Then came the bead on the left... LOVELY striations! Then I made the two silvered ivory beads... the long one broke... ugh! And the heart is a bead that over grew the lentil mold. Sigh...
Showing posts with label silvered ivory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label silvered ivory. Show all posts
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Fresh Glass 6.18.15
More Fresh Glass: this batch is the result of playing around with lapis and ivory. A friend had told me about the several shades of Avorio lapis glass... it is ivory and lapis mixed... I decided to try and create the effect on my own. The bead on the right was first... and I used cobalt instead of lapis. I got very little striation of color and realized my mistake.
Then came the bead on the left... LOVELY striations! Then I made the two silvered ivory beads... the long one broke... ugh! And the heart is a bead that over grew the lentil mold. Sigh...
Then came the bead on the left... LOVELY striations! Then I made the two silvered ivory beads... the long one broke... ugh! And the heart is a bead that over grew the lentil mold. Sigh...
Friday, January 23, 2015
Fresh Glass 1.23.15
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Fresh Glass 8.26.14
Just a few new beads to share. The long skinny was both longer and fatter than intended... I picked up a longish rod of ivory and just didn't feel like breaking it off as a nubbin. There was NO Opal Yellow but the silver glass frit caused that reaction. The center is actually dichro and is SO cool in the light.
The other two were silver glass experiments.The blue one shocked me as the metallic parts should not have been... That silver glass is a mysterious thing! Over all, pretty happy with all three!
Moving all the seashells from last week around ... Check the fan page if you are interested!
Moving all the seashells from last week around ... Check the fan page if you are interested!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Fun for Fans
July was a REALLY prolific month for me artistically. I made a TON of beads! And... I posted them to my fan page first... where, they often sold! So... I created a new policy to benefit the fans! Buy any item on my fan page within 24 hours (or before I get it up on the glass bead site) and save 10%! How cool is that?
Just convo me on the fan page and save!
Now, on to the pretties. I fell in love with an old favorite glass that changes color depending on the light. This set is called Moody Melon (shown in fluorescent, natural and incandescent light) :
I played around with more Bent Bead styles... this one is Galene. She's my fave!
I made a few more Glass Pacis... this one sold to a member of my bestie's family and lives in Hungary now! (remakes available).
I made a striking but simple bead. I love LOVE stuff like this! Two colors just reacted! This was to be a color test for a Memorial Bead. I knew right away it would not work for the intended project but it was so pretty, I annealed it!
I made a few keys... The vessel is here... still need to list the other one.
And a made a stunning focal that sold to a friend from high school. I had to make her matching earrings...just 'cause! I'm so happy with the finished piece:
And that was just the tip of the iceberg! If you haven't visited my glass bead shop in a while... there's TONS of goodies! And be warned... my fan page finally hit 250... the number of fans I walked away from because of SEO... so there's a fan only sale coming. It will be generous and last minute!
Hope your July was prolific!
Just convo me on the fan page and save!
Now, on to the pretties. I fell in love with an old favorite glass that changes color depending on the light. This set is called Moody Melon (shown in fluorescent, natural and incandescent light) :
I played around with more Bent Bead styles... this one is Galene. She's my fave!
I made a few more Glass Pacis... this one sold to a member of my bestie's family and lives in Hungary now! (remakes available).
I made a few keys... The vessel is here... still need to list the other one.
And a made a stunning focal that sold to a friend from high school. I had to make her matching earrings...just 'cause! I'm so happy with the finished piece:
Hope your July was prolific!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
True Confession: I'm a Glass Hoarder!
Sometimes I make a beads and list them right away. Sometimes I just... can't! Sometimes a bead is so pretty, I simply can't part with it...no matter what. Sometimes, I need to stare and appreciate them for a while.
One I made recently using a tut from Kim Neely with an added flourish from Kimberly Affleck falls into the sit and stare category.
One I made recently using a tut from Kim Neely with an added flourish from Kimberly Affleck falls into the sit and stare category.
Dark Waters side one
Dark Waters Side 2
I finally shared it on the fan page... but I'm not sure when I'll have the heart to actually list it. Yes, I am she who needs ALL the shiny beads!
