Trend Alert: Chan Luu Style Wraparound Bracelets

I'm seeing these double-wrap bracelets everywhere and decided to make some up and see how they look on the wrist.

Well, I LOVE them!  Of course I've now purchased 15 different colours of cording to coordinate with the beads I'm using, and I'm making lampwork bead toggle closures for them.  So much fun to make!  The beads need to have large enough holes to accommodate at least two passes of the C-Lon cord, plus the needle eye...so gemstones don't work as the drilled holes are too small.

Here are some that I've done recently...

 Natural Wood & Leather Chan Luu Inspired Wrap Bracelet with Lampwork Bead Closure

Caramel & Copper Chan Luu Inspired Wrap Bracelet with Floral Lampwork Bead Closure

The added bonus is that they work out to be about 15 1/2" in length for two wraps of the wrist...so they can be worn as a choker-style necklace too!!  I love this look.

Kumihimo...The Japanese Art of Braiding

I've always been fascinated by braiding and plaiting.  Recently I discovered kumihimo...the Japanese art of braiding.  Long ago, samurai warriors would use this technique with silk cord to braid armour to protect themselves in battle.

The addition of beads to the braid is challenging but the end result is lovely.  I've been using up my seedbead stash with some kumihimo bracelets and coordinating them with some of my handmade lampwork beads.

Here are a couple of examples:

 Amber Lampwork Kumihimo Bracelet

Turquoise & Orange Kumihimo Bracelet

 

I'm looking forward to making more of these...the braiding is quite a meditative activity and nice to do after a long day at work.  I have a Celadon Green and black double-wrap bracelet I'm working on right now...it's coming along nicely.

 

If you have any questions about kumihimo or have a request for a custom order, please contact me.

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?