Vintage German Orange Disks

MAWGA Lampwork Dichroic Heart

 The few people who knew me “bs” (that would be “before store”) knew me as a borosilicate glass bead artist. Few remember (or ever knew) that I started my beadmaking career working in soft glass, or that I had chosen to work with dichroic glass. My first work was done in a kiln, fused glass work but I quickly became enamored with flamework. Right now my small cannon of a torch sits idle but I do go pet it once in awhile, ha.

The picture above and the ones below were created in the mid to late 90′s. In trying to move files off my old, sickly computer, onto the new one I discovered these old pictures and thought I would share. I’m not sure if any of my other pictures still exist. Looking at them makes me want to possibly dust off my dichroic glass. It is a fun, yet challenging, beast. 

I started in the early 90′s doing fused glass but quickly became enamored with the thought of melting it in a torch. At the time  there was a small handful of people doing lampwork beads, and no organized groups. There was only scarce information about it so my work was mostly trial and error. Right now my cannon of a torch sits idle, but I do go and pet it once in awhile!

MAWGA Dichroic Lampwork BeadMAWGA Dichroic Lampwork Urn

MAWGA Lampwork Dichroic Vessel

Admittedly, since opening the store,  I have fallen WAY behind in terms of the newest in technological advances. My cell phone is a Flintstone throwback. So, that being said, I find myself enamored with the new Kindle. Add to that the fact that I can get beading books for it, WOW!

I am probably the last person on the planet that doesn’t have one. You all probably have a phone that can receive emails and take pictures. I am SO far behind!

Check out the best space saving device for a book junkie:

Kindle

AMAZON Shopping

Spiffy Snowman

I must be hard-wired to come up with a new holiday earring kit a week before the actual event. It seems I can’t help myself, I do it every year! This kit came about in response to the Hobo Snowman earring kit that was the first kit I offered. It seems that some see the red scarf pointing straight out as something other than a scarf. Shame on you, ha.

In response I am offering this new snowman. I hope you like it! Click on the picture for more details.

Spring Spinner

Meet the newest earring kit! Spring Spinner is crafted with sparkling Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, and a glowing vintage glass  electric green ring. Great for that fun-loving spirit!

Something for Everyone!

Has the panic set in? Though there is still plenty of time to make something for someone, here is an old stand-by that I have used many times! My sons always appreciated getting this instead of a crystal beaded bracelet, though I don’t know why, ha. Just click on the image for the answer to those hard-to-buy-for and impossible-to-make-for people on your gift list.

The Red Bead

Don’t you love it? This awesome tower of red was created by the wonderfully talented Jill Symons.

Swarovski® Crystalized Pendant

It’s so beautiful I think that it needs another photo. I had never used the hook clasp shown before, but I think it is just perfect for this ensemble. Crystal is nearly impossible for me to photograph well, amateur that I am, so you can imagine how luscious it probably is in person. (btw, my talented son Colin took the second picture!).

The crystal is a chunky 18mm and the necklace is a snap to put together with some simple silverplated findings.

Swarovski® Crystal Pendant with Hook Clasp