Here's a video so maybe you can see what's so mesmerizing to me:
Here's a video so maybe you can see what's so mesmerizing to me:
Monday, January 3, 2011
Nuttin' Much
Well, this is the week of "almost" news. Lots of stories to share juggling in the air... but nothing much to actually report.
I have some big beady news... but can't share it just yet.
I was going to direct your attention to the Art Bead Scene... but no new contest has been announced.
I have a fusing project that's "almost" finished...but it's going to the Philippines and I want it to be there before I post.
The Fire Divas will be participating in a special on Etsy... but I should let them announce that first!
See what I mean???
Since it's a slow news Monday, I'll just leave you with a picture of one of my favorite focals (still sits on my desk!):
I have some big beady news... but can't share it just yet.
I was going to direct your attention to the Art Bead Scene... but no new contest has been announced.
I have a fusing project that's "almost" finished...but it's going to the Philippines and I want it to be there before I post.
The Fire Divas will be participating in a special on Etsy... but I should let them announce that first!
See what I mean???
Since it's a slow news Monday, I'll just leave you with a picture of one of my favorite focals (still sits on my desk!):
Hope your Monday is productive!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Color and Reaction
There are just certain color that speak to my soul. Often I don't set out to make such a bead and open the kiln door and my jaw drops. This set did that for me:
The silvery turquoise and the moody earthy browns...oh! I love it so much, I made one for me! I rarely do that!
I've always loved the way silver reacts with certain glasses but really, I love the reaction the glass gets out of ME just as much. It's so awesome to be amazed by something YOU made!
What colors make your heart sing???
----I'm "hoping" to have some new eye beads to show you tomorrow!----
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Happy Thursday - Let's Have a Sale!
Anyway...it's Thursday and I've been working away on the Fire Diva's Blog for a new page and I'm bushed and dying to torch so... this is a shorty but I thought I would have a sale for my Fan Page members. The details will be over there and even though you can read it on the side here... the sale is just for fans...
Have a good weekend folks and I will see you back on my glass bead blog on Monday! Hope you do something fun!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Silvered Ivory Makes My Heart Sing!
I've chatted about silvered ivory before. It is one of my favorite techniques. Basically a reaction occurs when fine .999 pure silver is added to ivory glass beads. Striations and mini explosions create other-worldly universes in the glass. It's mesmerizing.
Here are a couple of favorite examples:
For this Gingko, I kept the silvered ivory effect on the surface of the bead:
For this next one, I cased the silvered ivory. The extra layer of glass magnify the silvered reactions underneath.
This XL seashell glass bead is another example of surface decoration. Just look at all those striations!!! All of my beads shown are available in my Etsy.
But let's look at what some of the Fire Divas are doing with silvered ivory. EmaKaye uses tinted clear to case. I've been lusting over this bead for ages!
And l@@k at this stunner my friend Janel Dudley made! OMG!!!I can't stop drooling!!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Terms of the Trade - High Silver Glass & Dichroic
Continuing on our terminology journey, today we look at silver glasses and dichroic. High silver & silver saturated are two common terms you hear when shopping for glass beads. The meaning is pretty clear... there's lots of silver in a particular glass. Even though this is a basic vocabulary to glassy peeps... I hope you will keep reading...some good tips here for making glass beads!
Silver in glass? Yes, metals are common elements. Copper and Lead are also common in glass. If you are curious about what these metals do, check out the Bullseye website which lists the elements in a particular glass and what other elements may cause a reaction.
Glass artists are often looking for a reaction. One glass makes another "bleed" and create striations of color. Or the lovely black line that appears when turquoise touches ivory or coral. This button by fellow Fire Diva Rivers Edge is a perfect example. See the black line between the colors? That's a color reaction.
But back to the silver. Silver adds amazing shine to glass...a spectacular sheen! You can see what I'm referring to on this pandora style glass bead by Giapet.
This is a specific reaction that occurs when a silver saturated glass is "reduced." Reducing or reduction flames are mostly propane, starving the bead of oxygen. Silver needs oxygen to be a happy camper in the glass and when starved for oxygen, the silver molecules gather on the surface of the bead...where there is more oxygen in the air. Reduction is usually the last thing done to a bead before popping it in a kiln. This keeps the silver on the surface, creating that beautiful rich shine!
