New Birds

A Springtime addition, cute little birdies for your house plants. Last year the mushrooms were such a big hit, I decided to try little birds. Bright colors and happy uplifted heads for these peepers. Hope you like them.

Sweetest little Chickadee - Love!

This is just the sweetest little Chick-a-dee ever, she looks oh so cute perched on her little silver nest - with a hopeful expression on her face. A new bird style with a traditional mounting. Ready to place on your own chain or leather cord. Lovely gift for the bird aficionado. Oh, sorry for the piece of finger and ruler in the picture . . .

Fish with Eyebrows!!

It's not too soon to think of the beach, right? Here's a new fish - with eyebrows! Attitude abounds in this new little fish, he looks like he knows everything! There's only one right now, but hopefully I'll get some more made soon, especially before I go to the Myrtle Beach show!

Springtime Birdies

Traditional bird in a nest pendant, beautiful colors in these beads - just in time for Spring (I hope!). For the bird collector, or the bird lover - great gift and certainly unique.

Brightest Little Mushrooms

The mushroom making may have gotten just a bit out of hand lately, but they are so much fun to make - and so forgiving. Thinking about adding this to the list of what gets taught in my classes.

The Latest Funky Bracelet

Really enjoying spreading out a gathering of orphan beads and blending them with some odd silver and having them turn into a really fun and funky bracelet like this one. I have a lot for the Fall shows, all different colors, shapes and sizes. And they were all really fun to piece together. Don't think they'll last through the group of shows coming up ...

The Crows are Roosting

A brightly colored tree bead for Fall, a gathering of pumpkins at the base and crows in the branches - you just can't get more "Fall" than this piece.

Almost Gone

Those last few leaves are hanging on for dear life … but they are allllmost gone. End of Fall Tree bead, not quite like it is at my house, they're still changing color. But my son called the other day, he's in Vermont, remember? It was 19 degrees. I think in Vermont the trees pretty much look like this one does.

Just in Time for Fall Gathering - Acorns!

A family member suggested I give acorn making a try. I'd seen pictures of this done before - a real acorn cap used on top of a bead - so here's my take on the whole thing. I had to go back outside and gather a whooooooole lot more of those acorn caps to accommodate some of the beads made, but I think the whole thing ended up working pretty well. Originally I thought of Christmas tree ornaments, or maybe just a novelty piece, but these could pass as pendants too I think. Not sure how sturdy those natural caps are, but they held up really well drilling a hole in them. Guess I'll just have to wear one for a few weeks to check them out. Hope they're received well at the Fall shows! Thanks for spurring me on to do these Gretchen!

Halloween Mummy Earrings

It's not too early to think Halloween, right? Besides, these mummy beads were just too cute to wait for Halloween to make their appearance.

'Fraternal' Twins

These two sets must be fraternal 'cause they're the same thing, basically, but they don't look much alike. Just goes to show when you use the same techniques, but change the color of glass and some add on's, things can change quite a bit. Hence: 'fraternal' look alikes.

Freeform and Abstract

Just love this set, creative and fun - lots of options. A long link sterling chain finishes off the necklace so it may be adjusted to fit nicely with any outfit. Long or short, the choice is yours. Free form in design and definitely one of a kind - ivory, turquoise and black go with most anything, right? A nice set or a particularly nice gift.

Seeing Spots?

A striking set of graduated lentil beads with layers of clear, ivory and black. Everything has been etched to offer a soft brush finish to the beads. Just a great piece over all - perfect for that 'little black dress' you just got!

Graduated Tab Set

New this fall, a graduated tab set. Not exactly 'tabs', but I'm not sure what to call these beads. Doesn't matter, the set is really cool. A little silvered surface on the beads using silver foil melted into the surface. A totally unique look and the ivory base makes it suitable for any time of year, any color outfit!

Dogs at the Beach

"Dogs at the Beach", well - sort of. It's a dog, and there's a beach scene piece. Fun pieces to wear anywhere, any time of year - as long as you love dogs and/or the beach!

Pretty Close to Christmas Colors (?)

Trying to get ready for the fall shows and this piece will probably be as close to Christmas colors as I get this year! Busy, busy - lots of shows coming up, so torch time will be limited, but this is a pretty piece and it is a loooong bead. It's a statement piece for sure, lots of color, a little sparkle, a bit abstract in design. Raku frit dots the surface and a little adventurine contributes to the sparkle.

New Magazine Article

This article will be in November's publication of Ballantyne Living magazine distributed in Charlotte. I am very pleased and owe much thanks to Gretchen, Kathryn and Marley for their advice and assistance with this article - words are not my strong point. Thanks to each of you.

