Glass by Billie

New Look

2011-03-18T15:50:00.004+01:00

Just want to thank Dawn Turner for my brand new banner.

Dawn is a moderator over on the new forum Craft Pimp and very kindly agreed to use me as a guinea pig in a potential side line of banner design.

To find out a bit more about Dawn and to view her work visit her website here

Pimp your Craft!

2011-03-15T09:08:00.004+01:00

I'm very excited to announce a new crafting forum, for all disciplines, where you can showcase your handcrafted items.

Please come and say hello, upload photo's, and join in the discussions at CraftPimp

White stuff....

2010-11-29T16:43:00.001+01:00

.... we're inundated with it!!

Wonder if it will last for St Nicholas this weekend..?

Naughty, naughty!!

2010-11-26T12:38:00.004+01:00

I've been melting glass, but haven't been too good at taking photographs and adding my work to the blog... Naughty, naughty!!

These are the latest pieces to be submitted to the gallery in Luxembourg, The Art of Good Taste, who have been doing a wonderful trade in the build up to Christmas with open evenings accompanied by bubbly.

If you're in Luxembourg, and want to go along to have a look at my work, and that of the other artists the gallery is home to, join us!

28, rue Alfred de Musset, Limpertsberg

So far, there are two Christmas preview evenings scheduled for December - Thursday 2nd December and Friday 3rd December 2010 - from 10am to 5pm both evenings.

Summer holidays over.....

2010-10-05T08:42:00.005+02:00

The children are back at school, but I have found it really difficult to get myself going on the torch again. The summer holidays are so long here, and getting yourself back into work mode after 2 months lazing around in the sun is hard! Driving home from Luxembourg one late afternoon a few days before school re-started, I saw a hint of brown in the trees and felt the urge to do some tree beads once I could get on the torch again.

So, once my mojo chose to rejoin me, here's what I came up with. Thanks for looking.

Cosmos

Autumn Leaves

Tree Silhouette

Snow Queen

Spun Honey

Wire Wrap Rings

Tigress

2010-07-27T15:49:00.004+02:00

Getting on the torch during the summer months is always a little tricky, however I had a good excuse to light up this weekend. A colleague of James's had spotted, on Flickr, a necklace I made three years ago and asked if I could make something similar for her mothers forthcoming birthday.

So, after a few hours torching Sunday morning, and 4 hours yesterday evening wrapping sterling silver wire around beads, here is Tigress! She goes to her new home tomorrow.

Enchanted Forest

2010-05-06T15:20:00.003+02:00

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy making tree beads. These are all large, 3.5cm lentils using Triton and Psyche glass, with nero intense black for the trees.

The pendant I had at The Art of Good Taste gallery sold last week, and another person had had their eye on it so commissioned one.

I had a good day at the torch on Monday and made 5. The balance were taken by the Bead Buddies!!

I think I might make some more, and try out the Clio and Aurae glass I have...

Flame-Off!

2010-04-17T15:31:00.003+02:00

I spent the day in Towcester yesterday, at Flame-Off! The annual event hosted by Tuffnell Glass. It was great that the dates coincided with a week long trip to the UK. I met loads of forum friends: Sooz, Sandie, Fiona, George, Ray and Andrew from the Bead Buddies forum as well as Natalie, Manda, Sarah, Sarah and Dickie, Sabine, Julie and Becky from the Frit-Happens! forum as well Sue, another Brit lampworking in France, and Pauline Holt who gave me my first ever lesson.

I sat in on some brilliant demonstrations by Di East, Teresa Laliberte and Sharon Peters, unfortunately having to leave before Sabine did her demo but will hopefully catch up with her again soon.

If you've missed it this year, try and get along to next years. It was my first ever time of going, but I'm hoping the girls Spring half term from school coincides again next year :-)

A 2 Week Break and Home to Blighty!

2010-04-09T12:29:00.004+02:00

So, the girls finish school this evening for a 2 week Spring break and Sunday morning (obscenely early) we set out for our road trip back to the UK.

With the thought of not making beads for 2 weeks, I had a couple of all day sessions this week which has been great.

I had a whole day yesterday playing with and encasing silver glass, which I very rarely get to do.

And finished photographing this morning. It was also fun making some BHB's!!!

And of course some dots!

Hoping to list these for sale later.

Except I can't find my gauge to measure them!

The Art of Good Taste

2010-04-01T09:35:00.003+02:00

I spent March getting my work organised for display at The Art of Good Taste gallery, which opens in Luxembourg on April 20th.

As many of us do, I have to work around school hours and term dates which means you don't have as much time as you think you do.

Although the opening is still almost 3 weeks away, the girls have this long Easter weekend, then a 2 week break from April 11th and for the first week we will be back in the UK (the dates of which happily coincide with The Flame-Off which Tuffnell's host in Towcester).

Work has been dispatched to Janice, the fabulous woman who is behind the Gallery, and yesterday with Daisy and Ruby in tow I set up the glass display unit which will be home for my work.

The Gallery is almost second home to the girls now. For the last couple of Wednesday afternoon's while I've been dropping off work, putting cabinets together and laying out work, they've been very happily sitting at Janice's desk playing on their DSi's or colouring in their colouring books.

