Bead Drop: 2-12-24 (BHB’s!)

This bead drop features all big-hole beads that fit the thicker, euro-style bracelets & necklaces. 🙂

These beads are particularly challenging to make as I’m squeezing in as many tiny elements as I possibly can into a very small space.

But all the nerve-wracking moments are definitely well worth it as the final result is just gorgeous, (if I do say so myself 😉 … Sometimes I even knock my own socks off! LOL! 😀

One thing to note, if you’ve purchased BHB’s from me in the past, is that I’ve made a move to line the hole of these beads with sterling silver inserts which are glued in… versus the solid ss tubing I used to use.

During my ‘bead hiatus’ it seems that the proper sized sterling silver tubing is no longer readily available as it once was. All the suppliers I, (and other bead-makers), used to purchase the tubing from no longer carry this particular size.

I have learned that occasionally a group of beadmakers will get together and go in on a bulk buy so that one of the suppliers will agree to source and sell the tubing. I missed the last bulk buy at the beginning of 2023…and am waiting for notice of the next one.

In the meantime, I am using the best quality, solid sterling silver inserts I can find along with a jeweler’s grade adhesive that is extremely durable and stands up to normal wear and tear. My own BHB’s have held up great over the years with the glued inserts, (as I always saved the tubing for beads I sold, not my personal collection.)

The sterling silver inserts still give my beads have that beautiful & professional finish – as opposed to leaving the bead hole unlined, without any inserts. Even though the glass would hold up just fine on a bracelet or necklace without being lined, I simply prefer the look of the holes when finished with sterling silver.

You can currently find all the beads below on Etsy.

Bead Drop: 2-2-24!

I’m back with NEW beads!

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to set aside time to melt glass and I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally exercise my creative muscles again.

I was a bit worried I might have lost my touch and would need some warming up to get back into practice – but I think by now I’ve been doing this for SO long that my hands just know exactly what to do. It was just like riding a bike! 😀

This has been the perfect time of year to jump back in front of my torch since my work schedule hasn’t been crazy-busy, and the weather has been so nice and cool.

I am just having so much fun again leaning into my artistic side and am very excited to share my newest creations with you – (available on Etsy).

🎥 NEW Video: “Pulling Glass Murrini Cane – Step-by-Step Lampworking Tutorial (BONUS: Making a Twistie at the End!)”

Pulling Cane for Murrini - Step-by-Step Tutorial

Click to view video on YouTube

Pulling Glass Murrini Cane – Step-by-Step Lampworking Tutorial (BONUS: Making a Twistie at the End!)

In this lampworking tutorial video, I walk you through how to successfully pull murrini cane from the point where you evenly heat the gather all the way through the end where you create the cane! (PLUS… how to make a twistie with the waste glass, at the end!)

Follow CCGlassArt on Instagram

Well, I might be a little ‘late to the party’, but better late than never, right? Lol! 😀

handmade lampwork glass art murrini beadsYou can now find CCGlassArt on the ‘IG’ and I would absolutely love it if you would join me there.

Little by little I’m uploading lots of my bead photos, and will upload some videos there too…if I can figure out how to do that. 🙂

Now that the weather has cooled down I am gearing up to get back to the torch. I have so many new ideas for designs, I can’t wait! I need to make a few adjustments to my current torch set-up first, but once that’s done I’ll be good-to-go.

As always, I will keep you updated with any news and soon, some new beads to show.

Thank you for your continued support (and patience) while I found my inspiration to make beautiful beads again.

Christina
CCGlassArt

Click here to follow me on Instagram!

 

 

Introducing New Lampwork European Charm Bracelet Bead Designs

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!

handmade lampwork beads, european charm beads, charm bracelet beads, handmade glass beads, trollbeads style, elfbeads style, pandor beads style, chamilia beads style