Memorial Bead: Lucy, Olivia & Kramer

I was honored when a dear friend asked me to make a memorial bead as a gift for her dog trainer. The bead was to contain the ashes of three of her beloved Dalmatians: Lucy, Olivia & Kramer.

She requested the bead be heart shaped, about an inch wide with a hole big enough for a ribbon. Blue and green were the color choices but she wanted a little gold heart to decorate the beads to symbolize the color of Olivia's eyes:

Olivia

I just love when a client sends me photos and details about the animal or person who is being memorialized! I knew when I saw Olivia's eyes that Double Helix' Aurae was the color to use!

I have a little photo holder by my torch that will hold 5 pictures and after reading all about these sweet Dals, I placed them on my desk to supervise the work!

Their mom was kind enough to include lots of details about their personalities too! Lucy was a mother to 12 and very talkative!

Lucy

Kramer was a father of 64, a clown and a food thief.

Kramer

But, I have to admit, that Olivia with the gold eyes really touched my heart. Aside from being a drama queen (you Creekhiker readers know I have my own drama queen!),  her mom writes:

Loved being the only dog, going on errands & peanut butter. We understood each other  & loved each other when others didn't.

If you've ever had a dog like that, you, like me are probably shedding a few tears right now! 

The process of making these beads is not always an easy path for a sensitive soul like myself. And, it's never just make a bead and mail it off! I have made as many as four beads in preparation, showing each to the client along the way. I made three this time.

The first attempt, I realized the aurae was too transparent for the background colors:

 So, I made a second small color test using white under the aurae. I left the mandrel in place to show the client so she could understand where the hole was. We decided the colors were right and to make it with a bigger hole.

 So this is the 3rd version with the cremains of the 3 pups. I LOVE how the creamains reacted with the reduction of the aurae and turned gold... Olivia's eyes showing off!!

It was an honor getting to know these pups and their mom!

Fresh Glass 7/09/12

Tutorial: Fritting the Sides

Have you ever been making a frit bead and just can't get the frit on the sides? This happened to me recently and as it was for a custom order for a Memorial Glass Bead, it had to be perfect!

First the finished bead:

You can see the sides got good coverage...thanks to this technique.

Here's a before photo clearly showing the problem of the missing frit:

To me, all that white makes the bead look unfinished. I've tried scooping it on but my tool gets too hot and if I have an odd shaped bead, rolling is impossible. The simple fix would be to have a rod of the same color frit but, most frit is made of 96 and that's stuff I just don't have in rod form!  But it's still fixable!

• Take a rod of a similar color and heat it in the flame. You don't need a gather. It just needs to be hot enough for the frit to stick to the rod. 
• Roll the rod in the same frit you are using for the bead. 
• Heat and dot the frit in the gap area on your bead. 
• Don't do a bunch of dots in the same area... you want to spread the color around just as the frit would do. 
• Make sure you don't run out of frit... keep heating and dipping the rod as needed. 

•  Once you get the coverage you need, melt in and do your final shaping.

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Promo Frenzy Glass Heart Winner

Congrats to Erika of ArtfulRising on Etsy for winning my glass bead  heart in the Promotional Frenzy Team's Pin It to Win It Giveaway!

Erika is from Texas and creates lovely custom journals and she has an amazing blog about journaling! I love this post about the lies we tell ourselves (I'm so guilty of that!)!

I just adore clipping recipes (I like having a book to flip through!) and think this recipe book is a great idea.

 

Recipe Book with handpainted watercolor cover Food for the Soul

On the flip side, Erika tells me that her weight loss journals are her best sellers:

Show Up Fitness Journal

I wish I had known about Erika's journals when we were doing the niece's wedding. Is this a terrific guest book?

Wedding Guest Book 1st Corinthians Love Verse

Please be sure to check out Erika's Artful Rising Shop on Etsy and... Don't forget to "Pin It to Win It" all month long over on Pinterest! Today's giveaway is a vintage bracelet  from PaganCellarJewelry!

Source: etsy.com via KatersAcres on Pinterest

Fresh Glass 7/3 / Contest

Fresh Glass - Yes I'm on a Mickey Minnie kick ( Or as I call them Micnie / Minkey - depending on who gets top billing!) It's been a very stressful time with my sister being so ill and I just need a little fun! The Disney beads are not for sale.. personal collection only.

Also, PLEASE remember to Pin to Win by 9pm EST tonight!

Source: etsy.com via KatersAcres on Pinterest

Pin to Win / Christmas in July

The Promotional Frenzy Team of Etsy is so excited about Etsy's Christmas in July Sale, they're hosting a give away EVERY DAY this month on Pinterest! I'm proud to be participating and my glass bead heart is up for grabs by midnight EST tomorrow!

