Awesome Etching !

Brand new for the Fall shows. Am so excited to see how these new etched pieced are received. Solid brass bullet shell casings (yes, they are real) have been etched with a design, then a bead of mine is displayed at the end of the casings. These two might look as if they're ready for Halloween, but they could certainly be worn all year. Here's hoping they are well liked, 'cause they're fun to do and pretty unique!

Watch out for the Octopus !!!

This thing is just awesome, what else can I say? So far the octopus (octopi?) have been very popular - this new neck piece sets off the bead very well. A heavy braided leather looking thing with an interesting latch - a perfect compliment for this chunky piece of twisted tentacles. By one of my favorite glass artists.

Sea Shell for Myrtle

Getting ready for a show at Myrtle Beach - hoping this sea shell will make a pretty good impression. Rather large, and a lot of detail to this piece. A hollow bead, so altho it's a pretty big piece, it's not overly heavy. Love the colors on this one. These shells are a surprise, by one of my favorite glass artists.

Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose

Spent brass shell casings are used in these funky little trinkets our grandaughter (21) has dubbed "Tennessee Bullets". I like that name. And the beer bottle caps are now a set of refrigerator magnets. They came with zany little sayings in each one, sure hope my younger son will send me some more!

It's Hip To Be Square

These earrings are really pretty cool, so there is more than one pair ready for the end of summer and fall shows. Hope somebody out there will like them . . .

Time on my hands . . .

Time on my hands . . . okay, that's pretty bad. But I did have some time to kill (sorry) and this is what fell out of my head today. I really enjoy when there's time to play (sorry, again - can't seem to stop). Anyway, it's just for fun.

Last Look @ Luscious Boro Color

The color in these beads is really, really great. What can I say? ... Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This time it worked great! But I gotta leave boro for awhile and get back to makin' LOTS of beads. Soft glass is just more consistent for me.

WAAAAAAY Cool Earrings

These really are something else. And this is IT - found only one pair of these silver ridged pieces, so when these are gone, it's adios!

Copper Picken's

Trying out some sterling & copper findings. My torched beads, natural stones, copper & sterling - made a really nice combination in the neck/earring set.

Double Boro

Had a request from 'Beth' for another double boro pendant, pretty pleased with the results - hope she likes it.

Leather & Sterling & Boro Beads - Oh My!

Oh Boy! I love something new. Trying to design something new and different, but still cutting the price by being selective with sterling silver use. These are sooooo comfortable to wear, and they have a natural, organic edge. Little sterling details finish off awesome boro beads and leather. Enjoy.

Spiral Earrings

Some new silver is credited for these new spiral earrings. Really dresses up a pair of bumpy beads. The longer drops on earrings continues to be the most popular of most of my customers. Thanks, every body.

Aztec

Gently etched beads dangle from these Aztec looking earrings made of lead free pewter. Wires are sterling, tho. A pretty nice looking pair of earrings, even if I do say so myself.

Something for the 'Girly Girls'

Pretty in pink, and more pink. A light and airy feel to this set, very pretty.

Wavy Focal

Different, for sure ! An unusual long and wavy focal mixed with Jasper make this a stunner. Getting ready for the end of summer and fall shows. Check out the show listings.

Funky Earrings

I love the new silver glass made by Double Helix - a surprise every day. I never know what's gonna come out of the kiln. But these organic looking beads made some pretty funky earrings.

Fun Rings for Pretty or Play

These are two rings shown using a wire mesh design that's pretty easy to make. I LOVE the skull ring, it's just way cool. They're really easy to make, and can actually be done with only the mesh showing, or most any flat stone, crystal or pearl. Although I usually work only in sterling, any other metal may be used. Fun, fun, fun, or classic & elegant when sterling is used. Come take a class and learn how to do these for yourself!

End of May Bracelets

Every now and then I try to make something of the beads, silver, stones, & any other table top left-overs I have. These two bracelets are just that - they are a mix-match of shapes, colors, bits and pieces . . . . and I LIKE them. Pieces like these are the most fun to build, trial and error, a culmination of 'gee, wonder what it'd look like with this in there' efforts. 'End of day' glass beads use up the left over bits of glass left on the table after a day of making beads. So these bracelets are "End of May" bracelets, 'cause it's what was left on my work table at the end of May.

Not Just Knots !

Price of silver chains, just like everything else, is skyrocketing! Sooooooo, here's a sampling of some efforts with knotting. I'm likin' the outcome and think I might venture into teaching some knot classes, whadaya' think? Altho these two knots are similar, they are tied differently to product two different looks, one just a little more detailed then the other. Have a preference? The more detailed knot at the top, or the little heart shaped (sort of) beneath it . . . send me an email & let me know what you think. I'm always up for constructive criticism and suggestions . . . . constructive or not !!

