🔥 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 Overload!

On April 24, 2014February 4, 2015 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Is there really such a thing as too much murrini, though? Not in my world! LOL! 😀

I recently had to upgrade to a bigger tray to hold my ever-growing murrini collection:

I usually begin every torching session by making a new batch of murrini. This is part warm-up, part ‘feeding the obsession’ – hehe. 😉 I also like to keep my bead designs fresh and new so I’m constantly making more murrini to use in my beads.

Problem is (if you can call it a problem…) I always end up with wayyy more murrini in a single design or color than I’ll ever be able to use myself since each batch of murrini makes so many chips! Sometimes I will list my de-stash on Etsy. Other times I just keep it all for myself… 😀

I do try and put all the murrini I make to good use, however. Below are this week’s beads featuring some new murrini I made.

(Note: for the record, I do occasionally buy murrini from other talented glass artists as well – I love using it too much and too often to ever be able to make so many different murrini designs myself! One of my favorite glass artists, Lori & Kim, make some of the most unique murrini in such beautiful colors and fun patterns which I love to use in my beads. But the majority of the murrini I use in my beads are ones I’ve made myself. 🙂 )

Some of these beads are still available on Etsy:

Handmade Murrini & Underwater Aquarium Glass Beads

On March 19, 2014April 16, 2014 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Even though making these beads takes a long time, a lot of work and concentration, (and can even be downright stressful at times!), they have become my all time favorite beads to make….thus far. 😉

No two of these beads are exactly the same so each of them is a one-of-a-kind, very special piece.

I build them murrini by murrini, rarely choosing the chips in advance. I like to be spontaneous and pick the murrini chips as I go along building the bead. Here’s a picture of the pile of murrini I have to choose from as I make a bead:

I also regularly make new murrini to add to my stash of chips to choose from. Here are some recent designs I made (these are currently available on Etsy):

Below are more encased murrini beads that were made in the past couple weeks. Many of them are still available on Etsy.

Underwater Aquarium Glass Bead Necklaces

On February 24, 2014April 16, 2014 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

These three beads were the models I used in my last tutorial, Making Beautiful Encased Murrini Beads.

I have held onto them all this time because they came out so nice, and were sentimental to me. But it is time to allow others to enjoy them as I have for so long. They are truly beautiful and full of tiny micro-details. I swear I see something new and different every time I look at them. 😀

Available now on Etsy:

HILO REEF - encased murrini bead necklace — HILO REEF – encased murrini bead necklace

HUALALAI REEF - encased murrini bead necklace — HUALALAI REEF – encased murrini bead necklace

KANEOHE REEF - encased murrini bead necklace — KANEOHE REEF – encased murrini bead necklace

Late Summer Rounded Bicone Lampwork Focals

On August 29, 2013 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Long time, no beads!

It has been one long, hot summer here in L.A. – and unfortunately, for us, it’s not over yet. In fact, we’ll get many more 100+ degree days until October or so.

Because of the heat, and because I just needed a break, I have been on a beadmaking hiatus. But, I have been inspired to get back to the torch lately so I was very lucky to catch a tolerably warm morning and make some new beads!

Here is the start of a new series of beads in a lovely new shape, a rounded bicone.