I was inspired by this tutorial...

I loved this tutorial when I saw these 

Wired Pumpkins.

They are non-tradtional, edgy, and fun!

I found the tutorial on how to make these

HERE

I made three of them!

I loved them, but, when I put them on my table,

I couldn't see them.

So, what to do?  What to do?

Here's one of mine.

I think it looks great against this background,

however,

on my table...not so great!

So........

I made a bead mix from some size 6 seed beads.

I pulled out some 26g brass wire,

and,

I strung beads on the brass wire.

I wrapped segments of the dark annealed wire with the brass wire with beads, and,

ta-da!!!!

 Just enough color, and the pumpkin is still edgy, 

and,

I can see it on my table now!

Yes!!!

Now, my question for you is this.
Do you ever change the free tutorials you find on the web or do you leave them as they are.
If I could have seen my pumpkins on my table, I would have left them as is.
However,
I do like these pumpkins a little bit more now.
Truly, a lot more now!

Bernadette Fuentes, Master Artist and Teacher

I'd like to introduce you to Bernadette Fuentes, master artist, teacher, one of the most creative glass artists I have ever met.
I recently took an online class at CrafteEdu.com.
That class was titled: Flameworked Off Mandrel Hand,
and
it was taught by Bernadette.
Now, I don't have my hand to show you,
I need to watch the class again.
I have 11 times more to watch it in the next year.
I think I am going to need all of those viewings.
Bernadette makes something that is very difficult look very easy.
This tutorial is absolutely wonderful!
Bernadette explains each step completely.
However, there is a significant difference in her abilities and mine.
I need to watch the class more times so that I can make an off mandrel hand.

Now, Bernadette did send me some photos of her hands.
However,
because I have a quick delete hand,
I accidentally deleted it.
My next option was to photograph the hand I own
and show that to you.
So, I did.
In structure,
it is the same hand.
The colors are different.
I love my BF hand!
If you check out Bernadette's web site,
you'll be able to see
the hand that she teaches.
It is awesome
and
very reasonably priced.
Bernadette also offers another class on CraftEdu.com.
The class is called
Clear Encased Flower Bead.
That class is next on my list of online classes.
Now,
enjoy the photos I was able to steal from
Bernadette's Facebook Page.

Master artist!

Amazing Beads

Master Teacher!

An Extremely Talented Artist and One Funny Lady!

I am friends with Laurie Donnette on Facebook. This delightful lady is not only an extremely talented glass artist and tutorial writer, she is incredibly witty and friendly. She has a wonderful web site, too! There are free tutorials, a web store, photo gallery, instructions for mixing colors! Wow! And those are only a small part of her blog. Be sure to check that out!

Ever After Artistry on Etsy is full of Laurie's tutorials.

I love this one! Laurie makes these Pixie Pots so much fun by adding little items to each pot! I have the tutorial, and I have to try that! I love vessels, and Laurie makes some beautiful ones!











Love frogs? Here's Laurie's Prince Charmer tutorial. They are so cute!
She's a good teacher, and her tutorials are very well written and photographed. Don't hesitate to purchase any of Laurie's tutorials. They are excellent!







Laurie is well known for her realistic and beautiful pansies. These are sensational! Her Etsy store has a tutorial on how to make these gorgeous flowers!











Now, a few comments from Laurie on Facebook.
1)

Ok I gotta get to work before the caffeine wears off and I have no stringer control :)

2)

3 cups of coffee and one orange hostess cupcake, (please keep all arms n legs inside this ride at all times)

3)

Why do they ask me the same question everyday, "If we let you out, Will you play nice" ?

4)

Does anyone know what disease 'cured ham' had?

5)

Smile like you have a dirty little secret!

Well, I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Be sure to visit Laurie on Facebook or in her Etsy store. Her work and her tutorials are fantastic! You can tell, her sense of humor is, too!

Shopping Etsy - Tutorials

I love to window shop on Etsy! This time, I did a search using the words
"recycle tutorials." What came back was 3 pages of tutorials. I had fun picking and choosing which tutorials to feature, and, in this case, to purchase.

See this tutorial?
-------------------------------------->
I purchased this one from Mamachee on Etsy. I love the roses!










This tutorial ------------------------->
teaches the artisan how to make glass beads from used bottles! Isn't that a wonderful way to be green? This item is found in Stringythingy on Etsy.


















This bracelet---------------------->
is made from recycled wire. Isn't is amazing? You can find it in the store Lost Marbles on Etsy.










See, wasn't that fun?

It finally worked! Copper Etching with Salt!

One of these pieces of copper is the final, successful result of etching copper with salt. I wish the photo were better. Which piece of copper do you think was successful?















Let's take a closer look.


I found a tutorial on Lampworketc about etching copper without harsh chemicals. The writer of the tutorial used salt combined with low voltage electricity and an aquarium bubbler. The name of the tutorial was Copper Etching with Salt. Included in that tutorial was another link to another tutorial on etching copper with salt in Art Jewelry Magazine. I wrote my list and headed out to Radio Shack, Walmart, and Menard's to obtain the objects on my list. I came home and saturated the water with salt to begin the etching process. The water was saturated, the battery was hooked up and ready to go. I dipped the anode in the water and I waited. This photo was the result. All I did was to corrode the copper because I had put the battery into the battery holder BACKWARDS! Oh, well, time to try again!





















This time, the battery was hooked up correctly. The resist was applied, and I began the process of etching again. Unfortunately, my brushing was too vigorous. Piece #2 was sent to the copper graveyard. I gave the process a rest until today. This time, I changed the salt I used. In the last two tries, I used the salts that were recommended in the tutorials. I didn't realize that these 2 salts had an agent added to them to prevent clogging. I found another batch of sea salt at the store. This time, the salt did not have anything else added to it. The result, a beautifully etched copper bead!




















The design was simple. Dots. It is lovely! I hope to try more complicated designs in the future!

Information Shared - Tutorials

A new trend has developed in the lampwork community,
and that is the sharing of information
via
tutorials
that are sold to members of the lampworking community.
Personally,
I LOVE THEM!
I've bought my fair share of these tutorials!
I feel it is a wonderful means to share information on techniques,
especially when classes are not always available
for the buyer.
Most of the tutorials are very reasonably priced.
They usually run between $15 and $20.
There are a few out there that are as high as $100.
I can't afford those.
I made this mushroom using a tutorial by Mary Moth.
It's a fabulous tutorial, and I don't regret buying it at all.
I learned a lot of things by using this tutorial.
It's a great source of information for me.

Mary also developed a bird tutorial.
This tutorial is also an excellent one!

Here's a bird I made using Jen Geldard's bird tutorial.
I've spent a lot of money on tutorials, because I find them to be great resources of
information,
and
with all the tutorials I've bought,
I've spent a little over the amount I would spend for a single class.
Ask me,
Do you like tutorials that are sold to the buying public?
Yes, I do.
Will you buy more tutorials?
Yes, I will.
In spite of the fact that these tutorials are sold and not shared without cost,
do you still consider them to be a
legitimate way to share information?
Most definitely.