Encased Floral & Murrini Glass Charm Beads

On April 17, 2015October 22, 2018 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

It’s that time of year again…when temperatures soar above 90 into the 100’s in my area. I know with that comes less time at the torch as the heat coming off all my equipment – on top of the temperature outside – makes torching pretty unbearable.

In the meantime I am trying to catch those cooler days that will be fewer and further between as we get closer to summer…

I’m still on a floral kick – it’s hard not to be when all the flowers are in bloom and looking so pretty around me! 😀

These beads are available now on Etsy:

Handmade Floral Lampwork Glass Beads & California Poppies

On March 23, 2015October 22, 2018 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

With the first day of Spring last week, it’s no coincidence that this week’s batch of beads is full of floral designs! Flowers are one of my favorite designs to create. I taught acrylic painting classes for years and painted nothing but flowers so I naturally gravitate toward them. Especially now that all the flowers are in bloom here in SoCal – I’m so inspired!

Over the weekend we took a drive up north to the California Poppy Reserve. Unfortunately, our timing wasn’t so great. While the Reserve had the densest flowering of poppies this year that it’s seen in over a decade, the week before we had a sudden heat wave with temperatures in the 90’s. Sadly, the poppies were not strong enough to withstand the heat, and almost the entire crop died in just a few days 😦

So, although not the breathtaking ‘wall to wall’ display of bright orange it had been just a week before – the Reserve was still a lovely sight to see with its rolling hills of green and a few areas of wildflowers. Here’s one of my favorite photos from our trip…

california poppy reserve, california poppies, southern california wildflowers

I foresee a poppy colored bead in my future! 😀

Until then, enjoy these new beads available now on Etsy:

New Universal Glass Euro Charm Beads

On March 2, 2015October 22, 2018 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

This might just be a record – for the first time in probably 2, or maybe even 3, years I have an entire batch of new beads without one…single…murrini chip in them! 😮

It’s definitely a departure from my usual bead-making routine. But, you know what, it was really fun! I let my mind roam free with these bead designs – drawing on techniques I haven’t done for years, and some new techniques too! It’s almost like a creative-reset, and was actually a very refreshing change!

But I will admit, I already have in mind a couple murrini bead designs planned for my next torching session. Guess that break won’t last very long…haha! 😀

The beads below can be found right now on Etsy:

The Obsession Returns – Encased Murrini Beads

On January 14, 2014April 16, 2014 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening Now2 Comments

Just when I thought I’d gotten tired of making these little gems, the obsession has struck again!

I usually like to make at least one or two of these types of beads to test new murrini and see how they look under encasement. The other day I was on a roll and made several – I still really enjoy making these beads! They are so challenging and in many ways they have a mind of their own, so the final result is always a bit of a surprise for me.

This week I have 5 new encased murrini beads, and 1 bubble crown bead. This bubble crown bead came out a little bigger than the ones I made before, it has 6 bubbles on top instead of 4, as well as an intricate swirled core of striped glass and shimmering dichroic. 😀

All beads are currently available on Etsy:

Avalon Reef - encased murrini bead necklace — Avalon Reef – encased murrini bead necklace

Cambria Reef - encased murrini bead necklace — Cambria Reef – encased murrini bead necklace

Carnival - glass bead pendant — Carnival – glass bead pendant

Great Barrier Reef - encased murrini bead necklace — Great Barrier Reef – encased murrini bead necklace

Pink Peony Reef - encased murrini bead necklace — Pink Peony Reef – encased murrini bead necklace

Wailua Reef - encased murrini bead necklace — Wailua Reef – encased murrini bead necklace

NEW – Gazing Ball Lampwork Bead Pendants

On May 8, 2012September 1, 2012 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

I am very excited to announce my latest bead design – gazing ball pendants!

Modeled after the beautiful Italian glass garden decorations by the same name, each ready-to-wear pendant in the series includes a round, handmade lampwork glass art bead with no visible hole! The spherical bead is smooth all the way around. 😀

I am having a blast making these pendants and have many more designs in mind. I hope you enjoy them!