Monet’s Lilies

On April 27, 2011June 13, 2011 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

It’s been a long time since I used powdered glass enamels in my beads. Although messy to work with, I love the wispy look they give. Combined with a special technique where they are layered with frit and encased in clear they develop what I like to call a ‘watercolor effect’.

In these beads I used this technique with enamels and glass frit in shades of teal, soft green, blue and lavender. Being a fan of Monet’s paintings I couldn’t help but name these beads after his unique impressionistic style.

MonetsLiliesFocaFront_600 — Monet's Lilies focal bead

MonetsLiliesSet1_650 — Monet's Lilies round bead set

Ocean Themed Lampwork Beads

On April 22, 2011June 2, 2011 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Maybe it’s because I live in Southern California, or just an innate love of the ocean having grown up in and around it, but I am so often inspired to create ocean themed beads.

The color pallet of the ocean is so vast, you can use a wide range of hues to depict this theme. The ocean’s varying moods can be represented by everything from aqua and turquoise like the colors of the Caribbean Sea, to rich purples and amber which are reflected off the surface of the water at sunset.

The ocean can give creative minds so much artist expression to choose from. And I’m definitely no exception.

This week I have this collection of beads called Low Tide as the colors and design reminded me of all

the little pools of water and sea creatures you can find left behind among the rocks and sand once the tide goes out.

These beads are available now on eBay.

“Sweet Pea” Murrini Chips

On April 21, 2011May 13, 2011 By ccglassartIn What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Brand new and available on Etsy now.

This murrini features pretty Spring colors of pale pink with an apple green core. Transparent lavender stripes are alternated with darker fern green stripes which had a tendency to blur and soften in the flame giving them a wispy, watercolor effect.

Color Changing Alexandrite Glass

On April 20, 2011May 9, 2011 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

This very special glass gets its name from the gemstone that has the same unique characteristic. Both have a tendency to change color right before your eyes depending on the lighting conditions.

This Italian imported glass can shift from a light lavender to a pale violet when taken from natural/incandescent light to florescent light.

As a bonus, Alexandrite glass will also fume beautifully when it comes in contact with silver glass.This creates a rich, deep honey color on the surface.

This set and focal both begin with a base of magical Alexandrite glass.

Murrini Chips – “Vortex”

On April 13, 2011April 27, 2011 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

I have been a busy bee making lots of murrini lately. I really enjoy making the canes – I think it’s the excitement of layering color after color, anticipating the ‘big pull’, and then the final ‘ahhh’ moment when I snip the long cane for the first time to see my miniaturized design inside.

Here is a new murrini design in neutral sheer black and ivory with striking silver glass stripes. Both variations are made from the same formula but offered in a starburst pattern, or twisted swirl (available now on Etsy).