Here are another example. My fish has silver glass fins and the speckles on his body are silver glass as well.
Silver glass is very popular in spite of the cost. Starting at around $48 / pound and going up to $100 / pound, it's best used sparingly!
But that is not the ONLY thing silver does to glass. Silvered ivory is another term you hear alot, certainly on this blog! It's one of my favorite techniques! I simply love the rugged, ancient look you can get but adding fine (.999 pure) silver to ivory glass. Here are two examples, the first by Janel Dudley Beads called Sprouts. Check out the bottom half of her bead:
The second bead, I made. It features both techniques...silvered ivory on the inside with silver saturated glass on the dots and surface decoration.
The last glass I would like to show off to you is called dichroic. Dichroic glass was actually invented for NASA - I can't imagine what for but, I'm sure glad they shared it with the glass industry! This definition is from the website of CBS-dichroic, the best known manufacturer: "Quartz Crystal and Metal Oxides are Vaporized with an electron beam gun in an airless vacuum chamber and the vapor then floats upward and attaches then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure."
Fancy, huh?? Well, the results are beautiful, sparkly and double colored....hence the name di = two; chroic = color! The two color are the color you see looking straight on at the glass and the color that light reflects back. See how the strips of dichroic look purple AND gold:
This bead is a perfect example of ways to use dichroic: There are THREE techniques here: Surface, encased and what one of my favorite teachers, Janet Andersen calls "party stringer."
That surface coating is the subject of much debate among lampworkers. Many say you cannot put the coating on the outside... but you can. You see it right there. The trick is, you MUST work cool. Too hot, and you have scum! But it can be done! Keep the coating away from the flame and wrap in reverse.... and keep working cool!
The dots on the bead are clear, clear glass traps the coating and makes it crackle and get all interesting. Most the dichroic you see is trapped under clear. That doesn't mean it's any less challenging to work. Many bead makers will clip a small piece of dichroic into their hemostats with the coating side up to stick into the flame without burning it off...but with me, my hemos fall over and then I'm panicked with a hot bead in the flame! OY!
But then I remembered an old fusing trick! Lay your fingernails on the glass. If your nail is touching the glass, you are touching the dichroic. If there is a visual "skip" between your nail and the glass, you are touching the glass side. The dichroic coating is on the back and creating a mirror effect! I can lay down my hemos and check with one hand while keeping that bead warm!
The final technique - exemplified by the pink and gold thin ribbon running around the bead between the surface application is party stringer. Lay down several strips dichroic onto a hot clear rod. Case well and pull. This makes dichro go a long way...which is a good thing! It too is pricey, running from 65 cents an INCH to 1.50 an INCH.
Check back tomorrow for some twisted beads!
Silver in glass? Yes, metals are common elements. Copper and Lead are also common in glass. If you are curious about what these metals do, check out the Bullseye website which lists the elements in a particular glass and what other elements may cause a reaction.
Glass artists are often looking for a reaction. One glass makes another "bleed" and create striations of color. Or the lovely black line that appears when turquoise touches ivory or coral. This button by fellow Fire Diva Rivers Edge is a perfect example. See the black line between the colors? That's a color reaction.
But back to the silver. Silver adds amazing shine to glass...a spectacular sheen! You can see what I'm referring to on this pandora style glass bead by Giapet.This is a specific reaction that occurs when a silver saturated glass is "reduced." Reducing or reduction flames are mostly propane, starving the bead of oxygen. Silver needs oxygen to be a happy camper in the glass and when starved for oxygen, the silver molecules gather on the surface of the bead...where there is more oxygen in the air. Reduction is usually the last thing done to a bead before popping it in a kiln. This keeps the silver on the surface, creating that beautiful rich shine!Here are another example. My fish has silver glass fins and the speckles on his body are silver glass as well.
Silver glass is very popular in spite of the cost. Starting at around $48 / pound and going up to $100 / pound, it's best used sparingly!
