Magnetic Electric!

Well it takes a brave person to go out to the studio and make beads in this weather - it's bloomin cold out there don't you know!! Still, I had some new reactive frit to play with so I braved it for a short while!!! (With lots of coffee and quick trips inside to warm me up!).

And I really have taken quite a fancy to it so I have. All of these have been made on the same black base with the frit on the surface, the only difference being that I swirled the one on the left around. And I love the effects that are on all of them - you can really get a superb oil slick reflection - NICE!

I've decided to call this effect - Magnetic Electric, quite fitting don't you think!

Let it snow

Let it snow, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

More work from my customers - these festive earrings were made by Stacey of "One Silly Moo" sillymooz.blogspot.com/ and Silly Mooz - see www.sillymooz.madasafish.com/

Persian poppy

Persian poppy , originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

I always wonder when I send my beads off to customers, exactly what they're going to make with them. So I'm always delighted when I get sent pictures back - I'm like a proud parent!!

Katherine of www.channa-bijoux.com has used one of my Californian Poppy beads in this stunning bracelet using a persian weave - beautiful!

Simon Says

Ok then, hands up those of you who remember the electronic game Simon!!!

It sure was a favourite game in our house, belonging to my sister, Sonia. It kept us amused for hours. Well I have found a widget that let me put it on my website, so if you fancy a trip down memory lane, then take yourself over to my website - it's on the about me page!!

Have fun!

Silver Plum Squares

silver plum squares, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

Hmm, I just adore this glass - it's called plum by Creation Is Messey (CiM). It really retains it's shine, despite being put into a hot flame and pressed in brass!!

It really is a most delicious shade of purple – so I’ve left it simple just drizzled with fine silver.

Now listed in my Etsy store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/shineon2

I hope you like!

Silver Shimmer Shell - Colour Splashed!

Silver Shimmer Shell, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

Ohh look who's been playing with photo's then - ME!!

I recently treated myself to an I-touch - oohh the fun you can have with this, it keeps me quiet for ages!!! And last night, well I really was going to have an early night. That was until I discovered the Colour Splash Application. It really is a cool piece of simple to use technology! And look at the results I got after just a few minutes!!

This will keep me amused for ages!!

Gaffer Tower

Gaffer Tower, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

Well after playing with this gorgeous gaffer glass for a while now, I finally managed to get lots and lots of colour out of it! Wonder if it's due to a change in the weather???

Anyway - I worked it hot and hotter and yipeeeee!

I'm a winner!

Woo hooo - I belong to a beading group, and I had 2 of my beads nominated for Bead Artisan for October, and I won. I can't tell you how chuffed I am - it's always a nice feeling when people like your work!

And just to let you know that Pudsey Bear sold on Ebay, raising money for Children in Need, thank you for all your support!

I have also listed some new beads on my website, I hope you like them.

Take a look on www.glitteringprize.co.uk

Trudi

Pudsey Bear on the Bay

Well it's getting to that time of year when a certain yellow bear pops up all over the place!!

And right now this little bear is on Ebay, raising money for Children in Need. If you want to see him click Pudsey on the Bay and it should take you to the listing.

But even if you don't get this little Pudsey, still join in the fun of Children In Need, and show your support!

Creations

Well, I'm always busy making beads and jewellery for other people, so I decided to make something just for me!!

Using the theme Chinese Water Garden (see previous posts) I made the shell (I can't capture it on here but the shell does contain silver glass that sparkles and reflects the light!). And then I found a swarovski starfish in my stash, and I came across the Jet Swarovski fish while "just looking" on Jilly's beads - I just had to have it. I put it together and strung it simply on black rattail - very soft! So there you have it, it may not be summer, but I love wearing it!

I've also been busy in the studio making some focals:

What do you think?

These ones I made, inspired by autumn - and the Acer Tree in my garden

(aren't the colours in the tree just gorgeous!)

These proved to be popular as they were bought by the same lady at Harrogate! It's a new technique that I was working on, and I'm quite pleased with the results!

Once again, thanks for reading my rambles!

Trudi x

Halloween Goodies

As it was Halloween, I organised a special bead swap in one of the groups that I'm a member of, and I thought I'd share a picture of the haul I received!

