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

New Silver-Foiled Lampwork Glass Beads

I ran out of fine silver foil last week, but my supplier came through for me, and I'm stocked up again!

I made more of the silver-foiled beads, and quite a few of them have sold already (thanks everyone)...here are three pairs that are still for sale in my Etsy shop.

Butter Pecan, Browns, and Blues Glass Beads - Handmade Lampwork Pair
Butter Pecan & Silver Blue Swirls Glass Beads - Handmade Lampwork Pair
Butter Pecan, Blues and Greens Glass Beads - Handmade Lampwork Pair

I'm Featured in this Beautiful Treasury!

Look at all these beautiful works of glassy art!

Thank you so much JewelsbyJasmin, for including my "Aurora" lampwork focal bead in this beautiful Etsy treasury!

Thinking of Spring...Do you blame me?

Purples, Aquas, and Greens Glass Beads - Handmade Lampwork Set of 5 Beads

Yesterday there was no snow on the ground...this started this morning, and has continued all day! We're supposed to get 30cm (12") every 12 hours for another day and a half!!

I live in London, Ontario....nestled in the middle of three of the Great Lakes (read inland seas): Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. We get "lake effect" snowsqualls because the lakes are still warmer than the air right now.

Here's a screenshot of our forecast from earlier today...
The pretty beads above are available in my Etsy shop....now do you blame me for dreaming of Spring already?

New Glass Beads for Jewelry Designs

It's been a busy month with committee work and other employment-related things taking precedent, so I have been "itching" to get to the torch more often. Isn't it funny how when you can't do something as much as you would like to...you crave it even more.

Here are some new pairs of borosilicate glass beads now listed in my Etsy shop....
Light Green and Blue Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads
Blue and Caramel Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads
Blue and Light Green Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads
Blue and Jade Green Glass Beads-Borosilicate Lampwork Beads

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???

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

It's Not Autumn but I still LOVE Leaves!

My husband is red-green color-blind and has great difficulty distinguishing between reds/greens, greens/browns, browns/yellow, and blue/purple. It's an X-linked genetic trait, and his brother has the same (dis)ability.

There is a tremendously good book written by Dr. Oliver Sacks, Neurologist, entitled "The Island of the Colorblind", which discusses the trait in wonderful, compelling detail.

One thing that is very apparent is that despite the fact that we see color differently, my husband has much better night vision than I do...he can walk around in the dark and see quite well, while I'm stumbling into things.

The vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of the autumn leaves is one thing that he doesn't see as being very different than the green of summer.

I've been making borosilicate glass leaf pendants in all kinds of colors...and have solicited my husband's input for colors that he can distinguish as different.

Here are two that are currently for sale in my Etsy shop...
Green & Vibrant Blue Glass Leaf Pendant

Pink & Amber Purple Glass Leaf Pendant

Borosilicate Glass Leaf Pendant...Look What Came Out of the Kiln!!!

Well, you can imagine my (pleasant) surprise when I opened the kiln yesterday...

...I had sculpted this leaf pendant and when I finished it was a rather dull brownish colour with some bluish streaks running through it.
I thought...sigh, I'll probably have to melt it down and start again...

I was astounded to open the kiln this morning and find this vibrant beauty inside...thank you kiln fairy!!

This beautiful leaf is in my Etsy shop now...goodness, no it's not. It just sold!!