There aren't many gallery owners who would have a creche corner for a 4 and 6 year old, but it also goes to show how great my two little girls are.

Sunshine Blog Awards...

2010-03-05T15:03:00.004+01:00

Today I found out I have been nominated for the "Sunshine Blog Award" by the very talented Jives Jewels
"The Sunshine Blog Award" is given to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others around the blogging world.

THE RULES OF THE AWARD
1. Put the Sunshine logo on your blog or within your post.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let your nominees know they have been nominated by leaving a comment on their blogs.
5. Link to the person from whom you recieved this award.

Here are the 12 wonderful bloggers I have chosen:

Keep Blogging!

Went a Bit Barmy with Blue

2010-02-15T19:14:00.002+01:00

I had a little time Friday afternoon to get on the torch. I found myself reaching for rods of white and cobalt blue and made this series - Porcelain...

This monster, took 3 rods of glass and measures 35mm

And for a choice of focals, there is also this "crunched" oblong

I also got this set made - a 30mm "marble" focal with 3 matching spacer beads which I've named Candied Jewels. I love the dark amethyst of this set!

And this, Galakto - another large "marble" focal

And I made an invert of the porcelain beads. Instead of white, I used ivory coloured glass, which has given a daintier swirl. This is Midnight Waltz

And lastly, Blue Lace... Told you I had a thing about blue on this last session!!

The girls are on 2 weeks leave from school, so no more torch time now until the end of the month... Which is probably just as well as the studio is FREEZING! See you in March!

A new year, a new name!!

2010-02-02T17:41:00.002+01:00

Well, it has only taken me until February to say Happy New Year and wish everyone good health, peace and prosperity. Where does the time go?

2010 is also presenting a wonderful new opportunity, in that I have been invited to exhibit my creative pieces in a new gallery opening in Luxembourg - The Art of Good Taste where you'll be able to find my work under Serendipity Glass Art Beads & Jewellery.

The gallery opens toward the end of April, and if you're in the neighbourhood and would like to go along for a look, let me know.

January brought snow, and lots of new bead sets - some of which are here. In the meantime, as always, you can view photo's of everything that has been baked on Flickr

Purplelicious!

2009-09-15T17:58:00.004+02:00

Some commission pieces completed for a gentleman to present to his wife for their approaching anniversary. It was nice to be back on the torch after the summer off!

Realised today how quickly Autumn will be with us. There's the barest hint of brown appearing in the trees. Autumn is my favourite season and is always the time of year which inspires me to make tree beads.

GBUK Bead Fair

2009-07-29T08:32:00.003+02:00

As a member of GBUK, I'm glad to promote the following event. Unfortunately I can't attend as I'm at a wedding the following week and can't travel to both, but if you can make it you'll see a wonderful assortment of lampwork. Tables are also free to GBUK members, which is great for getting your toes wet with selling at Bead Fairs if you've not done it before.

Glass Beadmakers UK is holding a Bead Fair of handmade glass lampwork beads for sale open to the public from 1pm - 5pm on Saturday September 19th 2009 at
Highgate House,
Creaton,
Northampton.
NN6 8NN

The 2009 Annual General Meeting of Glass Beadmakers UK will also be held on the same day.

Further information from www.gbuk.org or telephone 01455 440361

FHFteam Blog

2009-07-27T14:29:00.003+02:00

Please check out the FHFteam blog, which Becci (Fired Silver) has set up. You'll find a list of members blogs, stores and lots of information about Treasury's and in the future, Team challenges, featured artists and much more.

http://www.fhfteam.blogspot.com/

Frit Happens! Team on Etsy

2009-07-19T20:25:00.006+02:00

Exciting news!! The Frit Happens forum now has a Street Team on Etsy.

You can find us at http://fhfteam.etsy.com

You'll find a listing of the 30+ member shops so far promoting U.K. and European lampwork and handmade artisan jewellery by self-representing artists.

To become a member of the Frit Happens Forum Team you must be an active member on www.frit-happens.co.uk forum and your Etsy shop must contain selfmade lampwork, fused work or artisan jewellery . Members must use our tag in listings (FHteam) and help to create group treasuries and participate in our forum based activities.

Bracelets galore!

2009-07-01T11:08:00.004+02:00

Daisy has been invited to a birthday party, and I thought her friend Ilona might like a bracelet. Different to being inundated with Barbie dolls as Daisy was at her party. Ilona's favourite colour is pink

After Daisy and Ruby saw Ilona's bracelet, they asked for one too! Daisy wanted orange and purple, and Ruby wanted pink and blue.

Thanks for looking!

Gifts

2009-06-15T12:23:00.004+02:00

Have been busy with another birthday gift, and end of year presents for Daisy and Ruby's teachers and their assistants.

Bumpy beads strung on a hand dyed silk ribbon are here

Bookmarks for the teachers are here

Thanks for looking :-D

Birthdays

2009-05-24T10:59:00.007+02:00

So, James's best friend has his birthday this month. Still working on a "male range"...

I've used dark topaz, and dark grey glass with sterling silver.

Etsy

2009-05-22T12:03:00.004+02:00

Well, I have had 2 sales on Etsy, and another as a result of Lynn Davy's project featuring my Chinese Silk bead in Step by Step Beads back in November. As I'm currently selling through Etsy rather than my own website, I am going to try to load a mini Etsy store widget here on the blog. Fingers crossed!

