What's Your Favorite Metallic?

You've all probably noticed that I really enjoy working with stringer scroll designs. Doesn't matter if they're raised, or melted, I love them. I guess I just really like seeing a beautiful design come from a bunch of lines working together.

You've probably also noticed that I use a lot of metallic glass for my scrollwork designs. It really makes scrolls pop! I've been working with a lot of different types of metallics to see which ones I like best. Here's my first few experiments with it

The left bead has scrolls of Taxco by TAG. I really like this glass, but it is a little bit temperamental sometimes. It has a tendency to bubble if I give it a lot of heat. It really does reduce to a nice oilslick luster.

The middle bead is made from Nyx by Double Helix. It looks nice, but a little too subtle of a metallic for me. I think I look for a more mirror finish in my metallics. I do really like how the scrolls have a noticeable outline around them. It's a little hard to tell in this photo.

I think the last lentil wins for me. It's made with Double Helix's Triton glass. It has a very bright chrome mirror finish which is very nice. The only downside to this, is that the silver fumes the base glass a little bit.

There are so many silver glasses to play with that I won't be testing them all. It's just too pricey. What silver glasses do you like best?

Bead Previews 1/9/12 - 1/10/12

I swear, I'll actually have some true content coming up. I've just been so busy creating and listing that I haven't really had a chance to write much. I still have lots of beads to clean and ship, mandrels to dip, and so on and so forth.

For now, here's what I have planned to list for the next few days. If you see something you like and you want it for 15% off, send an email to booga119@hotmail.com or comment here to claim it. Just make sure you do it before I list the beads.

 These beads will be listed on January 10, 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 red lentils with peacock oilslick streaks and spiral imprint - $36
11 emerald green sea glass spacers with 3/32" hole - $15
6 red rounds with silvered ivory lines. - $30
6 blue rounds with silvered ivory lines - $30
2 ivory rounds with metallic scrollwork $8
1 silvered line pandora bead on far left $18
1 silvered line pandora bead on middle $20
1 silvered line pandora bead on right $20

These beads will be listed on January 11, 2012
If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 rgreen rounds with silvered ivory lines. - $30
6 ivory cream rounds with silvered ivory lines. - $30
6 pearl sparkles on light pink rose discs - $15
6 pearl sparkles on yellow discs - $15
6 pearl sparkles on light blue discs - $15
6 pearl sparkles on light emerald green discs - $15
2 black with opal blue dots and metallic accents - $8
1 silvered lined pandora bead $20

Bead Previews 1/5/12 - 1/7/12

I've got some more bead previews for you all. Same deal as before. If you email me (booga119@hotmail.com) or comment on here or facebook, you can get 15% off any of these beads if you do it before I list them.


Everything in this picture will be listed January 5 2012
If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)
6 topaz orange ribbed sparkle balls - $30
5 metallic blue ripple rounds - $40
5 opal blue green with blue aventurine swirls - $38
2 black with opal blue dots - $8
1 copper lined pandora bead on left - $15
1 silver lined pandora bead in middle $20
1 copper lined dark purple pandora on right - $10
Everything in this picture will be listed January 6 2012
If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)
6 spiral stamped black lentils rainbow metallic swirls - $36
6 ivory cream rounds with silvered ivory scrolls - $36
6 purple pixie dust discs - $15 1 bicone ivory cream focal with silvered ivory - $22
2 ivory with metallic blue green stripe - $6
2 pink rose with metallic threading - $8
1 large ivory cream lentil focal with spiral and silvered ivory scrolls - $25
1 copper cored pandora bead on far left - $10
1 silver cored pandora bead in middle - $20
 1 copper cored pandora bead on right - $15



Everything in this picture will be listed January 7 2012
If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)
3 ornate metallic scrollwork on jade green rounds - $38
3 ornate metallic scrollwork on rich red rounds - $38
10blue green metallic stripe on ivory rounds - retail $30 to be listed for $27
1 ornate metallic scrollwork on jade green bicone - $25
1 metallic lines on opal white bicone - $18
1 silver cored pandora bead on left - $20
1 silver cored pandora bead in middle - $20
1 silver cored pandora bead on right - $17

Bead Previews 12/30/2011 - 1/4/2012

I'm trying something new to kick off 2012. It's a way to save you all a little bit of money. I hope you all like it.
Here's how it works. I will take a group shot of the beads I plan to list a few days in advance and post the prices. If you see something you'd like, comment or email me and it's all yours for 15% off!

How am I able to make such an amazing offer? Every time I list a bead on Ebay or Etsy it costs me a listing fee and a percentage of the sale. It also takes me a lot of time and effort to take multiple pictures of the bead, write a description and title and so forth.

I'm passing the savings on to my friends, family, fans, likers, followers and so forth. All you need to do is let me know you want a bead before I list it. So without further ado, here are my previews for this week.