Asymmetrical Starfish Pendant

Trying to get ready for a show at Myrtle Beach the first weekend in August - held inside the nicely cooled convention center (thank goodness!). This pretty starfish will be added to the growing stash of water oriented pieces. And to my new friends I met at the Charlotte bead show - who seem to get an email every time I post something new - hope you like it too. It was a pleasure meeting you!! Have a great rest of the week. Hope to see lots of people at the show, always new pieces.

Cactus Pendant

This is the bead that survived (see picture below this one). It turned out pretty well and I'll sure make some more. But I'll definitely try to make more with copper colored mountains in the background just like the one that cracked (see below). I think they're much more visible on the surface of the bead. These look more like rolling hills rather than mountains. Sometimes what's in my head works, sometimes not. Off to torch some more. . .

'Painted' Cactus Pair

Tried something new today - some cactus beads with mountains in the background. I was so very pleased with the way they turned out, but tragically one developed a crack just sitting on the table. Aggghhhh - it happens, but it was my favorite one, the one with the copper colored mountains in the background. Oh well, back to the torch to give it another try.

Etched Desert Sun and Tree

It's been awhile since I've etched any glass and this is one of the things I did yesterday. The soft brushed finish, subtle and graduated shades of amber and the bright desert sun almost make this bead feel warm to the touch. A different kind of gnarly tree for me, but I really like the looks of it. Summer's here, feels like some hot weather coming soon. Too hot to torch a lot, so productivity is waaaaay down. Might be awhile until something else get's posted - I'm gonna go find a pool and jump in!

'End of Day' Ammonite Necklace

You guessed it, another Ammonite piece. Yes, yes, I know I said I'd stop. . . I lied. I just love these pieces and at the end of a day of melting it's really cool to gather up what's on the table and see how it melts together. Simple and classic, not a lot of bling, just a bit of sterling to compliment the bead. It's all about the beads, right?

'Painting with Glass' New Tree Pendant

Trying to add more depth to the tree pieces and I really like where this is going. Hopefully you can see some mountains in the background and some bushes up front. This was a first attempt, but I definitely see more for the future. I LIKE it!!! (But I held my breath practically the entire time making it . . . off and on, of course.)

End-of-Day Ammonite Pendant

Kinda got hung up on the new press that came, but this should be the last Ammonite bead for awhile. It might look like it's fall colors, but there's some blues and some spring green mixed in there too. I really like this pendant a lot.

Last Bracelet for the Day - End of Day Bead

Last piece for this day, just finished it and it's the only one I have. This pretty little bracelet bead was made using that new press mentioned previously. Beautiful shades of blues - sort of an end of day bead - matching spacer beads and crystals. Sterling silver bars and a sterling push clasp with weighted safety chain finish off the piece - really, really pretty.

Beautiful, Bold Bracelet

Jump right in 'cause this bracelet is not for the faint-hearted. Bold, black and ivory beads with a couple of funky silver beads make this bracelet complete - these beads match some of the one's in the totem pole posted about a month ago. Liked 'em so much, made some more.

Bodacious Neckwear - Beads & Turquoise

This is definitely a statement piece. Big beads with a bold shape and design, strung with turquoise and my hammered clasp - a great look, all year long.

FYI - FYI - FYI . . .

Just wanted to let everyone know I've re-opened my ETSY account - just showing beads for now, but after my last show of the year will probably list some jewelry and see how it goes. Not sure how to enter a link to just click on to take you to my page, so you'll have to copy and paste the following to find me: *** www.etsy.com/shop/grammyglass *** (but omit out the *'s)

Something New for the Summer

A new press I'd ordered from Germany came a couple of weeks ago and I finally found the time to give it a try. The spiral focal bead is coupled with some natural stones that perfectly match in color (of course, they're probably dyed - I should get out those lapidary journals again . . . . well, maybe later!) Anyway, I really like the look of the finished piece - it will make it's debut in Myrtle Beach.

More Mushrooms!

Took some better shots of these cute little mushrooms and wanted to post them and show them off a bit more! ALSO - for those of you who have been requesting loose beads and can't make it to the shows, I have re-opened my ETSY account and will be posting some bead sets, single beads and maybe even some jewelry. So check it out: etsy.com/shop/grammyglass - and Thanks!

Glass Totem Pole

Here's my attempt at a totem pole - how's it stack up??! Sorry, couldn't resist. Inspiration came from another bead artist's picture of almost 11 years ago, but it really impressed me. Of course these beads are totally different, but the idea of a stack of beads representing a piece of art work was intriguing. This piece will maybe make it to the shows, but only as a display I think! The total height is now almost 10 inches from top to bottom 'cause since this picture was taken, I've added a little back & ivory rooster to the top. Can you tell there are 16 beads? (17 now)

Newest Glass Project: Shrooms!!

