New Encased Glitter and Murrini Beads

It didn’t last long, but there was a short break in the sweltering heat of summer a couple weeks ago, and I was able to sneak in a torching session to make some new beads!

It had been almost 2 months since I last got to melt glass, and it was so nice to be back at it! But it was short lived… We are now up over 100 again, so I’ll keep hoping for another opportunity to make more beads. Keep your fingers crossed for me! 😀

Until then, here are the new beads. Some are still available on Etsy.

italian glass charm beads, murano glass beads

encased silver glitter charm bead, big hole bead
handmade murrini encased bead, brass bead caps

handmade glass big hole beads, european charm beads

More Swirled Core Marble Beads With Murrini

I made a few more of these in pretty colors of peridot green, and fuchsia pink (which comes from Rubino Oro glass). I also made one that is swirled with different silver glasses for a more opaque look but with multiple colors running throughout the design. I even embedded some sparkling cubic zirconia stones to catch the light! 😀

All beads currently on Etsy:

Pretty In Pink - marble focal bead
Pretty In Pink – marble focal bead
Spring Breeze - marble focal bead
Spring Breeze – marble focal bead
Whirlpool - marble focal bead
Whirlpool – marble focal bead

New Swirled Core Marble Beads With Murrini

Learning new techniques then mastering them is what keeps me having fun with glass! 😀

I’ve been involved with many crafts and hobbies over the years, from soapmaking to acrylic painting, and while I’ve enjoyed them all there was a point where I felt I learned all there was to know about it.

For me, I love the challenge of learning new skills then practicing over and over till I get great results. Working with glass, I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface of learning all there is to know in this medium. There is so much to it and so many different places you can go with it.

I recently learned a new technique which combines swirls of transparent and opaque glass with hair fine stringer and multiple layers of crystal clear glass which greatly adds to the inner illusion of the twisted core.

Of course, I couldn’t help myself by adding some murrini to the surface of the beads 😉

All beads are now available on Etsy:

Afternoon Breeze – large round focal bead
Arctic Sea - large round focal bead
Arctic Sea – large round focal bead

I also made a couple encased murrini beads which include some of my new flower shaped murrini (to be listed on Etsy soon):

Sunny Meadow - round focal bead
Sunny Meadow – round focal bead
Avonlea - round focal bead
Avonlea – round focal bead

New Underwater Aquarium Style Encased Murrini Focal Beads

One man’s ‘rut’ is another man’s ‘obsession’ – I can’t tell which it is for me, but I am loving making these encased murrini beads!

When I started making these beads a few years ago they were just a way to test my murrini to see how they’d look under a clear encasement. Now they have developed into little colorful kaleidoscopes of varying shapes and designs which I just can’t get enough of.

Opening the kiln the next day after making these beads is truly like Christmas morning because only then do I see all the true colors and reactions from the glass come to life. It is quite addicting 😉

Here are this week’s encased murrini beads:

Coral Sand Reef - focal bead
Coral Sand Reef – focal bead
Deep Sea Reef - focal bead
Deep Sea Reef – focal bead
Encinitas Reef - focal bead
Encinitas Reef – focal bead
Pink Sand Reef - focal bead
Pink Sand Reef – focal bead
Waikaloa Reef - focal bead
Waikaloa Reef – focal bead
Waimea Bay Reef - focal bead
Waimea Bay Reef – focal bead