Paper Surprise !

A nice surprise in the Charlotte Observer this morning. HEY !! Look who's there!!!

What Do You Do With A Broken Bead?

This bead was made over a year ago. When it came out of the kiln the colors were so vibrant it was love at first sight! But it broke right in half when it was being cleaned. COULDN'T throw it away … but I could wrap it! Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner - duh. Turned out pretty well I think.

Funky Fish

This little fishy looks like he could swallow the whole hook in one try - much fun to make and, as always, love the bright colors.

Totem Pole Owl

My take on a totem pole figure - at least that's what I was aiming for. All my beads, natural stones, silver & crystals … an impressive piece to treasure for a very long time.

Asymmetrical Sunflower

Oh what fun. I love making this design … altho it takes a really long time and it's a real pain in the patootie. Still hold my breath while making some things, and this one's close to the top of that list, but I still love it. Anyone ready for spring yet?

Zebra Raku

Love this piece - a compilation of organic randomness and structured stripes.

Mixed Up Jumbled Awesomeness

A beautiful jumble of lampwork, natural stones, semi-precious, crystals, silver. A mixed-up jumbled awesome piece … and it's reeeeaaally long to boot!

Beach Fest Beads

This big 'ole starfish pendant is another 'end-of-day' bead. I love the really large slashes of color, and the added little twist at the bottom is my attempt at a wave.

Seascapes Ready for 'Beach Fest'

Had a call for an order for one of these and realized I'd never pictured them before - oops. These are my seascapes, thought I'd do several for the 'Beach Fest'. Hope to see you there! Please stop by and see what else is new.

A New End of Day Bead

New year, new end of day bead. I love the colors on this focal, and pairing it with some pearls is also new for me. The pearls have no sterling mixed in with them, for ease of cleaning. Alllllways thinkin' . . .

Pods

Couldn't decide if I liked the etched or the shiny pods the best. You be the judge and let me know. Did a survey on Facebook and the etched won. Either way, I really like this new set - very striking - kinda funky and cool.

Funny Froggies

Funny little froggies to close out the year. Off to Vermont to see the new grand baby, who has YET to make an appearance! Must be waiting for Grammy to get there! Merry Christmas everybody, and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Show 2010

A new set-up this year. Guess it looked pretty good (see another picture, below). Gave a bit more footage for display, and for once, I could see everything on the tables! Thanks everybody for another wonderful year.

2010 Southern Christmas Show

Finally made it, wuhoo! The last blue ribbon I got from the Southern Christmas Show was so long ago they didn't even GIVE ribbons - just a small plastic framed certificate 'First Place'. Wow, waited a long time for this, a great big thank you to everyone who helped. This ribbon belongs to everyone!

A new twist on a classic focal

Not the best lighting at one of the shows in Virginia, but I really like this application. Seemed to be pretty popular at the show. Classic black base with a nice layering of Raku frit. Lots of tiny dots of colors - blue, purple, taupe, green. And a little circle impression on the surface of the focal for added interest.

I Love Boro

Not the quality picture I would've liked, but this was shot at one of the shows in Virginia. A new square shape for me, in boro. Don't cha' just love these colors?

Summer's Butterflies

A nice little cluster - can't get away from them, they're too pretty. The last of the summer butterflies … pretty.

Just for my Friends in Vermont - Mooooo

A customer actually gave me the idea for this piece. It's pretty cute, right?

Etched Brass - LOVE IT !

I LOVE this process. A transfer of an image is etched on another surface, in these cases, little brass plates. They are so darn cute … can't wait to make more!

Water Lily

This was my attempt at a water lily. I really like all the different beads mixed together - a 'Summer Cluster'.

End of Day Bead

This focal was made by melting all the bits and pieces left on the table, made by working a day at the torch.

Chainmaille Tree

This is my most favorite piece for this blog posting. Pulling from recent chainmaille, this is the design that developed. Slightly different tree design, VERY different mounting for said tree. I just Loooooove this piece. It's so comfortable to wear, and something you won't see anywhere else (I'll bet).

Cows - Udderly Cute ! (sorry)

Sorry, couldn't resist. Our youngest son is coming from Vermont for his summer visit. That's what inspired this bead. Vermont, … Cow … get it?

Beach Blues

Beautiful beachy blue seed beads, slightly etched for a soft brushed finish. Sterling dangle w/Swarovski crystals, my beads, and a pretty semi-precious carved leaf. Perfect for that summer trip. This necklace is lo - o - o - ng.