We have so many public holidays in May and June. Torch time has slowed AGAIN as a result. I have no idea how I'm going to get beads made during July and August when the girls are off. They have a 9 week break! I'm going to attempt to spend each school morning on the torch until they break up on July 3rd to get a decent amount of stock up on Etsy. Best laid plans and all that :-D

Here are some beads I made which have recently found their way to a new home in Florida.

This one commission on the back of Lynn Davy's tute in Step by Step Beads

European Street Team on Etsy

2009-05-18T14:03:00.000+02:00

I recently joined the European Street Team on Etsy. It's a great team and they even have their own Charity Shop. Every item is donated by a member of the European Street Team. (Please read each listing for details of shipping as items will be shipped directly from the relevant team member). All proceeds go to the following good cause: Kindergarden playground upgrade to EU regulations in Hungary (check our profile for more info). Please visit the store if you get chance and check out Etsy tags which feature EST or europeanstreetteam to see what delights the Team members have to offer.

You can also check out the EST blog here

And follow this link for the EST catalogue - your guide for shopping from European sellers on Etsy!

Tweet!

2009-04-17T14:32:00.001+02:00

Just interested to know how many people tweet, and if you use it to promote your work... Maybe I'll see you there ;-)

Yippeee!

2009-04-17T14:03:00.004+02:00

I woke up this morning and had my first Etsy sale notification. I'm so excited!

And if anyone has any idea why suddenly my photo's from the last couple of posts aren't re-sizing as they usually do and no longer fit within their "frames" (see below) I'd appreciate your advice :-*

So I thought....

2009-04-14T12:56:00.003+02:00

... I'd make another tree bead yesterday before turning off the torch. I've been admiring the green beginning to show in the surrounding forests and have been itching to translate it into glass. For those of you who make tree beads, you'll know they aren't quick beads to make. This little beauty (35mm lentil) was made from 12 different stringers, each stringer consisting of 3 to 5 colours. It took about 20 minutes of pulling stringers. The base bead is white and transparent green glass, about 2 rods of glass in total. That took about 45 minutes to melt, then another 15 - 20 minutes laying down stringers and shaping. I'm pleased with it and it's my first tree bead in around 7 months, but they still need more work.

What did I do yesterday

2009-04-12T11:29:00.009+02:00

A sneak peek at yesterdays work.

Firstly, it's the in-laws 40th wedding anniversary today and as we are in France, and have rather a fondness pour le vin rouge, this "ruby" lampworked winestop seemed an appropriate gift.

These will also be listed in my etsy shop over the next 24 to 48 hours after a lady who requested a Chinese Silk bead decides which she'd like ( and those of you with young children will appreciate there are Easter egg hunts to be done!)

CS bead 2

CS bead 3

Then there are these

Spring green focal and spacers

Autum tube focal

Now, I'm not sure whether to list these or keep them for a friend who loves green, and whose birthday is in June....

Happy Easter everyone. Hope the Easter Bunny left you plenty of chocolate eggs xx

Er-hmmmmm!

2009-04-11T13:31:00.003+02:00

Well, I have been absent. Not only from updating my blog, but melting glass. I am back, and hopefully won't be absent for more than a few days at a time again. I won't bore you with the details as the main thing is beads are being baked once more.

There are also some announcements. My website is down for the foreseeable future (grrrrrr!! to the webhost) and so I will be selling my work through etsy, and you'll see my etsy shop details listed to the right. Beads will be previewed here also, and new bead listing announcements noted on my twitter feed (yes, I have succumbed to twitter). At the moment, I am running the one general Twitter feed as billiejlittle so you get a bit of family gossip too, but will split that off once I'm listing beads weekly again. And of course you can see a gallery of work on Flickr

That's it for today. Beads are baking as I type. Photo's to follow!

My goodness!

2008-12-31T11:37:00.004+01:00

A belated Happy Christmas to you all.

Where did November and December go..?! I didn't have very much torch time. Either I was ill, or the girls were so it hasn't been very productive toward the end of the year but I hope 2009 presents me with much more time to experiment.

I managed to get some cufflinks made for James, which leads me nicely to 2009 beady resolutions...

More beads, jewellery and gifts for men aaaaaaaand, at last I got my hands on a copy of this book!

to have mixed media designs.

I hope 2009 is a healthy and prosperous year for everyone. Warmest wishes!

73, and many more!!

2008-10-27T11:38:00.003+01:00

Here are some beads I got done last week, and strung for my mum as it's her birthday a week today - 73!! I've used sterling silver clasp, chain, and beads and some tiny amethyst beads I bought about a year ago that I've had in mind to use on something for my mum. I think she'll be getting a matching bracelet for Christmas!! They're strung on hand painted ribbon from Diane of SowZere Designs

Hope mum likes it!

Larger picture of Japanese Silk

2008-10-23T20:01:00.004+02:00

You see! Like waiting for a bus, there are none for ages then three come along together!!

Right, I've been having a a nightmare with formatting today (sorry for those of you who get alerts when I've been playing around with the posts and wondering what on earth I'm up to - You know who you are!!)

Anyway, I've given up trying to upload a larger picture of Japanese Silk in my first blog of the day, so I'm uploading it here :-D

Tag!

