Lampwork Beads by Lara

Fire Diva's Challenge - Romance

2012-01-19T18:05:00.001-08:00

This month, the Fire Divas' team is having a challenge, the theme is Romance. Check out these great items and vote for your favorite on the Fire Divas Blog.

One lucky commenter will receive a 25% off Coupon for Sonja’s Artfire shop. So after you vote don’t forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the post on the Divas Blog to win!! Poll closes at Midnight (EST) on Saturday, January 21st.

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Entry 6

Entry 7

Good luck Divas!

Funny Photo

2012-01-18T12:25:00.000-08:00

So, the big news in the Seattle area today is the snow. We just don't get it very often and at my home I have about six inches, some areas have over a foot or more. What I think is bigger news: shopping Rosters. Check out this funny guy trying to be let in at the Staples in Issaquah. I think he was just trying to get warm, check out the wet ground, it was pouring rain. Please excuse the poor photo, taken with my flip phone.

Bea looking at the snow.

Bead Soup Party Blog

2012-01-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

Yay, my name was picked in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party. I did this last fall and it was tons of fun. Lori pairs you up with another beader and you send each other beads to make into jewelry.

I have been paired with fellow Washingtonian Lisa Suver. I have been checking out her Etsy site and she makes just lovely items. I sure hope I can send her beads that she will like and will be a challenge. Looks like there is very little she does not use.

New Reds from CIM

2011-12-22T15:32:00.000-08:00

I got some new reds in the mail from CIM a couple weeks ago. I am not an official tester but did some of my own testing to see what they were like.

The first one is Crimson. Here seen from left to right : over clear, plain (with raised dots), over white (for two) and mixed with CIM Peace (white). It is an orange red leaning towards brown. I found it hard to strike. Some areas on the white hearts didn't strike as far as the other areas it took a lot longer than Effetre or BE striking reds. I do not have a problem getting those to strike as other lampworkers say they have

Here seen as a cased stringer over CIM Peace. I have not made a rose with Effetre Red (not sure why), but this leans towards orange and I was disapointed it didn't get darker, but I'm thinking that with such a thin layer of red, it just isn't dark.

This is Ruby Shoes (ok, great name by the way). It too was hard to strike. Seen here from L to R: plain bead, over clear, over CIM Peace (white) and mixed with white. Also leans towards orange or brown compared to Effetre Transparent Red, but a bit brighter than Crimson, at least in person. Dorky me, didn't make any Effetre or BE red beads to put next to these.

Here Ruby Shoes is seen as a cased stringer over Peace, again looks very orange. Same issues as above, perhaps a thicker casing layer when making the stringer would look darker. However, even though the rose isn't a deep dark red, I like the lighter color, it is a nice color for flowers. Too bad I get this one too cold and it cracked (AUGH).

CYBER MONDAY - Last Day of the Sale

2011-11-28T10:41:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to get 20% off my handmade lampwork glass beads at ARTFIRE and ETSY. I have been very humbled by the great sales I got over this last holiday weekend. I have such great customers. Thanks so much.

Fire Diva's Challenge

2011-11-14T19:06:00.000-08:00

The Fire Divas have a seasonal challenge for this month. Take a look at these beauties! Please cast your vote in the poll on the right side of the Fire Divas Blog.

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Entry6

YAY, my beads on Art Bead Scene

2011-11-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

Kinda late to post this, but how excited was I to see my beads on the very cool blog on 10-27-11: Art Bead Scene! Now, they did not get there on their own, but in a really beautiful pair of earrings by Kristi Bowman, see above. Kristi stopped by my booth at the Northwest Bead Society's Bead sale a few weeks ago. She makes these really cool copper findings and just stunning jewelry. Check out her blog HERE and her Etsy site HERE.

I especially like the earrings below (they have already sold, but heck, I would buy those beads back just like this).

On Sale

2011-11-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a great Halloween. I'm listing my Halloween beads 25% off until 11-15-11. Stock up now for next year. :-)

CLICK HERE

Etsy Sale - 10% off

2011-10-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have had my shop open since 10-14-07. To celebrate my 4 year anniversary on Etsy I'm thanking my customers with a sale. Sale is on now until Sunday evening. Take 10%off with Coupon code: +++ 4YEARS +++ One code per purchase only.

NWBS Show Day one

2011-10-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of the Northwest Bead Society annual show. My friend Lori Bergmann and I shared an eight foot table. I realised I have way more than 4 feet of beads. Check out that photo below, all those blue beads! I have a lot of blue and purple beads!

Check out these great stands that my dad made for me. I have one horizontal and one vertical and plenty of beads to fill them up. I will say however, people don't touch those beads as much as the beads in the trays.

Toadstool and Ladybug

2011-09-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

I don't know where I came up with the idea of putting a ladybug on a mushroom bead. I think I saw some other toadstool beads witih leaves and catepillers on them and then thought: "hey a ladybug would look cute." I had just made a ladybug on a leaf bead. Perhaps I saw a drawing or illustration, now that I look for this combination, I have seen several other items that are similar.

I however did not see this really beautiful photo. I was using Stumble to look around the web and found this beautiful photo by Edwin Kats. Look there is even a bit of greenery. Art imitating life!

Bead Soup Party Blog Show and Tell Day

2011-09-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

My bead soup came from Deci Worland (Blog and Etsy). I was able to make three items and have beads left over. She sent a super cute beetle focal. It is ceramic or clay. Deci said: "The focal is from Andrew Thornton, I am not sure if he made it or someone else. The smaller handcrafted beads are from Jardanne." I don’t know if that is the glass beads or the cool enameled bead. If anyone knows let me know. Deci choose colors that I love, thanks Deci! I really like the bright green color and purple is my favorite. The base color of the focal bead is a deep purple almost black.

I am a lampwork bead artist and I wanted to incorporate my beads into the piece. There are several colors of glass that come close to the color of the beetle background and they all have a neat finish. I made TONS. The color I liked the best did not match at all. I ended up with a lot of beads that looked similar and they are purple or black with a slight iridescent finish. I had a hard time picking them apart and now when I look at the finished piece I can pick out the ones that don’t match the others. Darn it! I’m not sure if it looks OK all mixed up or not. For those that are interested I used Dark Silver Plum and Gunmetal. The color that did not match was Dark Metallic Black.

Deci sent a cooper clasp and these cool puffy copper triangle beads. I need to get more of these, they are so fun! I choose the lightest and brightest green gem beads. I think they maybe moss agate. I anyone knows, please let me know.

I used some bright green seed beads to attach the focal and clasp to the necklace.

Green and purple are a classic combination and I wanted to use these fun shaped purple beads in earrings. I couldn't decide if they should be on the top or the bottom of the earrings, so why not both!

Finally I used the black gem beads (these have a very faint strip of grey/white which is more evedent in some beads that other, but didn't show up in the photo.) I paired these with some bead caps and sterling findings for these cute earrings. I don't know what these gems are, but would like to know I have several left. I think it might be black agate.

I had a great time with the Bead Soup Party. I hope to participate in the future. Many thanks to Deci for sending my beads and huge thanks to Lori for organizing the party.

There lots of blogs to visit for the Bead Soup Blog Party. There are 362 blog particiapants from five contients and 21 contries.

Check them all out here.

Fire Diva's Challenge

2011-09-13T20:56:00.001-07:00

This month the Fire Divas' challenge was to make lampwork glass beads with a message or words on them. It was a fun challenge and I have made these types of beads before. Many of our members had not and were nervous about making their beads, but I was super impressed with the turn out and the quality of the words.

We have some great entries and a great prize for one lucky voter! Make sure to leave a comment on our blog and you could win a $50 Gift Certificate to Holly’s Shop! Voting ends at noon on Sunday, September 25th. You can find the poll on the right hand side of the Fire Diva's blog.

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Entry 6

Entry 7

Are Gaffer 198 and 199 new Zimmerman 99? (Also a comparison between the Gaffer colors and the recent new Reichenbach color R733 and Z99).

2011-08-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

I received some samples of Gaffer’s new glass to work with this week and I was super excited. The new colors are Gaffer 198 Royal Purple (G198 on the top above) and Gaffer 199 Purple Rose (G199 on the bottom above). I am always excited by the possibility of new colors. With the very cool Zimmerman 99 Purple Rose Special (Z99) no longer being made, it is neat that the other companies are trying to create something similar. Even if not exactly the same, they are all pretty cool on their own.

I found both new colors VERY SOFT. As I work fairly hot, this can be interesting. I also found the Gaffer glass some how less think or less sticky than the Zimmerman. Not sure how else to describe this. I have read on some Facebook and LE posts that this glass does not devitrify. Well, that is not the case, it does, just like Z99 and R733 and EDP. I find that all of these 96 COE purples do not devit as badly as EDP and the shiny is very easily recovered by heating up the bead. I found G198, R733 and Z851 devit the quickest. I got devit on these purple colors only after cooling and reheating and it is worse when cooled with a tool.

Above you can see a group of beads from each of the new Gaffer colors. You can see the G198 as more red undertones and the G199 is bluer. I like the blue better. Not just because it is closer to the original z99, but I like a blue purple over a red purple. In each grouping you can see a set of solid colored spacer beads on the left hand side, these are were cooled quickly (as was the chubby focal in the G198 set). After talking with Gaffer, I was told to get more color use a cool slow down, not quick with tools. The other two focals of the G198 group and the one in the G199 group were made with this slow cool down. I formed the bead, shaped it, then let it cool down, then spot reheated, let cool and reheated again, I got more colors to develop this way. I even got some peach on the tall barrel bead. The pinker spacer beads in the front of each photo were also treated this way.

FOCALS

Above is Z99 frit on Opal Yellow Effetre (OY) and shaped with gravity. You can see a lot of orange and red forming. Also seen here is the pitting I got a lot when super heating furnace glass frit. You can see this more on the bead below. Find this bead on Etsy.

