Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Baby...it's hot outside!

94 degrees with a dew point of 72 - that is hot!  Sticky, thick, hard-to-breathe-outside, nasty Summer.  Not my favorite Season (at all).  So I am hunkering down in my basement studio with a sweatshirt on - so cold in here!  But, adding layers of clothing for warmth is so much better than taking the layers off!

So, I made this bracelet last week...and it sold very quickly.



Lovely lampwork by Maryse of GlassBeadArt.  And, I have been having so much fun with my torch (seeking warmth in the basement?  Possibly)!  I soldered and textured the links for the chain.  Adjustable bracelets made easy!

I replicated this design in copper, with some gorgeous Lapis from Happy Mango Beads.  There is also a colorful Tibetan Bead in this mix.





This next bracelet features gorgeous lampwork DONATED to me from Mallory Hoffman (Rosebud on etsy).  I am calling the colors Coke Bottle Glass (obviously, not the correct name, but, you got a visual of the color, didn't you?!)  This was VERY HARD to photograph - I typically take my photos on a large slab of granite and the colors just blended with the background.  So, I pulled out my photo Gray Cards...much better!


I had on hand one last orphan bead from Basha Beads that perfectly matches these lovelies. 




 I made a pair of earrings as well.



Mallory very generously sent me a HUGE package of lampwork beads - she knows that I donate my proceeds from jewelry sales to Miracle Horse Rescue and wanted to assist me in my efforts.  I am humbled by her generosity!  Thank you so much, Mallory! (here is a link to Mallory's shop on Etsy). I hope to be listing more jewelry made with her lovely beads in the near future! :)

I have also been practicing my silver bezel setting skills - I have this awesome lampwork cab made by Sue Kennedy.  It's not perfect and I am not "there" yet, but, the fact that I have not burned up any bezel wires makes me think I am slowly getting "it"!


I am telling you, working on this pendant - in particular, the sawing (ugh) - has made me appreciate even more how much work goes into these pieces.  I hope to perfect this skill...one piece at a time!

Well, it is supposed to cool down a bit before this Friday, the 4th...keeping my fingers crossed!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

xo
Patti