2008-10-23T15:24:00.002+02:00

Hmmmm.... I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Becky (Chameleon Designs) and Kelly (KEBO Jewellery). To explain...

1. Link to your tagger and display these rules on your blog

2. Share 7 facts about yourself - some random, some WEIRD

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs

4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

OK, 7 facts about me!!

1. I was named after a famous tennis player

2. I was born in London

3. I'm 5 feet 10 inches tall (no idea what that is in meters)

4. I can read text as quickly upside down as I can when it's the right way up

5. I playe din Centre, Wing Attack and Goal Attack for the school netball team

6. Apparently I snore

7. I sleepwalk

My lucky 7 to be tagged are:

Turning Light, Beads by Clare Scott, Bumpy Beads, Atelier de Laulo, Butterfly Beadwear, Autumn Weaves, Luz Bijoux

So sorry!

2008-10-23T13:08:00.008+02:00

I really don't know where the time goes!! I've been doing some collaborative work with Lynn Davy (Nemeton) a UK designer, for a ISGB/Bead & Button competition, the closing date of which is February 1st, but obviously I've needed to get the beads to Lynn (they arrived in the UK yesterday) so that she has time to do her seed bead and stringing magic with them to turn them into our representation for the Four Elements.

Last week, I received my complimentary copy of Kimberley Adams : Verre et Flamme - Creation de perles de verre, and although my beads are credited to Billy Jean Lewis (Lewis is my maiden name, Billy...? *sigh*) they are mine, all mine and appears on pages 46 and 125.

And there's more!

A project titled "Japanese Silk" appears in this months (November, 2008) edition of Step by Step Beads magazine, and it features my focal bead - which was originally titled Chinese Silk but the mag changed it.

"To get your creative juices flowing here are a few of
the enticing projects you'll find in the upcoming
November/December issue:

Japanese Silk: As elegant as a cherry blossom, this pearl and seed bead necklace features a lovely lampworked pendant"

I'm happy with that description :-D

Love is in the air...

2008-09-07T13:14:00.003+02:00

Wow!! That felt like a very long time away. Daisy is back at school, in the afternoon as well as morning now, and I think it has been a shock to both Ruby and I how quiet the place is without her around. Well.. as quiet as it can be with Ruby demanding to be entertained in between wandering around saying forlornly how much she misses Daisy.

Have some pictures to share with you anyway :-D

As the summer has been all about having fun, Daisy requested some funny face beads so I had a play and made these...

And this is also my first attempt at a fish bead. Appropriately, he has quite a trout pout!

And more firsts!! My oldest friend, Louise, gets married on September 20th in the Isle of Wight to Brett (congratulations you two!!!!) and she asked me if I would make the hairvines for her and her bridesmaid to wear on the big day. I've combined some lampwork beads with swarkovski crystals and this is what I came up with. I've never tried anything like this before, but found a couple of pictures of hairvines on some wedding sites and worked out how they were made. Thanks also to the ladies on the Bead Buddies forum who steered me in the right direction for a swarkovski crystal supplier and what gauge wire I'd need. You're all stars!

The bride:

The bridesmaid:

Summer time, and the living is easy.... (unless your children are on their school vacation)

2008-08-07T11:58:00.003+02:00

I have LOADS of photos to share, and tales to tell but am not getting chance while entertaining my offspring. Normal service will resume by the month end, when school re-starts.

Warm and fuzzy day...

2008-06-24T10:25:00.005+02:00

The day started early getting a packed lunch ready for Daisy to take with her to school as she had her first school day trip, to a farm. She was so excited, it made my heart swell. It was also going to be the first day of all her 4 years where she was out of my sight for a full day in the care of someone else. Ruby and I waved her off bravely, fighting back the tears... Daisy ran onto the bus and didn't even give us a backward glance. She did admit when she got home last night that she might have missed us just a little bit, but she had had a very good time riding a pony (it went too slow, she wanted it to go faster, but the bumping about had hurt her bottom a little bit... LOL!) and she had seen pigs, and goats, and sheep and had waved at the farmer.

Checking into my blog comments last night, I also made two warm and fuzzy discoveries.

The first was from Michele at Hedgeland Glass Gems. She had very kindly nominated me as one of her five for an award 'Sweet Home Blogger - for sharing Beauty, Love and Joy

Now I in turn must nominate 5 people. I'll have names ready in my next blog-post as I'd like to take some time to think about it. In the meantime, please have a read of Michele's blog and see the other four bloggers she has nominated.

Also, Clare of Beads By Clare Scott nominated me as one of her five for the "Arte Y Pico" Award which is The Creativity and Art Award.

Again, I'm considering names to pass this award on to. The responsibility is overwhelming :-D I shall be back with names in a few days with my next update.

Michele, Clare - bless you both. I'm truly honoured.

Le vin.... lilac?

2008-06-19T09:15:00.005+02:00

Sue, another wonderful Bead Buddies member, commissioned me to make a rather special gift - a winestopper for a 15th wedding anniversary present. She told me her friend liked Renie Mackintosh and could I create something with that in mind. I knew the colours used in a lot of the designs, so we chose a lilac, white and black theme. I also suggested I had some roses... Here's the end result.