G198 on Opal Yellow. Bead shows the reaction between the purple frit and Opal Yellow being medium orange.. You can see in this bead some lighter areas of color, this is devit (I could not heat it out without getting rid of the raised twist. I actually like how it looks. It adds some texture to the bead. G199 on Opal Yellow. You can see the blue showing up on this bead and a little bit of reaction between the frit and the Opal yellow. I like that the dark yellow hasn’t taken over the entire bead. I think because it was not worked as long as the G198 or Z99 bead.

R733 frit on Opal Yellow and shaped with gravity. This bead has a lot of blue left over and not as much mustard. Again, I think if it was worked longer, more dark yellow would have developed, you can see it starting on top. Check out this bead on Etsy.

ROUNDS

All of these round beads were made the same way: a twisty of Opal Yellow and the purple color on top of Copper Green Effetre. These were the first beads I made with this technique and they are the Z99. This is what is so cool with this glass, you can do the same technique and the same colors and get something different. You can see here more yellow that orange and that one bead with the fuchsia.

On the R733 beads the Opal Yellow turned very mustard, much darker than the Z99. I think they are not as pretty as the Z99 beads, but still very interesting. A couple of the beads didn’t turn mustard at all (they are hiding in the back). Check these out on Etsy.
These G198 beads were made before I heard about the slow cooling. I made these beads, shaped in the roller tool, heated to get the chill marks off and then put them in the kiln. As you can see they have a lot of mustard/orange, no blue and lots of pits.
These beads made with G198 show a lot more variation in color than the original set. With these I shaped in the roller, then reheated, cooled and reheated to get the colors to bloom. Still a lot of orange reaction color between the OY and the G198.
These beads used G199. You can see a lot more blue and light purple variations in these beads. In fact these are the areas that devitrified (but has been reheated to a shine). This is the type of reaction I like to see with these purple 96 COE glasses. Also there is not as much orange than the previous beads.
Here is a bead I made with all the colors of purple I have. I think I have the lines drawn correctly on this bead, but it was a little hard to find the difference between the G199 and R733. I think that it maybe the line below the black line, but I really can’t tell. As you can see the G198 really looks redder in this photo. Typically my Z851 is bluer than seen here too. Just goes to show you that the colors are pretty close to each other. Finally I have a side by side comparison of beads made separately. Top = Z99, 2nd from top = R733, 3rd from top = G199 and bottom =G198

Conclusion – I think G198 is the most similar to Z99, but I love having the variety of colors the play with and there is a color that will work for everyone’s like and style. Pick one you like and have fun. I think

More Collaboration with Dad.

2011-08-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Today I have a new collaborative vessel with beaded stopper from me and my dad, David Lutrick. I FINALLY got him to use a bright bead, he typically like more neutral or nature colors. He had this vessel he had dyed black and I knew it just screemed for color, so I suggested this hot pink Clio bead. I think it looks great! Dad said it did not get much attention at the fancy art fair he was at a couple weeks ago. :( I hope it does better at the gallery. It is quite lovely.

Bead Soup Beads

2011-08-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

I got my bead soup beads yesterday from Deci Worland. I really like the colors. Deep purple, green, black and copper. This great beattle focal has a top hole so it hands like a pendant. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, I need to get my thinking cap on.

Deci said: "The focal is from Andrew Thornton, I am not sure if he made it or someone else. The smaller handcrafted beads are from Jardanne, and the others are gemstone. "

Colour - Amazing

2011-08-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

I know this is a commercial, but it is really cool. I didn't realise at first whatching the behind the scenes how to, how tiny tiny the drop of paint was. Check out this video.

Canon Pixma: Bringing colour to life from Dentsu London on Vimeo.

Bead Jeweled - A Fire Diva's Treasury Give Away

2011-08-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

This month, the Fire Divas are breaking out all the stops and creating a great collection of beads to be featured in the Fire Divas first ever Etsy Team Treasury Giveaway.

Your are probably familiar with Etsy's treasuries, which are collections of items chosen by individual curators, often with a theme. The Fire Divas are doing something special. Not only are we creating a treasury featuring many of the Fire Divas showing off their interpretation of a "Bead Jeweled" theme, but we are giving them all away to FOUR very lucky winners!

Each winner will receive four awesome beads from this collection. All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on our treasury HERE and "heart" or add all the featured shops in it as a favorite.

Only one comment/person, please! Winners will be chosen at random on August 21, 2011.

The best way you can show your love and support for the Divas is to make sure that you and everyone you know stops by to view this beautiful treasury. Please also take a few moments to spread the news by posting a link to Facebook or your blog, tweet it, StumbleUpon, or any other social media you prefer to use.

WAIT! There's more!!"

Since some of our team members don't have their own Etsy shops, we're also offering a separate Blog Giveaway here to one lucky reader, who will win a wonderful prize from Patrice of Shepherd Creations, seen here.

To enter our Blog Giveaway (separate from our Etsy Treasury Giveaway!):
Please leave a comment at the Fire Divas Blog. CLICK HERE

They say that a person's greatest treasure is their friends—and you, our fans—are some of our greatest treasures too. Thank you very much for your support from all of us on the Fire Divas team.

Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

2011-08-10T19:46:00.001-07:00

I decided to participate in the Bead Soap Blog Party put on by Lori Anderson. Lori paired up over 300 artists with each other. We will each mail beads to the partner and make a peice of jewelry. That peice will be posted on our blog on 9-17-11. EEEP, this is my first year doing this and I'm nervous. My partner is Deci Worland. She is from California and makes lovely beaded cabachon jewerly. Seen here are a couple of her bracelets/cuffs. Check out her active blog and Etsy page.

At the Gathering Vicariously - Surface Exhibit

2011-08-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

I was unable to go to the Gathering this year, but a little bit of me was there, this bead! The Gathering is the annual convention of the International Society of Glass Beadmaker (ISGB) and this year was held in Louisville Kentucky. I have been twice before (Portland and Oakland) and am super super super excited that in one year (almost to the day) the Gathering will be here in the Seattle area. I can not wait! Seeing people that I haven't seen in several years, learning new techniques, selling at the Bazaar, volunteering with my local chapter, seeing great demos and hopefully taking some classes. Can you tell I'm excited??? I'm so stoked that I have my vacation request filled out at work ready to turn in the first day we can turn in for next summer (pathetic I know).

Back to this bead........

This bead was included in a juried exhibit called: Surface. The instructions for this exhibit boiled down to make something under the surface or on top of the surface of a bead. Sounded like a open call to me. I have this cased bead with a murrini on top. This is the first bead I have made specially for an exhibit. In the past I had submitted beads I already had on hand. I made this bead and this bead only and it turned out great!

My beading buddy Donna was so sweet, so took some photos of the exhibit for me. My bead is the second from the left on the right sided podium.

The venue looks really nice. Someplace I would love to look around in.

Fire Divas' Challenge - Tide Pools

2011-07-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is that time again, time for another "Fire Divas Monthly Themed Challenge." The theme of this challenge is: "Tide Pool." The entries are all based on the ocean or sealife. Look below to see these beautiful choices.

Please vote for your favorite entry on the right side of the Fire Divas blog and leave a comment there to be entered to win a $20 gift certificate from Patrice at Shepherd Creations! Please include your email address with your comment so that we are able to contact you about your prize.

***You can find the poll to the right and at the top of the FIRE DIVAS BLOG page. Comments made on this post won't count.***

Kent Cornucopia Days

2011-07-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

I did another three day show this weekend. Yes, I said I would not do another one, but signed up for this one already. I have some observances and thoughts.

First off: I don’t really understand the three-day show concept. I work at my art/craft, but I also work as a nurse. I can’t be the only person that works at an outside job and wants to do art shows, but I have to take a day off to do so. There are not a lot of shoppers around on Friday. Hoping to find some artistic locals shows that are 2 weekend days.

Things I learned and observed at Kent Cornucopia Days.
In no particular order.....

· Love having a booth partner. YAY for Lori. Someone to talk do is great.

· YAY for Lori’s husband Kraig and daughter Katie for helping take down the booth and haul my stuff to the car. They made two trips while I made one. My gratitude is huge and they deserve KUDOS

· Three days is a long show, but I was less pooped after this show than the last, thanks to having a booth mate.

· Compliments on my artwork are wonderful. Seeing someone understand that I MADE the beads and appreciating the time and patience it takes is great. We had one very boisterous lady that was fun to watch.

· Having a booth neighbor that spend the entire show hacking up phlegm only to slurp it down again was so gross and I’m a nurse. Get some nasal spray Rob!

· Kent Cornucopia Days was all commercial and resale! I heard from some co-workers today that were able to walk around that there were 2 Avon booths, 2 Scency booths, and multiple of colors. Really?!? YUCK

· Sitting outside of Starbucks is a good way to drink and eat your profit away. Why are Frappuchinos so good???

· Starbucks letting fair goers use their clean restroom is cool. Didn’t have to use the port o potty once.

· Having a patient buy your work is very special, especially when you know that patients does not make a lot of money.

· Not remembering patient names is very embarrassing, especially since they all know my name.

· “People watching“ is fun and entertaining when there are no sales.

· Dog watching is better.

· Chameleon watching is surprising.

· Marching bands are cool, I don't care if it is dorky, they are really neat!

Is Reichenbach 733 Purple Rose the new Zimmerman 99?

2011-07-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

Left bead = Z99, Right bead R733

On Olympic Color Rod’s (OCR) website I saw this new color (I don't know how new it is, but it is new to me), Reichenbach 733 (R733) in lampworking cane. I was excited by the possibility that Reichenbach was trying to recreate the beloved and in very short supply Zimmerman 99 (Z99)which is no longer being made. Despite my trying to not buy glass this year, I caved. Not only is purple my favorite color but, Z99 is so cool. On the website OCR said: “Purple Rose, similar to Zimmermann's "Purple Rose Special."

I got my Reichenbach 733 (R733) very quickly (as I live less than an hour from OCR) and it was in my hot little hands. Here you will see a group of R733 beads all together. You can see the undertones are very blue (maybe even some greens), but check out that dark purple disk on the top! YUMMERS.

