Fresh And Zingy

 

 

When I look at these pictures, certain words come to mind including

 

Warm

Innocent

Sunny

Mellow

Fresh

 

What words would you associate with them?

 

Trudi x

Fired up From Flame Off

Not long back from the annual Flame Off event in Towcester, where I had a fabulous few days meeting up with friends, watching artists demo and buy lots of glass goodies!!

I also got to meet new friends, including Christina from Frit & Glass - we have talked a lot over email and facebook - so it was great to finally meet face to face!

While I was there I managed to stock up on some frit (tiny pieces of glass) - like I really don't have enough!! But I see the new colours and I know I'll "need" them. Christina also stocks the really tinly blends that are ideal for smaller beads, and not only does she sell blends, but also single colours. So I bought some of the singles and I've been playing around making up my own blends.

This one was named by Michelle of Sundoor Beads - Rainforest.

And I made these with the frit and the new CiM glass - Atlantis!

Off to play again!

Trudi

Silver Lemon Anyone?

Silver Lemon, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

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

On the road to Morocco .....

On the road to Morocco , originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

I belong to an online beading group (for jewellery and lampwork). And one of the challenges was entitles On The Road To Morocco.

In my mind I pictured a bustling market place, with lots of vibrant colours, and flashes of silky fabrics! So I picked out a variety of bright colours - reactive and sparkly frit (Goldstone) and made this set!

What do you think - did I capture the spirit of Morocco?

Golden Vortex

Golden Vortex 2, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

Well the weather has been kinder these past few days for sure! In fact, yesterday was just delightful.

I was out in the studio melting glass, as is my want!! And on Saturday I was playing with my new lentil press that I love. Looking forward to some sunshine I grabbed some topaz, some goldstone and threw in some silver glass frit and murrini - and this is the result!!
And do you know what ................. I'mgoing to keep it.

Infact, I'm wearing it now!!

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!