Thursday 18 July 2013

Earring Challenge Reveal 14 - Weeks 27 & 28/52

Ok, so I know I am a little early for this weeks reveal but there is a good reason I promise.

On Saturday I am going to be flying to America, Rochester New York to be exact to attend THE GATHERING! For those of you who don't know what The Gathering is, it's the USA's version of our UK Flame Off. Lampworkers who come from all over the world to meet up and make new friends and learn and buy glass and tools.

I am fortunate enough that I managed to secure a limited space on Holly Cooper's class, someone whose work I admire, I am also doing a class in etching and patination and making glass cabouchons using murrini. There will also be lots of presentations and a huge bead swap among other things. Lots to look forward to.

I hope to be doing a blog update whilst I am there.

Anyway here are my earring makes for the AJE Earring Challenge 2013.

WK 27/52

My first pair are a simple but (I think you'll agree) stunning pair of black and white earrings. I made the black glass hearts and the white spacer beads and combined them with black crystal rondelles. Finished off with sterling silver earwires.

WK 28/52

Another simple but effective pair, this time in red and white with my own lampwork encased dotty beads and white spacers, with red crystal rondelles and again sterling silver earwires.

Don't forget to have a look at the other makes.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
x

Saturday 6 July 2013

Earring Challenge Reveal 13 - Weeks 25 & 26/52

Yay! I'm organised and on time for once.

Wk 24

My first set of earrings were inspired using a technique I saw being used on my trip to Murano. They are actually made up of 1 bead but look like a stack of beads.

They evolved after I made myself this fun bright and colourful necklace (warning you might need your sunglasses for this one, the yellow bead is a bit on the bright side!)




Wk 26.

Back before I started lampworking I bought this set of beads from Galloway Beads


I loved the organic look of them and when I saw these gorgeous ceramic hearts from Bo Hully Beads I knew they would be a perfect match.

Made using Vintaj Brass findings.

Don't forget to have a look at the other participants makes for this week.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
x

Thursday 4 July 2013

4 day JC Herrell Workshop at Diana East's Studio June 2013

When I read on Diana East's newsletter that JC Herrell was coming to teach at her studio 19 in Leicester I was over the moon. I have admired JC's beads for her amazing stringer work and those of you who read my blog will know how much I want to perfect this skill. I paid my deposit back in April at Flame Off and finally the time came for the workshop.

I chose to do all of the 4 days of the workshop although you could choose which days you wanted to do if you didn't want to do all of them.

Each of the days followed a similar pattern where we introduced ourselves to each other (bearing in mind that different people did different days) and told JC what we hoped to get out of the day.

Geat hat JC!


Day 1: Back to basics, shaping and heat control.

Now you may be thinking, you've seen my beads, nothing wrong with the shape but I rely heavily on my tools and thought it would be a good idea to go back to basics and learn how JC does it.

These are the beads I made. The big amber barrel was made by JC. You can see how tight her corners are compared to mine - but they did improve! The only tool used to make these was a marver.

It was a very useful exercise especially after having just visited Murano where everything is about speed and slap it on the mandrel.

Day 2: The Joy of Enamels.

I've had the occasional play with enamels with both demo's from Diana East and Astrid Reidal but not really done anything with them so was really excited to be doing this workshop.

We covered everything to do with enamels including safety, enameled stringer, apply the stingers, rolling in enamel, sifting and boiling. We also covered the first steps in stringer work.

Enameled spacers with fine black centre line. ( I have to say I didn't make these actual beads on the day but had a go when I got back)
 
 
 
Faded enamels with fine stringer work. Very pleased with how this bead turned out.
 
 
 
Painterly effect with enameled stringers. I made this a bit small so didn't have enough room to create the desired effect but I like it anyway. Very monetesque which is one of my favourite artists.
 
My own interpretation.

Days 3 & 4: The Joy of Stringer.

I think JC just about covered every time of stringer work going apart from scrolls (she don't do scrolls!)

There are too many tecniques to mention here and I didn't bother keeping all of my practice beads but here are a couple.


Lots more practice required as you can see.

JC is a fantastic teacher - the best lampwork teacher I have had so far. She has a background in corporate team building and peppered her classes with little stories and motivational tips. I also have the most comprehensive set of notes that I have ever been given from a class.

I can safely say that she is one of a kind and a pleasure to know. I am very fortunate that I will be able to meet her again when I go to The Gathering in Rochester New York (only 3 weeks away!).

I like to treat myself to a little bead that the teacher of the workshop has made and this is the one I chose. Isn't it smashing?

I have some photos of the class over on Facebook.

A big thankyou to Diana East and JC Herrell for a fantastic workshop. It was great meeting up with old friends and making some new ones.

Thanks for looking.

Linda
x


The Beading Glass

I am sooo lucky! Last month I was approached by Leah Curtis of Beady Eyed Bunny to see if I would like to be featured in her online magazine The Beading Glass.



This months theme is all about the seaside and as I am surrounded by the sea (living on an island) it is bound to influence my work.

At the moment I have a couple of beach hut and sailboat beads in my Etsy shop. I usally have some shells but I seem to be all sold out. I will hopefully be replacing them soon.


Thankyou for the honour Leah.

Linda
x
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