At the very top you will see 2 peace sign beads in Z99 and R733, here you can see the real difference. These are solid colors so no reactions between anything. I don’t have any Z851 Lilac Blue but I think R733 maybe closer to that color, if my memory is correct.

FOCALS

First bead Z99 frit on Opal Yellow Effetre and shaped with gravity (not the best photo of a cool bead). This bead has been etched.

Second bead R733 frit on Opal Yellow Effetre and shaped with gravity.

On the Z 99 bead you can see a lot of pink. I’m not sure this is a super fair comparison as the Z99 bead was really heated a lot and worked on a lot longer than the R733 bead. On the top of the R733 bead you can see some dark pink coming out, but there is a lot more blue.

ROUNDS

All of these round beads were made the same way: a twisty of Opal Yellow and the purple color on top of Copper Green Effetre.

On these Z99 beads you see a lot of pink coming out on the beads and a tiny little bit or orange peeking through (it was there, I promise). I think I had a lot more purple in these twisties.

These were the first beads I made with this technique and they are the Z99. This is what is so cool with this glass, you can do the same technique and the same colors and get something different. These beads made the same way had more orange/mustard colors.

On the R733 beads the Opal Yellow turned very mustard, much darker than the Z99. I think they are not as pretty as the Z99 beads, but still very interesting. A couple of the beads didn’t turn mustard at all (they are hiding in the back). Check these out on Etsy.

Conclusion: While it is not the same, it is cool on it’s own, and a good first start. I hope that Reichenbach continues to tweet the formula. It has a lot of possibilities and I’m excited about what I’m seeing.

Treasury

2011-07-06T18:18:00.001-07:00

'Pieces of Summer' by 3pearls

Treasury Island Spotlight on PieceOfPisces :)

Quad Panels Polaroid Wall Ar... blueorder $95.00	Hand Embroidered Monogram Ne... merriweatherco... $32.00	Je t'aime Banner Necklac... TheAngryWeathe... $70.00	Bratislava, old town poetry vlad $112.00
Accordion Book blaquepearl $10.00	Handcrafted Lampwork Glass B... Lutrick $35.00	Vintage 40's Suitcase havenvintage $45.00	Wedding Soap Favors - 40 gue... pieceofpisces $36.00
Hand painted lace earrings HandyMaiden $10.00	Starfish - 8x10 Fine Art Pho... alibubba $25.00	Black and Red Resistor Earri... Aula46 $15.00	Vintage Little Green Milking... bellalulu $36.00
Black Tokyo LuxuryMarleyPr... $24.00	french antique advertising i... FrenchMelody $24.00	Organic French Pet Lobster S... Xenotees $24.00	Handmade Vintage Locket Neck... dreamyvintage $28.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Handmade Top 10

2011-07-01T20:02:00.001-07:00

The Divas are in a sort of Handmade Marathon. We are competing in Handmadeology's Handmade Top 10 Etsy Team Challenge. The prize for the team with the most points in the judging categories will win $450.00 worth of marketing advertising! We love a good race and competition and showing all of our fans what the Divas are made of!

Starting June 22nd, we will be adding our creative works of glass art to our official "Fire Divas Team" Handmade Top 10 List HERE. So we would love for you—our friends, family, and fans—to serve as the Divas Cheerleaders! Your mission: vote, vote, vote! Also to please click on the little Facebook logo on the left side after you vote to "like" our special team section. And if you're a Tweeter, then by all means, tweet us! And in appreciation for your time and support, there will be special prizes awarded at the end of the two weeks to FIVE (5) of our lucky fans!!!! You can be entered in a random drawing for one of these prizes by:

1) Leaving one comment entry after this post for each day that you've voted for our team listings (only ONE comment PER day for voting, no matter how many times you've voted during that day),

and get even MORE chances by doing any of these social functions:

2) Hitting the Facebook logo after you vote to "like" our team list,
3) Hitting the Twitter button on the same page after you vote to post a Tweet, (and you can also tweet as many times as you want from this same button link on this page during the 2 weeks—that's how they add to our score!).
4) Putting the Fire Divas Team List link (http://bit.ly/m8Dm5j) on your blog, Facebook, fan page, Twitter, or website to help spread the word.

For doing any of these things, you need to enter them as separate comments (and thus, increase your chances of winning!). But please only post ONE comment PER function, even if, for example, you've posted to your Facebook page several times during the competition.

You can vote as often as you like over the next 2 weeks—and remember, this is a team competition and not an individual one—so please try and vote for all the listings in our section to help give us the highest voting scores. *Ü* And the more you vote and help spread the word through social media sites, the more chances you'll get to win some super prizes from the Fire Divas! (We'll be posting photos of the prizes later on our Fan Page throughout the competition.) Simply click on the orange title bar below or in the upper right corner of the sidbar to start voting.

This is the time to get out your Pom-Poms and show the Divas how much love you have for our awesome team of glass girls!!!!

GO TEAM DIVAS!!!!!!

Fire Diavs Treasury

2011-06-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

One of my jobs for the Fire Diva's is to create Etsy treasuries. It is not really a "job" at all. I get to look at lovely bead photos and pick up some favorites and put them together in a treasury. Such fun! I saw these two jellyfish beads by BethKnappTyner and abbielyn I knew my theme: Under the Sea. I can not seem to fix this treasury tool to not have the space between the title and the first picture. Anyone have any idea? Let me know.

'Fire Divas - Glass Beads Under the Sea' by Lutrick

Check out these lovely sea-themed glass beads by the Fire Divas Team.

Glass Lampwork Jellyfis... BethKnappTyner $33.00	Blue on Turquoise - Sil... spawnofflame $13.00	Sea Shell MOSS Lampwork... giapet $18.00	Made to order, Glass la... KittyLampwork $15.50
Baby Ammonite Charm FenG $25.99	Beachcomber - Sands of ... Julsbeads $30.00	Jellyfish Handmade Lamp... abbielyn $45.00	Lampwork Boro Focal Bea... uvanomos $10.00
Green Finned Fish Lampw... RiversEdgeGlas... $20.00	Fathoms Tesoro Collecti... SunDoorBeads $19.99	On Sale - Grande Focal rightturnartwe... $19.95	Clio Handmade Lampwork ... Lutrick $25.00
Aqua Blue Stripe Hollow... AshlynDesign $39.00	Ginkgo Silvered Ivory O... HollysFollyGla... $12.99	lampwork beads turquois... susanlambert $22.00	True Heart 2 Lampwork F... UglyDucklingBe... $18.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

What I did this weekend - Maple Valley Farmer's Market

2011-06-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

Things I learned at this Farmer's Market this weekend.

In no particular order.....

- I did like a short day better than three day long show.
- It was great to have my booth partner, Lori Bergmann, back. YAY, someone to talk to.
- Rain sucks.
- Lori has the nicest husband, thanks for all the help setting up and taking down Kraig.
- Mist sucks.
- Farmer's Market food smell just as good as fair food and it is a little cheeper.
- Heavy mist sucks.
- Warm fair food goes cold very quickly.
- Setting up in the heavy mist/rain sucks.
- Tearing down in the heavy mist/rain really sucks.
- Being wet all day and looking like you just got out of the shower in your cloths sucks.
- Wet hair takes all day to dry.
- Really excited to hear a customer ask about Beads of Courage. Very cool! We told her about the concert in Seattle coming up.

- CUSTOMERS WILLING TO COME OUT IN THE DOWNPOUR ARE THE BEST. YAY!

What I did this weekend - Maple Valley Days

2011-06-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Things I learned at my three day local show: Maple Valley Days.

In no particular order.....

Dad's are the best! Thanks for helping me set up and take down dad.

Three days is a long show. I was so pooped after each day and didn't feel back to normal until mid day Monday. Why does sitting at a show all weekend make your tired (I'm guessing that it is being "on" all weekend.

The four hour farmer's market is looking really good right now (see above).

Compliments on my artwork is like food for my soul.

Having great booth neighbors makes the days so much better. Thanks to Mama Rizzos and Chelane's Jams for being great neighbors.

I missed having my booth mate Lori, it is great to have someone to talk to (and watch your stuff when you have to pee or eat).

Maple Valley Days has lots of commercial booths and I like arts/crafts festivals better.

Teenagers like to hang out a Maple Valley Days. Of course I was between the food and the carnival rides, so the teens were there too.

Teen girls REALLY like tight jeans. Just a tip, if I can see your buttocks crease through your jeans, they are too tight.

Preteen boys think melting glass is really cool and give the nicest complements "handmade is so cool, everything is being made in China these days." YAY, future cosumer of my beads.

I should have made my long banner white (see above). DUH, I have a black table cloth.

I like my new banners.

Sitting on a slight slope is annyoing and hurts one's ankles.

Sitting near the restrooms is not a bad thing.

Skateboards look really different than when I was in highschool (makes me feel old).

Fair food smells so good, but costs so much.

The Fire Divas "Fairy Tales" Monthly Themed Lampwork Challenge

2011-06-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

It is time again for another Fire Diva's monthly challenge. The theme this month is "Fairy Tales."
You can see a couple dragons, a forest mushroom, a kissing frog, a glass slipper and a pumpkin coach. Such a creative group of beadmakers!

Because we so greatly value our loyal fans and customers, we would love for YOU to choose your favorite piece by voting in our special poll. After you're done voting, make sure to leave a comment and you'll be entered to win a great prize from one of the Fire Divas!

*** The poll closes on Monday, June 20th, and the winning bead and blog comment post will be announced that following Tuesday. The blog comment needs to be on the blog site, not here to qualify for the prize.***

CLICK HERE TO GO AND VOTE ON OUR BLOG

You can click on any of these photos to see a larger, detailed view of these beautiful pieces.

