Love is in the Air....Valentine's Day

I have to admit that I always forget about Valentine's Day until the last minute.  It's not that I don't want to do something special for my wonderful husband, but we do loving little things all year long for each other. 

For example, I'm really not "gaga" over chocolate or roses, I'm much more of a practical gal.  I make my own jewellery so he doesn't buy it for me.  A new, cool tool, or a wedge of really nice cheese is more up my alley.

I like to make red jewellery but I don't really want it to scream "Valentine's Day", I want it to be worn year 'round.

Here are some pieces I currently have made up...see what you think.

 Genuine Garnet & Antiqued Silver Chandelier Earrings

 Red & Black Handmade Lampwork Glass Beaded Bracelet

 Deep Red Lampwork & Swarovski Crystal Hummingbird Earrings

Candy Apple Red Enameled & Silver Beaded Necklace

Lampwork Glass Hearts for Valentine's Day

Well, we're right in the thick of the Christmas season, but as a lampwork bead artisan and jewellery designer it's always necessary to be thinking ahead. I've been making glass hearts for Valentine's Day designs, and I'd like to show you some of them.

They make wonderful pendants for necklaces, paired with some Swarovski crystals for added sparkle.

Each heart is unique...they are hand-shaped with love at my torch bench. These are currently available in my Etsy shop.
Tie A Ribbon Around My Heart...Lampwork Puffy Heart Focal Bead
Red Passion...Handmade Lampwork Puffy Heart Focal Bead
Pink Paradise...Handmade Lampwork Puffy Heart Focal Bead

For The Romantic In Us All

...from Wikipedia

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

Of the Saint Valentine whose feast is on February 14, nothing is known except his name and that he was buried at the Via Flaminia north of Rome on February 14.

In celebration of Valentine's Day I made two lampwork hearts, one with swirled reds and pinks, and the other with pink filigrana glass. I love making hearts, allowing the molten glass to "slump" to form the two lobes. You have to be very careful not to let them get "drippy" though...and to keep them symmetrical.

I hope you like them...they're on my website, and in my Etsy shop. They would look beautiful made into a pendant and strung on a pink satin cord, or on a silver chain. Contact me for details.

For Valentine's Day!!

Is that LOVE in the air?

It's snowing, there are geese honking overhead, and we have a cozy fire going in the fireplace!

Valentine's Day is coming soon, and for that most romantic of days, I made a hollow lampwork heart bead....now THAT was a labour of love!

I made this hollow beauty with Bullseye Raspberry Creme glass...first as a large round hollow bead, then gently coaxed the sphere into a lovely puffy heart shape. As the hot air inside the glass hollow expands it inflates the heart...just the right amount...like a bubble, if it gets too big or a wall too thin it pops.

Here's where you can find the necklace...it's in my Etsy shop.