Give-away X 3, plus bonus!!

I have decided to end the year with a give-away - actually 3 give-aways and a bonus too!  All you have to do is to make a comment on my blog and tell me which of the 3 items you would like to win.  Then on Jan 1st or 2nd I will make the 3 drawings and the bonus.  Yes, you may enter for all 3 if you like - just let me know in your comment.

NO.1  This focal bead is ready to wear.  Black glass with a strip of silver foil, ivory glass
 and a reactive black glass all melted together and shaped into a lovely oval.

NO.2  This set of beads in pale blue, turquoise and vibrantyellow/green would make a great
 necklace focal or brooch.
The 3 leaves and 2 pods are made so that you epoxy a wire into the hole
 (the hole does not go all the way through).

NO.3  Your choice of either my "Folk Art StyleChicke & Seagull Tutorial"
OR my "Trio of Trees Tutorial".

BONUS - everyone who leaves a comment gets a chance at these beads and the two magnetic clasps.
I actually won these (and a couple of other items that I have plans for) in another
give-away, but I just don't have the time to devote to making a piece out of them.
I feel very guilty about not making something, but figure you (whoever wins this)
can probably do a better job than I would anyway.

Please don't forget to let me know which item you would like if your name is drawn.

Have a great day!

Lots of Hearts

I made these hearts about a week ago, but only just got around to cleaning and photographing them.

They are the kind that is made on the very end of the mandrel, so the hole doesn't go all the way through.  To prepare them for use, you make a double loop of wire with long tails and then epoxy it into the top hole.  Then you can either hang a bail onto the loop or thread the chain/cord through the loop - depending on which direction you glued the loop in.  Clear as mud, right?

These beads can be found in my Etsy shop.

New Beads

When I was making these beads, I realized that a lot of the decoration had an almost "ocular" look about it. As I was reading a fantasy book at the time that had deep dark forests complete with "guardians", I decided the name fit perfectly - maybe it's all those eyes watching me and keeping me safe. To me, the beads have an almost first nations look about them.
The beads can be found in my Etsy shop.

Many thanks to Wendy M. for the inspiration for these beads.

"Guardians" set 1

"Guardians" set 2

Hope you are having a great day!

Big holed beads for "those" European bracelets

I have been busy lately making the big holed beads that fit on the European bracelets.  Some of these beads may end up being cored with silver and some will remain core free.  They are all made with a raised floral type motif.

European style bracelet beads.

European style bracelet beads.

I will be listing these over the next couple of days in my Etsy shop.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Seagull bead focal

I made a seagull focal the other day, and I love the expression on his face (or maybe "her" face).  Anyway I am a little disappointed in the murrine on the top left hand side, as it didn't spread out the way I wanted, and the lines all bunched up in the center.  So if anyone is interested in this focal it is approx. 25mm wide by 40mm long and is available for $15.00 plus shipping.  It would normally retail for about $30.00.  Just make a comment to let me know.

Seagull focal side 1

Seagull focal side 2

Have a great day!

A Flock of Seagulls

Flock of Seagulls

These are for a good customer of mine - I couldn't resist photographing them all together like this.

Don't forget that if you are a lampworker, you can make your own Folk Art Style Seagulls (and Chickens) by following my tutorial that can be found in my Etsy Shop.

I hope you are all having a good week!