Fire Divas' Beads of Courage Auction

2011-05-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

My lampworking promotion group, The Fire Divas, have collected a group of great handmade lampwork beads to auction off to honor of the Beads Of Courage program. All of the proceeds from this eBay auction HERE will go directly to Beads Of Courage and make it possible for the brave boys and girls battling cancer throughout the United States to enjoy the amazing outreach and cancer support that this wonderful program provides. Not only will you be helping to put a smile on their faces, but you will receive 19 handmade Collector beads that you will cherish for a lifetime!!!

The beads shown were donated by 13 different Fire Diva artisans, who also created a similar set that will be sent directly to Beads of Courage for the children to choose from and enjoy. This is your unique opportunity to pitch in and lend a helping hand to this amazing organization too!

The beads you will be getting include:

* Lovely free-form organics
* A pair of Disney inspired "Magical Mouse" ears
* A sporty roadster car
* A Space Ship with a monkey (THIS IS MY BEAD! Very similar bead was just launched into space on the last space shuttle mission)
* Fun and festive graphic designs
* A sweet chocolate cupcake (calorie free, of course)
* Happy "critter" face beads
* And the cutest pair of tiny green inchworms!

In addition to this special auction event, we would like to offer another opportunity to our customers and fans: for everyone who places a bid (whether you win or not), or donates directly during the auction week to Beads of Courage via their website, please leave a comment on our blog post. You will be entered to win some great prizes from more of the Fire Diva members, chosen by a random drawing.

Please help us spread the word about our first Annual Beads of Courage Auction and don't forget that the bidding will end on Wednesday, June 1st at 6 pm PST. Thank you so much for your support! *Ü*

Lampworking Retreat

2011-05-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

Racks of Glass at Frantz

This weekend was the annual NW region ISGB retreat at Frantz Art Glass. It was a lot of fun. We had mini workshops and demos, and of course shopping! I did really well controlling my budget and only spent about $100 on glass. The mini workshops were on viking knit (I did double for the first time) and pearl knotting (we used our lampwork beads of course).

I used some random silver glass bead for my bracelet and they look really good together. I did have problems with the end of thread knots, they stuck way outside of the beads. Not sure what I did wrong, but I'm thinking I need to tighten the knots more, no one else had this problem.

Here is Felicia Wartnik in her blinged up kevlar gloves showing how to apply enamel with the enamel sifter. I'm telling you I need to have one of these!

Jed of Double Helix Glassworks showed which flames and how to work the flame to get the best reducting and striking in his glass. Check out how far out his glass is! He explained if you use the outer flame the slower the glass is to strike/reduce, this giving you time to do it correctly and not over strike/reduce.

This Judith Billing showing us how to use shards. In the first photo on the left I have drawn around the shard to see it.

This is Kathy Johnson making a Westie dog. Super cute, picked up some good sculpture tips from this master glass sculpture.

Art Fire Collection

2011-05-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

Check out this lovely new ArtFire Collection my bead has been included in.

Sea Turtle

Curated By: BorealDesigns

ArtFire.com

New Beads and Bead to Orbit

2011-05-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

I seems like the Shuttle Launch is a go for tomorrow morning. I sure hope so, my little bead is ready to go. Check out the last launch at 8:56am EST. Wish it was a little later for those of us on the west coast. YAY for TIVO. Check out my blog post for more about my bead in space.

RETRO

I also listed some new beads today. The first set is a turquoise and orche set. Very Retro and the second set as some fun summery colors. Click on the photos for links to the Etsy.

SUMMER PICNIC

Customer Appreciation

2011-04-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

As a lampwork glass bead maker I make supplies for other people's artwork. It is a little odd as I don't get to see how a particular bead will be used very often and I love to see how my beads are used. Sometimes an artist will send a photo to me and sometimes I stumble across the jewelry myself (usually during a self Goggle - that sounds a little hinky doesn't it). The bracelet above was found that way. I came across Debi Auger's website and blog where she had this bracelet listed as her January fundraiser for The National Cervical Cancer Coalition . I was very honored. As an RN I'm familiar with cervical cancer and work with women daily in ways to prevent cervical cancer. Check out Debi's site where the bracelet is showcased and her ArtFire site where it is for sale. Come to find out, Debi is a big fan of handmade lampwork beads and has been spreading the word on Facebook and her website about the beauty of handcrafted beads. Thanks so much Debi.

The photo above is from Michelle Plumb whom is also a big supporter of handmade glass beads. She has titled this piece "All Hail Queen Alice!" She has taken beads from multiple artisits and put them together wonderfully. My beads are the heart in the center and the gold bead just below. Great job Michelle.

Fire Divas Sale

2011-03-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

My fellow Fire Divas and I are having a sale as a way to say THANK YOU to our customers from 3-25-11 to 4-2-11. Check out all the links below and sale information on participating Divas, see sales ranging from 15-20% off normal prices and other special offers. I am offering 20% off all my lampwork creations. Check out my ArtFire and Etsy sites and use coupon code: DIVATHANKS.

Lutrick ~ Icarus Beads ~ Fire and Sand ~ Ema K Designs

Ashlyn Design ~ 15% off Lori's ArtFire shop and a gift with every purchase. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS. **Please note that Lori's shop will be on "vacation mode" on April 2nd, so she will have to end her personal sale on Friday, April 1st. All other team members will have their items on sale through April 2nd.

Holly's Folly Glass ~ 15% off her Etsy shop and 20% off her website. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

SusanLambert ~ Specially marked spacer bead sets for $10 including shipping in her Etsy shop.

Lutrick ~ 20% off Lara's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Icarus Beads ~ 20% off Judith's Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Ema K Designs ~ 20% off her Etsy and ArtFire shops.

Spawn of Flame ~ 15% off Rosemarie's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code DIVATHANKSSPRING11

Fire and Sand ~ 20% off Karen's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Sun Door Beads ~ 20% off Michelle's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Susan Lambert ~ Ugly Duckling Beads ~ Ashlyn Design ~ Spawn of Flame

Ugly Duckling Beads ~ 20% off Kathleen's Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Rivers Edge Glass ~ 15% off Barb's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Uvanomos ~ Holly's Folly Glass ~ Rivers Edge Glass ~ Sun Door Beads

Babs Beads and Design ~ 15% off Susanne's ArtFire shop.

Shepherd Creations ~ 20% off Patrice's ArtFire shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Uvanomos ~ 15% off Lluvia's Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Amy Hall ~ Free shipping in her Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Silver River Glass ~ 10% off Sonja's Artfire shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKYOU

We're so happy to have served our customers in the past and will continue to provide you with the best in handmade artisan lampwork beads. We look forward to your continuing support, please keep in touch with us via your "comments" and your "likes" on this page, and don't forget to share us with all your friends!

Jewelry

2011-03-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

Thought I would just share a couple photos of some jewelry. I've been making a lot for an upcoming show, see flyer below, at my local gallery, Up Front in Issaquah WA. The theme is spring Garden and those are my ring, most of a flower like design. The date of the show is 4-16-11 from noon to 8pm.

I also made some jewelry for possible exhibition that my local bead chapter is hoping to put on at this facility, I'm looking forward to see if I get in.

Fire Diva's Monthy Challenge - Monochrome

2011-03-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Online Surveys & Market Research

The Fire Divas are having another contest. The theme this month was monochrome. I decided on my color choice because I had 4 shades of that color (2 opaque and 2 transparent). I wish I had branched out on design a little more.

Please vote for your favorite, and starting this month, we are introducing a special prize for one lucky voter/commenter! Make sure to enter a comment at the bottom of the post ON THE FIRE DIVA'S PAGE, COMMENTS HERE WILL NOT BE ENTERED (one per person, please), and when the voting is over, we will announce both the Diva winner AND the voter winner! This month's lucky voter will receive a coupon for 20% off anything from Lori Bergmann's ArtFire shop (Ashlyn Design). You will be a lucky customer indeed. I have seen Lori's work and own a couple of her beads, she does amazing work.

Beads in Space!

2011-03-04T19:50:00.000-08:00

A view of all the beads going into space on the shuttle. my chimp bead is in the top left hand corner.

EXCITING NEWS!!!!

2011-03-03T18:59:00.000-08:00

The bottom chimp is going to space, yay! Now I'm wondering why I didn't send the top chimp, I think it was the ears.

Group shot of all my rockets.

I got some exciting news this week. I have a bead going into space with the next Space Shuttle launch. Yes, it is the last scheduled launch. It is now or never to get something in space, right? How did this come about? (Read this article about last year's launch and how NASA teamed up with BOC to bring encouaragment to children being treated in hospitals around the globe for serious illnesses).

Check out this video of BOC on CBS Sunday Morning.

Fire Diva Fantasy Shopping

2011-02-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

I’d filled in for Kathleen for Fire Divas' Fantasy shopping Saturday today. We have so many beads in our shops both on ArtFire and Etsy, not to mention personal websites; I was not quite sure where to start. I decided to just click on the shops starting at the top of the blog and in Amy’s shop (ahouston) I came across the beautiful blue earrings below. Today was a beautiful day here in Seattle with a crisp blue sky and come to find out, a lot of the Fire Divas like blue too.
We mostly make beads, but many of us make jewelry too. Check out these ready to wear items in shades of blue, turquoise and green.

Check out links to all of the Fire Divas' shops at our Blog: Fire Divas

Ahouston

Stunning blue and aqua beads make up these beautiful earrings. I love that the beads and similar, but don’t match exactly. The raised dots MAKE these beads.

Ashlyn Design

Lori’s lovely heart pendant is so cute. I have seen this in person and it is just perfect in shape, dot placement and wire wrapping.

emakaye
Ema’s bracelet is made with a bold turquoise lampwork bead and delicate Viking knit silver wire; a great combo!

BabsBeadsandDesgin

Susanne of made this beautiful bead which she has strung into a pendnat. The colors are soft and watery. I would like to see this bead in person, very cool.

Fire-n-Sand
Karen made this cool pendant from an acorn from her yard. While it is not lampwork glass, it is just as pretty. She electroformed it with copper and then added a stunning turquoise blue patina.

icarusbeads
Judith’s bead is stunning! I keep looking at it and trying to figure out which silver glass she used to make this bead. Judith is an expert at making silvered glass shine. This pendant is paired with a great silk ribbon.