Trees & Vines

2008-06-15T14:42:00.002+02:00

We had the mother of all thunder and lightning storms early evening yesterday. We were sure there would be a power cut - not goods news following 4 hours at the torch making tree and vine beads. The beads had been put on a longer soak as the biggest bead was just under 40mm and the storm starting just as the kiln would have begun ramping down.

Fortunately, there was no power cut, and this is what I collected from the kiln this morning... Not a bunch of frit as had been expected!

This is the largest...

My friend Petra wants a set of beads in turquoise, white and purple but not sure this is what she wants...

And this... My tree beads are usually lentil shape so experimenting...

Blushing Daisy

2008-06-09T15:23:00.003+02:00

Daisy has been pleading with me to make pink beads so she can have a necklace. I made this set - unsure whether to etch them. Anyway, these will be strung on a pink leather thong to make a very girlie necklace!

A difficult task...

2008-06-04T08:36:00.004+02:00

A little image heavy!

Sooz, of the Bead Buddies forum, came up with the idea of everyone contributing toward making Barbara Windsor a bracelet, as she'd heard that BW had lost a favourite bracelet some time back. As so many people wanted to get involved, this turned into making a piece of jewellery for various characters from the soap opera, Eastenders.

I chose Dot, and this is the pendant I created for her. The pendant is on an 18 inch snake chain - don't think you can see it in the photo.

I found it quite tricky! Originally, I had three of the focals on a silver wire choker but it didn't look right. So I made this pendant. Fortunately, I now have two focal beads I can add to my site this weekend - That's a silver lining!!

We also have a challenge/swap running on BB's whereby we make two mushrooms from whichever media we choose, and send it to two BB members and they reciprocate. These are my mushrooms, going to Sooz and Colette. I won't say who is getting which because I can't remember whose envelope each mushroom went in (and it would spoil their surprise if they read this blog before getting their little envelopes!)

And last, but not least, I had a request for a set of orange beads for someone's mum. I don't work with orange very often, but I hope she likes these.

And these are for the young lad who requested the beads for his mum. I thought I'd try and make some "man" beads as I know he makes jewellery too and thought he might like to make something for himself.

Great Colour Resource

2008-05-31T15:39:00.002+02:00

Just wanted to mention this blog http://coloraddiction.wordpress.com/. Kandice, through her blog, is putting together a fantastic colour resource. It's such a well written blog, and showcases beautiful beads.

Scheduled to be in print!!!!

2008-05-28T12:55:00.000+02:00

There is an extremely talented UK seed bead artist who goes by the name of Lynn Davy (you may also know her as Nemeton). Lynn is published regularly in UK and US bead magazines and informs me the publication Step by Step Beads will be featuring a necklace she has made with one of my lampwork focals named Chinese Silk. The 'Chinese Silk' necklace will feature in their 'ethnic' inspired issue in November.

Here is the stand-alone focal...

And this is Chinese Silk after Lynn worked her magic...

Doesn't it look sublime?

You can see more of Lynn's fabulous creations on her website and Etsy store

Quelle surprise...!

2008-05-27T11:01:00.000+02:00

Wow! I had a wonderful piece of work arrive in the post yesterday from Valérie (Luz Bijoux Creations) Valérie and I have exchanged emails and blog mentions and I sent her a set of beads. Yesterday, I was the recipient of a beautiful piece of work

Valérie is such a talented jewellery artist. She runs features on her blog in both French and English so please have a read... You can see a few examples of my work showcased there also and blurb on how I got started!

It has been a while....

2008-05-26T11:26:00.000+02:00

Congratulations Griet and Quinton! At long last they have done the deed and Griet has taken on the task of trying to make an honest man of Q. A life time of love and happiness to you both.

So, where have I been? The sun shines, we dig out out our summer clothes and what happens? Everyone catches a cold!! The girls have been ill, James has been ill, now I'm down with the lurgy too. Hoping to re-stock my site with new beads - just need to stop sneezing first. Normal bead service will resume soon!!

In the meantime, I did a prize draw on the Bead Buddy forum and Mary aka Balrogz won this bead... I love the colours in this bead, and the pleat effect of the white. Can't wait to see what Mary does with it.

Keeping myself out of mischief while not being able to sit at the torch, I've been reading through blogs and discovered

For those seriously addicted to art beads, check out http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

You'll find:

interviews with bead artists and jewelry designers who use art beads in their work.

monthly design challenge

"As the Bead Turns", a round up of the best posts from some of ABS's favorite blogs

It's a utopia of beadiness (not only glass, there are many, many medias featured)!

Who is "Art Bead Scene"? Heather Powers, Melanie Brooks Lukacs, Cindy Gimbrone, Elaine Ray, Tari Sasser.

And what Art Bead Scene all about? As the blog says, "Art Bead Scene is an interactive blog with the goal of uniting bead artists of all materials and the jewelry designers who use art beads in their work."

Sarah Hornik is the current featured artist. Check out the delicious eye candy accompanying the interview.

I have been blogged...