I am incredibly nosey, and I just love to see other people's beads, so I was thrilled with all the beads/pendants I received! They make great charms for phones and bags! The large bat in the middle I made into a simple pendant, and that is what I wore on Halloween (I hasten to add that wasn't all I was wearing!!!)

Inspiration Flash

One of my customers emailed me today about the beads she had received, she said:




" I love these beads...simple but beautiful and very stylish."





And that was just the very look I was going for! So I decided to share with her, and you where some of my inspiration comes from. These are the beads that she bought:

And they had been inspired by - ok you guessed it Strictly Come Dancing Costumes!! I do love a bit of glamour and I really love watching the show (and Take Two of course!) - so not only am I enjoying the show, but my mind is thinking - WOW, those colours look great together, how do I get that look into a bead!

If you look a the bodice of the dress, you can see that it has a layered depth, so I started with a white base - I then added on "Antique Clear" - a super lovely colour, and then it needed the black. I wanted the black to compliment the bead and not take over, but at the same time it also needed to be bold - so I placed some kissing flowers around. Popped the beads in the kiln - and they were great when they came out - but still not quite what I was after, they were still glossy and shiney. So I then decided to etch them - this is basically putting them into acid that gives the bead the matt/frosted look. Voila - the beads were ready!

So now you know!

Mojo A Go-go

Ever have one of those days where things just don’t go to plan??? Well last Friday was one of those days for me!!

The next bead fair was planned for November, so we had lots of time. But then there was a cancellation for the Bead Fair at Harrogate in October – too good an opportunity to miss, so we’ve booked up to be there. But not only is this a big fair, it’s also a 2 day fair. So I’m thinking not a problem, I’ll go into the studio and have a session. Only problem was any new design I worked on just didn’t work out as I wanted, and then my mojo went AWOL!!

So I then decide – let’s leave it for now – no point in forcing something that’s just not going to happen! So I decided to head home, and hey it’s Friday night – there’s Strictly Come Dancing and the Tudors to watch. I was off with a spring in my step. Only to discover that Strictly was now just on Saturday’s now and the Tudors had finished the week before!!! I was heading downhill fast, so I had to contend myself with NCIS and Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Brownie - I could have more as it was the low fat yogurt version – yay, something was going my way.

Happily the mojo has returned now, and I’ve made a few more Halloween beads for my bead swap,

and I’ve made some new style beads too! - I'm calling these Chinese Water Garden.

As a side note - the other week I went to see Julie & Julia - a film about someone who admired a famous cook, and she decided to set herself a challenge to cook all her recipes from her book in 1 year, and she would write about it on her blog. She came across the same question as me - am I just rambling on into cyber space, or does anyone actually read this at all? Well, I know I'm not completely alone on here as one of my customer actually told me that she did read it, and she did enjoy me ramblings .......... thank you x

Clearly Hollow

Well, I've had a real thing about hollow beads at the moment ..... as you can see. It took me a while to get into these, and when I first started lampworking - they weren't really "my thing" funny how tastes can change. But they're great - they're nice and light, and because they're hollow they really let the light shine through. I'm wearing some today - a set of three blue ones (like the ones in the front) simply strung on some black cord - they look great! I guess I really should take a photograph of them!!

Well - I've got a couple of bead fairs coming up this weekend - back to back, what was I thinking??? Crazy, yes but it's fun in my world! so incase anyone can make either - here are the details:

Saturday 19th September

GBUK Fair - Highgate House Hotel, Creaton, Northampton NN6 8NN

from 1-5pm

Sunday 20th September

de Havilland Campus, University if Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, AL10 9EU

from 10-4pm

Hope to see you - I'll be on the Fyrebirds Stall!

Trudi x

Challenges and Swaps!

I love to get involved in swaps and challenges, I find that they take me out of my comfort zone and work towards new styles!!

As it's "summer" I've been working on a challenge with the them Life's A Beach, and after several attempts I finally have something I'm pleased with:

I made this with a mixture of semi precious, ceramic, silver, swarovski and of course my own lampwork - so very unique!

