New Glass Chains

I've been working on something new: Glass Chains! I've been trying to make them in soft glass but have not been able to get beyond 3 chains. A secret Santa gifted me a tutorial written by Pipyr Here's the link http://pipyr.com/tutorials.html just in case you would like to try too! Her tutorial is SO well written, lots of pictures and includes an off mandrel button tutorial. Now, if you know me you know I LOVE making buttons! My etsy shop has lots of them. I have them on my desk waiting to be listed, on my work bench waiting to be photographed, they are everywhere! The off mandrel button tutorial was very easy to follow with great results too! Now mind you I've only played with boro twice so I was a little worried but figured since her tutorial was written using boro (she says soft glass can be used too :) I decided that I would work with the boro first! Here are my results! I just LOVE this chain, so much so that I made a second one in clear!! Here is the end of the first day, 2 1/2 hours on it.

and the button

Last night I was able to get another 2 1/2 hours on the torch and made the rest of the links and a few toggles. I'm not sure if I'm going to use a toggle clasp or the button with the leather the way Pipyr does it in the tutorial so I made both.

So, what do you think? Any thoughts on the clasp? Have you gone to check out the tutorial yet? You will be very pleased if you do decide to purchase it!! Well, till next time, Have a good one, Sue

Another peek into what I'm up to!

Kumihimo, thats what I've been up to lately. I have finished at least 5 pieces since I've started braiding. I have a couple unfinished and one in the works. I have been staying up pretty late working on them. This top one has an adjustable closure made using my lampwork beads. I really like it, LOVE the colors in the braid. This bottom one was done with my lampwork and tiny seed beads. I have to put my glasses on just to see the tiny beads. They are SO small. I really love this one too, especially since I love pink. If I didn't already have an absolute favorite lampwork necklace that I wear then I would definitely keep this one for myself! The one i'm working on now is turquoise and green with the most beautiful little seed beads. I've already made the lampwork beads and tumbled them for a nice soft etched look like beach glass. Perhaps one more late night and I should be done! I'll put up a picture when I'm done, its really going to be so pretty once put all together. I can't wait to see it all finished. Until then, you know what I'll be up to! :) sue

Something new......Kumihimo

Yes, thats right, I've been working on something new! Kumihimo! Its Japanese Braiding and I've been learning to do it with beads. My first finished one already listed in my Etsy Shop

The next one is done in lampwork spacers but I haven't finished it yet. I just need to do the caps and clasp. Here is what I'm working on now........yea I know its not a whole lot of info but its what I'm starting with and hopefully the design I've drawn out will be easily transferred to a finished design!

I've made the focal bead and last night I made the closure beads. I just need to finish the braid and put it all together! This is such a fun thing to keep busy. There are lots of times I want to get out to the torch but its not possible and i'm a person that can not just sit still and watch TV or read. I've got to be doing more than one thing, multitasking. My computer sits in our living room so that I can see the TV and work on the computer or do a bit of beading. I take it everywhere with me. It drives my husband nuts! LOL So what do you think? Do you like it? You can learn more about it on the internet of course and there are lots of good books too! I choose to watch Youtube videos and also learn more reading about it on a glass forum I'm a member of. www.lampworketc.com check it out! And, if you decide you'd like to give it a try you can always email me too, I'd love to help you get started!! Till next time, Sue

A Spotlight on Mark from Milwaukee

A while back Mark purchased some custom made beads from my etsy shop. He liked a design I had but wanted it a bit different for his designs. I was happy to make up what he wanted and sent them off. The other day Mark wrote to me and sent pictures of his design. WOW!! I absolutely love seeing what designers have done with the beads I make!

Mark said "I used the basic design from Beadstyle magazine, Sept. 2004, called Make Waves."

Now Mark doesn't have a website but if you'd like to contact him you can email him at

fabmark@gmail.com

Now, drum roll please.............................

So, what do you think? Beautiful, I just love it!!

Till next time,

Sue aka glassymom

New work, new ideas!

New work, lots of it. It just piles up on my desk waiting for photos and listings! That stuff takes so much time and I'd SO rather be creating! LOL Seems everytime I go to use my camera the batteries are dead and once they are done charging the good light is gone. So the new work sits here waiting!

Lately I have lots of new ideas! My sketch book is smoking hot with all the little sketches! Not all I can imagine can I acomplish at the torch, unfortunately. Sometimes I just can't do it. I would imagine that some is my level of skills and some I just haven't figured out the correct way to start. It will come to me tho, usually at like 2am when I dont have my sketchbook by my bed or someone ran off with my pen! I'll scurry to the living room where my chihuahuas are sleeping and the'll think its morning and I'll have to take them out quick. Hopefully not waking anyone in the process.

I've had the urge for buttons lately. They are fun to make and I have been getting carried away with them. They are getting bigger each time. I keep trying to think of a way to use them other than the usual way to use a button, nothing good yet tho!

SO, this is some of what I took out of my kiln this am! I just love how they all look together, all the bright colors!! YUM

The ones on the bottom right, new idea.......not what I'm wanting to do but I'm practicing before I get there. Some earing pairs, 3 buttons, a big hole star type bead, a heart oh and 2 cabachons!They are so much fun to make!! The top one on the left has a pretty pink flower made with a CIM glass! YUM, what a pretty pink that is!!

So, I guess i've rambled enough. Most of these will be listed in my Etsy shop or Artfire shop with in the next few days since I was able to photo them tonight. A couple are already listed just before writing this. So I hope you like them, all bright and colorful. Have a great weekend.

Till later,

Sue aka glassymom