Introducing New Lampwork European Charm Bracelet Bead Designs

On February 23, 2015April 17, 2015 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

I have been obsessed with making encased murrini beads, (and pretty much ONLY encased murrini beads), for the past 2-3 years. And while I still love making them, it is nice to allow my creativity to flow in other directions once in a while. 😀

I also have been thinking it would be nice to offer simpler, less intricate (and less expensive), beads that can compliment my encased murrini charm beads. While I love wearing an entire charm bracelet full of my Reef series beads – I think most people like to use them as accent pieces on a bracelet of many different designs in coordinating colors.

Many of these new charm bracelet beads I’ll be introducing are actually glass designs I have been using for many years in other types of jewelry beads. It will be a fun challenge to re-interpret them on a much smaller scale in my European-style charm bracelet beads. 🙂

These beads are available now on Etsy!

Rainy Day Beads

On December 2, 2014April 17, 2015 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

We have rain! And I am most definitely not complaining… Not only are we are in a serious drought here in California, so the rain is very much needed, but I have been waiting sooo long for the weather to finally cool off. So while it’s dark, gloomy, and wet outside – it’s definitely a good thing!

Here’s some new beads to brighten up your week 🙂 Available now on Etsy.

At last…NEW Lampwork Big Hole Beads!

On October 6, 2014February 4, 2015 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

The past couple months has been brutal, weather-wise. We’ve had one of the hottest summers I can remember. And, sadly, we’re not done yet! We will enjoy a little relief at the end of this week, where the temps will only be in the high 80’s, then it’s back up to almost 100+ again for another undetermined period of time. 😦

Thankfully we had a short break in the heat last week which allowed me a chance to hop on the torch for a while. It had been so long since I had last made beads that I really enjoyed myself. Can’t wait to get back beading more regularly! Hopefully by November the last of the heat waves will have passed…

Available now on Etsy – Enjoy! 😀

Handmade Murrini & Underwater Aquarium Glass Beads

On March 19, 2014April 16, 2014 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Even though making these beads takes a long time, a lot of work and concentration, (and can even be downright stressful at times!), they have become my all time favorite beads to make….thus far. 😉

No two of these beads are exactly the same so each of them is a one-of-a-kind, very special piece.

I build them murrini by murrini, rarely choosing the chips in advance. I like to be spontaneous and pick the murrini chips as I go along building the bead. Here’s a picture of the pile of murrini I have to choose from as I make a bead:

I also regularly make new murrini to add to my stash of chips to choose from. Here are some recent designs I made (these are currently available on Etsy):

Below are more encased murrini beads that were made in the past couple weeks. Many of them are still available on Etsy.

Late Summer Rounded Bicone Lampwork Focals

On August 29, 2013 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Long time, no beads!

It has been one long, hot summer here in L.A. – and unfortunately, for us, it’s not over yet. In fact, we’ll get many more 100+ degree days until October or so.

Because of the heat, and because I just needed a break, I have been on a beadmaking hiatus. But, I have been inspired to get back to the torch lately so I was very lucky to catch a tolerably warm morning and make some new beads!

Here is the start of a new series of beads in a lovely new shape, a rounded bicone.