Got the Bank Holiday Blues with our dull weather - let me cheer you up.
I’m giving away this handmade bag charm. All you have to do is go to discussions tab – and under the topic, leave me your most outrageous begging request. The funnier the better!
This is a quick one folks – only open till 4pm tomorrow night! So get... in quick!
But the request needs to be in the discussion tab only please (it was a nightmare last time finding all the posts!)
Trudi x
See my facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/Glitteringprize
I really love these beads, they have a chocolate brown core, and have been encased in transparent blue and decorated with cream dots. But to make them "special" they've been etched (frosted) and this really brings out the colour of the blue glass and kinda makes them glow!
It was my friends birthday at the weekend, and I had my outfit all planned - then I saw these beads in my stash and thought that they'd look great with the top. So I sat there in the beautiful sunshine and made these up - and I was really pleased with them!!
Went to go and get ready and in true girly fashion I changed the outfit at the last minute!!! Good job I have lots of jewellery to choose from !!!
Trudi x
There's great excitement brewing on the Frit Happens forum! Shahlaa has organised a big hole bead swap with 3 themes - The Sea, playing with silver glass and Summer Nights!
It's getting close now and everyone is posting in their beads - but not only will we get other beads back, there are also prizes to be won . ohhh Matron!
Here's a quick picture of my Sea Themed ones .... not sure about the red one in the middle, that sould be in the Silver Glass pile!! Troublesome beads!!
I just adore simple daisies, and this teamed with the silk is just so fresh and gorgeous!
The "Daisy" is a lampwork bead made by myself and I've teamed it with a few Swarovski Crystals, some silver and one of Diane's new "silks". This one is made from Crepe de Chine, and has more definition than the chiffon silks, so looks really good on it's own (sometimes when I use the chiffons' I'd also team them with a thinner silk). The Crepe has a luxurious feel against the skin and gets my thumbs up!
For beads, see my site www.glitteringprize.co.uk, (not a jewellery maker, don't worry if you see something you like I'll make it up for you!) and for the silks see www.sowzeredesigns.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Trudi x
When I made this bead I did wonder what it would look like etched (also known as frosted or matt) - trouble is, once you etch it, that's it ... you can't undo it!)
It was suggested to me to get an idea of how it would look - was to put it in the fridge for a few minutes, take it out and breathe on it! Well that does give you a little idea but I wasn't sure still! So I thought, I'm not deciding - I'll put it up for sale and whoever buys it can decide (I did show a picture of a much smaller bead part etched). That was a good move, the decision was out of my hands!
It was bought and my customer asked for me to etch it, leaving the murrini glossy. WOW, I loved it, the etching does bring out the colour more and shows off the lace effect, and leaving the murrini glossy really adds a new dimension to the overall effect. Don;t get me wrong, I still love the glossy effect too, but now I have the best of both worlds, knowing what it will look like!
Happy days.
Take a look at this, Jill has only just bought these beads from me - she abandoned the ironing and the housework (good girl!!) so she could make this stunning necklace. She'd cleverly teamed the green with linking chainmaille segments - giving this a super fluid motion!
Fantastic piece of art wouldn't you agree!
As I've been lampworking for a little over 3 years now, I have amassed lots of frit (small bits of glass - used to decorate beads or for different effects). Much of this is in taster size bags (mainly from BeadySam) - and I realised that I have many that I haven't tried yet (Shame on me I know)
So I had a little rummage and I found a "silver rich" one called Silver Lemon - not having seen a silver lemon, I was intrigued to find out just what this frit would do. Lampworking can be a real journey of discovery, as you just never know how things will end up. The frit you can see is on the right - looks kinda dark a not too interesting doesn't it! So I attached some to the end of a hot clear rod and pulled a stringer (long thin piece of glass), pit aside and made myself a clear base, then using the stringer I wrapped it round the bead, and then encased this with clear.
Now even though I have made the bead - I still don't know how it's going to end up - when beads are hote, they look very different - and when you're trying something new, it can go either way.
Well the kiln faries were good to me, as you can see with the beads in the picture. Now while these are realtively simple beads, the shimmer that the silver lemon gives off is amazing. When I look at the beads it's bright lime yellow, and parts of it has streaks of green running through and in general it's very reflective.
Next time I use this glass I'll try something else with it - who knows where that will lead me. As for these pretties, I'm undecided what to do with them yet .... but I'll let you know!
Trudi x
A big thank you for the support, when yo make beads you're never sure how they'll turn out or is people will like them - so this really means a lot to me!
Not forgetting Sally Carver (aka Red Hot Sal) as I was inspired by her tutorial in Beads & Beyond!
Thanks Trudi x
Yes, you read that right, I’m giving this summery flower necklace away! Made with my lampwork bead, it has been perfectly teamed with Swarovski crystals, sterling silver and hand dyed silk. The silk is approx 20” long with knotted ends so you can tie this to a length that suits you!
All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is to become a fan of the Glittering Prize Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Glittering-Prize/24977313436?ref=ts or see the link on the right hand side of this page!) go to the page and press the “like it” button - and then leave me a nice wall message for me before 4pm Monday 17th May. Simples!
I will then use my random generator (Jojo!) to select a winner!
Trudi x
To see more please also visit www.glitteringprize.co.uk
Another customer photo for me to drrol over!
Julia bought some of my tiger beads and she's teamed them with onxy and silvered ceramic spacers for this classic look. She tells me she's keeping it for herself, and I say "Why not"!
It's not often people get to see this, like every other beader I have my own special stash!!! It's well known that I have beads all over the house (even in the fridge yesterday - but there was a good reason for that I promise!) but these are kept in a special box (I just had to upgrade to a bigger one!)
It maily contains orpahn beads - ones that are just pretty, but for one reason or another didn't make it inot a set - I won't let go! And I do use them, they're great for bag charms, or dangles on the end of a necklace or even Trudi Style charm bracelets.
Anyway, back to the box - it has several compartments, organised by colour (some colours have 2 sections!) But these are a bit secial as you can see - these are multicoloured - they needed a section of their own. These were all made with 1 rod of glass - Gaffer Chalcedony - aren't they lush!
My precious ......... time to hide them back away!
We're heading back to the 80's with this lace bead, Set on a gentle pink base it's been decorated with a swirled lace effect and burst murrini! All it needs is a little leather!
now where did I put my leggings and lace gloves ................
I have a new flower press, and now I've mastered it I love it! These beadies were fresh out of the kiln yesterday and I just couldn't wait to have a play with them.
The base glass is lt topaz and in the sunlight it's just like golden honey, in the centre is "Clio" a reflective glass that's just beautiful. I've teamed it with green and pinky Swarovski crystals and finished with a starling silver butterfly toggle.!
It's so girly and I love it!
I am just loving my new flower press, just thinking up different combinations to use now! These have gorgeous murrini's in the centre that really bring them to life!