2008-04-29T09:46:00.000+02:00

Valérie of Luz Bijoux is featuring me on her blog at the moment. It is in English, so pop across and have a read http://luzbijoux.over-blog.com/

I have also been reminded to join L'Association des Perliers d'Art de France. It has been my intent to join since arriving in France last Autumn, but as we still have no income we've been prioritising our expenditure. L'Association des Perliers d'Art de France has been instrumental in having a book published on French beadmakers (in which I'm hoping to feature). You can find many talented glass artists listed on their website (see web listing). It would provide tremendous opportunity to showcase my work, so this has nudged me to move applying for membership to the top of my priority list.

And non-beady...

We had a wonderful afternoon with the girls at Citadelle de Montmédy Sunday afternoon. It's less than a 15 minute drive from where we are, although a different commune. The weather has been wonderful here since Thursday. It has given me a glimmer of hope that Summer is on it's way.

Here are my little darlings modeling their sunglasses...

And this is a view from the Citadelle...

You can find a great aerial view of Citadelle de Montmédy here

http://www.jedecouvrelafrance.com/f-3587.meuse-citadelle-
montmedy.html

Tinkering....

2008-04-25T11:02:00.000+02:00

We had a wonderful day at the park yesterday with the girls. The sun was shining, it was a very warm 18 degrees and the day had "park" written all over it. Daisy and Ruby were climbing trees (unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but when grandpa downloads his pictures I'll add one to this post) and there is also an athletics section to the park and I showed Daisy and Ruby "how to do" the long jump. It was so warm, I was wearing knee length trousers... Hadn't realised how abrasive sand can be!! After a few hours at the park, we had a short drive to our main shopping complex which houses a Haagen Dazs cafe, so the girls had an ice-cream and chocolate brownie, and James and I were very good sticking with our diet and had a water and orange juice respecively :-D We had a great time, and Daisy and Ruby were asleep within minutes of their heads hitting the pillow. They were awake very early this morning though, so we're having a quite day doing jigsaw puzzles and crayon-ing.

James has gone into Luxembourg today for a lunch with someone who may have some work for him. Here's hoping!! It has been a long time since we had a regular income and funds are now running very low.

When James is out, I can't make any beads, but I can upload photo's so I've been updating the albums on Flickr (and I'd hoped Facebook, but I keep getting an error message :-( ). Here's one set I made from a bunch of beads last week. I love the classic reaction of turquoise and ivory and rather predictably, have called them Classico...

I don't know if maybe I need to move away from dotty beads again for a spell and re-visit the sculpted focals I so enjoyed making at the end of last year...

To be honest, it seems the case that when I sit at the torch, I'm subconciously driven to making a set of dotty beads, or a tree bead, or a sculpted focal before my conciousness engages and even realises it. I find I can't "force" myself into making a specific type of bead, I can't sit down and say "Right, I'm making this kind of bead today" because I usually end up with a jar full of water and frit. Maybe that's lack of discipline, I'm not sure. It is interesting though. I stand in front of my rack of glass, pulling out colours not knowing what is to become of them... Maybe that's all part of this glassy madness!

Vive le Forum!

2008-04-20T15:40:00.000+02:00

I am very slowly finding Forums based in mainland Europe where jewellery artists congregate. Another very friendly forum I have found, on recommendation of Valérie (Luz Bijoux) and Laurence (Laulo) is Beadouillerie. The work is beautiful. Even if you've not spoken/read French since your school days, hop over and take a look at the work :-D You will be impressed.

I am trying to negotiate the boards to find the correct place to upload images of jewellery and beads... It is taking me a while :-D I think I repeatedly post in the wrong sections on Histoire de Perles, and my poor French makes people wince, but everyone is so encouraging, it is wonderful.

Blooming marvellous...

2008-04-18T15:10:00.000+02:00

I passed up the opportunity to lock myself away in the cellar this afternoon, as the weather is so glorious.

Daisy, Ruby and I took the camera into the wilderness that is the garden (that's my way of warning you this Post may be image heavy and quite possibly boring to all but me!!!), and took some photo's to help me with colour alchemy on my tree beads.

Additionally, I really want to do a series of nature inspired beads, but not being into florals, I need to find another way to interpret flora and it's beautiful colours.... Watch this space.

I might create an album set in Flickr to store the rest of this afternoon's photos otherwise you might get really bored :-D

And Daisy insisted we had a photo of the tree-house Grandpa is building...

I was also able to exchange a few emails with Teresa Laliberté yesterday. She has posted for sale through her Etsy shop, an absolutely incredible tutorial on her Willendorf style goddess. The detail she has put into the tutorial is truly outstanding. I am really looking forward to attempting to make a goddess in this style over the next week. If you would like to see more of Teresa's art, her Lavender Creek website is listed on recommended websites to visit. I hope to attend one of Teresa's classes one day. I should start saving for one to one tuition with her in Germany :-D

And not forgetting to mention, my friend in Toulouse, Laurence (or Laulo to admirers of her jewellery) now has an English version of her blog. See the recommended blog links...

Is Spring springing..?

2008-04-17T11:20:00.000+02:00

We have woken up to such a bright, beautiful, sunny day. It's absolutely gorgeous outside. I feel as though my internal batteries are recharging already. It's amazing how a little sunshine cheers you, isn't it? I'm happy, even though my first tempt at a mermaid didn't go so well. She wasn't the most attractive thing anyway, and she cracked in the kiln. Some things aren't meant to be... but never mind! The sun is shining!

