It's Marcy, Lauren and Nikki Day! They are 3 of my 10,000 favorite bead makers, but they are at the top of the list for sculptural glass bead artists!

It's Nikki, Marcy and Lauren Day!

Join me as we look at their shops and some of their work!

These 3 ladies are my absolute favorite sculptural glass bead artists on Etsy, but don't tell anyone I said that!

Let's start with Marcy of Studio Marcy.

Have you met her Honey Badger?

Isn't he sweet?

You can find him by clicking on this link.

Look at this adorable owl that Lauren of MayBeads made?

Isn't he sweet?

You can click on this link to find him.

Here's the link to MayBeads on Etsy.

 Nikki is the Sheep Goddess!

Look at the great sheep she makes!

Here's the link for this little guy.

Here's the link for NLC Beads on Etsy!

Now, get going.  There's a lot more to see in these stores!

If you've enjoyed this, and I know you did,

you'll want to see more!

Now, off with you!

Adding Details: For Me There's Nothing Like Sculptural Work for Practice and I'm Not Cupcake Imparied Anymore!

I've had a hard time torching lately aka making beads because I have developed neck and back spasms.

These really do hurt when I torch, so I've tried tor  rest, but there are times when I have to work on beads.

One of my mantras for this year is:

DETAILS

the other, as you know, is:

HOPE.

So, the other day, I did have HOPE that I could torch for a bit and I did.

I practiced

DETAILS.

The best way for me to do this is to work on sculptural beads.

Presenting Toby the Tuscan.

Shape was my challenge with him.

However, without eyes, wings and a beak, Toby was just a blob.

The details came in the colors I used.

Black needs contrast.

Red, yellow and green provided that contrast.

May I introduce you to Oliver the Owl?

I made him using some cane I pulled myself.  It was a challenge to pull the cane, but it was a good learning experience.

The details were simple.

Cutting the feet to look like claws,

and adding eyes and a beak.

Please meet Fillip the Fish.

Details were really important with him.

I rolled the glass for his fins in frit for more color.

His lips were great to make!

More fins and a tail completed his body.

I like him!

And I discovered, I am no longer cupcake impaired.  Look at the details, too!

Studio Marcy - Always a Treat!

Whenever I visit Studio Marcy on Etsy,
I always leave with a big smile on my face.
Marcy is best known for her whimsical, sculptural work!
Take a look at some of the items I found in her store.

Studio Marcy is ready for Christmas!
Santa has already made a visit to Marcy's store on Etsy,
and
Santa is Dancing!
Marcy, in her Christmas letter to Santa,
and she's been good,
asked Santa for the Elves' IPod list.
I wonder if she'll get it?
This pine cone isn't real.
It's made of glass.
Isn't it amazing?
Marcy makes these gorgeous pine cones as a request from
Mother Nature.
Mother Nature understands that Marcy makes these beautiful sculptures from glass!
This is a bead you can wear or use as a sweet reminder of winter.

Marcy is best known for her whimsical sculptures.
Here's another example of her work.
When I look at these sculptures,
I always smile.
This little sculpture is a
Jackolope.
His name is Jackson.
If you don't know what a jackolope is,
be sure to read the description.
Marcy has seen them in her native Wyoming.
How about this bear with a bird on his back.
Oh, don't worry, Bernie and Clarissa are good friends!
Marcy is hoping, though, that they find a new forever home very soon.
Clarissa just tweets and tweets and tells everyone everything!

This was just a quick preview of all the delightful sculptures in Marcy's store.
Be sure to visit soon.
You'll leave with a smile on your face, and,
maybe,
a bird in the hand?

So, one day, I was trying to copy

Lauren of May Beads, Marcy of Studio Marcy, and Nikki of NLC Beads, I realized what talented artists these ladies are! Do you realize how hard it is to make such small beads and add detail and personality to your critters? Let me show you examples of my work. It's not as good as theirs, but it is getting better. You can check their stores to see the great stuff.


