Plans for the New Year

Today's topic on Flaming Hot! is Out with the Old, In with the New, and we've been asked to share our grand plans for the New Year.

I plan to build an inventory of beads to sell. (Oh, I'm having a major case of Déjà vu!) I'll start by listing them in the shop on my website and then I'll start listing auctions on eBay or I may check out Etsy.

I'd also like to take a class or two for new inspiration and to increase my skill.

After we get our tax return, I plan to sock a bit of it away for a shed to make into a studio. (Again with the Déjà vu.) Then I'd like to buy a hotter torch, and see where it takes me. These are my plans, or are they just dreams? I guess the New Year will tell.

Do You Want to Make Jewelry?

Hey, you can make really pretty jewelry too! I thought I'd list a few resources I have found helpful while learning new techniques for stringing and wire wrapping.

The very first book I read about wire wrapping was All Wired Up: Wire Techniques for the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker by Mark Lareau. Mark and Vicki Lareau own a local bead store called The Bead Factory where they offer awesome classes and workshops. Speaking of bead stores, if you have one close to you, chances are really good that you could take a class there and go home with a beautiful handmade piece of jewelry of your own.

There are several magazines that give step by step instructions on how to make beautiful pieces. You'll find projects on their websites too. Here are a few:

Bead and Button
Step by Step Beads
Lapidary Journal

A great forum for asking questions of other lampworkers and beaders is WetCanvas! in the glass art forum.

When you start creating works of your own you can join metalchasers.com, a new social networking site for jewelry and metal artists. The site has great potential for promoting and selling, but what I like best is checking out the gallery everyday for new inspiration.

So, I given you a handful of places to check out to start. When you start making your own jewelry and you need some lampworked beads to make your jewelry really unique and special, you'll know where to turn! (I'm talking about me, but you'll find lots of talented lampworkers out there - something for everyone.)

Something to Try

Hey, maybe I'll try one of these soon.



Stay tuned. I have a feeling I'll have some material for a new installment of Beads Gone Bad when I do.

Merry Christmas

I hope you had a blessed Christmas filled with peace, hope, and joy!

Now that Christmas day has arrived it's safe to post pictures of a few pieces I made for gifts this year. I wish I would have had the time to make something for everyone on my list.

Featured on The Beading Gem's Journal

The Beading Gem's Journal has become a place where I regularly browse for design inspiration, and now one of my pieces is being featured there. Go check it out!

Christmas Vacation?

Just a quick post to let you know that I have nothing to post.

I hadn't planned to take the month of December off, but it seems that's what I've done. Between family birthdays, a new birth in the family (my niece), and Christmas festivities and preparations I haven't found the time to make new beads. Besides, it's been cold, and it's hard to get excited about freezing my butt off in the garage.

There will be more to come, though.