But that is not the ONLY thing silver does to glass. Silvered ivory is another term you hear alot, certainly on this blog! It's one of my favorite techniques! I simply love the rugged, ancient look you can get but adding fine (.999 pure) silver to ivory glass. Here are two examples, the first by Janel Dudley Beads called Sprouts. Check out the bottom half of her bead:
The second bead, I made. It features both techniques...silvered ivory on the inside with silver saturated glass on the dots and surface decoration.
The last glass I would like to show off to you is called dichroic. Dichroic glass was actually invented for NASA - I can't imagine what for but, I'm sure glad they shared it with the glass industry! This definition is from the website of CBS-dichroic, the best known manufacturer: "Quartz Crystal and Metal Oxides are Vaporized with an electron beam gun in an airless vacuum chamber and the vapor then floats upward and attaches then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure."
Fancy, huh?? Well, the results are beautiful, sparkly and double colored....hence the name di = two; chroic = color! The two color are the color you see looking straight on at the glass and the color that light reflects back. See how the strips of dichroic look purple AND gold:
This bead is a perfect example of ways to use dichroic: There are THREE techniques here: Surface, encased and what one of my favorite teachers, Janet Andersen calls "party stringer."That surface coating is the subject of much debate among lampworkers. Many say you cannot put the coating on the outside... but you can. You see it right there. The trick is, you MUST work cool. Too hot, and you have scum! But it can be done! Keep the coating away from the flame and wrap in reverse.... and keep working cool!The dots on the bead are clear, clear glass traps the coating and makes it crackle and get all interesting. Most the dichroic you see is trapped under clear. That doesn't mean it's any less challenging to work. Many bead makers will clip a small piece of dichroic into their hemostats with the coating side up to stick into the flame without burning it off...but with me, my hemos fall over and then I'm panicked with a hot bead in the flame! OY!
But then I remembered an old fusing trick! Lay your fingernails on the glass. If your nail is touching the glass, you are touching the dichroic. If there is a visual "skip" between your nail and the glass, you are touching the glass side. The dichroic coating is on the back and creating a mirror effect! I can lay down my hemos and check with one hand while keeping that bead warm!
The final technique - exemplified by the pink and gold thin ribbon running around the bead between the surface application is party stringer. Lay down several strips dichroic onto a hot clear rod. Case well and pull. This makes dichro go a long way...which is a good thing! It too is pricey, running from 65 cents an INCH to 1.50 an INCH.
Check back tomorrow for some twisted beads!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Terms of the Trade - Mandrels & Holes
I got lots of questions about the terms in my last post. I sometime assume my audience is jewelry makers or other beadmakers when I know I have some quilters and knitters and just generally creative folks who follow along. So... I thought it would be fun to examine a few of the glassy words from that post. For you glassy folks that do this all the time, there's tips for making hearts and buttons here!
Today's word is Mandrel.
A mandrel is a rod of stainless steel which is used to form the hole in a bead. The rods come in a HUGE variety of sizes, hence the large variety of bead holes! I use tiny 1/32" all the way up to 1.5" mandrels. There are even a variety of shaped mandrels allowing for bead holes in fun shapes such as hearts, squares or ovals.
Mandrels are dipped in a liquefied graphite emulsion, called bead release, and allowed to air dry or dried in the flame. After the bead is made and has fully annealed, the beads on their mandrels are soaked in water to weaken the release. This makes removing the beads from the mandrels a little easier. After removal, the bead release is cleaned from the beads with a diamond bit.
Beads on mandrels, waiting to be soaked and cleaned.
The word mandrel came up in my previous post when I referred to an "OFF mandrel heart." This means NO mandrel was used to make the hole. Instead the bail (Another word for hole but generally refers to something to hang the bead from...usually on top of or behind the bead.) was made by the careful application of hot glass to allow for the hole.
I hold the heart, attached to a rod of glass called a punty, in my left hand; the bail glass is in my right. It is usually smaller- about 2 - 3mm. I heat the bail glass and spot heat the heart where the bail is to be. I touch down, move the heart behind the flame and keep the bail glass in the flame. As the bail glass melts, I move my left hand to bend the bail around the heart, leaving a hole. After the bail is attached I spend a bit of time adding glass where the bail may be too thin, reshaping the hole with a tungsten pick, melting the bail to the glass and making sure the bead hangs true.