On Frit Happens I've organised a Halloween swap - so I've been thinking of what to make. So far I have a couple of pumpkins to show off - very comical looking, I might have to call them Eric and Ernie!

In the kiln as I type I have a couple of ghosts . whooooooooooo!! Can' wait to see how they come out! Watch this space!

Good morning

Well last week I had a bead making frenzy and I've got a little stash, so last night I spent some time listing lots of sets, focals and duos!!!

I hope you like them!

Trudi x

Frit Happens Etsy Team

As a lampworker, I'm a member of a UK forum, and we have now also formed ourselves an Etsy Team - so if you want to find some great lampwork on Etsy - under your search type FHFTeam!!

Glittering Prize at the Tea Room Rockingham,

Just to let you know that Glittering Prize Jewellery is now on display at the Rockingham Tea Room! Situated next to the Sondes Arms in the Main Street - LE16 8TG!

If you're in the area, be sure to pop in to have a peek, and you can also enjoy something to eat (Trish serves gorgeous cakes!!).

Double Whammy!

Well I'm sitting here grinning like a loon - I'm a member of an online beading group and I've won Bead Artist and Jewellery Artist of the month for June!

It's such a nice feeling to know that people like your work - and to win these especially when there are such high standards of other work being nominated makes it even more special!!

The bracelet was actually made as a birthday present for my sister Jojo, so I'll have to tell her it's an award winner! I shall be off now to contemplate my award winning speech .................

New Outlet

Well, my beads are slowly on the road to worldwide domination!!!

There is an exclusive selection available at K&M Beadshop!! While you're there, check out the superb cearmic silver beads - they're gorgeous!

T x

Ebay Charity Auction for the Dogs Trust

This morning I listed this bracelet on Ebay:

This was listed to raise money for the Dogs Trust, and is on memory of my Mum. The lampwork (purple) beads were made by me, and I originally sold them on Ebay, and they were bought by the lovely Melanie from K&M Beadshop - who made up the bracelet. Then very generously, Melanie sent this back to me and asked mem to put it up for auction again! What a lovely gesture!

It's a gorgeous bracelet, made from the finest lampwork beads, and sparkly Swarovski crystal - so please go and take a look - here's the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=280363495381

Thanks

Trudi xx

Learning curve

Well, I've only been at this blogging lark less than a day, and so far I've managed to follow myself - one way to look popular I guess!!!! But I did manage to shake myself off ......... now I need to know how to follow others when I can't find their links. It's a whole new world this blogging lark ........

Well, at last, here is my blog!

I'm completely new to this, but let's have a bash shall we!

I've has a really busy couple of weeks - getting ready for the bead fair at Newmarket.



When I go to fairs I exhibit under the name of Fyrebirds, along with my good friends Colette & Shirley! As usual we are all busy getting new beads designed and made up ready for everyone. And Newmarket in particilar is a really nice venue - gives is a chance to chat to everybody, and do a little shopping of our own!!

But before Newmarket - the day before I had booked myself on a glass fusing course!! I've wanted to have a go at this for ages, and as I already lampwork and have a kiln, it makes perfect sense to have a go!! So I googled and found a place in Oxford - called Glass Jewels tha t was just the thing for me!! I set off on Saturday morning in good time - nice and relaxed. As I was getting closer to Towcester there was a LOT of traffic. Then it dawned on me .............. Grand Prix weekend. My route was to go right Silverstone, but the road was blocked off!!! I don't normally shout at the TomTom, but it kept telling me to "turn around where possible" - fine if you've made a wrong turn, but not helpful when the road is shut!!.

I finally got the the course - a little late, and a little stressed (I hate being late!), but I soon got caught up. The course was fabulous, and I really enjoyed myself. It's run by a couple called Vince and Sue, and they aer very welcoming. The day started out practising the cutting of glass - then straight into making up a piece of jewellery - we all opted for pendants. Throughout the day, we would stop and Vince or Sue would show us some more techniques - and before long we all had a collection of pieces waiting to be fired in the kiln. I should get mine back any day now, and I can't wait to see how they've turned out. ............. I've already been looking on some sites looking for yet more glass to have a go at this new venture!

and here are some pictures

Well hello

And welcome to my blog!

Trudi x