Nice Color Combos On Those Organic Rounds

I've been working on these for the past few days (and they are in the shop now). I don't know how i would use these if i made some for myself... I think they would make beautiful earrings, but i don't have pierced ears. It is only recently that i have wished that i could wear earrings. But i don't know if i have the guts to get my ears pierced. I mean, it hurts, doesn't it!? >snort<

Bright New Beads for Spring

How is this for a splash of bright color!? I listed both of these new bead items today.

Extra-Silvered Ivory

Some more organic etched beads got listed in The Bead You Need today. This is a really pretty, understated color combo, and that terracotta glass looks especially fine with this particular silvered ivory treatment. I added some extra blips of fine silver to the band using wire. This is a common lampworking technique: when you have finished your bead you can "wrap" a bit of fine silver wire around it. I use quotation marks because the way i do it is more like melting the tip of the wire while touching it to the glass. With either method the silver from the wire balls up on the surface of the bead in these little shiny dots and adds a lot of interest.

Pet Collar Charms

I've offered my birthstone dog bone collar charms for years. The latest incarnation of this colorful pet bling jewelry is now available in my GemBonz pet boutique on etsy.

My original design was an ivory glass bone with a ring of fine silver foil beneath gem-tone birthstone colored glass on the bone shaft. The current design features solid transparent jewel tones. Instead of June pearl i've used the light amethyst alternative, and instead of October opal i've used the rose alternative.

Organic Etched Beads

A couple of nice organic-looking etched sets of beads went into the shop to start the week off. I really like the sage/lichen colored glass, especially once it's etched. What also looks great etched is silvered ivory. For any non-lampworkers reading this, silvered ivory is the swirly, almost dirty looking glass melted around the middle of the larger bicolored beads in these photos. Only the "dirt" consists partly of tiny sparkling specks of fine silver. It is made by wrapping fine silver foil around the end of a rod of ivory colored glass before using it. You actually burn off the silver in the torch flame, but enough of it sticks to the ivory that it makes this neat effect when added to your bead.

Peach and Khaki Tortoise

A few new beads have been added to my shop.

My Knife Project Part III

Lady's Skinning Knife with Arizona cypress wood handle and inset New Mexico turquoise cabochon. Completed 2 Feb. 2012.