The final way tungsten pick. Tungsten can get very, very hot...I'm talking glowing red. I keep the bead / button behind the flame and it's actually fairly cool. The pick is IN the flame and glowing. The pick gets hot enough to actually DRILL a hole in the glass! I use this technique with buttons.
So there you have it... All about mandrels and holes. I hope you'll check back here this week for some more bead makers vocabulary!
Today's word is Mandrel.
A mandrel is a rod of stainless steel which is used to form the hole in a bead. The rods come in a HUGE variety of sizes, hence the large variety of bead holes! I use tiny 1/32" all the way up to 1.5" mandrels. There are even a variety of shaped mandrels allowing for bead holes in fun shapes such as hearts, squares or ovals.
Mandrels are dipped in a liquefied graphite emulsion, called bead release, and allowed to air dry or dried in the flame. After the bead is made and has fully annealed, the beads on their mandrels are soaked in water to weaken the release. This makes removing the beads from the mandrels a little easier. After removal, the bead release is cleaned from the beads with a diamond bit.
Beads on mandrels, waiting to be soaked and cleaned. The word mandrel came up in my previous post when I referred to an "OFF mandrel heart." This means NO mandrel was used to make the hole. Instead the bail (Another word for hole but generally refers to something to hang the bead from...usually on top of or behind the bead.) was made by the careful application of hot glass to allow for the hole.
 |  |
I hold the heart, attached to a rod of glass called a punty, in my left hand; the bail glass is in my right. It is usually smaller- about 2 - 3mm. I heat the bail glass and spot heat the heart where the bail is to be. I touch down, move the heart behind the flame and keep the bail glass in the flame. As the bail glass melts, I move my left hand to bend the bail around the heart, leaving a hole. After the bail is attached I spend a bit of time adding glass where the bail may be too thin, reshaping the hole with a tungsten pick, melting the bail to the glass and making sure the bead hangs true.
The final way tungsten pick. Tungsten can get very, very hot...I'm talking glowing red. I keep the bead / button behind the flame and it's actually fairly cool. The pick is IN the flame and glowing. The pick gets hot enough to actually DRILL a hole in the glass! I use this technique with buttons.
 |  |
Buttons with drilled holes.
So there you have it... All about mandrels and holes. I hope you'll check back here this week for some more bead makers vocabulary!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
More New Stuff
New on Holly's Folly: A Red White & Blue floral set - cause summer is right around the corner!
A silvered ivory / chalcedony combo with olive shaped beads and a heart focal this is just stunning in person!
A spring mini set:
And some Greek Easter eggs... cause, yes, it's time to start thinking of that too!
I also got one new focal listed. This is so pretty!!
A silvered ivory / chalcedony combo with olive shaped beads and a heart focal this is just stunning in person!
A spring mini set:
And some Greek Easter eggs... cause, yes, it's time to start thinking of that too!
I also got one new focal listed. This is so pretty!!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
New Artfire Goodies
I got nothing today... I'm in the middle of unpacking from my big wire wrap extravaganza this past weekend and starting prep for my cookie classes this coming one....
But I did manage to get a few things up on Artfire:
You know how I love my silvered ivory!!!
And... I should mention also have up all the rubber stamp images designed for jewelry making. They have always been available on my rubber stamp site but I put them in both Artfire and Etsy for convenience. This is one of the sets of ladies for domino art:
I also have sets made for working with PMC... Thanks for L@@king!!!
But I did manage to get a few things up on Artfire:
You know how I love my silvered ivory!!!
And... I should mention also have up all the rubber stamp images designed for jewelry making. They have always been available on my rubber stamp site but I put them in both Artfire and Etsy for convenience. This is one of the sets of ladies for domino art:
I also have sets made for working with PMC... Thanks for L@@king!!!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
We Interrupt This Broadcast...
I've been really busy....end of the month...Art Bead Scene project due and of course every color of accessory beads I own is the WRONG one! And my project for our first Fire Divas challenge is due...
So I have to interrupt this broadcast about insane bloggers libeling good and decent artists to tell you... there's a new old set in the Etsy.
You guys know I love silvered ivory but, I finally got really god pics of a cased set! Check it out!
