NEW Handmade Encased Murrini Bead Necklaces & Pendant

My obsession – going strong… 😀  You’d think after a year and a half of being consumed with making encased murrini beads I’d be tired of them by now. But no – there are so many endless design possibilities that I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this style bead. Occasionally I do venture out and do different things, but I always seem to come back to these. What’s a girl to do? 😉

COZUMEL REEF - encased murrini bead necklace
COZUMEL REEF – encased murrini bead necklace
PANAMA REEF - encased murrini bead necklace
PANAMA REEF – encased murrini bead necklace
KEY WEST REEF - encased murrini bead pendant
KEY WEST REEF – encased murrini bead pendant
HONOLULU REEF - encased murrini bead necklace
HONOLULU REEF – encased murrini bead necklace

Watercolor Big Hole Hand Made Glass Beads

I recently stumbled upon a neat trick that transforms simple colored glass frit into a washed watercolor effect on a reactive glass base! The technique produces translucent pools of color that take on a unique, one of a kind look with every bead. 😀

BOUGAINVILLEA – big hole bead
FLAMENCO – big hole bead
PAINTER’S PALETTE – big hole bead
ROSE GARDEN – big hole bead
SEA WIND – big hole bead

Here’s a bead I made using an old tried-and-true technique which always produces great results and a unique look – combining dark ivory glass with fine silver foil. It turns ordinary glass into what looks like natural stone.

ANCIENT STONE – big hole bead

NEW Mixed Media Lampwork Jewelry

I love the look of mixed media jewelry designs that combine earthy natural elements with more refined components. Something about the contrast between the rustic and refined is such a unique look!

I created these new glass bead pendants with hand made natural brass bead caps, pairing them with a natural brass ball chain necklace for that ‘industrial’ feel.

LOW TIDE – mixed media necklace
GARDEN WALK – mixed media necklace
PERSIMMON – mixed media necklace
TIDE POOL – mixed media necklace

A Trip to Disneyland & New Beads

This time last week my family and I were at the happiest place on earth – Disneyland!  And, as commanded by every ‘cast’ member we encountered there, we truly had a *magical day* the entire time we were there. For us Disneyland is the perfect stay-cation getaway in SoCal! 😀

Here’s a quick peek at the view from our hotel room (notice Mickey in the shrubbery toward the bottom of the photo):

And here’s a picture of a Disney-cat! There are dozens of cats that live on the DL property year round.This little guy was just a kitten and curled up next to us by the pool one night. Such a cutie!

When I got home it was time to get back to work (never easy after a vacation) but inspiration struck and I came up with these new beads: 😀

BARNACLES – pendant necklace
GARDEN PARTY – pendant necklace
GODIVA – bicone focal
SWEETPEA – pendant necklace
TIDEPOOL – pendant necklace

Stargazer Lilies & Beach Walk Beads

It has been the hottest weeks of the summer so far and therefore my time at the torch has become extremely limited. Thankfully, I was able to complete some beads before the heat wave hit! But until things cool down, I will have to commit all my new beady ideas to paper.

Until then, enjoy this week’s beads – I’ll have some new ones next week too, but after that…it’s up to ‘mother nature’.

Beach Walk round beads
Stargazer Lilies bead trio