Source: etsy.com via KatersAcres on Pinterest

Just repin the ORIGINAL pin and be sure to leave a comment so I can contact you should you win! I'm including one of my friction clasp rubber necklaces so this baby comes ready to wear! ;-)

Now for the sales specials:
I'm offering free shipping using coupon code freeship30 for free shipping on orders over $30. IF you are a fan, mention that in the comments for a 10% refund on your order!

Golden Sands Shea Butter Soap by Magic by Leah

1. MagicByLeah.etsy.com Entire shop 20% off

2. SunnyCrystals.etsy.com Entire shop 20% off - Coupon Code SUMMER2012

3. Bijibijoux.etsy.com Entire shop 10% off - Prices already reduced, no coupon code required

4. GreenhouseGlassworks.etsy.com - 20% off everything in my shop - Coupon: XMASJULY

5. GrapeVineCeramicsGft.etsy.com - 20% off everything - Coupon: CIJ2012

6. preciousbowtique.etsy.com- 10% off everything- Coupon: CIJ10

7. Cloudninedesginz.etsy.com - 20% off orders of $30 or more- Coupon: CIJ25, 10% off orders under $30 Coupon: CIJ10

8. CrystalGaylePhoto.etsy.com - SHIPFREE for free shipping in Canada and USA; and FREE GIFT.

9. HollysFollyGlass.etsy.com - freeship30 for free shipping on orders over $30. Mention that you are a fan for a 10% refund on your order!

10. SymbolicImports.etsy.com - 30% off - Prices are already reduced, no coupon code required. (Cannot be combined with any other offer) Soap favors are excluded.

11. AulaniPhotography.etsy.com - [See shop announcement] Get 10% off with coupon code cij10 +always free US shipping, also get a free fourth print with 3 print packs, and $5 gift coupon with $25 purchase, $10 with $50, $15 with $75, & $25 with $100 (all before shipping and tax).

12. CrochetedbyCharlene.etsy.com - FREESHIPPING for free USA shipping. International customers - contact me for a special discount.

13. RomanticThoughts.etsy.com - 20% off everything in the shop
Coupon Code: CIJ2012

14. Trinketsnwhatnots.etsy.com - 25% off of EVERYTHING in my shop. No coupon needed, prices already reduced.

 Petite Hessonite Rhodolite Garnet Earrings by Peelirohini

15. Peelirohini.etsy.com - Code CIJ2012 for a 15% Off on all Purchases

16. NewEnglandQuilter.etsy.com - Coupon: FREESHIPUSA for Free Domestic Shipping - see shop announcement for international shoppers.

17. lindab142.etsy.com - code CIJ2012a for 25% on $25 purchases.

Be sure to check back for updates to the list after the holiday and get over to Pinterest for a chance to win great prizes everyday!!!

Fresh Glass 6/28

I can't tell you what it feels like to FINALLY sit down at the torch after a LONG dry spell and actually make beads I LOVE! WHOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!

The Disney beads are for my personal collection. 

Hoping for a repeat today!

More Fantastic Jewelry from Pocketsful!

Michelle, the fabulously talented artist / designer behind Pocketsful sent me pics of ANOTHER gorgeous pieces featuring my beads!  Check out her necklace featuring my made to order vine and leaves beads in bronze. Isn't it stunning?

Michelle has also been making bracelets... this one features my spacer beads:

Michelle has been selling to friends in person and right off facebook but she also has her Etsy shop that she's filling up! Michelle hasn't listed these in her shop yet but if you see something you like, I'm sure you could covo her and inquire about the pieces!

Pocketsful Makes My Day Times FOUR!

I mentioned I had more jewelry to show off! I'm finally un-jet-lagged enough to semi-coherently compose a post!

Michelle, the fabulously talented artist / designer behind Pocketsful sent me FOUR photos of finished pieces! Nothing makes my day more than seeing my beads in a gorgeous finished piece of jewelry! Check these out:

 I just adore my long skinny focal set off with pearls! The next three all feature my favorite silvered ivory.  I really love how these came out:

 Michelle hasn't listed these in her shop yet but if you see something you like, I'm sure you could covo her and inquire about the pieces!

Making My Day

Nothing makes my day as an artist like seeing my beads used in a glorious piece of jewelry. I was blessed to receive photos from two artists a few weeks ago.

 The first is from Los Angeles designer Eleanor Burian-Mohr of The Corner Store Goddess. She used my Mickey / Minnie set in a beautiful bracelet and earring set available on Etsy.

Aren't they lovely???

I'll feature the next set of photos in another post later in the week.