Tag: handmade lampwork beads

New Lampwork Bead Designs

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

After a little hiatus I am back with some new designs! I think most artists get a form of ‘writer’s block’ now and again, and I’m no different. Occasionally the ideas stop coming so the choice becomes whether to revisit previous designs or to just take a break and allow time for something new to take root.

For me, it was worth taking time off because a few new ideas came to mind which gives me a fresh perspective and a renewed motivation to get back to the torch.

This week’s beads include a couple of my new ideas…with more to come soon! 😀

Meteor Rocks - lampwork bead set
Meteor Rocks – lampwork bead set
Oceania - lampwork bead focal
Oceania – lampwork bead focal
Mystic Heart - lampwork bead focal
Mystic Heart – lampwork bead focal

Earthy Organic Beads

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These beads take me back to my lampworking roots when I made organic style beads all the time. Organic beads have a much more free-form approach when it comes to design. Instead of being very precise with placement of each element you allow the colors, special reactions and flow of glass to dictate your next move. This style of lampworking is so much fun to do because there are lots of unique surprises throughout the creative process. 😀

SIERRA – Assorted Bead Collection
SIERRA – Organic Bead Focal

Hand Painted Anime Manga Pop Art Lampwork Beads

On By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening Now2 Comments

NEW! Introducing the talents of my daughter Melanie, an art major in college. Her specialty is animation imagery with an emphasis on Japanese anime, manga and pop art designs.

Using liquid enamels Melanie hand painted her own original art design onto the surface of these opaque white beads. I then fired the paint into the glass for a durable, permanent finish. I also applied a line and dot designs with glass stringer to the back of the bead for added interest.

I hope you enjoy this new artistic collaboration with my daughter Melanie!

Jenna - hand painted lampwork bead

 

Alyssa - hand painted lampwork bead

 

Whimsical Glass Beads

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Something I haven’t done in a long time is really let loose and follow my whim while making beads. In recent years I have strived for a lot of precision and intricate detail that requires careful, painstaking application – but I didn’t always make beads that way.

In the beginning, when I was simply exploring the possibilities of glass and experimenting with lots of different colors and techniques to find out what glass was capable of, I made a lot of beads like these.

It’s been refreshing to revisit these classic bead designs and colors. There is such freedom in allowing the glass to take you where it wants to go – instead of the other way around.

Winter Whimsy – lampwork bead collection

Embedded 3D Flowers – New For 2012

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I have decided to challenge myself to develop new designs by trying new techniques and learning new skills in 2012.

This journey begins with embedding three dimensional objects in glass as in this organic floral bead. This style bead is created in several parts which are then carefully assembled to make the final piece.

I had to first create a special pulled cane for the flower’s stamen. I then used the cane to create the flower bud. There is also a small implosion in this bead at the base of the flower so that needed to be made separately as well.

Then the base bead was made and shaped to allow room for the floral elements. Once formed, the flower was applied to the base and embedded inside lots of molten crystal clear glass to make it look as though it is suspended in mid air.

It is a lot of work and takes quite a while to put all these elements together – and although the process is a challenge it is so much fun! I will definitely be making more of this style bead 😀

"Snow Drop" Lampwork Focal Bead