Ever try to make a cow bead? The color of choice was purple. This little bead is about an inch all around. Trying to get the details in that small space was a challenge! That little cow's nostrils almost didn't make it on his face, but were sliding south past his, uh hum, equator? That would have been most interesting. I do think that a youngster in Beads of Courage would still like this little guy.












This little dino looks okay, but if you look at his face, you can see the challenges! It could be better, and I'm learning. My admiration for Lauren, Marcy, and Nikki has increased 1000%! I hope to develop more skills and learn to give these critters personality! I'm impressed with what Lauren, Mary, and Nikki do with their beads! Beads of Courage, here comes this dino!











How about this frog on a lily pad? He looks almost good enough to sell, but trust me, these small beads are hard to make. He has his flaws, but I do think he will be loved by a child in the BOC program.















This is my last try. Samuel actually turned out all right. He was the last critter I made that day. Practice does help. However, in the spirit of the day, Samuel will be making his way to Beads of Courage. I can't let him not join his friends in bringing a smile to a child's face. Also, be sure to visit, May Beads, Studio Marcy, and NLC Beads.
You will see some amazing critter beads!

There's No Place Like Gnome

I decided that this spring I wanted learn to make gnomes. Now, if you want to see some really good gnomes, look here at Studio Marcy's Etsy Store. As you can see, Marcy has the gnomes down to a clear science. She's good!





Now, if you look at this gnome------->
you might think "Psycho Gnome." I'd agree with you. Obviously, other than this moment of fame, this gnome will not see the light of day.



















This is gnome number 2. As with any skill, particularly with lampworking for me, PPP is the most important thing I can do. PPP = Practice, Practice, Practice. I do think this was a better version of my gnomes. She sort of looks like a college graduate with her mortar board. I think she still needs more work.














Gnome #3 is better, but there's still a ways to go. I thnk her eyes need work. She also needs more detail. If you notice, she has a belly button. What happened here is that another bead "kissed" her. I wasn't able to separate them until they were cooled. The "kiss" left the belly button in gnome #3.


















With this practice, I've been able to make a gnome that I feel is better. I still need to work on the eyes. I'm not sure how to correct that. As Oprah says, "It's all in the details." I need to add more and better details. What would you suggest? I love little gnomes! This little girl is the best so far, but I still think I have to PPP. Let me hear your suggestions. I'd really appreciate the feedback.

Anyone hungry? Food Beads for the soul!

Huh? Food beads for the soul? I don't think so. I've just been working on simple sculptural beads to refine some skills, such as detail, when making beads. Take a peek and see what you think.












Sorry for the dog hair. That does happen from time to time. An ice cream sundae anyone?




















Would you like some key lime pie?




















A hot dog, anyone?




















Blueberry pie? It was the first piece of the pie.

More food beads to follow later. Right now, I'm off to get a snack. I'm hungry!

Ten More Shopping Days Left! Be sure to visit Studio Marcy on Etsy.

The Etsy store we are going to shop, and I do mean shop until we drop, is that of Studio Marcy. How I would love to walk through Marcy's brain and see all that she sees through her eyes. If you have ever visited her store, you note the ever present joy of the beads in her store. Marcy is well known for her sculptural abilities in the beads she makes. Let's take a look at some of her outstanding work.









I'd like you to meet Sanderson the Pound Puppy. Isn't he adorable? This is an excellent example of Marcy's sculptural work. She's good, isn't she? And I do love this little guy.


















Now, doesn't this look good enough to eat? I'm hungry. I love the chocolate with the peppermint twist on top. Nummy and zero calories.


















Now, isn't this a great little sea horse? Her name is Olivia. Can't you just see her swimming the ocean of your love? Amazing!


















And, last but not least, Love Your Mother Lampwork Bead. Great, isn't it?

This has been a quick tour of Marcy's store. I urge you to take a longer tour. You won't regret it.