Encased Floral & Murrini Glass Charm Beads

It’s that time of year again…when temperatures soar above 90 into the 100’s in my area. I know with that comes less time at the torch as the heat coming off all my equipment – on top of the temperature outside – makes torching pretty unbearable.

In the meantime I am trying to catch those cooler days that will be fewer and further between as we get closer to summer…

I’m still on a floral kick – it’s hard not to be when all the flowers are in bloom and looking so pretty around me! 😀

These beads are available now on Etsy:

handmade lampwork glass charm beads, european charm beads, charm bracelet beads, encased murrini beads, handmade italian glass beads, murano beads

Ocean Themed Lampwork Beads

"Low Tide" round bead collection

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.

"Low Tide" bead focal

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.

Color Changing Alexandrite Glass

Sweet Dreams bead collection

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.

Sweet Dreams focal bead

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.

Long Time, No Blog Post :-\

Keeping up with this blog is obviously not my strong-suit. I can give many excuses as to why I am so neglectful of it – such as how busy I am, how life just gets in the way, etc. Truth is, I often simply don’t know what to write about. At least, nothing that I think anyone would be too interested in reading.

But I will try to be better this year and come up with some new topics to post now and then. To start, I have ‘produced’ a new Flash gallery of beads I’ve made to date. Here it is…if you have a few minutes, check it out 😉 Enjoy the show!

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

I Must Need A Vacation

Hello! I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

In my house it’s been a bit chaotic as we’re getting ready for the new school year. We even have one starting college this year!

It’s times like these when I’m so grateful for the time I get at the torch when I can clear my mind and just focus on melting glass.

I have four bead sets up for auction on eBay this week. I didn’t realize till later that I named each of these sets after different vacation spots. Maybe I’m subconsciously trying to tell myself something – lol!

ARCTIC DAWN
I have been wanting to use Opal Yellow and soft dove grey together for quite some time. The combination of these two shades is so soothing yet still vibrant since they contrast so well with each other.

HILO
Years ago my family visited the big island of Hawaii (Kona) and took a road trip to the opposite side of the island, Hilo, to tour the Botanical Gardens there. This place is well known for it’s unbelievably gorgeous flowers and foliage. That trip was the inspiration for this collection.

CABO SAN LUCAS
Though I’ve never been there, almost everyone I know has and the images I have in my head of Cabo were brought to mind once I saw this collection of beads all strung together. Even the silver spacers have a very latin feel to me.

NANTUCKET
The soft shades of light blue and pale avocado in this set just reminded me of a beach landscape. Especially with the way the striped Raku cane took on the appearance of seagrass blowing in the breeze.

Have a wonderful weekend –

Until next time,

Christie / CCGlassArt