🔥 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).

New Encased Glitter and Murrini Beads

On August 12, 2015October 22, 2018 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

It didn’t last long, but there was a short break in the sweltering heat of summer a couple weeks ago, and I was able to sneak in a torching session to make some new beads!

It had been almost 2 months since I last got to melt glass, and it was so nice to be back at it! But it was short lived… We are now up over 100 again, so I’ll keep hoping for another opportunity to make more beads. Keep your fingers crossed for me! 😀

Until then, here are the new beads. Some are still available on Etsy.

New Flamework Glass Charm Beads on Etsy

On May 14, 2015October 22, 2018 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

We’re enjoying some much needed showers today here in usually-sunny-Socal! 😀

It’s the perfect time to list some new beads, right? Or, go make hot cocoa…. beads first, though! 😉

Thanks for looking!

Big Batch of NEW Lampwork Glass Charm Bracelet Beads on Etsy

On May 1, 2015October 22, 2018 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

Recently I said I was taking advantage of the cooler weather by torching as much as possible, and I wasn’t kidding! 😀 This large batch of new beads is the result of trying to beat the blazing heat that we’re experiencing now.

I’ve included several of my original encased murrini bead designs this time – plus some favorites from the past that have been popular with jewelry designers. This time I made them with a large, universal sized hole to fit the European style charm bracelets everyone loves so much (including me!).

These are available now on Etsy:

On a recent trip to Disneyland I discovered a Pandora bead store!!! I don’t know how long it’s been there, but now that I know about it, I’m not so sure it’s a good thing – haha! They have a spectacular selection of all things Pandora, but I was mainly interested in a few Disneyland exclusive designs. There’s a silver Minnie and Mickey bead I hope to be able to add to my collection in the future. For now, I’ve started with these two:

disney pandora beads, disneyland exclusive beads, charm bracelet beads, pandora beads

The one on the left is upside down, but it’s modeled after Mickey’s Fun Wheel (the ferris wheel) in the Disney California Adventure park. I love that ride! It has swinging cars which makes the ride so fun. Plus you get a fantastic view of the whole park when you’re at the top.

The bead on the right is the classic Mickey head design – I could be wrong, but I believe it was created to celebrate Disneyland’s Diamond anniversary (60 years this year). There’s a sparkly heart on the other side, too.

Till next time…. 🙂

Introducing New Lampwork European Charm Bracelet Bead Designs

On February 23, 2015April 17, 2015 By ccglassartIn Photos, What's Happening NowLeave a comment

I have been obsessed with making encased murrini beads, (and pretty much ONLY encased murrini beads), for the past 2-3 years. And while I still love making them, it is nice to allow my creativity to flow in other directions once in a while. 😀

I also have been thinking it would be nice to offer simpler, less intricate (and less expensive), beads that can compliment my encased murrini charm beads. While I love wearing an entire charm bracelet full of my Reef series beads – I think most people like to use them as accent pieces on a bracelet of many different designs in coordinating colors.

Many of these new charm bracelet beads I’ll be introducing are actually glass designs I have been using for many years in other types of jewelry beads. It will be a fun challenge to re-interpret them on a much smaller scale in my European-style charm bracelet beads. 🙂

These beads are available now on Etsy!