Brilliant Blues

I find that as I follow my creative inspirations I tend to gravitate towards some colour palettes, and forget about others.

I decided to have a look more closely at this habit of mine, so I searched "blue" in my Etsy shop...and I found that 14 of my 57 current listings were blue, or had blue in them.

I made a poster sketch of them because I thought they looked pretty all arranged by colour...I'm hopeless! Be sure to click on the image to enlarge it...my 50 year old eyes had to squint, LOL.

I hope you like them....now...it's off to make some more beads....hmmmm, maybe blue ones???

3rd Etsyversary Jewelry Sale - 25% off all finished jewelry

Tomorrow is my 3rd Etsyversary...where has the time gone??? You may be asking yourself "What the heck is an Etsyversary?"

Etsy is a fabulous online shopping site where you can buy wonderful handmade items...and I have had my Etsy shop "Gillianbeads" since May 20, 2007. I have had almost 1200 sales in that time and have had the opportunity to meet some terrific people, and made some good friends.

To celebrate, and reward my wonderful, loyal customers I'm giving 25% off all finished jewellery purchases....necklaces, bracelets, earrings, sets.

I'll refund the 25% by Paypal once the order is paid for....

This offer is good until tomorrow (May 20th) at midnight Pacific time.

New Glass Beads for Jewelry Designs

These glass bead pairs are fabulous for earring designs...they are a nice size to use as accents with Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, copper findings, and pearls.

The borosilicate glass lends a mysterious quality to the beads, and is best viewed in natural daylight...they really sparkle!

These are all currently available in my Etsy shop...but don't wait too long, they go quickly!
Blue and Black Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads
Red and Pink Glass Bead Pair - Borosilicate Lampwork with Microbubbles
Blue and Jade Green Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads
Blue and Amber Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads
Blue and Violet Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads
Pink and Purple Glass Borosilicate Lampwork Bead Pair

What does a Glass Studio Look Like? Here's Mine...

Have you ever wondered what a lampwork glass studio looks like? Here are some pictures of mine....propane/oxygen torch, kiln for annealing beads, and LOTS of glass rods!
My glass studio
My glass workbench, with torch in the centre, and kiln to the left.
SOME of my glass rods...my dear hubby built the storage unit for me.
My waxing and casting workbench
My annealing kiln...gets up to 2000 degrees. I can use it for precious metal clay, fusing, and melting precious metals.

One of my oxygen concentrators...takes room air and filters out the oxygen, which is then pumped to my torch.
That way I don't have to have an oxygen tank in my house.
....note TWO fire extinguishers...gotta be safe!
Broken arm casting machine, for casting gold and silver pieces.
Me making a bead...melting a rod of glass in the flame of the torch.
My Nortel minor propane/oxygen torch, with graphite marver on top.
I also have a Nortel Midrange torch, with a Minor mounted on top...it's much bigger.
Me making a bead...melting a rod of glass in the flame of the torch.

New Pandora Glass Beads...Big Holes are In!

These beautiful big hole glass beads fit Pandora, Biagi, and Troll jewelery...and also look great on a silver chain!

The hole is big enough (5mm diameter) that it will slide over most clasps on a silver necklace you may already have! You can change the bead to match your outfit...

Have a look in my Etsy shop for lots of great glass beads, and finished jewelry.
Aqua Blue Glass Bead for Pandora Bracelet ...Glass Art
Pink and Peach Glass Bead for Pandora Bracelet ...Glass Art
Green and Yellow Glass Bead for Pandora Bracelet ...Glass Art
Blue and Purple Glass Bead for Pandora Bracelet ...Glass Art
Pink and Purple Glass Pandora Bead-Borosilicate Lampwork Glass Bead
Purple and White Glass Pandora Bead-Borosilicate Lampwork Glass Bead

Outrageously Orange

I think it must be because my hair is auburn (well, more grey these days but thank you L'Oreal), my husband's hair is red, and three of our four children have reddish hair, ranging from strawberry blonde to medium auburn.

I LOVE the color orange!!!

I have orange pants, an orange jacket, orange shirts galore...and I'm crazy for orange beads and gemstones!

Here are some of the "oranges" in my Etsy shop...
Lions and Tigers and Bears...Handmade Lampwork Bead Set SRA
Apricot Swirls...Handmade Graduated Lampwork Bead Set of 7 SRA
Red and Orange Glass Bead for Pandora Bracelet
Red, Orange, and Yellow Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Glass Bead Pair
Orange and Violet Glass Borosilicate Lampwork Focal Bead
Red, Orange, and Yellow Glass Bead Pair - Borosilicate Lampwork
Orange Primrose...Beaded Necklace with Sculptural Lampwork Flower Focal
ON SALE - Orange and Silver-Gemstone and Crystal Beaded Necklace with Carnelian Pendant
Swarovski Fire...Brilliant Beaded Necklace with Faceted Teardrop Focal Pendant