 These beads will be listed on December 30 2011

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)


10 pink rose sea glass discs with silvered ivory - Retail value $35 to be listed for $31.50
2 lilac pink purple rounds with raised black scrolls - $12
6 raku tiger stripe donut shaped beads (middle bead is bigger) - $24
12 lilac pink purple rounds with raised black scrolls - retail value $72 to be listed for $64.80
1 yellow gold irridecent scales big holed bead for European Charm bracelet copper lined - $9.99
1 large black scrolls over encased raku with copper bead caps and lining - $20 

These beads will be listed on December 31 2011

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)


12 topaz orange sea glass discs with silvered ivory - retail value $42 to be listed for $37.80
13 tropical pink pixie dust discs - retail value $32.50 to be listed for $29.25
6 pearl pixie dust over black discs - 15$
2 dark topaz orange sea glass discs with silvered ivory - $8
2 pink pixie dust with metallic scrolls - $13
2 big holed beads for European charm bracelets lined with copper - $9.99 

Everything in this picture will be listed on January 1st 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

18 pale emerald sea glass with silvered ivory discs - retail value $63 to be listed for $56.70

14 Blue pixie dust discs - retail value $35 to be listed for 31.50

2 medium blue sea glass with silvered ivory discs - to be listed for 7.99

2 bright yellow sea glass with silvered ivory discs - to be listed for 7.99

2 purple blue swirly big holed beads for European charm bracelets lined with copper - to be listed for 9.99 each

 

 

Everything in this picture will be listed on January 2 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)


8 Raku tiger stripe discs - $40
1 large blue green metallic stripes with ivory encased lentil - $20
1 big holed bead for European charm bracelets or necklaces in metallic blue green and copper lined - $18
1 purple bicone with metallic scrolls and lines left raised - $22
2 ivory rounds with metallic raised scrollwork - $12
10 earthy raku tiger stripes with metallic lining on black rounds - $60
1 big holed bead for European charm bracelets in dark purple with blue swirls lined with copper - $9.99

 

Everything in this picture will be listed January 3 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)


4 Chalcedony blue discs with metallic lines - $16
2 Pixie Dust pale emerald green rounds with metallic scrolls -
1 Iridescent gold green pressed focal with aqua blue swirls and jeweling - $15
1 pink purple bicone with white blossoms and a purple butterfly - clear is a little hazy, so it has been further discounted - $12
12 pixie dust pale emerald green rounds with metallic scrolls - Retail value $78 to be listed for $70.20
1 large raku disc big holed bead for European Charm bracelets lined with copper - $20
1 small pale pink with metallic bumps big holed bead for European Charm Bracelet lined with sterling silver - $14.99

 

These will be listed on January 4 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)


16 medium blue sea glass discs with silvered ivory - retail value $56 to be listed for $50.40
2 topaz orange sea glass discs with silvered ivory - $8
2 amethyst purple sea glass discs with silvered ivory - $8
8 Jade green discs with metallic lines - $32
1 green blue amber swirls big holed bead for European Charm bracelet - $9.99
1 Purple blue swirls big holed bead for European Charm bracelet - 9.99

Some new Beads On the Bay

Just wanted to show off some of my latest bead sets up on Ebay.

Starting with my some of my last Christmasy beads. I have a big set of sparkling pixie dust discs. These ones have a base of clear with sparkling pearl glitter on them. They will go with anything, so I guess they aren't TOO christmasy.

Some classic black and white scroll beads. This one is a huge set of twelve beads.

 Lastly, I have another chunky bicone. I've been making a lot of these since I got my giant brass marver. This one is pretty big

That's about it for now. Hoping everyone is having a good holiday season and not getting too overwhelmed with shopping and planning.

Play Time!

In November I bought quite a bit of tools and tutorials, but I was so swamped with custom orders that everything just collected dust for a few weeks. I'm really not complaining about the custom orders or anything, but I'm finally getting a chance to "play" more than "work." As I say that, I have two gladware containers of beads to photograph and list. Eeeek! Let's just ignore those for now and play :)

I went to a free demonstration by Trey Cornette, and it was awesome! I always love watching others work, but it's really neat to be able to watch someone who specializes in stringerwork. Did you know that I like stringerwork?

While it was neat to see the stringer being applied, I really feel like I got the most out of the way he shapes his beads. Bicones are one of those shapes that I've always struggled with. I've gotten better over the years, but when I haven't made them in a while, I feel like a newbie.

This video is pretty helpful too

So after seeing him make a long bicone bead with this benchtop marver, I had to buy one :) I still struggle a little bit, but the brass marver is very helpful. It's huge too! Comparing the size of the benchtop to my handheld graphite marver is kinda funny almost.

 

Oh, and you can buy them here

Here's a little bit of eyecandy of beads that I shaped with this marver.

Life is Pretty Exciting

So life is getting exciting right now

( I wanted to add a picture to this post, so it wouldn't seem as boring and I want to buy this pin)

It's not that it ever wasn't exciting, but it gets quite predictable.

I currently have a full time job that pays the bills, has good benefits and job security. It's not a bad job, but I don't find it fulfilling at all. I make pizza, serve slices, fill orders, make all the ingredients, manage others, take care of food safety and everything else involved with running a pizza kitchen. I suppose it's not a bad living.

Growing up, you always get the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" I don't remember what I wanted as a kid, but it wasn't making pizza and I never envisioned the management politics and rude people that we deal with every day in a traditional full time job. But, we all need a paycheck and that's part of what we all need to deal with to get paid. I never realized how much it takes out of your soul though. Maybe it's different with a more fulfilling job, but mine makes me feel empty inside.

This is turning into a depressing post, so it's time to announce the good news.

Starting at the beginning of 2012 I will be switching to part time pizza maker and full time bead maker! It's scary and exciting. Don't worry everyone, I have been tracking the financial part of my small bead making business for a long time and I've been planning this for quite some time. I'm not just making an impulse decision because I don't like my job.

I'm getting my show schedule set for next year now that I have my soon to be part time job figured out. I expect this to be a bumpy road with ups and downs, but I'm looking forward to the future.