Lutrick
My fine silver ring made with a square disk bead and white spacer bead.

shepherdcreations
Patrice is one of our members that uses boro glass to stunning effect. Check out t his flying dragonfly pendant.

UglyDucklingBeads
Kathleen’s bracelet just makes my smile, it is fun, bright and funky. I would wear this in a minute.

Susanlambert
Susan makes ring blanks (the silver part) that you can buy and add your own beads. I’m tempted to buy one of these for sure.

Fire Divas Quarterly Jewely Challenge

2011-02-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

I'm a member of a group of other lampworkers and we work to promote each other and ourselves, we are the Fire Divas. We had a jewelry challenge where people whom have used our beads enter their jewelry to win some prizes. Those lovely entries are ready to be voted on. None of these are my beads, but these Special Bead entries we've received are very beautiful. Voting is going to be extra difficult!

Voting: Please vote once on the right side of the Fire Divas blog. Voting poll will be up for one week. Winners will be announced shortly after the polls are closed on the Fire Divas Glass Bead Blog.

Our first entry is a beautiful necklace featuring a bead by Ashlyn Design and some stunning wire work:

Entry #1

Designer Info: Scott Bjorge. Gallery
Designer's Description: As we enter the heart of winter it is nice to think of our beautiful Spring gardens to escape the cold and snow. This lovely focal bead by Ashlyn Design inspires that feeling with it's blend of an array of lovely colors. Designed with a sterling silver 's' hook accented with two more beads from Ashlyn Design brought around to the front to become part of the design.

Our second entry is also an "eye catching" necklace featuring an eye bead by Holly's Folly and natural and metallic beads.

Entry #2

Designer Info: Michelle Plumb Gallery Contact: maplumb1 {at} wowway (dot) com
Designer's Description: Eye of Horus necklace, with focal by Holly Dare of Holly’s Folly and eye murrini from Janel Dudley Beads. I’m fascinated by ancient Egyptian history, so this bead called me immediately. The necklace was made with Holly’s Eye of Horus focal, graduated lapis lazuli rondelles, turquoise rounds and gold-plated rounds. Fit for a Pharaoh!

Entry #3 is rich with silver and glass baubles from Janel Dudley Beads

Entry #3

Designer Info: Mary Elam / Stella's Blossoms
Designer's Description: Boro Blues is inspired by the beautiful blue fire within each of these lovely beads by Janel Dudley. The brilliant shades of blue and aqua truly radiate goodness from within. Each Boro bead is accented with Bali Sterling silver beadcaps. I've included my favorite Bail sterling silver focal bead in a unique oval shape to compliment the design. Swarovski crystals add extra sparkle. A thai silver toggle closure is included.

Our fourth entry is a double spiral of Swarovski crystals with a hollow heart by Holly's Folly.

Entry #4

Designer Info: Gretchen Coats Etsy Blog Gallery
Designer's Description: This 24" necklace is made up of close to 600 3mm swarovski crystals in a double spiral. The Focal bead is made by Holly of Holly's Folly Glass, and the crystals and seed beads match the blue and pink of the focal bead perfectly! Heart is actually hollow, and upon closer inspection you can see

the smaller beads run through the center of it!

Our fifth and final entry mixes pearls, crystals, pressed glass and seed beads with a floral focal from Holly's Folly .

Entry #5

Designer Info: Helen Aresik / Helen's Atelje
Designer's Description: Romance in pink. This design is based and inspired on the beautiful and wonderful, handmade lampwork bead made by Holly's Folly. When I look at the Focal bead I think of a beautiful garden with pink flowers. I’ve chosen beads and other findings to match the pink and green tones in the focal bead. I made some beaded beads myself with pink beads with a green bead inside, inspired of the deep green color inside the focal bead. I also used chain and findings in sterling silver, some swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls and other glass beads and leaves. The necklace is 80 cm long excl. the pendant, which is 10,5 cm. The focal bead is almost 4 cm long. The bracelet is 21 cm long and the earrings are 3 cm long without the earhook.

Cool Video

2011-02-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

Check out this cool video that explains why silver makes yellow and gold make ruby glass. Very interesting and easy to follow. It is chapter 5/6 from the show, but this is just the glass chapter. It also talks about how different sizes and shapes of silver particle make different colors of the rainbow. Now I understand the rainbow silver glasses that much more. COOL

ART - Glass Beads and Wood in Collaboration

2011-01-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share some more non-jewelry applications for beads. I'm showing more collaborative work with my dad, David Lutrick, who is a woodturner. My dad is using my beads to accent his turned vessels.

I have given dad a lot of beads to use over the years as toppers for boxes (see below). These are usually beads that I was not 100% happy with (usually the colors didn't turn out like I wanted, or the end isn't perfect). Once he gets done with them, you can't tell. These little boxes are iron-wood (the dark) with cherry (maybe it is Madrone, I'm not sure).

Dad decided after 2 bags full, to use some of these beads to make Art, with a capital "A." The photo above is an in progress picture. He made this large flat Maple flat vessel (it is 21.75 inches in diameter x 4.5 inches tall). The beads are strung on stainless steal wire (ok mandrel rods, uncut) and bow up and out away from the wood. We are not sure how the public will respond to this Art, but it is always fun to work with my dad.

We didn't count the beads, but estimated there are 110 beads by me. See the tape measure for size comparison.

Fire Diavs Jewelry Challenge - That Special Bead

2011-01-22T19:19:00.000-08:00

The Fire Divas are having another jewelry challenge (this happens 4 times a year, so if you don't have something for this quarter, maybe you will have something for next time). The theme this time is "That Special Bead." You can interpret this anyway you like and I hope someone whom has bought my bead in the past has an item that they would like to enter to show up their jewerly creations. For some inspiration, head over to our Flickr page. You can win some fantastic prizes; see them below!

Winged heart bead like this one by Lori from http://www.ashlyndesign.etsy.com/

$20 Gift Certificate to janeldudleybeads.etsy.com

$40 Gift Certificate to hollysfolly.com

$15 Gift Certificate to teasebeads.com or teasebeads.artfire.com

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.arensea.etsy.com/ or http://www.arensea.artfire.com/

The bead below from ME from www.lutrick.etsy.com and http://www.lutrick.artfire.com/

A fish like this one by Laurie from http://www.blogger.com/www.glassbead.etsy.com

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.blogger.com/www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads

This set of beads from RiversEdgeGlass

Now the boring stuff:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than February 10, 2011. No Flickr account? No problem. You can also email your submissions to firedivas @ gmail . com (no spaces). Please include, in the comments section or in your email, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

January Fire Diva's Challenge

2011-01-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Valentine's beads are so much fun for me to make. Check out all the beautiful Love Challenge beads that me and my fellow Divas came up with. We are having a True Love Challenge this month. After you fall in love with your favorite, don't forget to vote on the right side of the Fire Diva's blog!

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Check out my Etsy site for lots of Valentine's hearts.

New Year's Resolutions - Spend Less on Glass

2011-01-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

Funny chart by David Houpt and is exactly my problem.

Do you have New Year's Resolutions for your craft/hobby/artwork? I have had goals/New Year’s Resolutions for the last two years. I did well 2 years ago with making brighter beads. I made lots of fun and bright beads and I have continued to try to do this.

Last years my goals were to: 1 - More intricate detail in designs for beads. (I sort of did more of this, but not in the direction I was thinking I wanted go go (but that is a good thing, right?)) 2 - Sculptural type beads. (I didn’t do this (frankly I forgot about it)). 3 - Increase in number of local galleries. (hmmm… I didn’t do this either (see #2)).

My silver glass drawer. I don't want to think about the money sitting there.

This year I have a simpler goal, spend less on glass. My original goal was going to be to spend no money on glass, but that is a little unrealistic. As many lampworkers will tell you, there are certain colors you cannot live without. For me I would like to say I can’t live without Clio or Gaia or Striking color, but in fact, I think I can (eek). At the bare minimum I need to use up the glass I have before I buy more. Plain and simple! I don’t NEED to buy glass just because it is on sale and a good deal. I WANT to buy glass what it is on sale.

The colors that are going to be on my exception list (but only to be bought when I’m out) are: clear, black, white and ivory (but Vetrofond Light Ivory every comes back, all bets are off!).

The draw with my least favorite colors (yellow, orange and red). That bundle in the middle, that is my 2nd pound of Coral Sunrise/Sunset (can't remember the name). I have another pound in my top drawer.

I spent an obscene amount on glass last year. I just added it up and it was over $1000. Sheesh, that is just crazy! A substantial amount of that was on Lori and Kim murrini, not the majority, but I was surprised when I looked at my month to month and saw how much it was. They make the prettiest murrini and I love the little pretty bits of glass. I actually use up their murrini fairly fast, but I have several baggies that have not been all used up. So, sorry to say to them, I will need to control the urge until ALL the murrini are used up before buying more. This will be difficult and I have already called on my friend and fellow lampworking Lori Bergmann to help me out and talk me down if I get out of control.

This summer is going to be difficult. I have two glass events. The first is the Glass Art Society conference in Seattle in June, I don’t know if they have vendors, but if they do I may have contorol issues. The second one is the Frantz Art Glass Bash. This is a big get together and sale at their shop in Shelton Washington. We’ll see how I’m doing year to date and if I’m doing great, I will splurge there for sure, gotta get those Double Helix odd lots when I can, right? Oh that sounds so bad, not in keeping up with the goals already.

As you can see, part of the problem are my glass boxes. I do not torch at my own home, but in my parent's garage. I would love a large cabinet with individual places for each color, but I wanted something that was a little smaller so that it didn't take up their entire garage and would be more kitty proof. However, what is hard to see in these photos (but maybe not) is that I have glass 3-4 layers deep. So, when I do go shopping, I think I need and color, but get home and find the colors. Yes I need a spread sheet, but I know myself, I won't keep it up well.

