This took many many hours, but I was really pleased with the end result.
It sold and I donated the proceeds to the Vegan Society.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
A comissioned make
I was asked to make a rosary for a vegan art exhibition, using my glass lampwork beads.
This took many many hours, but I was really pleased with the end result.
It sold and I donated the proceeds to the Vegan Society.
This took many many hours, but I was really pleased with the end result.
It sold and I donated the proceeds to the Vegan Society.
Friday, 4 January 2013
My glassy journey
During a recent visit to Adelaide, I enjoyed a fantastic days tuition with the very talented Stephanie Gough. This led me to reminisce about my glassy journey to date!
Back in May 2009 I found myself admiring some lovely glass lampwork beads made by Dee Elgie, on a craft forum. I had been making jewellery for several years and thought how amazing it would be to make my own beads!
I sent Dee a message asking how easy it was to get set up and what I would need. She was very generous in sharing her knowledge and sent me a long message back with details of what I would need and where to get it.
Well, I immediately went online and ordered myself a starter torch (a single fuel hothead), a cannister of MAPP gas, safety glasses, mandrels, glass, bead release, a book, and a blanket to cool the beads.
I was so excited at the prospect of melting glass,and set everything up as soon as it arrived. My first attempt resulted in some very wonky misshapen beads, several of which cracked in the cooling blanket! Dee provided lots of advice and was an invaluable source of information.
I soon realised that I needed some help, and signed up to an introductory class with Sarah Lamb at Artshed Arts in Ware. That was it, at the end of the day I was addicted to glass!!!!
I soon found that using MAPP gas was both expensive and inconvenient. (It freezes up very easily and cuts off). So my next step was to upgrade to a bulk fuel setup with large canisters of propane. I also purchased vermiculite and a slow cooker to cool my beads in a more controllable way.
After practicing for several months, I signed up for a second class with Sarah Lamb, this time to learn how to make hollow beads.
I was also introduced to a glassy forum, Frit-Happens, by Helen Wyatt. Helen provided me with lots of tips to improve my bead making, and was a great source of information.
In April 2010 I attended my very first Flameoff, a huge glassy convention, with demonstrations, chances to try new torches, and lots of glassy goodies to buy!
Shortly after Flameoff, I upgraded to a dual fuel torch, a Nortel Minor, an oxycon, and a kiln. I now had a proper set up which helped me to make faster progress.
Since then I have taken further classes with Sally Carver (Redhotsal), Kaz Baildon, Claudia Trimbur Pagel, and Stephanie Gough.
I have also spent a small fortune on glass, frit, murrini, bead presses, bead rollers, and various other tools.
I've a very long way to go, and need to practice hard to improve, but it is an amazing journey and I am so grateful to Dee and Helen for all of their help and encouragement in getting me started.
Back in May 2009 I found myself admiring some lovely glass lampwork beads made by Dee Elgie, on a craft forum. I had been making jewellery for several years and thought how amazing it would be to make my own beads!
I sent Dee a message asking how easy it was to get set up and what I would need. She was very generous in sharing her knowledge and sent me a long message back with details of what I would need and where to get it.
Well, I immediately went online and ordered myself a starter torch (a single fuel hothead), a cannister of MAPP gas, safety glasses, mandrels, glass, bead release, a book, and a blanket to cool the beads.
I was so excited at the prospect of melting glass,and set everything up as soon as it arrived. My first attempt resulted in some very wonky misshapen beads, several of which cracked in the cooling blanket! Dee provided lots of advice and was an invaluable source of information.
I soon realised that I needed some help, and signed up to an introductory class with Sarah Lamb at Artshed Arts in Ware. That was it, at the end of the day I was addicted to glass!!!!
I soon found that using MAPP gas was both expensive and inconvenient. (It freezes up very easily and cuts off). So my next step was to upgrade to a bulk fuel setup with large canisters of propane. I also purchased vermiculite and a slow cooker to cool my beads in a more controllable way.
After practicing for several months, I signed up for a second class with Sarah Lamb, this time to learn how to make hollow beads.
I was also introduced to a glassy forum, Frit-Happens, by Helen Wyatt. Helen provided me with lots of tips to improve my bead making, and was a great source of information.
In April 2010 I attended my very first Flameoff, a huge glassy convention, with demonstrations, chances to try new torches, and lots of glassy goodies to buy!
Shortly after Flameoff, I upgraded to a dual fuel torch, a Nortel Minor, an oxycon, and a kiln. I now had a proper set up which helped me to make faster progress.
Since then I have taken further classes with Sally Carver (Redhotsal), Kaz Baildon, Claudia Trimbur Pagel, and Stephanie Gough.
I have also spent a small fortune on glass, frit, murrini, bead presses, bead rollers, and various other tools.
