.com

#etsylove 

#etsyshop 

#madeinCanada 

#handmadejewelrydesigns 

#2024 

#pendragonfyre 

#handmade 

#handmadeincanada 

#lampworkglass 

#maker  

#lampworkbeads 

#glassbeads 

#lampwork 

#lampworker 

#beadmaker 

#softglass 

#handmadebeads 

 #sodalime 

#craftsperson 

 #madewitheffetremurano

Sunday Blues

In today's post, I am sharing two sets that I recently posted on Etsy.

First up is Effetre Cobalt Blue transparent with a wrap of silvered ivory stringer and 99% fine silver wire. These have a rustic antique look for silver jewelry designs.

I recently scored some old Vetrofond glass in a bundle purchase from Nortel in Toronto.

This bead set was created on a base of Vetrofond Dark Sky Blue with dots of white opaque.

These beads were tumble etched for a smooth matte finish.

I purchase my CiM glass from Jennifer and Jean at Nortel in Toronto. Reach out to them for your glassy needs.

#effetremurano

#vetrofond

#99%finesilverwire

#nortel

#pendragonfyre

#handmade

#handmadeincanada

@nortel_glassgirl

New Tumble Etched Dragonscale Bead Sets

Hello, bead lovers! Today I want to share with you some of my favorite dragon-inspired beads. I have always loved dragons and their magical abilities, so I created these beads to reflect their beauty and mystery.

These beads are made with a special technique that gives them a textured and matte surface, like the scales of a dragon. They come in different colors and shapes, and each one has its own personality. I think they are perfect for making unique and whimsical jewelry pieces.

Do you like dragons too? 

What do you think of these beads? 

Let me know in the comments below!

The first set of beads is based on the idea of a green dragon with golden scales. 

I used Effetre Army Green opaque glass as the base and applied 99% fine silver foil on top.

Then I sprinkled some Val Cox Purple Rose frit over the silver and melted it all together. 

The result is stunning: the silver foil creates a shiny contrast with the green glass and the purple frit adds some depth and texture. The beads look like they have tiny golden scales that sparkle in the light. The spacers are pure Effetre Army Green glass.

The second set of beads is inspired by a pink dragon with metallic accents. I started with Moretti Tongue Pink opaque glass as the base and wrapped it with 99% fine silver foil. 

Then I added some rare Val Cox Purple Rose frit on top and melted it in. The effect is amazing: the silver foil forms a metallic layer around the pink glass and the purple frit creates a pattern of "dragon scales". 

The beads look like they have a delicate golden coating that reflects the light. 

The spacers are pure Moretti Tongue Pink.

I hope you like these dragon-inspired beads as much as I do. I'm sure Nortel has the best selection of glass for your projects. Jean & Jennifer will be very happy to have you as a new or returning customer!

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more Pendragonfyre Tales adventures!

#effetrearmygreen

#morettitonguepink
#effetre
#nortel
#valcoxfrit
#99%finesilverfoil
#pendragonfyre
#handmade
#handmadeincanada
@nortel_glassgirl

Sunday Round Up - Tumbling Effetre Opaque Glasses

Today's post is showing three sets of Effetre opaque round 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.
I do not use etching chemicals as I prefer a more natural process and do not like to have harsh chemicals in my studio.

Tumbling is a process of polishing or smoothing objects by placing them in a rotating barrel with abrasive media, such as sand, grit, or ceramic pellets. 
The friction and impact of the media against the objects gradually wears away the surface, creating a smooth or shiny finish. 
However, if the objects are made of glass, tumbling can also create an etched effect, because the abrasive media removes the glossy layer of the glass and exposes the underlying layer, which has a different refractive index. 
This makes the glass look less transparent and more opaque, giving it a soft and velvety appearance.

First up, Effetre Sage Green #211 opaque glass is a type of glass that has a smooth and uniform surface, with a rich and deep green color. 

It is made by adding copper oxide and iron oxide to molten glass, which gives it its opacity and hue in tones of green and brown.

Next is a favourite Effetre base glass that most beginner bead makers use for practice beads - Light Turquoise opaque # 232. 