What are your New Year's Resolutions

My 96 COE boxes. Yes they are on the floor. I don't recommend this as spiders like the boxes.

Late Christmas Fun

2011-01-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

Colin in the park

My sister and her son were here this weekend for an after Christmas visit. My parents and I had a Christmas celebration on that day, but we had most fun when Erin and Colin came to visit. Erin lives in California so we don't see her all that often and now that she has a son, it is harder for her to travel, so we were happy she came. Colin is the cutest boy ever! He is not a big talker, but is good at Mama and Dog.

Mommy demostrating horse. Giddiup

He was so much fun to be around, it is a big let down now that they are gone. I wish that they lived closer. Colin liked his Christmas gift from me which was a hand crocheted Hobby Horse. He could not hold it upright, but could pick it up and carry it around upside down, which I was impressed with. I made the eyes out of lampwork buttons, they are OK, but I'm proud of them none the less.

Nice Horsey

LOTS of Beads

2010-12-27T18:37:00.000-08:00

I had the week of Christmas off. Did I travel to visit friends or family, nope but am waiting for nephew and sister to come next week - YAY. What I did do is make LOTS of beads. This pile doesn't look that tall, but it was. Look for new focals and set coming soon. Also on the sales front, I closed my website. I was not getting the sales there to keep paying out so much each month/year. New beads are exclusive to Etsy and ArtFire.

After Christmas Sale

2010-12-26T16:14:00.000-08:00

Check out my ArtFire and Etsy site for all Christmas beads marked down 20%. Beads will be on sale until 1-1-11. Get great beads for next year's projects. Check out the "On Sale" sections on ArtFire or Etsy.

Hello Robin Redbreast

2010-12-11T21:05:00.000-08:00

This robin stopped by my cherry tree the other day during a wind storm. I haven't posted any animals from my tree lately, so I thought I would share. This guy sat there for quite a while and it gave me time to grab the camera.

Sale on Glass Beads - Black Friday Cyber Monday Deals

2010-11-23T16:48:00.000-08:00

I'm gearing up for the weekend sale early this week. I'm starting early as I have the time today and tomorrow to start editing my listings on ArtFire and Etsy. ArtFire as such a great interface, those are all done and ready to go.

Christmas Scrolls

On Etsy use coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY2010" for the 10% off. Of course, if you forget, I'll refund the 10%

This week (till next Monday), everything in my ArtFire and Etsy shop is 10% off and free shipping.

Christmas Wreath

ArtFire is already marked down and prices reflect the 10% off. I'm working on my Etsy shop current, will edit this when done.

Check out all my glass beads for perfect stocking stuffers or holiday gifts.

My ArtFire and Etsy Team, The Fire Divas, have any members also offereing deals. Check out our blog for more information. While there, make sure you vote in the November Holiday Challange.

New Beads, Great Show, Exciting News

2010-11-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

I have been making new beads and have some great new ones to show. The one with the Peace Sign is made with the super awesome glass: Fire Lotus from TAG. It changes all these rainbow colors and can strike further red/pink/purple in the kiln. The second bead is Clio over Opal Yellow and transparent Topaz with goldstone stringer and cased in clear. Gotta love that Double Helix glass, it is my favorite.
Great day today for two reasons.

First, super big deal and so exciting. The ISGB Perspectives exhibition, which I have the bead above in, is currently showing at the Kobe Lampwork Glass Museum in Kobe, Japan (my second bead to be in the museum). They are going to feature the exhibit in the January 2011 issue of their magazine, LAMMAGA (I have no idea what that stands for, if anyone knows, let me know). Each of the exhibition pieces will be shown in a quarter page photograph, I can't wait to see my bead in print. I'm so honored.

Second: I had a great show at work. Show at work you ask? My work puts on an holiday crafts show so that it's employees can sell arts, crafts, commercial items (not exactly in the theme of craft show, but I'm not the organizer). I had an awesome show, my best ever. Many thanks to my co-workers for buying my jewelry and beads (and a couple patients too). I'm just so thankful.

YAY, good day for me.

October Sales and Donations

2010-11-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

As I posted on a previous blog update, I was planning on donating 20% of my sales on ArtFire in the Month of October to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I was hoping this would boast some sales on ArtFire (more sales for me, more money for the NBCF). Well, I had more sales. I had three. Kinda sad, but the previous month I had none. My total in sales was $55 which meant $11 for the donation. That sounded pathetic and sad, so I matched the donation for a grand total of $22. Still kinda sad, but every penny counts, right? Look for an upcoming post to see what all the fire divas raised together.

Here's my proof for all those that must know.

Self bragging!

2010-10-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

Just a little bragging on myself. I'm super proud of these two beads, they are so pretty! My local bead group had a challenge for our meeting today and the theme was goldstone. I used hand pulled goldstone ribbon on Clio. Base of beads has Opal Yellow in the center and Colbalt on the ends and all is cased in clear. Click on the photo to get to the Etsy listing. Or here for my site.

Fire Divas Breast Cancer Sales

2010-10-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in my post last night about my donations from my ArtFire site to breast cancer awareness. As you can see below my fellow Fire Divas are also donating. Buy lots of beads this month. :-)

Keep your eyes open Monday-Friday as our Glass Bead of the Day will be featuring lots of pink beads - our way of reminding you to think pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Viking Knit w/ Pink Batik Bead by EmaKaye

The Fire Divas listed below have chosen to donate portions of our bead and jewelry sales to help out.. Each shop has discounts noted since some of us may have taken a step further and are donating a percentage from ALL sales.

With your help, we can raise awareness and funds through lampwork beads!

*Note.. previous Bead of the Day discounts will not apply unless otherwise noted in shop announcements or listings.

Pink Playthings / HollysFollyGlass

HollysFollyGlass - 20% to Susan G Komen for the Cure http://hollysfolly.com/ and http://www.artfire.com/users/HollysFollyGlass

UglyDucklingBeads - 25% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.etsy.com/shop/UglyDucklingBeads

Teasebeads - 15% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.teasebeads.com/ and http://www.artfire.com/users/teasebeads

JanelDudleyBeads - All proceeds of pink beads to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

AshlynDesign - 20% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure for any pink bead sales http://www.artfire.com/users/AshlynDesign

LAJewelryDesigns - 20% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/LAJewelryDesigns

ahouston - 25% will be donated to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure for any pink bead sales and goddess beads (everything in the "PINK" section of my shop) http://www.etsy.com/shop/ahouston

spawnofflame - Everything in PINK section of Artfire shop. 25% to Living Beyond Breast Cancer http://spawnofflame.artfire.com/

IcarusBeads - From Artfire Shop - 20 % to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/IcarusBeads

EmaKaye - Any pink beads in the Etsy shop - 20 % to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://emakaye.etsy.com/

Lutrick 20% of all ArtFire sales to National Breast Cancer Foundation http://www.artfire.com/users/Lutrick

SilverRiverGlassWorks - 20% off pink beads to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/SilverRiverGlassWorks

Pink Leopard by Ashlyn Design

Breast Cancer Sales

2010-10-06T18:47:00.001-07:00

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month I will be donating 20% of all sales in my ArtFire store in October to the
National Breast Cancer Foundation

Inspirations - Inside Insides

2010-09-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

I was on the NPR website and came across an article about a blog called Inside Insides. This side has animated MRI images of food from Andy Ellison. From the NPR article he said that he uses the fruit to tune the machine and perform quality tests. Check out the website for more scans, but I'm seeing fun inspirations for beads (especially murrini).

Check out this cool scrolling patterns of the watermelon.

Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge

2010-09-18T21:07:00.001-07:00

The lampworking group I belong to, Fire Diavs, is hosting another Jewelry Challenge! This time the challenge is for Holiday inspiration. We don't specify a specific holiday, but there are several holidays coming up, You can see holiday-inspired Fire Diva creations in our Flickr. By entering this challenge, you have the chance to win:

http://www.twoglassyladies.ca/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

http://www.arensea.etsy.com/

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.etsy.com/
or http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com/

http://www.hollysfolly.com/

http://www.lutrick.artfire.com/

Owl bead from http://www.maybeads.etsy.com/

http://www.emakaye.etsy.com/

http://www.beadygirlbeads.etsy.com/

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than October 15, 2010. No Flickr account? No problem. You can also email your submissions to firedivas @ gmail . com (no spaces). Please include, in the comments section or in your email, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Last Summer Saturdy at the Market

2010-09-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

I'm back to the Famer's Market tomorrow with my booth mate and friend Lori Bergmann. This is our last of the summer Saturday's this season at the Maple Valley Farmer's Market. Come check us out at Rock Creek Elementary in Maple Valley Washington from 8am to 1 pm.

Fire Divas' Quarterly Jewerly Challenge

2010-09-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hellow fellow beaders and lovers of beads. The Fire Divas are hosting their next Jewelry Challenge! For this challenge, the theme is "The Holiday Season." There are many upcoming holidays in the next few months and any of them can be your inspiration for this challenge. There are a bunch of prizes (I'm offing a $20 gift certificate in my ArtFire shop).

Check out mine and other fire divas inspiration jewerly at our Flickr site. Also, see in prizes below.

http://www.twoglassyladies.ca/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

http://www.arensea.etsy.com/

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.etsy.com/

http://www.hollysfolly.com/

http://www.lutrick.artfire.com/

Owl bead from http://www.maybeads.etsy.com/

http://www.emakaye.etsy.com/

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than October 15, 2010. Please include, in the comments section, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Awesome Inspiration

2010-07-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

My sister sent a CD with a bunch of pictures of my nephew, while looking through these I found a lot of lovely high Sierra Mountain meadows, photos of flowers and one AEWSOME bettle. Look at this lovely guy. It looks like a great inspiration for beads, very dichro looking. I'm not sure if my sister or her boyfriend photographed this bettle, so I can't give credit, but thanks guys.

I have done some Google searches and I think this is a Jewel Beetle called: Cypriacis splendens (Buprestidae). If you know if it is different let me know.

