Spring is here! The flowers are blooming…and so is a batch of NEW BEADS! :D

On April 9, 2019February 11, 2021 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Hello! I hope this message finds you enjoying the first weeks of Spring and all the new flowers blooming! 😀

This has truly been one of the most glorious spring-times I can remember in all my years here in Sunny SoCal.

We had SO much rain this winter that the hills and mountains all around us are completely covered with thick carpets of green grass and beautifully colored wildflowers everywhere!

My family and I recently went out to visit a Poppy Reserve. They were experiencing a ‘Super Bloom’ this year and it was absolutely SPECTACULAR! The hills were exploding with bright orange flowers as far as the eye could see. Here is a photo I took of one particularly densely packed hillside…

california poppy reserve

All this color around me has inspired a new batch of beads, many with a floral theme. I finished most of them with silver, brass, or copper bead caps as well. I think the caps finish the beads so nicely making them perfect to wear all on their own, if you choose.

Here is the latest batch of beads available now on Etsy:

Thank you for looking!

Until next time,
Christina
http://www.ccglassart.etsy.com

Video: Making a Reactive Silver Glass Raised Dot Bead

On November 2, 2018November 1, 2018 By ccglassartIn Tips & Tricks, VideosLeave a comment

In this video I demonstrate how I create an encased silver glass bead with tiny raised dots on the surface.

With the right type of flame, the silver in the silver glass is brought to the surface of the bead causing it to develop a slightly metallic sheen. Once I see that sheen I quickly and carefully capture that luster beneath a layer of crystal clear glass.

After encasing, and shaping and smoothing the bead, I apply three rows of alternating dots with a silver glass stringer pulled thin.

It takes a steady hand to get the dots just right! 😀

Once applied, the raised glass dots are spun through the heat of the flame just enough to allow them to melt about half way down. If they were not melted in far enough the dots would be at risk of being popped off when worn. But melting them too far down can cause them to lose their dimension and disappear into the bead altogether. It’s a tricky balance between too much and too little heat.

I hope you enjoy watching me work at the torch! 🙂

Christina
CCGlassArt

Shimmering, Sparkling, Glittering, Handmade Artisan Glass Beads

On April 1, 2016March 31, 2016 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

I suppose with all the rain, cloudy skies, and gloomy weather we’ve been having off and on lately, (not that I’m complaining because we desperately need the rain), I guess I needed a little brightness in my life.

But not just a little glow or shine, I’m talking out-of-control shimmer and sparkle like you would not believe!

Ok, I admit it – I LOVE all things sparkly. So when the idea popped into my head to combine the sparkliest elements I had to work with (glitter and dichroic glass), it was only a matter of time before I made it happen.

The result is my new Mirrorball series! And while these look nice in photos, wait till you get them in direct sunlight – WOW! Sunglasses are recommended…haha 😀

I also have some of my encased murrini beads available this week, and even snuck a little more dichroic glass into them as well. What can I say, I was on a roll! 😉

All beads are available now on Etsy:

a collage of lampwork handmade artisan glass beads

NEW Encased Glass Murrini Beads on Etsy!

On March 1, 2016February 29, 2016 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening Now2 Comments

Looooong time, no beads! Yep – I know it’s been a while since I last posted some new beads. Maybe even 5 or 6 months – yikes! 😮

This happened for a few different reasons… First, it was blazing hot at the end of last summer. And our hot weather lasts well into October. I fully admit to being a hot-weather-wimp. Torching next to a 1600° flame, a 850° rod warmer, and a 960° kiln when it’s over 100° outside is downright miserable for me.

Then, we rearranged my glass studio area, and it took several months to get the new area all set up with a much improved, and more powerful ventilation system. Then came the holidays…and well, it just took a long time to get things back up to speed – what can I say? :-\

The downside is that I missed a few months of really good torching weather when it was nice and cool – and now the temperatures have already climbed back up into the high 80’s, low 90’s.

But, the good news is – that I am bursting at the seams with ideas and designs for new murrini, and new beads after being away for so long!

Sitting back down at the torch to make this new batch of beads was great fun. It’s good to know I haven’t lost my ‘mojo’, and I have renewed energy to make even more pretties! 😀

These beads are now available on Etsy:

artisan glass art charm beads by Christina Catherine of ccglassart

New Encased Glitter and Murrini Beads

On August 12, 2015October 22, 2018 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

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.