Here's the latest color combination - a series of dark rich purple, taupe and violet - encased lentils. It's a shape variation on a few of the 'Wilma Rocks!' Necklaces that will be hitting the screens soon... I've also experimented with etching these - and it's a more casual but equally stunning look!

I was asked recently about fall colors for these shaped sets... did I hit my mark? Makes me want to spend another torch session making variations of these!

I've mentioned before how I am always unscrewing things looking for cool findings to outfit with my beads... I think also, that once you've gone through such a search, your beads ought to enhance the item even further. This means cohesive design and well fitting beads, pleasing to the hand as well as the eye.

These 'beads' are in excess of 5" long - and took a great deal of painstaking attention to make sure that they survive their creation in the flame.

Again how light plays in and around, through the glass - here is a simple paddle style pair of earrings - but - with the stampings in the glass - it appears almost as if there is a silver lining. I like that effect, I love the way the light bounces around - and best of all - there is all this happening inside earrings that are very forgiving to wear. I mention this because it seems so many lampwork earrings are endless... beads, silver, dangles... more beads. Gosh - how much can one earlobe support?? Less is more - I always strive for that type of design... and these embody it.

I've never been able to pass up the opportunity to search for/buy findings! You'll forever find me in the stores unscrewing things - trying to see if whatever they've threaded on to the item can come OFF - only to be replaced by my work. As a result of this, I've got a good variety of goodies ranging from ice cream scoops, cake knives, cake servers, bottle openers, spreaders, bookmarks and such. Now, to figure out a way to make focal size beads more lucrative threaded onto a handle - than dangling beautifully as a pendant. sigh...

Serene and colorful, aqua and glassdaddy purple - married into one set that shows off their best qualities. Love the shapes. As you know, with transparent glass, the more light that passes through - and the more uneven surfaces that throw the light around inside the bead - giving it sparkle.

This was the first bead I had ever made that combined the characteristics that copper green, palladium foil and copper wire/mesh. What I found was that the palladium pinked up the copper green... What I think is so amazing about this bead is the way that the black ends are so crisp and definitive.

I've held onto this bead now for about three years. I think that happens because we worry that if we sell what we consider to be our masterpiece, there is a chance we won't progress to make something even more spectacular. MAYBE, if we always sell our best - our abilities will progress even faster!?

We all know drama and content are great fun... but - sometimes it's simple as colors and shapes. I've been smitten this summer by the gorgeous transparent glass out there, and the way that they interact with each other when forced to snuggle up. Nice combo, eh?

I find this pendant especially fetching because of the shape of the focal bead. Although I love the design of the bead itself... in the color and encasing - most often, I make them so that they're entirely round. I like that it's not - the flat plane top and bottom create drama that otherwise wouldn't be there... also, the stacked daisy spacers create a 'pile of silver' beneath the bail... altogether, a stunning and yet rather and simple pendant. nice.

Isn't this glorious? It's a focal lentil - with a layer of palladium foil, then encasing and trailings of R4 glass. I love the brightness from the under layer, and the drama from the designs on the top layer.