And this chap came over to say hello to us this morning. Our neighbours horse (one of two). We aren't quite sure what his name is, but now I have such a nice photo of him I shall try to find out.

And how is this for a view...?

Took this photo from the hill leading up to the woods. You can see the in-law's house nestled amongst the trees (three storey brown house in the middle of the photo). Isn't it a beautiful setting? How can you not be inspired by nature?

The kiln fairy

2008-04-16T19:19:00.000+02:00

I've actually spent a few hours on the torch for the first time in aaaaages! The fairy and wood nymph unfortunately cracked so I won't post pictures, but I made three dotty bead sets to send to friends, a Pysche tree (smaller than usual and found it really difficult doing a tree small scale!)

and also this bangle for myself.... Double Helix pysche, nero intense black and some sterling and Karen Hill Tribe silver...

Humbug...!

2008-04-15T16:24:00.001+02:00

So, I check my email this afternoon and I have a notification from "Compare People" on Facebook. My rankings have changed.

I've slipped down the rankings to #4 most athletic (not sure how I ever ranked third amongst my friends for that any how!!!!) I'm not even that upset at slipping 2 places (well, slightly...) and now being ranked 4th for most generous but GOING FROM TOP SPOT TO #4 MOST FASHIONABLE?? I need to have words with my friends >:-(

On a more positive note, have been at the torch the last two afternoons. Depending on how kind the kiln fairy is, there are a couple of Pysche tree beads, a couple of dotty sets, and I hope a fairy and a wood nymph... but I'm not that hopeful on the last two, but we shall see.

Pictures follow tomorrow.

Idle thumbs....

2008-04-05T14:39:00.000+02:00

You know that saying, "The Devil makes work for idle thumbs"? Well, Ruby and I are both down with the lurgies today. So while James and Daisy have their afternoon jaunt to Daisy's ballet class, followed by a sleep-over at a friends (yes, both of them. James's friend Gareth celebrates his birthday this weekend and he and his wife are having a party incorporating a wine tasting evening, so the girls were going to have a sleep-over with their children while we joined the adults and quaffed some wine), Ruby and are watching DVD's, drinking juice and I also decided to have a play with the banners I use on various online shop fronts and forums. So, gone is the monochrome look, and you'll see above a rather colourful banner incorporating a set of beads I made with topaz and light steel effetre glass. Not sure if I like it, and if it will stay.... but it's here for now.

Here's the set in their full glory!

I have to say, they are one of my favourite sets to date.

I can't believe I haven't been on the torch for almost a month now. Besieged by back ache, and now a cold. Busy week next week too as James is in London, but I'm hoping for torch time on Monday. There are beads to get out!!!

2008-04-01T10:17:00.000+02:00

There is a huge European forum - Histoire de Perles, which is multi-lingual and has so much incredible work showcased on it. I was fortunate enough to hear of it through two new beadie friends I have made here in France - Luz Bijoux and Laulo (see links to their Blogs). I can't post pictures to show you samples of their work as obviously I don't own copyright of their images, but if you get chance, go have a look at their Blogs. You should be able to translate the sites from French to English using the Google website translation tool.

Laulo also has work available through a DaWanda shop.... http://en.dawanda.com/user/laulo31700

What's the time Mr Wolf...?

2008-03-31T11:25:00.000+02:00

Soooooo.... we remember to put the clocks forward yesterday, unlike quite a few people we interacted with yesterday in France.

The girls go to bed at the revised time and didn't seem to notice having an hour trimmed off their day and the alarm is set for ten minutes to 7, as James also wants to go down to the walk-in surgery at the doctors this morning. Everything is right with the world.

When we get the girls downstairs this morning, it isn't 5 minutes to 7, it's 5 minutes to 8. I need to be out the door on the way to the bus stop with Daisy at 10 minutes past 8. It's only a 3 minute walk, but Daisy likes a few minutes to run around with the other children before the bus arrives.

Someone... mentioning no names James... didn't change the bedroom clock. Why does James get the blame? Because he sorts the bedroom clock and he also had to be up a little earlier than everyone else.

Food is not allowed on the school bus, but at La Maternelle they don't have a morning snack and I'm not letting Daisy go hungry until lunch time. So we hatch a plan, this morning she will be driven to school so she can eat her toast in the back of the car enroute. While I get her dressed, James makes toast. While she drinks a cup of milk, I get her feet into her boots. While James gets her in her coat, I pull a brush through her hair. Ruby, during this frenzied activity, is calmly watching her Snow White DVD.

James and Daisy hurry out the door at 8.15a.m. and drive to school. The school bus that's due to leave the village bus stop at 8.15a.m...... comes flying past the house at 8.30a.m. The bus was also running late!

Wonderful swaps

2008-03-26T15:37:00.000+01:00

If any of you are members of forums, I urge you to get involved in swaps and exchanges. They are ace!! (and while mentioning swaps, I recommend you go visit my friend Tan's site (Tan, of Course - link listed under websites). She has a page on her site which lists beads she's willing to exchange for other items. If you have any of the items she's looking for on her list, you could find you have yourselves a deal!!!

I've received two fantastic swaps the last couple of days. The first was a wonderful etched goddess from Becky at Chameleon Designs as part of a swap on the Frit Happens forum.

