Murrini Overload!

Is there really such a thing as too much murrini, though? Not in my world! LOL! ๐Ÿ˜€

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

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. ๐Ÿ˜‰ย  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… ๐Ÿ˜€

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. ๐Ÿ™‚ )

Some of these beads are still available on Etsy:

Harbor Mist Reef
Harbor Mist Reef
Key West Reef
Key West Reef
Lanai Reef
Lanai Reef
Low Tide Reef
Low Tide Reef
Morocco Reef
Morocco Reef
Pacific Reef
Pacific Reef
Flower Reef
Flower Reef
Pink Shell Reef
Pink Shell Reef
Point Dume Reef
Point Dume Reef
Rubino Reef
Rubino Reef
Sand Reef
Sand Reef
Sea Mist Reef
Sea Mist Reef

Handmade Murrini & Underwater Aquarium Glass Beads

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. ๐Ÿ˜‰

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:

Murrini

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):

Coral Strands / Stamen Cane Murrini
Mountain Sunrise Murrini
Mountain Sunrise Murrini
Watercolors Murrini
Watercolors Murrini

 

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

ANEMONE REEF
ANEMONE REEF
SUNRISE REEF
SUNRISE REEF
SHERBET REEF
SHERBET REEF
MONTEREY BAY REEF
MONTEREY BAY REEF
SILVER GLASS REEF
SILVER GLASS REEF
PINK REEF
PINK REEF
DEEP SEA REEF
DEEP SEA REEF
SHELL REEF
SHELL REEF

Underwater Aquarium Glass Bead Necklaces

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. ๐Ÿ˜€

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

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.

CALYPSO - lampwork focal bead
CALYPSO – lampwork focal bead
KEY WEST - lampwork focal bead
KEY WEST – lampwork focal bead
LEO CARRILLO - lampwork focal bead
LEO CARRILLO – lampwork focal bead
ROSARITO BEACH - lampwork focal bead pendant
ROSARITO BEACH – lampwork focal bead pendant

NEW 3D Flower Bead & MORE Encased Murrini Beads

Now that I’ve finished writing my newest tutorial, Making Beautiful Encased Murrini Beads, I have time to get back to the torch and make more beads! ๐Ÿ˜€

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of making these…

Baja Reef - round focal bead
Baja Reef – round focal bead
Kona Reef - round focal bead
Kona Reef – round focal bead
Meadow - large round focal bead
Meadow – large round focal bead

I’ve also started making lentil focals again! I haven’t made them in quite a while, (as I was completely obsessed with making encased murrini beads for so long!), and I’m having so much fun with them all over again. I have more of these to come…;)

Sea Lily - lentil focal bead
Sea Lily – lentil focal bead

All beads are available now in my Etsy shop ~