This blog is being continued on my new website.

Hi I have been working on my new website which includes a blog session.  So If you would like to visit and drop by my blog.. here is my  new link.. http://www.dianezeliadesigns.com/my-blog-thingy.html

I am really excited with my new website.. it is perfect for my needs and creative outlet.. I hope you come and check it out..  Thank you   Diane

Beads of courage challenge BEADS

Check it out.  The 24 beads made on the day of the challenge.  I had hoped to make more.

1st picture is the group shot.. next two close ups of that group.

The last 2 pictures are of beads from my stash not being used for anything special so picked the bigger ones and decided to donate these as well..  the total sent 180 beads sent to beads of courage.   Such a wonderful organization, and pleased to be a part of it all.  

Beads of Courage Bead Challenge information

It has been way too long since I've posted on my blog.  Today I want to share information about a Bead Challenge for Beads of Courage Organization..  

This amazing cause is heading a fundraiser for Beads of Courage.   These beads help a child go through their journey of treatment.  Each accomplishment or step in their healing and treatment is symbolized by a beautiful glass bead.  Their special necklace can pinpoint every step of the way.

I wish I could physically be there at the pittsburgh glass center.  
Unfortunately I won't be there, but at least I can take the pledge and promise to torch and make beads  on september 15 th along with all the other lampworkers that day.  

I will post my  batch I create and will mail them in as soon as they are ready to go.  I can't wait to create special colorful beads for these children..  I have space ships, kitty, doggie, hearts and butterfly ideas in my head.. I hope these beads can add a little light into their lives.   I promise to post a picture before mailing out.. 

I"ve always wanted to do this. Finally wire wrapping!

Things have been interesting in the studio the last few weeks..  I have made beads and have a "bunch" to be put up on eBay or Etsy..  but I am working on posting all the older beads first... 

The next thing going on, and I'm totally enthralled  is working with Wire!  OMG.  I'm having so much fun, and I think I really enjoy the little intricate designs it creates.  I have been working from a wire magazine, a recent one.   I found this design in  Art Jewelry Magazine volume 8 issue 3 march 2012!  What a fabulous project for anyone who wants to give it a go.  


There is a bit of a learning curve, the first one I did I could not finish it correctly because I did not have enough weaving wire..  so it ended up being a knot..  its ok... but would never give as a gift or sell it.. 


This one was better and I did change it to be more of my design.   I also used smaller weaving wire.  Of course this just sends my creative brain into a frenzy!  All kinds of ideas.... and so it begins... lol

 

Spacers Galore!!!

This is what I worked on one day at the torch last week.  As you can see have not had any energy to even get them off the mandrels.  This weekend for sure.  Not too sure what I want to do with these sweet little spacers.. I did make a few vocals.. and experimenting.. but feels good to pop out this many beads on one sitting.   All transparents this time around..  have a great week..  Diane

FINALLY I did chain mail

 I have been wanting to teach myself how to create chains with jump rings.   I have a couple of books, wish I thought looked simple enough.. NOT SIMPLE>..  Once I figured it out yes simple but looking at those pictures not so easy.

This is the beginning, middle and end of this project..  Took several hours of dropping jump rings, dropping the project, figuring out I was messing up the pattern , then realizing that in one box I had two different sized jump rings..  at first blush looks the same but if you really look OH>>>  that is a smidge smaller hmmm?  So time to start over!

 As with anything practice makes perfect, which I still need loads of practice..  Anyhow after figuring out the little "problems"  I finally got into a groove of a resemblance of what it should look like.

 This is a Byzantine Chain.   So here a a few pictures of the project from start to the finished product.  I added one of my lamp worked beads in the center..  I think I may add some charms too..  but was so excited to survive this first attempt.  I liked it.. even with the rough start.

Beads and Murrini today

 I have pictures of the new murrini I created this week at the torch... I did two.  Both  uses that great reacting glass Nyx.   With stripes of transparent aqua and the other with topaz...  Aqua seemed to work better.  I think 

 These 3 pictures are of both sides of one bead, with one close up..  the twisty is used from the left over from making the  murrini.. I do like it.   one murrini has a nice glob of clear to magnify.. other side just plain..

I know that both of these pictures the murrini look exactly the same..  but the top picture has double white layer which I used topaz .. the bottom only 1 layer of white.. with aqua..  soooooo....

Ok so this murrini was the "topaz" added .. not that thrilled but it was good to try.. and see... the twisty worked pretty well here.. from the left over glass from one of the murrini pulls..

 This is a picture of another bead both sides and one close up..  again with the aqua stripes.. love the color reactions..
  All the beads above created with Ivory dark with silver foil  and raking of transparents and raised dots here and there,medium sized focals about 1 inch tall 3/4 inch wide and about 1/2 inch thick...this is a lot of fun at this point.  I do need to improve on technique on murrini creations.. as well as using them.

Please accept apology I am still working on photographing this little glass items.
Have a great week.. and thanks for stopping by.

My First Murrini, It worked!!!!

 I created this murrini using  Christina Catherine of WWW.CCGLASSART.COM 
This was an interesting process making these.  Oh my goodness..  by the end of it I had such a wad of glass on the end of a metal mandrel... about the size of a walnut.  My husband comes in the room just to let me know he's home..  I tell him.. hi .. can't talk...  I barely give him a glance..  since things can go wrong so quickly. lol..  He did not take it personally.. good thing.  


So I learned so much doing this.  It's quite amazing to see what you can produce.  With layers and layers of glass.  Below are pictures of the murrini  not cut with some slices ready to be used.  Then a picture of the twists made from the left over.  Then finally 3 beads this murrini was used on.   


Over all I was very happy I find though that the light green you see on the murrini does not show much once put in a bead....  It's all in the learning and doing process.  But this was a good start , I was very nervous.. with the start of this project.  I now feel more confident after following Christina's instructions.  :-) 

end and rod of murrini and some cut pieces

just a shot of murrini

twists created with left over glass ends

murrini put in and melted in 

This murrini melted in with a glob of clear over it..

Happy New Year 2012 it's gonna be better!

I'm here still trying to flex my creative muscle.  It's been getting weaker due to life just getting in the way.  I've decided that we do things that are important to us.   This is a new year, a new attitude and I have decided  this is very important to me.   I'm not me when I do not create, be it melting glass, or pulling out my watercolors.   I feel like something is missing like an old friend.  That I have not called in a while.

I may not be perfect in my creating.  But its the doing that is important being in that zone.  The good and the Bad so I hope for those of you who have found me and find the time to pop in from time to time.. that there is something worth while to read, or find a picture or two..  to see what is going on in the studio.. or life.

So what has been going on... what the near future holds.. well let me just say I have a few little plans... on is to learn how to make murrini...  I found a wonderful 53 page TUT on ETSY..  can not wait to try it.

It is created by Christina Catherine and the link to this tut is =>  Making Beautiful Murrini

her etsy site is CCGLASSART.COM   I  cannot wait to give it a try..  this week for sure and will share the attempts.. I'm really excited.  Seems like I have not tried anything new lately..  so this is a start.

I also have set up my watercolor palette and my goal will be to paint weekly.. I will soon enough add the link of my watercolor blog.. once things start up.. very soon.

But until  then here are a couple of new beads I finally got cleaned and ready for sale.  My typical organic style..  thanks for the stop by.  Have a great weekend.  Diane