🔥 Bead Drop: 2-23-24 (Revisiting past designs)

On February 23, 2024August 22, 2024 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Years ago, I developed a bead series called Neptune’s Net. There’s actually a restaurant in Malibu, CA that was the inspiration for this series…

There are 2 key components to these beads… handmade latticino (aka glass twisties) and real copper mesh.

What I love about working with latticino is that the twisted glass offers SO much depth and dimension when encased under a layer of clear glass. It’s a BIG visual impact for a such a small element.

To give these beads their ‘Net’ I use copper mesh – which is not so fun to work with, actually… LOL! 😀

Copper mesh can burn up in the flame in an instant if you’re not careful. And when applying and encasing it you have to make sure all the little cut ends of the mesh don’t poke out of the bead!

But the end result is worth it.

Another series I’ve brought back, and developed a bit further, is my Feather Series.

I have been inspired to bring this series back by a pair of eagles nesting in Big Bear, CA.

I am just fascinated with how they interact with each other and how well they take care of their eggs. Even through snow-storms like this one a couple weeks ago…

(You can watch them on the ‘eagle cam’ here https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/eagles/ . They have 3 eggs that are scheduled to hatch in the next week or two!)

I’ve included photos of all my new beads below… (available now on Etsy).

Murrini Application on White Glass Video

On February 5, 2015April 17, 2015 By ccglassartIn Photos, Tips & Tricks, VideosLeave a comment

Here’s another YouTube video I made while testing murrini. Whenever I make murrini I always test it on white glass to see a true representation of the colors. Also it helps me to see how the murrini behaves in the flame and when applied.

Here are some pictures of the murrini I used during the video after kiln annealing –

There is no speaking or teaching in this video, it is just a demonstration for entertainment purposes only.*

*Because this video is only a demonstration for entertainment purposes, and not for instruction as a tutorial, I will not be offering any advice or information as to the colors, tools or techniques I use. If you learn something new, that’s great! But the video is really just for your enjoyment.

Disclaimer: please do not attempt these techniques unless you are well skilled in working with molten glass in an open flame – if you do try these techniques you assume all responsibility for the outcome of your efforts and agree that you are aware of and will comply with any and all safety precautions associated with making glass beads including but not limited to proper ventilation of your work environment, wearing safety glasses and appropriate clothing, use of an open flame, working with hot glass, being careful around sharp glass, etc., etc… CCGlassArt cannot be held responsible for any negative results you may incur attempting these techniques.

Lampwork Murrini Designs for Glass Artists

On May 17, 2012September 1, 2012 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Besides making glass beads, another passion of mine is making decorative little murrini chips (also sometimes called millefiori). I use these in my own bead designs but end up making more than I can ever hope to use myself so I offer them to glass artists for use in their own glasswork.

I just added a few new murrini designs to my Etsy shop in pretty Spring and Summer colors!

*For those who would like to make their own murrini, don’t forget about my murrini tutorial also available on Etsy ;-D

New Pier Glass Beads & Pink Impatiens Lampwork Bead Collection

On October 28, 2011January 20, 2012 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening Now3 Comments

New Summertime Glass Murrini

On June 17, 2011August 26, 2011 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Making glass murrini is hit or miss for me.

There are times when I think that a combination of colors will look great together but once made, pulled, cut, and tested I am sometimes disappointed to find that the end result did not turn out as well as I hoped it would.

I have spent many, many, (many!) hours making murrini cane that just end up getting stashed away in my ‘failed attempts’ jar – after all that time spent on them, I simply don’t have the heart to throw them away. 🙂

So when I make murrini that actually comes out beautifully you can imagine how excited I am!

Here are two recent lampwork glass murrini successes in new color combinations for Summer: