Saturday, January 24, 2009

Making the Beads...

I love glass...it just speaks to me. I've done some stained glass.






I've done some dremel etching
















But you know that my real glass love is making beads. Someone asked if it's something you can learn on your own. And the answer is yes...if you want it badly enough and if you have a place you can do it safely. I had never seen a bead being made when I started. I have never had a lesson and would still love to spend the day playing with other glass artists. So my beads come from things I have learned through books and the internet.


I took some pics the other day while I was on the torch. I think I am going to get my sister to come over and help me because it's hard to work the camera and play with fire at the same time. Thank goodness for timers on the camera...








It was kind of fun to get some shots of the beads being made. The studio is almost a year old now, but as you can see, I still need to do some finish work. Couldn't do it last summer, but hopefully my health is going to continue to improve and I can get it all done in 2009.



14 comments:

  1. Thanks!
    I learned to do lampwork in my jewelry/metals class in college. I can't wait to have my own studio someday so I can keep making beads! :)
    It's pretty awesome that you were able to pick it up on your own with no one-on-one instruction!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I want to buy some of your items but do not want to join anything, how can i do that? I have the Eccentric Chic blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You can always email me at deronda.designs (@) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello... you give me hope.. that I can learn the craft on my own!!What about the start-up cost??..could you give an approximate value?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great pics, Deronda - loved seeing the "process"! And your stained glass work is beautiful!! :-) Peace,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really like looking at all the pictures and what you have done with glass. Very talented!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That was a lot of fun to see- you should have your sister come over and take more pics! Maybe do a tutorial?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice pictures Deronda! You are right, we get so wrapped up taking pictures of the beads, it's nice to see them in the making.

    ReplyDelete
  9. D I love watching you work. You amaze and inspire me.
    Nicole/Beadwright
    http://beadwright.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great studio shots, Deronda. I was thinking about taking pics of my work in progress too, but as you said, one needs another pair of hands! Hope your health issues will be a thing of the past soon.

    take care

    Duni

    ReplyDelete
  11. wow! your really one great artist c: I really admire you c: how I wish I had that talent c:

    ReplyDelete
  12. you look very proficient! Are you wrapping the glass around the rod? I thought the artist had to be bonded (lol) or something, to make glass beads. I love glass too! Very interesting...

    ReplyDelete