Car Cozy

2010-07-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

Now I'm a little crafty, but check out this car with a crochet cozy. I can't quite imagine how to come up with the pattern. Pretty cool.

Found at starttheday's flickr site. Said it was seen in Rome.

Fire Diva's Jewelry Challange

2010-07-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

Check out this batch of jewelry for the current Fire Divas Challenge. These are items made with Fire Divas' beads. None from my customers unfortunatly, but look at these beautiful items. Voting ends in one week (July 23). You can vote at the Fire Divas Blog.

Entry 1

Information about the beads: by Amy Hall
Description of the piece: Silver wire, chain, lampworked beads
Inspiration for the piece: The square tiles by Amy inspired something different, and the demi-necklace was born!

Entry 2

Necklace designed with Lampwork beads by Sonja of SilverRiverGlassWork and Copper. On a bright sunny summer day the sun hovers over the water, sending rays up through the clouds with rippled reflections in the rushing water below.

Entry 3

I commissioned Maybeads to create a set of turtle beads for me to make into a bracelet.
I think this turtle must be from Tahiti, just look at her lovely lavender shell topped with a pink flower that has a lavender heart at it's center! I call her Tita, which in Tahitian means "The Fruit of the Sun".

Entry 4

This necklace was inspired by the fabulous focal bead made by Tera of Beadygirl Beads. I made some beaded beads (peace signs, and cellini spirals) in some of the same colors, and strung it all with swarovski crystals and sterling silver findings.

To vote: The poll is on the right side of the Fire Divas Blog

Christmas in July

2010-07-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

I'm celebrating Christmas in July on Art Fire and Etsy with FREE SHIPPING. Check on my beads on Art Fire or Etsy.

Free shipping until July 31st.

Maple Valley Farmer's Market

2010-07-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

This summer I am doing 7 weekends at my local Farmer's Market. Three of the Saturday's are this month and then 2 for the next two months. My friend Lori Bergmann, and I are sharing a table again this year. I have been busily making jewelry (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings) as well as functional items (cell phone charms, key chains and ceiling fan pulls). I've got around 170 items ready to go. Whew, it was a lot of hard work. We had our first weekend last weekend, here is hoping this weekend is better than last. We are expecting warm dry weather, woo hoo.

Check us out at Rock Creek Elementary from 9-1 on Saturday.

Fire Divas Jewelry Challange

2010-07-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to enter your jewelry item (made with Fire Diva's beads) into the quarterly challenge. There are a lot of cool prizes to win. The deadline for the Fire Divas Summer Jewelry Challenge is right around the corner on July 15th! Below are some inspiration pieces made by some Fire Divas (they are ineligible to win). Check out these fabulous prizes. on the Fire Divas' blog

This piece is made by me!

This piece is by my friend Lori of Ashlyn Design. It's called "Ode to Chihuly."

I've had my eye on this Choker for a while, it is by Janel Dudley Beads?

This piece is by Sonja of Silver River Glasswork.

This spring time piece is by Lea of LA Jewelry Designs .

A necklace by Susanne of Bab's Beads.

Rules and Contest Info are HERE.

Featured - Fire Diva of the Month

2010-07-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

Check out the Fire Diva Blog, I'm Diva of the month. They will have features about me on the 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd. Very cool.

Check out my beads and my interview questions HERE

Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge

2010-06-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

The next jewelry challenge hosted by the Fire Divas in going on now and the prizes have been announced! All the details can be found here. Now you can see what incredible prizes are up for grabs!!

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com/ or http://www.lajewlerydesigns.etsy.com/

http://hollysfolly.com/ or http://www.artfire.com/users/hollysfollyglass

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

http://arensea.etsy.com/ or http://arensea.artfire.com/

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com/ or http://www.teasebeads.etsy.com/

http://ahouston.etsy.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

Good luck to all who enter!!

More Little Critters

2010-06-21T21:35:00.001-07:00

In early June I visited my mom and dad's extended family in Texas. My sister brought her adorable 7 month old Colin to see everyone. Colin was such a good baby and a trooper with all the changes in his routine: airline flights, car rides and tons of new strangers. He has huge brown eyes and they find that camera while getting pictures of him. He is a little ham.

He started eating solids better while we were in Texas, here he is with his favorite, a Texas Peach. He attacked that peach like it was the last food in the world.

The last photo of him is in Lubbock, Texas at Prairie Dog Town with his mom, my sister Erin. This is a place set aside for Prairie Dogs to be protected. They are free to move in and out of the area and in fact, in the photo below with the green grass, they had tunneled under the fence to the other side. They are pretty cute.

When I got home, I got another photo of a Chickedee. I think this is the best one yet, but still a little blurry.

June Bead Challenge- SUMMER

2010-06-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

It is June and time for the Fire Divas' monthly bead challenge. This month we are showing beads with a summer theme. Go to our blog to vote: VOTE HERE . Below is a sneek peak of the beads. Check out the super cute watermelon beads by me.

#10

Color Testing

2010-06-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hi there. I don't do a lot of color testing, but bought some new glass and wanted to see how it worked. Frantz was out of Vetrofond light ivory when I was there last week. This is my favorite ivory and was so disappointed. I bought a new Odd lot: Vetrofond Cream.

The color of off white is fairly close to V. light ivory (not as yellow), so I was hoping it would react similarly with dark lines and little curdling. On each of these beads the Cream is the top color and V. light ivory on the bottom. The top bead has CIM Freeman and the bottom bead Gaia. You can see that on the top bead the reaction on the cream is faint and brown and on the ivory dark grey/black. On the bottom bead you can see that the reaction is more spread out (I was surprised with this reaction), but still has the dark line around the stringer.

I think I need to play more with this color to find out what cool reactions I can get.

FUN WEEKEND - Bead Retreat

2010-06-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

Kerri Fuhr demostrating her raven bead.

Two weekends ago the ISGB NW chapter held their third annual retreat at Frantz Art Glass. We had demos on bead making, making your own bronze press plate (very cool), tool examples. I even gave my first demo to a large group.

A HUGE THANKS to Leslie Thiel for organizing the retreat and for Frantz for allowing us to use their facility.

Scott demonstrating blowing a vessel with his EMS. Very cool idea.

Some glass in the warehouse at Frantz (old photo).

Customer Appreciation

2010-05-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

I love my customers. They keep me going and like my beads! I rarely get photos of my beads used as jewelry, but I get excited when I get a picture. I recently got the photo above from Evie Gauthier. I really like the way she combined the different lampwork beads into one harmonious necklace (my bead is the heart). Click here to see her necklace listed on Etsy: Deep River Necklace. Check out her website and her stunning jewelry: www.moonrabbitoriginals.com

Thebeadedlily mentioned my shop as one of her favorite's in her write up at analliteration blog.
I am so flattered, thanks Sarah. Picture of my bead in thebeadedlily's necklace:

Any other customers that want to send photos are always welcome.

Fire Divas' May Challenge

2010-05-16T15:16:00.001-07:00

The Fire Divas' May monthly challenge is May Flowers. Take a look at all the great floral beads below. Click HERE to go to the Fire Diva's blog and vote (on the right hand side of the blog). As you can see, I forgot to take my name off my bead, so if you like my bead, vote for it.

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Entry 6

Entry 7

Entry 8

Entry 9

Entry 10

Entry 11

Entry 12

Entry 13

Thanks for voting!!!

The Cherry Tree Again

2010-05-02T19:23:00.001-07:00

This snap shot is really bad, this little gal was really fast and landed maybe twice where I could see her. Of course she hid behind leaves most of the time. This tree is really drawing in the birds lately.

I had not seen this bird before, but she is a Yellow-rumped Warbler. Apparently the most common type of warbler in the US. To see more (and better) photos check out this great website that helps you idendify birds. http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/154/_/Yellow-rumped_Warbler.aspx

The Cherry Tree

2010-04-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

I really like my Cherry tree outside the window of my apartment. I posted some bee pictures when the flowers were in full bloom. Now that the bees are gone I'm getting birds (hummingbird and others), wasps and squirrels. Can't get the hummingbird pictures, but this little bird was cute. I think it is a chickadee, but I'm not sure.

FIRE DIVAS APRIL SHOWERS BEAD CHALLANGE

2010-04-13T18:25:00.000-07:00

My Etsy Promo group, Fire Divas is having a monthly bead challange. This is for other people to vote on our beads. This month's challange is "April Showers." Take a look at the beads below and vote for your favorite on our blog: CLICK HERE

The entries and voting on on the right side of the screen. There is a bead set that needs votes.... :-)

Entry 1:

Entry 2:

Entry 3:

Entry 4:

Entry 5:

Entry 6:

Entry 7:

Entry 8:

Entry 9:

Thanks for voting, and thanks to all the Divas who entered the April Showers Monthly Bead Challenge!

Botanical Gardens

2010-04-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend my sister and her son were up visiting. We went to the Botanical Gardens in Bellevue Washington. It has a great collections of ferns, trees, flowers, a Japanese Garden and a native garden. This purple flower was my favorite one there, it is a Pasque Flower.

This cool leaf bud looked so cool. I have made it black and white just for fun. It is a very pretty sage green color. The texture is amazing. I suspect this is a Magnolia, but I'm not sure.

These daffodils were really pretty. I have done a sepia treatment on the photos and it turned out really neat. I like the little bit of yellow showing through the sepia treatment. I'm thinking of printed this one for my house.

My nephew learning about Rhododendrons. Colin really loved being at the gardens and was so intrigued by everything.

This just about to blossum cherry tree had some great pink colors.

This snowdrop plan has just beautiful little blossoms. I like the green tip ends of the petals.

WELCOME SPRING

2010-03-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

At my apartment the planners planted a lot of ornamental cherry and other blooming trees. It is very pretty and makes living in an apartment better. There is a tree outside my bedroom window and it is blooming really early this year and the bees have arrived. I have some typical yellow and black bees, some that are mostly black, and the huge fuzzy bumble bees. These keep smacking against the window. The photo above is the best shot of the bumble bees that I could get. It is proving difficult to get a decent photo of one of these bees. This bee was hiding his head, but look at the yellow bee with all that pollen.