Isn't she a fantastic colour? My cobalt blue goddess which appeared on the blog at the end of February is now in Becky's hands.

Next, I had a visit from the Sock Fairy. No, I'm not losing it!! The Sock Fairy aka Jaye, is a lurker on the Bead Buddies forum, and in exchange for these beads....

I received these fabulous socks.

No more cold toes when I'm in the cellar making beads :-D

Thanks Jaye!

Spring

2008-03-25T09:48:00.001+01:00

I don't usually post pictures of my girls on publicly accessible forums but I have to share this with you. We were out at 7.30a.m. Easter Monday morning building Mr Frosty.

Here's a view of the garden.

I think we're been experiencing the same kind of weather conditions as most of the UK over the course of the last week, namely hail, sleet, rain, snow and on occasion bright sunshine. Today it is bitterly cold. So cold, I expect to see penguins waddling down the road at any moment!!

I've been a bit slow on the bead front because it has been uncomfortable sitting at the torch, but the website has been updated today with some beads and a couple of focals. I think these are my favourite set on the website at the moment... Dark topaz and light steel effetre.

These creaking bones...

2008-03-11T14:25:00.000+01:00

Haven't been on the torch for almost a fortnight. I felt something twang a while back when picking up Ruby and it still hasn't quite righted itself... not enough for e to be comfortable sitting in the cellar for a 3 to 4 hour spell while I make beads anyway. Will hopefully have some freshly baked beads toward the end of the weekend...

Release your inner goddess...!

2008-02-29T16:06:00.000+01:00

Hmmm.... another Frit Happens bead swap has been organised. This time we are swapping goddesses. Have never made one before, even though I've been itching to give it a go and signing up for the swap is the kick-up the bottom I need. Anyhoooooo... this is my first attempt at a goddess.

and from the side...

and rear...

Not as voluptuous as most so I need to work on getting some "flesh" on her. I also couldn't remember as I was finishing this one off whether they should have heads or not!!! Anyhow, I think we have until the end of March until we are assigned swap partners, so I can get plenty of PPP :-D

I also made this bead while I had the cobalt and turquoise glass to hand....

A pressed lentil, approximately 36mm from hole to hole. I think this may have my friend Georges' name on it :-D

2008-02-28T19:10:00.001+01:00

There is a Pleat Bead challenge running on the Bead Buddies forum. I had a go making some a couple of weeks ago (Tonbo Dama, the Japanses Glass Artist, features them in his book), and Sooz thought it would be an idea for those who could be tempted to have a go. Everyone is doing really well. It's great seeing the colour combinations people are trying.

Also, if you like beads, like working with beads and are a serious beader, get yourself along to the Bead Buddies forum (link below). They (we!!) are a great bunch.

Frit Happens Tree Bead Challenge

2008-02-28T18:49:00.001+01:00

We had a tree bead challenge set on the Frit Happens forum back in January. This was fortunate, as I was harbouring an addiction to tree beads.

This is the bead that went in the swap to Vicki...

... and these are the beautiful beads I received in return!

You can see more of Vicki's work at Pure-Shore Lampwork (link below)

I'm a tree hugger

2008-02-28T17:38:00.000+01:00

I love trees. If I'm ever feeling down or lacking inspiration, apart from making sure I eat tomatoes(!!), I like to go for a walk where there are plenty of trees. When we lived in Hertfordshire it was Epping Forest or Broxbourne Wood. Here in France, we are surrounded by forest. It's incredible.

I spent much of autumn watching the leaves change colour, and wanted somehow to capture this in my beads. Between October and December there was a lot of green, amber, gold and brown in my beads - beautiful autumnal colours. Then one torch session while practicing my stringer control, my mind kept wandering to my glassy friend Claire. Claire is "Rowanberry Glass Art" and makes incredible tree beads, amongst many other beautiful things (link below). Trees are wonderful for stringer control, so with Claire in mind I made my first tree bead.

Tree beads are something I'm now working on developing into my own style, so with pictures of my first and latest shown, you can see how the style has so far developed.

You can see more beads on Flickr.com (link below).

When I became a glass addict...

2008-02-28T12:14:00.000+01:00

I was introduced to the art of lamp-working during a visit to my husbands parents house in the summer of 2006. My father-in-law asked me one evening if I wanted to "have a go" so off we trundled. It was fantastic. Watching molten glass is quite mesmerising, and being able to use the heat and gravity to manipulate I found to be very relaxing. Having two young daughters, I wanted a hobby which would allow me to have some "me time" and lampworking was perfect. I've always been artistic, sketching and painting and working with colour, and being able to transform some of that onto a glass canvas appealed to me as it felt both exciting and challenging. I voiced this to my husband and he was all for it... so long as I did a class with someone who would teach me the safety basics (the thought of propane and a naked flame concerned him slightly) so after finding a teacher and completing a course one weekend in late November that year, James bought me a starters kit for Christmas and an addiction to glass began.

My first ever bead!

This is the first set of beads I made - I think I gave this pendant to my sister.

And these are beads made 11 months later following my class with Sarah Hornik!!

I've been able to attend courses with some wonderful glass artists - Pauline Holt at Jazzy Lily was my first teacher in November 2006. In 2007 I was able to spend a day with Dora Schubert and also Sarah Hornik (websites below).