Another Exchange on Lampwork Etc.

After a couple of years, I have started to participate in exchanges again on Lampworketc.

Right now, the Big Hole Bead Exchange is going on and it's been fun!

I use these exchanges as an opportunity to hone my skills on a particular type of bead.

Big Hole Beads

this time.

I also enjoy getting to know my fellow participants.

Everyone ends up with lovely beads.

The rules in this exchange say that we should send 5-10 beads.

We will receive the same number in return.

I realized today that I am one bead short for this exchange.

Luckily,

I have more time to make that bead.  

How big do the holes have to be on these beads?

The smallest holes should be around 1/4 inch or big enough to fit the Euro Style bracelets.

Other than that, the sky is the limit.

These are the beads that I am sending as a hostess giftie.  I hope Cori likes them.

Vanilla ice cream anyone?

Want a chocolate ice cream cone?

How about a chocolate covered cherry?

I even managed to core one bead?  Can you believe it's cored with aluminum tubing?

Here's what the bead looks like.

I love the way the twistie melted in this bead.

How about an animal skin bead?

Murrini melted and encased.

The hole on this bead is 1/2 inches.

Here's a group shot.

Now there's only one bead left to go!

I'll post that later.

Learning to Core Beads by Hand - Yikes!

So far, this has been an interesting experience.  I'm learning to add a copper core to my large hole beads without using a bead coring machine.  Here's what I did.  I bought some good tubing on Etsy, then I rounded up some old big hole beads.  I've broken a lot of beads as I have worked on developing a technique to line the beads.  This picture does deserve a little bit of an explanation.  I didn't want to cut out bead caps, so I used washers.  The holes of the washers were too big.  The cores didn't fit properly.  Well, that's part of the experience though, isn't it?  I had heard there were videos on YouTube that would show you how to core a bead without a machine.  Couldn't find them, so off I went.


I used dapping tools and hammers.

I decided to wait and make bead caps later.  These were okay for a first try, but they need to improve.
I'm still working on technique, but I am getting better.

It's still a work in progress, but my cores are better.  I'm still breaking beads, so it's a good thing I have a lot of fuglies in my collection.  Practice! Practice!  Practice!



Soon, things will improve!  Just have to work on that flare a bit more. 

Progress photos will come later when there's more to show!!!

There's Still time to shop and so many Stores!

Our next stop on our "Glass Tour" of Etsy is Seraphim Flameworks, Artisan Lampwork Beads. Make a visit to this store, and you will end up drooling at the fantastic beads you see listed there. There are pandora beads, focals, and beads for dreds. Let's take a quick look at what they have. Oh, and when you are finished with their store, visit their blog. They have set up a wonderful blog with much helpful information about glass, beads, and, in particular, silver glass.

These large hole raku nuggets are some of my favorite beads currently in the Seraphim Etsy store. They are rich and earthy. As you can see, they are full of texture. They would be beautiful on a biagi bracelet or strung from a chain to wear around your neck.















This bead, again, is earthy and rich with texture. It is an extra large hole bead. It has a very masculine feel to me, and it might make a great gift for that man in your life.

















This focal is, again, full of rich earthy colors and a great deal of texture. Can you imagine the feel of this bead worn as a pendant around your neck? I love the deep red color, too!












Now, I have saved the best for last. Look at the vibrant colors in this bead--the turquoise, the silvered ivory, the pink! The pink? Yes, the pink. Being "pinkinistic" at heart, I have to declare this bead as my ultimate favorite on the Seraphim site. Don't take my word for it, visit Seraphim's store. It will be a trip worth your time.

Exchange Beads? Who Me?

I belong to two lampworking forums. One is called Lampworketc. and the other is called Wet Canvas. Although there are subgroups on both forums, the ones I participate in are the ones that involve making glass beads aka lampworking. Each forum posts challenges and exchanges in which you can choose to participate in or not. I try to participate in as many challenges as I can because I feel that these help to improve my lampworking skills. I also like to participate in exchanges for the same reason + you receive many wonderful beads in exchange for the ones you sent in. When you participate in an exchange, there are certain rules or guidlines. A theme is chosen for the exchange. Then the participants get to work on their beads, send them in to the host/ess who sorts them, and returns different beads to each participant. Although not required, most of the participants include a small hostess gift in their package.

Today, when I went to my mailbox, I found 2 envelopes waiting for me. I rushed in and opened them. Wooo Hoooo! Returns on my exchanges. I opened them with great anticipation, and, I was not disappointed. I received the beads from the Lampworketc Halloween Exchange and from the Wet Canvas Big Hole Bead Exchange. Wow! Talk about fabulous items from talented artists! I was truly blessed.














I received a vessel with hands, a frog bead, a candy corn bead, an eyeball, and a scarecrow! Awesome. Now how fun is that? When you see the skill involved in making each bead, you come to realize what treasures these beads really are. I feel that they are absolutely awesome!


I also participated in an exchange on Wet Canvas in which we exchanged big hole beads. Look at the awesome beads I received in exchange for the ones I sent!















Each bead is unique. Each bead was made by an extremely talented artist. Take a look and drool! Talk about being blessed! Wow! I am lucky! Not only did I receive some wonderful beads from these exchanges, I became a better bead maker. Now, how can you beat that? I make better beads, and, now I own beautiful beads from other fabulous glass artists. Awesome!