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.