Oh my gosh these are just the cutest things EVERRR!! So happy I don't have another show till August, 'cause I'm feeling the need to make a bunch more of these. Sure hope somebody 'sides me likes them, or everyone's gonna get one for Christmas! They just stick right in the potting soil of your favorite plant. Inside or out - super cool!!

Purple Spiral Bracelet

The purple color in this bracelet is so much prettier in person, sorry my photography skills don't shine - and it looks SO SMALL in this photo. Maybe the horizontal shot wasn't the best choice? But this pretty bracelet with sterling bars and trinkets is such a comfortable wear. Some purple lover is hopefully going to be very pleased.

Abstract Enamel

The colors in this enameled focal are just great, deep and rich, a nice focal for any time of year. Something with a moon in it seems to be the trend so far this year. So this little abstract focal is here to tempt you, but there's only one . . . just sayin' . . .

Beach Blast Beads!

Summer will be here before we know it - which is what inspired this little variation on some previous beads. Don't you just love the beach? I do, in small doses - give me some air conditioning on those really hot days. Anyway, a cool ocean night time bead, wavy waters, kinda romantic maybe? Think I'll make more of these too.

BHB Cluster

This big hole bead (BHB) is a layered technique that's fairly labor intensive but the result can be impressive. Might have to make this one again!

The Frit Hits the Fan!

Two new bracelets - sorry for that goofy title. Anyway, had some complaints that I didn't have many things using purple. Kinda funny 'cause that's my favorite color. Maybe I've just been saving all the purple pieces for my own stash . . .? Anyway. Silver heavy on the shell bracelet, really like this one. And the big frit disc bracelet has some chunky coordinating beads that are pretty cool. Hope you like.

The Owl Eyes Have It!

This little guy was made using a layering process I hadn't done in quite a while. But a request was made at "BeadCamp" in Florida for a particular kind of flower petals - not exactly these, but almost the same process. Anyway, hadn't done it in some time and thought applying to an owl body would make the perfect 'feather' layering. This was the result. The eyes turned out a little off, but he's still a pretty cute fella.

Davidson Delights!

First time in Davidson for a show - thankfully the weather held out all weekend! What a great little downtown area - quaint little shops, friendly people, well organized parking (!), and a city that supports the arts. What more could you ask for!! We'll definitely be back.

Wings from Florida!

Just in LOVE with this piece. Since it's the only one (till next year) - it's MINE!!! All last week I was teaching in Florida at BeadCamp. Enjoying a little sun (in the driveway) I noticed some pretty shells that were used as 'gravel' in the driveway. So I used one to make a simple impression in some dark ivory - which works with ANYthing - and out came this pretty little bead that looks like it has angel wings on the surface. There's a tiny little heart in the center too, but it's a little hard to see. Anyway, since I won't be back in Florida to teach for another year, guess I'll have to wait till then to make another!

Here's a cute little heart using some Double Helix frit on the surface that turned out pretty well. Trying to get some new things together for a show in Georgia this coming weekend. This one turned out so well, think I'll make another!

Trees - You Guessed It, Another Variation!

Well, you can't blame me. Just trying out some different techniques for trees. This slender off-set tree with new trunk colors and a very pale sun is what came out of the kiln today. My photography skills are a little on the down this time, 'cause this little knotty tree looks a whole lot better in person . . . sorry.

Hey Little Froggy!

As mentioned below, I've forgotten some of the cutest beads I've made in the past. At BeadCamp in Florida this past week, we covered frogs and here's a picture of what now will be an added feature in the whole repertoire. He is kinda cute.

Color, Color, Color - and the Ocean!

One Florida bead camper really loved bright colors when thinking of her beads. I'm just putting this picture I took of my sun bathing nieces for inspiration. Look at all this color!!! I'm not mentioning any names, (Margaret), but I hope she sees this shot!

Spring Has Sprung! Again!

After coming home from teaching at BeadCamp in Florida, I was reminded of some beads I've made in the past but for some reason stopped making them. Soooo going back to some old roots and bringing the older designs forward. This little bird house is the first one to be seen this year. Very cute.

Never Ending Forest of Awesome TREES !!!

No matter how many new pieces are posted there will always be a 'forest' of trees available. All colors, all seasons, all shapes and mostly the same sizes! This is another, simply named "Awesome Tree" in my files. The new show season is about to start. Please keep posted where I'll be and come see me if you're close by. Some new shows are added this year - looking forward to meeting and making new friends. Going to try to bring loose beads to every show this year. Thanks to all who helped make last year what it was. Come See Me!!

These Lightweights Are Heavy on Style!

"Lightweights heavy on style" - I know, pretty darn corny . . . but it's true! These little bracelets pack a punch. They're lightweight to wear - so comfortable - and lightweight in the price point too!! (Yea!) But super fun and funky to look at and play with. Match 'em up, bunch 'em with others or wear just one.