Trip to the Galapagos Islands

What an amazing trip we just returned from...Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands (they're part of Ecuador).  It's hard to imagine that such a pristine place still exists on the face of our planet Earth, but it does.

Here are some of the 2500 pictures we took on our trip...

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?

Lampwork Beads with Fine Silver Foil

Butter Pecan, Purples and GreensButter Pecan & Chestnut BrownsButter Pecan & Montana Blue

These pretty beads were all made with a technique whereby you make a base bead...here using a lovely glass called Butter Pecan, then wrap each bead with pure silver foil and roll in a blend of small pieces of coloured glass, called frit.

The frit melts into the silver foil, pushing the silver aside, creating fine lines of pure silver between the colours.

These are available in my Etsy shop...

CyberMonday Sale...50% off Pandora Sized Beads

Well, Black Friday has passed...and CyberMonday is soon upon us.

I am having a blowout sale on Pandora beads in my ArtFire shop to celebrate CyberMonday....the coupon code "PANDORA50" is live on any purchase in my Pandora beads section and you will receive 50% off at checkout.

Please note that the coupon is only for Pandora -sized beads, not regular lampwork beads or finished jewellery.

This offer is valid until midnight EST on Monday, November 28, 2010