Tiny canvas for art!
Reminded once again - how I love creating on a background of black... I revisited this
style set, and wasn't disappointed in the least. If you click on the image - you'll see the
larger version. I love this style bead for its simple almost childlike scribbles.. and the fact
that the design has been flattened in the same mold as the base bead - same curve exists.

Although I like elegant encased beads - sometimes the inner child just needs to sing her song!

This picture was included in a book by Jeri Warhaftig last year - I chose it tonight because, it'd been such a LONG time since I'd seriously made hollows. I sat down and started to refresh my technique... better stated. I dusted it off. Layers of dust. I had a few failures - as in I didn't get all the holes sealed up and the hollow deflated. BUT - then hit the zone.
How long do you think it should take to make one? I don't know if I've ever talked about the self-imposed time limit I have.

OK, here we go.
I don't believe that a bead should take me longer than 20 minutes to make. I'm not all rah-rah on beads that I hear take people a couple of hours... how can they do that??? My attention span is roughly twenty minutes. YOU have a good 'read' on whether the bead is turning out as planned after about 10 minutes... I figure you're half-way there.

IF after 20 minutes - you've made a huge mistake or absolutely hate it - you can bail, and not feel too bad, as not that much time was invested. I don't like to prolong failure. *or for that matter - repeat it* I learn pretty quick what I did wrong and make note.

Oh... the time on the hollow was 2min. 55 sec. but I got it down to 2 min 15 sec. that's pretty darn amazing.

Austin inspired fun set - Kellie - a sophisticated mix of colors that play beautifully upon each other - emphasizing color relationships and causing that great visual 'pop' when an otherwise ordinary color is placed adjacent to one that makes it just come to life. 1/2" diameter rounds with 1/16" mandrel holes are a useful size that lend themselves to earrings, bracelets or necklaces... perhaps *if you have not already noticed* my very favorite shape!!

Simple shape - basic color... FLASH of richness. The contrast between the predictable shape, the basic black... and the random edges of the gold leaf make this set pop. It invites exploration and awe and surprise.
I love to find ways to awaken curiosity - maybe make the viewer have to 'work' to earn the right to enjoy the totality of the design, and hopefully - at the end, the overall experience outweighs the 'work' expended!

Today, it's all about color and simplicity... OH WAIT... it's always about that! I've just found a new way to bring it forward - with as little distraction as possible. It's lovely disks of color - that swing from your earlobes. Perfectly perfect. ... Lauscha Lemon and Tangerine transparent glass... as if I needed to call it out! ; )

Below is dark blue-lavender... etched.... mmmm nice.