That one is now on Etsy. And check out this one:
Yeah! It's purple! This one will be on HollysFolly in a day or two...
So I have to interrupt this broadcast about insane bloggers libeling good and decent artists to tell you... there's a new old set in the Etsy.
You guys know I love silvered ivory but, I finally got really god pics of a cased set! Check it out!
That one is now on Etsy. And check out this one:
Yeah! It's purple! This one will be on HollysFolly in a day or two...Thursday, August 20, 2009
Devine Design
More artists that could use a little love with all that is going on in this big old nasty world. Please show them some love, heart their shops and visit often, and, if you can, buy something.
Isn't this bottle stopper from Lakeside Lampwork just luscious? Wouldn't it make the loveliest holiday gift for someone you need to impress.
And this boro set is so vibrant and pretty!
Check out Lakeside Lampwork on Etsy for more wonderful glass beads!
Next up, we have LenorasDesigns. Lenora is a master where I'm a disaster! Just look at her dots!!!! This red bead is mesmerizing!!!
But, you know me... I gotta drool over the purple! Excuse me while I pick up my chin!
Check out more of Lenora's work (and find your favorite color in dots!) in her Etsy shop!
Our final artist for today is Betsymn. I've spoken about my passion for silvered ivory before...but look at what Betsy does with it! I adore this Aurae and silvered ivory combo:
Or check out this version with a ruby base.... stunning!
Betsymn has lots more wonderful beads in her Etsy shop.
Please check out these wonderful shops and stunning artisan made beads!
All photos copyrighted by the respective artists and used with permission.
Isn't this bottle stopper from Lakeside Lampwork just luscious? Wouldn't it make the loveliest holiday gift for someone you need to impress.
And this boro set is so vibrant and pretty!
Check out Lakeside Lampwork on Etsy for more wonderful glass beads!Next up, we have LenorasDesigns. Lenora is a master where I'm a disaster! Just look at her dots!!!! This red bead is mesmerizing!!!
But, you know me... I gotta drool over the purple! Excuse me while I pick up my chin!
Check out more of Lenora's work (and find your favorite color in dots!) in her Etsy shop!
Our final artist for today is Betsymn. I've spoken about my passion for silvered ivory before...but look at what Betsy does with it! I adore this Aurae and silvered ivory combo:
Or check out this version with a ruby base.... stunning!
Betsymn has lots more wonderful beads in her Etsy shop.
Please check out these wonderful shops and stunning artisan made beads!
All photos copyrighted by the respective artists and used with permission.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Still Wading Along the Shore
My head is stuck in sea beads and I did manage to get a new shell up on Etsy today:
This is a HUGE focal...over an hour in the flame! I love it's more abstract shape and all the silver over ivory reactions going on... My new fave Chalcedony is there too as well as an irid glass at the top that makes it look like the creature inside is peeking out at the world. SIGH... I love this bead!
I also moved a seahorse from last summer over to the etsy shop in hopes she will find a home. She's a cutie patootie!
On another note: a friend has painted the cutest painting of ME! If you know me at all, you KNOW I hate, HATE having my picture taken. But this is a painting... And it made my day! I've got to get it scanned.... I think I want it to be a logo for my beads of sorts... but as soon as I can, I'll get it up here.
And, sadly, my godson's grandfather passed away suddenly today. I'm not sure how much I will be here this week. However, I have committed to blog on the Fire Divas blog every night this week!
This is a HUGE focal...over an hour in the flame! I love it's more abstract shape and all the silver over ivory reactions going on... My new fave Chalcedony is there too as well as an irid glass at the top that makes it look like the creature inside is peeking out at the world. SIGH... I love this bead!I also moved a seahorse from last summer over to the etsy shop in hopes she will find a home. She's a cutie patootie!
On another note: a friend has painted the cutest painting of ME! If you know me at all, you KNOW I hate, HATE having my picture taken. But this is a painting... And it made my day! I've got to get it scanned.... I think I want it to be a logo for my beads of sorts... but as soon as I can, I'll get it up here.
And, sadly, my godson's grandfather passed away suddenly today. I'm not sure how much I will be here this week. However, I have committed to blog on the Fire Divas blog every night this week!
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