Tuesday's Tip

If you don't have a pair of nylon coated wire wrapping tools,just wrap painters tape(you know,that blue masking tape)around the jaws of your pliers to keep from marring your wire.
Today is the last day of our contest for the Lampwork bead.I will anounce the winner(s) on Monday,March 1st.
I will be traveling most of the day on March 2nd so there will not be a blog that day.Thanks to those of you who participated in my little contest!
Here's a thimble I have started to make with my glass.

Beaded Impressions Contest

Let the voting begin!! Beaded Impressions, online bead store contest has closed for the winter edition and the voting begins today and continues to Thursday,Feb.25.I have 3 entries, one in each category.If you would like to vote for me my numbers are:Traditional category,#118, Contemporary category,#8 and Eclectic category,#47.Feel free to vote for the best in each category,it's the voting that counts!
Here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/yzrfrcy.

Tuesday's Tip

Color is such an important part of design.Color expert Margie Deeb tells us Turquoise is the color of the year for 2010 according to Panetone (thee color expert).She has written a book especially for beaders called The Beaders Color Palette.It and a lot more great information is available on her website:
http://www.margiedeeb.com/
Only 2 weeks to go in our beaders tip contest!Don't be left out, you could win this beautiful Lampwork focal bead.It measures 13x28mm.

Trunk Show!

It's all set! The first Stone Designs Trunk Show is set for a preview at Bead Artistry in Fresno,Calif. on Thursday, March 4,2010 and continues through to Saturday,March 6,2010.Lots of eye candy! I have been busy making beads for the last few months for this show and I have some surprises too that are not shown in my Etsy store!

Tuesday's Tip

Today's tip is about Lampwork bead hole sizes.When purchasing handmade Lampwork beads the artist will usually list a mandrel size(that's the little steel rod used to wind the hot glass onto).If it says 1/16" that's the smaller size,perfect for beading jewelry.If it says 3/32" that's the larger size perfect for beaded accesories like pens,letter openers and bar tool,but can also be used in jewelry,just make sure you fill in the hole(see Tuesday's tip Jan 12)Please make sure you are purchasing Lampwork beads handmade by the artist,not mass produced.
WIN,WIN,WIN!! Don't forget to leave your favorite jewelry making tip in the comment section and you could win a beautiful Lampwork focal bead!

Newest Treasury

I have just created the most beautiful Treasury on Etsy! Some of my favorite Lampwork beads.Here's the link:http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=111976

My class on striking silvered glass was a ball.Sue Stewart is a great teacher and meeting Corina Tettinger and her little Chihuahua,Bonzai was a real treat!
Here's a bead I made from the technique.
I also just got my jewelry back from Bead trends magazine that was published in the February issue.The necklace sold right away to one of my boutiques and the earrings are listed in my Etsy store.