The glass is unwrapped, sorted and labelled and the fun has begun! I'm experimenting with reactions between the different colours or 'families' of glass. Some pretty cool things can happen if you know what you are doing - and sometimes even if you don't.



Here's the latest!

These use a twisty made of edp and turquoise laid down next to an opal yellow stripe on the bead, the twisty smooshes into the yellow and all kinds of cool colours happen. Then I tried encasing same twisty - a very different looking thing happens.

Bead Soup anyone? There are a couple in here with copper in them, my favourites are the big blue hollow and a surprising reaction I got with the transparent uranium yellow bead (see close up 'Today's Pick' in the right hand column).

Introducing South Sea Mary and Porcinea Ham (don't you think she looks a little pig-like??)

.. note the nifty knew tip for taking photos - regular table salt acts as a great background, it's easy to position beads at the angle you want -- Just make sure they're dry before you plop them in there!!

I finally spent my contest winnings! I had a big order of glass arrive on Friday, along with some silver leaf and dichroic glass. Lots of colours I haven't tried before, I'm excited to use it and get new combos and reactions.

Isn't it PRETTY! - You can click on this one for a bigger image.


I've been working with dark ivory and seeing what reactions happen with different colours. The little 'blue and white' bead came about from laying a twisty of copper green, intense black and white on an ivory base bead. The blue must be from the copper, it's very pretty, I'm calling it IO

These are some others, playing about with dots and stringers. I found the really sweet spot in the flame on Friday where I could lay the stringer just how I wanted it.

I've been busy making beads and wigwags for a sale in August. I want to have something that is affordable to everyone and am trying to think of the best way to string single beads.

Twisties and wigwag twisties.


These are the beads I've made using the twisties -

I have to say having a bulk tank is wonderful - what a difference to the little cannisters. I have no idea how much I'm using or how soon it's going to run out, but I do like it. One thing I've noticed is that my moretti black is getting some smearing on the surface, not sure if that is due to the excess heat or what. I'd like to try some Vetrofond next as I hear it's better. In the meantime I think I'll try etching some of the black beads, I'm sure they'll look quite nice.

Today I had a breakthrough! I read a tutorial on how to make twisties that helped me no end. Until now my twisties have been about four or five inches long, I can now make them 12+ inches in length! And also I've been trying the wigwag twisties that seem very popular at the minute, here's a picture of a regular and a wigwag. I think if you click on the picture you'll see a bigger version.

Busy work week so not much time at the torch so far. I have been trying some Russian doll beads without much success, certainly not good enough to post. I like the idea but need to work on the process and figure a good way of doing their faces because they are pretty tiny. Elly in Etobicoke shipped me some of her Satake glass - thank you Elly!! I tried some of the pink, I love the way it melts, but price would be a big consideration as it's quite a bit more expensive than the Moretti I am using. Maybe when I get really good I can consider making some with Satake.

Yesterday I discovered Bigger Is Better! I upgraded to a bigger gas tank and can't believe the heat I'm getting from my torch even with the tank barely opened. It's like the difference between night and day, or a toaster oven and a pizza oven!! I'm even finding the flame is bushier too which is good because it keeps bigger beads warmer easier.

Here are yesterday's barrel beads, if I was a martini drinker I'd be wanting the 'olive' one ;o)

I'm feeling inspired with the lovely Spring weather, green grass, budding trees and spring flowers! My favourite time of the year. You'll notice a few changes here as I try my hand at customising this blog to match my website, hopefully I won't do anything too dastardly.

Watch this space for new beads!

Here are a couple to whet your appetite -


I don't do florals, but was pretty pleased when I tried and this was the result.


This is a little hollow bead with millefiore