Most recently, I got to take an amazing 2 day class with Hayley Tsang so the first beads I will share are all made using my newest skills and techniques from the class. The first day of class she taught us how to make silvered glass murrini . I now have a nice little stash of my own handmade murrini!!!! It was quite a process and I'm not sure I will be a big murrini maker but I sure can appreciate the time and talent it takes to make them!
So on to the good stuff - the photos:
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| Bead #1 - see the pretty murrini? |
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| Bead #2 - see the pretty murrini? |
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| Bead #3 - see the pretty murrini? |
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| Bead #4 - see the pretty murrini? |
The next beads are my first attempts, using my own set up (torch, bead release, etc.) and I found that my usual bead release could not hold up to all that goes into making one of these beads. I thought that might be a problem as one of my favorite bead releases comes off pretty easy and cleans up on the inside of the beads without any residue. I tested my normal release as well as some stronger mud I had in the back of my cupboard. Sure enough, I'll be using mud style release when I make these beads. This is the second style of bead Hayley taught us in her class. Of course these do not hold a candle to hers and I have a lot of practice to do on this style. They are one of my favorite beads though, when done right!!!
I'll share my favorite first:
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| Clio Bead |
This bead has a base of Triton. It was my first bead of the day and typically those are not my best beads and this one is no exception.
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| Triton Bead |
The next bead has a base of Kalypso and it just looks washed out to me. I must have done something wrong with my heating and cooling cycles - I'll keep trying.
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| Kalypso Bead |
As you can probably tell, my class with Hayley was awesome!!!! It was held at Bead Republic in Naperville, IL and I would love to return for more classes there. They have a great set up and lots of great supplies. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming - students and staff!!! I can't say enough great things about the owner and her business. If you are a bead maker and near this area take a look at their schedule of classes - they have some great ones coming up!!!
While my daughter was home for a few weeks this summer, we took a Shambhala bracelet class together. We kind of went nuts making a bunch of these but they are so much fun to make while you are visiting, watching TV or a movie, or any of the other hanging out stuff Mom's and Daughters do. I can't tell you which one of us made which ones (except my first two that I made - they are the only ones I remember for sure are mine) but here are just some of them:
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| My first one. |
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| My second one. |
I experimented with glass and techniques a lot this summer. Here are a few examples:
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| These are all made with the same rod of glass. Love the colors it produced!!! |
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| I hope you can tell what this is. Pretty cool huh? |
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| Just some fun colors and designs. Loved making these! |
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| This formula and design was based on a recent edition of Soda Lime Times. I can see some potential here for some sea related beads. |
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| Fish #1 |
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| Fish #1 |
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| Fish #2 |
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| Fish #2 |
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| Not perfect - just testing out some ideas - I think I like the darkest one best! |
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| Another idea I was playing with. Eh, not so much going on here that I'm loving. |
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| Of course I always have to do some of these after I've been away from the torch for a while. Masking patterns always sooth me and get me in the mood for creating! |
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| I loved these! Experimented quite a lot with frit this summer. |
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| Experimenting with reactive glass and different black rods to see the affects - learned a lot here! |
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| More reactive glass testing. Pretty cool stuff! |
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| Loved these - I'll have to go back to my notes to see how I made these. |
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| I made these so long ago I don't remember what I used - thank goodness I can get my notes and find out. |
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| What would torch time be if I didn't make a ring disc at some time during the summer. Got to keep up with my disc skills! |
I invested in an entry level coring devise this summer. I am only using copper and brass at this point but once I get comfortable with my skills I will use sterling.
I like the look of a cored and capped bead. I am putting a dapping block and tools on my Christmas wish list so I can make my own caps too. I would love to take a class to learn how to use PMC to make about 3 things that I use often. I think I could come up with some great designs of my own to enhance my beads. There is just soooo much I want to learn how to do but I don't want to pull time away from making beads - I need to collaborate with a metal artist I think - at least until I can learn some of these things myself. At the pace I'm going I think I need to find a collaborator soon!
I'll be back soon! Thanks for not giving up on my blog and stopping back to catch up with me. Hope you all had a fun summer too!
Chris
Contact me: chrissandersonbeads@gmail.com - to make an appointment to see my beads and jewelry at my home studio.
Follow my life of Lampworking: http://beadsbychrissanderson.blogspot.com
Purchase my beads and Jewelry: http://www.artfire.com/users/BeadsByChris
Finished Jewelry sold on site at:
1. Mermaid's Bite 472 5th Ave. South, Naples, FL 34102
2. SALVATORE CAPELLI SALON 114 W. South Boundary Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 - In the Country Charm Shoppes.
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