It seems appropriate that these are called Aqua Drops... doesn't it? Graceful little drops - made en tandem on a single mandrel - to make sure they match. A sure feat of concentration and determination to watch as molten glass drips like honey - to just the right shape/size.

...and the process continues - I'm liking what I'm seeing - don't know how everyone else will - but it's pretty. It's still hard to limit the size of the beads - with the requirement that the holes be shaped so perfectly to be able to seat a nice core. It almost dictates the size of the bead.

N says that in her opinion, the size of the bead is more important than the fact that it's lined. That's an interesting point of view, as I'd be happy to make small intricate UN-lined beads - after all - small is my forte!!

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.