This photo is the best I took from my desk inside. Not sure if he is coming or going, but it tickled me.

Fire and Rain - Bead and Jewelry Exhibition

2010-03-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

My local chapter of ISGB is having ane show at Seattle Glassblowing Studio/Hot Glass Color. I sent several items for the sale.

Check it out.

Fire and Rain Bead and Jewelry Exhibition April 2010

Location:
Seattle Glassblowing Studio / Hot Glass Color
2227 5th Avenue Seattle, WA

Dates of exhibition: April 1-30 2010
Opening night reception: Thursday April 1st 5-8pm

I can't make it opening night, but recommend you go check out the exhibit and meet the artist. I have family coming into town that night, so can't go. Bummer.

Fire Diva's Jewelry Challenge

2010-03-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

It's time for the Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge! The theme for this challenge is Spring! Show us your beautiful Spring themed jewelry creations featuring Fire Divas' lampwork.
Head over to the Flickr site to see many beautiful jewelry pieces made with Fire Divas' lampwork to inspire you! You have the chance to win these incredible prizes from the Fire Divas:

$50 Gift Certificate to http://www.hollysfolly.com/

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.artfire.com/users/lajewelrydesigns or
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LAJewelryDesigns

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com/ or
http://www.teasebeads.etsy.com/

Bentley the Blue dog from Lauren of Maybeads

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.arensea.artfire.com/

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.beadygirlbeads.etsy.com/

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.artfire.com/users/lutrick

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.babsbeadsanddesign.artfire.com/

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.janeldudleybeads.etsy.com/

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than April 15, 2010. Please include, in the comments section, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Ok, go have fun creating, and good luck to all who enter!

Fire Divas Bead Challeng

2010-03-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Fire Divas Easter/Passover Challenge! We've allowed plenty of time to shop for those Easter and Passover beads. Below are the entries; take a good look at all that eye candy and then vote for your favorite on the right side of the Fire Divas Blog!

Entry 1:

Entry 2:

Entry 3:

Entry 4:

Entry 5:

Entry 6:

Entry 7:

Entry 8:

Entry 9:

Tutorial for Butterflies for Beads of Courage.

2010-03-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

Flock of butterflies ready to be sent to Bead of Courage.

Have you heard of Beads of Courage? I think a lot of people that see this blog, will have heard of them, but I finally got some butterfly beads that I like, so I took some photos and am blogging about Beads of Courage.

Beads of Courage is an incentive program for children undergoing medical treatment such as cancer and cardiac treatments. The beads "support and strengthen the protective resources in children coping with serious illness. Through the program children tell their story using colorful beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved along their unique treatment path." (http://www.beadsofcourage.org/pages/beadsofcourage.htm)

Check out their website for more information on their program, to see videos of children and their beads, to see how to donate your beads and for a events and fundraising.

Why butterflies? Butterflies are given to the parents after a child dies. It is very hard for beadmakers to make these beads. It is difficult to think about why you need to make them and very touching to make a final bead.

Below are the steps I use to make these beads. I was never happy with my butterflies until I tried using my Gaffer and Val Cox veiled cane. Nikki Carollo posted some butterfly beads on LampworkEtc and a light bulb went off in my head. I have lots of veiled cane. I tweaked her design a little and came up with this way of making these beads. Feel free to use my tutorial for beads of your own to send to Beads of Couarge.

Wrap mandrel with first color of glass to form a tube shape. Make sure the ends are dimpled nicely as it will not be possible to return to the ends to make them smooth easily. Use the same color of glass to make four tall dots to form the beginnings of the wings. Take your second color of glass and wrap around the raised dots. You can see here the bottom side is done and the topside I started in the middle of t he dots. I like doing this so I can use the molten glass to get into all the edges. If needed add some glass to make the two wings the same size. Use your third color and stripe it down the sides of the wings to build up more height on the wings. Heat in the center of the wing on side. Use a razor tool, stump shaper or simlar tool to crease between the wings. Repeat on the other side. Heat one wing and use parallel mashers or tweezer to flatten the wings. Here all wings are mashed. Heat each wing and use tweezers to make ridges in the wings. You may need to heat and tweeze a couple times on each wing, if you are not fast enough. I like to start in the center of the wing and move to the left, then go back and finish on the right. Finished butterfly.

Give Away at Gaffergirls Blog

2010-02-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

Wow, three of my favorite things all together in once spot (free stuff, Melanie Melaine Moertel and Gaffer Glass).

The GafferGirls are having a give away on their blog. Win this cute Melaine Moertel bead by posting a comment on their blog. The blog is http://www.gaffergirls.com. Direct link here.

If you let them know who sent you (ie me, Lara Lutrick), I can be given more chances to win. If you let your friends know who sent them, you can get more chances to win.

See their blog for more information.

Remember comments go on their blog to win the bead.

Fire Divas Sale

2010-02-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

The Fire Divas are having a sale to celebrate our new team status on Etsy. Individual team members will be offering a variety of discounts or free shipping from their shops. Search "Fire Divas Sale" to find items on sale in participating shops from February 11- 17. After the sale, we hope you will continue to search "Fire Divas Team" for quality lampwork beads, jewelry and accessories.

Let's go shopping!

1. LA Jewelry Designs - 20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire
2. Lutrick - 20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire
3. Hollys Folly Glass - 20% all items in my Etsy shop
4. Tease Beads - 15% off all lampwork in my Etsy and artfire shops (artfire shop discount will be given as a refund)
5. Janel Dudley Beads - 15% off all items on Etsy, additional 10% off to returning customers
6. Something New 4 U - 20% off all items in my Etsy shop
7. Rivers Edge Glass - 15% off beads in my Etsy and ArtFire shops
8. Vedas Beads - 15% off in my Etsy shop (excluding squares)
9. MayBeads - Free Shipping on everything in my Etsy shop
10. Giapet - 20% off loose beads in my Etsy shop (jewelry,supplies not incl.)
11. Glasstastic Treasures - 15% off all items in my Etsy shop
12. Ema Kaye - 15% off all items in my Etsy shop
13. Dorset Hill Beads - Free shipping on everything in my Etsy shop

Lampwork Beads by Lara

Fire Diva's Challenge - Romance

Funny Photo

Bead Soup Party Blog

New Reds from CIM

CYBER MONDAY - Last Day of the Sale

Fire Diva's Challenge

YAY, my beads on Art Bead Scene

On Sale

Etsy Sale - 10% off

NWBS Show Day one

Toadstool and Ladybug

Bead Soup Party Blog Show and Tell Day

Fire Diva's Challenge

Are Gaffer 198 and 199 new Zimmerman 99? (Also a comparison between the Gaffer colors and the recent new Reichenbach color R733 and Z99).

More Collaboration with Dad.

Bead Soup Beads

Colour - Amazing

Bead Jeweled - A Fire Diva's Treasury Give Away

Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

At the Gathering Vicariously - Surface Exhibit

Fire Divas' Challenge - Tide Pools

Kent Cornucopia Days

Is Reichenbach 733 Purple Rose the new Zimmerman 99?

Treasury

'Pieces of Summer' by 3pearls

Treasury Island Spotlight on PieceOfPisces :)

Handmade Top 10

Fire Diavs Treasury

'Fire Divas - Glass Beads Under the Sea' by Lutrick

Check out these lovely sea-themed glass beads by the Fire Divas Team.

What I did this weekend - Maple Valley Farmer's Market

What I did this weekend - Maple Valley Days

The Fire Divas "Fairy Tales" Monthly Themed Lampwork Challenge

Fire Divas' Beads of Courage Auction

Lampworking Retreat

Art Fire Collection

New Beads and Bead to Orbit

Customer Appreciation

Fire Divas Sale

Holly's Folly Glass ~ 15% off her Etsy shop and 20% off her website. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

SusanLambert ~ Specially marked spacer bead sets for $10 including shipping in her Etsy shop.

Lutrick ~ 20% off Lara's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Icarus Beads ~ 20% off Judith's Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Ema K Designs ~ 20% off her Etsy and ArtFire shops.

Spawn of Flame ~ 15% off Rosemarie's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code DIVATHANKSSPRING11

Fire and Sand ~ 20% off Karen's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Sun Door Beads ~ 20% off Michelle's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Susan Lambert ~ Ugly Duckling Beads ~ Ashlyn Design ~ Spawn of Flame

Ugly Duckling Beads ~ 20% off Kathleen's Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Rivers Edge Glass ~ 15% off Barb's Etsy and ArtFire shops. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Babs Beads and Design ~ 15% off Susanne's ArtFire shop.Shepherd Creations ~ 20% off Patrice's ArtFire shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Uvanomos ~ 15% off Lluvia's Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Amy Hall ~ Free shipping in her Etsy shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS

Silver River Glass ~ 10% off Sonja's Artfire shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKYOU

Jewelry

Fire Diva's Monthy Challenge - Monochrome

Beads in Space!

EXCITING NEWS!!!!

Fire Diva Fantasy Shopping

Fire Divas Quarterly Jewely Challenge

Cool Video

ART - Glass Beads and Wood in Collaboration

Fire Diavs Jewelry Challenge - That Special Bead

January Fire Diva's Challenge

New Year's Resolutions - Spend Less on Glass

Late Christmas Fun

LOTS of Beads

After Christmas Sale

Hello Robin Redbreast

Sale on Glass Beads - Black Friday Cyber Monday Deals

New Beads, Great Show, Exciting News

October Sales and Donations

Self bragging!

Fire Divas Breast Cancer Sales

Breast Cancer Sales

Inspirations - Inside Insides

Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge

Last Summer Saturdy at the Market

Fire Divas' Quarterly Jewerly Challenge

Babs Beads and Design ~ 15% off Susanne's ArtFire shop.

Shepherd Creations ~ 20% off Patrice's ArtFire shop. Coupon Code: DIVATHANKS