Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Beautiful beads!

 
(click on pics for larger view)

I wish my pictures could capture the real beauty of these lampwork beads by Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens (GlassBeadArt on Etsy).  She calls them "Sparkling Rocks" - and do they ever sparkle!  I bought some of these beads earlier this year and I begged her to make me some more.  Well, I received them last week and I am working like a mad woman to create more items for my upcoming shows (first one is this weekend). 
 

I think this bracelet came out so nice!  I have been making most of my findings of late - jump rings clasps, ear wires.  I made the toggle clasp based on a design I learned from Handcrafted Wire Findings (Denise Peck and Jane Dickerson-this is an AWESOME BOOK!).  I antiqued the sterling in Liver of Sulfur, buffed, and then it spent quite a bit of time in my tumbler.  I liked this bracelet so much that I used up all the beads from Maryse in the following two bracelets...


I also made this necklace with sweet beads by Nan Emmet of Spirited Earth. I was lucky to be in her shop while she was uploading!  Her beads go FAST!

The clasp design on this copper necklace is by the talented Cindy Wimmer - though I cannot remember the issue date, it was published in Step by Step Wire Jewelry Magazine. 
 

Donna Millard posted a picture on Facebook  of these cobalt blue lampwork beads in the shape of a snowflake, which she then fused with sterling silver.  Well, I showed a picture of the beads to my Mom and my sister - who then begged for multiple necklaces for Christmas for themselves and as gifts.  All I have to do is attach the silver chain to these and I am done.  Donna's bead are some of my all time favorites.
 
Hurricane Sandy is over now - I lost power for about two hours last night (Monday evening), but other than that, all is well.  My backyard, however, looks like soup.  SO.MUCH.RAIN. 

I will be back on Saturday for the Ears to You Blog Hop hosted by Amy Freeland of Copper Diem. This is a blog hop for earrings donated to "Ears to You" - a charitable organization that donates earrings to women who are in the hospital for cancer treatment - an excellent cause!
 
Thanks so much for stopping by - I love to read your comments!


5 comments:

  1. Beautiful bracelets, Patti!
    I like your Spirited Earth owls.
    Love your Donna Millard snowflakes.

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  2. The bracelets and necklace are beautiful! Those beads are spectacular! I love your findings. It's fun to make you're own.
    Glad to hear you did okay in the storm. We did too, and we're very grateful. I grew up in South Central NJ and I know a lot of those towns that were devastated. So sad.

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  3. So beautiful! Really love the bracelet and necklace ... can't believe you're making the toggles! those are great!
    See you Sat for the blog hop!

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  4. OMG, Patti, these are all so beautiful! The beads are gorgeous to start with, but your bracelets and necklace and those 'Donna Millard pendants' are simply delicious. Down to findings (I love making my own too!)

    Good luck at the shows :)

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