I've a very long way to go, and need to practice hard to improve, but it is an amazing journey and I am so grateful to Dee and Helen for all of their help and encouragement in getting me started.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
The Gossiping Goddess/Kaz Baildon Blog Hop
Welcome to my very first blog hop!!!!!
Way back in October a group of designers were randomly selected receive a free bead or beads from a huge stash very kindly gifted to the lovely Lesley Watt by the super talented glass artist Kaz Baildon.
I was lucky enough to be selected. I would not know which beads I would receive. I was asked to make something with them and then post on my blog. How exciting!!!
These are the beads I received.....
I decided to team them with some of my own simple lampwork spacers, a few Swarovski crystals, and some chain, and this is what I created!
Apologies for the poor quality photos, being a bit last minute I had no natural daylight!!!
Thank you very much Lesley for hosting such a lovely hop! Now I'm going to relax with a glass of wine and see what the other designers came up with...
Lesley Watt - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Marie Cramp - http://skyejewels.blogspot.com
Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.com
Heidi Post - http://http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.
Linda Landig - http://lindalandig.wordpress.
Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.com
Renetha - http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.
Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins - http://www.
Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.
Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.com
Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca
Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/
Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com - you are here!
Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.com
Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.com
Way back in October a group of designers were randomly selected receive a free bead or beads from a huge stash very kindly gifted to the lovely Lesley Watt by the super talented glass artist Kaz Baildon.
I was lucky enough to be selected. I would not know which beads I would receive. I was asked to make something with them and then post on my blog. How exciting!!!
These are the beads I received.....
I decided to team them with some of my own simple lampwork spacers, a few Swarovski crystals, and some chain, and this is what I created!
Apologies for the poor quality photos, being a bit last minute I had no natural daylight!!!
Thank you very much Lesley for hosting such a lovely hop! Now I'm going to relax with a glass of wine and see what the other designers came up with...
Lesley Watt - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Marie Cramp - http://skyejewels.blogspot.com
Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.com
Heidi Post - http://http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.
Linda Landig - http://lindalandig.wordpress.
Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.com
Renetha - http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.
Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins - http://www.
Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.
Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.com
Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca
Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/
Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com - you are here!
Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.com
Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.com
Thursday, 8 November 2012
I've been feeling all festive at the torch this week!
Check out the cutest teeniest rudolph murrini and Christmas tree murrini (all the way from Lorri and Kim in USA) that I used on these glass lampwork tiles.
And a Christmas tree pendant...
And a few others I created....
All in all, a good day at the torch!
Check out the cutest teeniest rudolph murrini and Christmas tree murrini (all the way from Lorri and Kim in USA) that I used on these glass lampwork tiles.
And a Christmas tree pendant...
And a few others I created....
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Blog competition Entries
Wow, here are the gorgeous entries for my blog competition!
All have been made by my customers using my lampies.
I'm uploading the photos and will then leave them on here until the end of the month and invite comments. The winner will be the one that gets the most mentions in the comments!!!
The entry numbers refer to the photos above the number.
All have been made by my customers using my lampies.
I'm uploading the photos and will then leave them on here until the end of the month and invite comments. The winner will be the one that gets the most mentions in the comments!!!
The entry numbers refer to the photos above the number.
Entry number 1
Entry number 2
Entry number 3
Entry number 4
Entry number 5
Entry number 6
Entry number 7
Entry number 8
Entry number 9
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Blog Competition
Blog Competition alert!!!!
So many lovely people have supported my lampworking journey over the last few months, by buying beads from me (from www.purplecobwebs.co.uk), so I thought it was time to offer up a little competition to my customers. If you're not yet a customer, there is still time LOL!
To enter, just email a picture of something that you have made with my beads, to mail@purplecobwebs.co.uk by 30th June 2012. I will then upload my 10 favourites onto my blog and ask for comments. The one with the most comments by 31st July 2012 will win a set of lampwork beads in a colour of their choice from me.
Here are some of my recent lampies.
So many lovely people have supported my lampworking journey over the last few months, by buying beads from me (from www.purplecobwebs.co.uk), so I thought it was time to offer up a little competition to my customers. If you're not yet a customer, there is still time LOL!
To enter, just email a picture of something that you have made with my beads, to mail@purplecobwebs.co.uk by 30th June 2012. I will then upload my 10 favourites onto my blog and ask for comments. The one with the most comments by 31st July 2012 will win a set of lampwork beads in a colour of their choice from me.
Here are some of my recent lampies.
Monday, 30 April 2012
Patriotic Collection
Ive been in a bit of a patriotic mood! With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee coming up, and the London Olympics, what better reason to make some patriotic jewellery!
All now uploaded to my website in a special section called Patriotic Collection.
Let me know what you think.
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Let me know what you think.
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