My 1st Glass Beads!

So these are the beads that I made and I am so excited about them. Now I need to figure out what I want to make with them.  They aren't exactly the same size, so I don't think I can turn them into earrings.  I think I'll make a bracelet and pendant with all of the bright colored ones.  My favorite ones are the two white ones in the back with the brown specs.  The process of making the speckled beads is fun.  First you make the solid color bead, then you role the bead into crushed glass (frit)....then you reheat the bead to melt the glass into it and voila! I love love love the frit stuff...it is magical! The tuxedo looking bead was pretty neat to make too.  This class was so much fun...the best part about it is you get to see instant results of what you are making.  It is so much fun to play with fire!

My 1st Glass Bead Making Class!

Sooooooo Devin signed me up to take a glass bead making class.  Now I understand why Diane Kovach says," she's involved in a long term affair"......with glass that is! There are so many colors to choose from and the designs are endless.  I could make beads for hours.  It is instant gratification. You stick the glass in the flame and roll it, and voila!  Of course, there is much more technique to it....hence why I took the class. Diane is a very good instructor.  She makes everything look so easy.  I learned how to add dots, swirls, and different patterns to the bead.  I also learned how to add fritt.  Fritt is so much fun! you make your bead and while it's still warm, you roll it in crushed glass (fritt).  Then you put your bead back in the flame and watch it melt into the glass.  I now understand the addiction to fritt.  When you are making a glass bead, it is very important to keep the bead warm if you are going to add to it.  I let a bead cool down too much and stuck it back in the flame and it exploded.  We jumped back and a tiny piece landed down my shirt and into my bra an somehow only left a teenie tiny burn.  If you play with fire, chances are you will get burned...No big deal really!  It is all a learning process on what to do and what not to do.  Thanks so much for teaching me how to make my own glass beads Diane.  Look forward to future classes with you.  Here are some pictures of the class.

Craft Room

Here are some photos of my craft room! The first photo is what I take with me to my jewelry teaching classes.  You can find out more about my jewelry cases if you click on the link on the left side of my blog.  My desk is very messy.  You can see the comfy chair my husband got me.  He wanted me to have something nice to sit in.  Of course everyone needs a light box to take their photos.  Be sure to stop by my etsy shop. www.lfjewelry.etsy.com

Need A Little Pick Me Up?

If you are new to my blog, please notice the section titled "My Daily bead."  If you ever feel like you need a little pick me up, this will do it.  What I've done is copied what the Women of Faith team have said and just posted it here.  I am so thankful that I know of this wonderful group of women and try to pass along all the wonderful things they have to say in hopes that it will lift you up just as much as it has me.  If you haven't read "My Daily Bead," you are missing out on words of wisdom and faith.

Fabulous Fridays by Phyllyis

Hey guys....my friend Phyllis is a Stampin Up demonstrator. She is offering FREE product such as stamps on fabulous Fridays!  All you have to do is go to her website/blog and post a comment on it to be entered into the drawing.  Just copy and paste the web link.
http://phyllisstamps.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Happy Scrapping!