A simplicity in its blue green color allows it to be used in so many types of designs. 

As it has so many traits of reactivity with other glasses, I sometimes like to create simple rounds to really show off the color.

Finally, Effetre Violet #272 opaque glass has a vibrant, rich deep purple color. 

These spacers are small enough to fit in between other beads or wirework, but not too small that they disappear. 

They are perfect for creating necklaces or bracelets with a variety of styles and colors.

These glasses are all very affordable and available at Nortel Glass in Toronto for less than $30 CAD a pound (based on their current online shopping portal). Reach out to Jean or Jennifer at Nortel to add or restock some of these glasses to your collection.

#Beadwork 
#SpacerMaking 
#JewelryMaking 
#JewelryDesign 
#Beads 
#Beading 
#Crafting 
#DIYJewelry
#Handmade

#effetre

#nortel

#pendragonfyre

#handmade

#handmadeincanada

@nortel_glassgirl

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

CiM - Creation Is Messy's Denim Glass with Double Helix Silver Glass Frit

Just a few beads to share on this mid July Sunday. 

The forecast here in New Brunswick is for rain which is a pleasant change from the heat wave over the past 2 weeks.

The glass frit bead set for this week is highlighting Double Helix frits and powder over a base glass of CiM - Creation Is Messy's Denim. It is described as a transparent denim blue.

As CiM Denim is quite saturated, I decided to create these beads with a base of clear glass with an encasement of Denim. 

Layers of rare Double Helix Kronos powder and medium grind frit was added and melted in. 

I then rolled the bead in Double Helix Zephyr coarse glass frit.

 

This technique set some of the base glass as pools of dark blue before I reduced the overall bead and encased fully with a rod of Zephyr.

The silver glass patterns emerged with shades of blues, greens and creams in lovely pools of light.

A final shape to rectangle and cubes finished these unique beads.

I made a few spacers beads of CiM Denim that are very dark but look lovely along with the beads and the faceted crystals that I added to each end of the string.

#creationismessy
#cimdenim
#nortel
#kronos
#zephyr
#doublehelixglass
#pendragonfyre
#handmade
#handmadeincanada
@dubhelix
@creationismessy
@nortel_glassgirl

CiM Crocus paired with Effetre Pale Purple - Pendragonfyre Frit Beads

Today's quick post is a simple set of frit beads using my Pendragonfyre hand blended frit over Effetre Pale Purple. 

Each frit bead has a core of Effetre white to lighten up the bead a bit.

The spacers that coordinate in this set are CiM Crocus. 
Crocus is a milky opal lavender that stays translucent after annealing- same hue as Wisteria.

CiM Crocus is showing as IN STOCK in the online shopping cart at Nortel at the time of this blog post. Reach out to Jean or Jennifer at Nortel for your glassy needs!

#cimglass
#cimcrocus
#handmade
#handmadeincanada
#nortel
#pendragonfyre
#etsyshop
@creationismessy
@nortel_glassgirl

Another Experiment in the CiM - Creation Is Messy's Mystery Bundle with Glass Diversions Coffee Bean Frit

The bead set in today's post was created from one of the unlabelled rod in the CiM Seconds Mystery Pack. 

It is an opaque brown that I am guessing may be close to CiM - Creation Is Messy's Chai. 

I could be wrong and welcome any other guesses from other artists that have snagged a mystery bundle as well.

Here CiM's Chai was rolled in 99% fine silver foil and sprinkled with Coffee Bean frit from Glass Diversions. 

The frit has webbed among the micro drops of silver to create a rich set of 5 round beads. 

A timeless classic for both casual and business fashions!

I have checked availability of CiM Chai and unfortunately I do not see it in stock on Nortel Glass' online shopping cart. 

I suggest that you reach out to Jean or Jennifer just in case they have some in their back stock or that they can recommend an alternative.

#cimglass
#cimchai
#handmade
#handmadeincanada
#nortel
#pendragonfyre
#etsyshop
#glassdiversions
@creationismessy
@nortel_glassgirl