tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65817086828457607542024-02-20T11:03:40.151+00:00Lush BlogsBuy Beads, Wear Beads, Make BeadsJulie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-78656907796001166222014-03-28T11:28:00.000+00:002014-03-28T11:28:31.906+00:00Fountain and Son, Beadmakers<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowVWjldW23kL6Y7NT1hocEIdpxod5k3CPReb58-ZeVt7waLbiGqHsBDPIcaaJMgUPV0X6vx5Fka9GGWmK3vAtzqFlfzYivUTgPfTlxr9exUoHYBVSt9AVpxVAPTzEVmXdoAIx9fIyBXQ/s1600/P1250616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowVWjldW23kL6Y7NT1hocEIdpxod5k3CPReb58-ZeVt7waLbiGqHsBDPIcaaJMgUPV0X6vx5Fka9GGWmK3vAtzqFlfzYivUTgPfTlxr9exUoHYBVSt9AVpxVAPTzEVmXdoAIx9fIyBXQ/s1600/P1250616.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had quite a surprise when I got up this morning. You've read the story about the Elves and the Shoemaker, right? </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I went to bed last night I left my son having a go at making my Sunspots beads - and watching Homeland on Netflix. This morning he was still hard at it, he worked all night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It looks like he's got the hang of the beads, and he's halfway through the second series of Homeland now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, it turns out he wasn't doing this just for fun - and now I know why he's been home this week, eating my fridge bare. Next week he starts a new job, but this week his rent is due and he doesn't have any money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here's the deal. I usually sell my Sunspots beads in sets of 12 for £25. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this young starving artist needs cash, so how about 6 Apprentice Sunspots for £10?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And for an extra £3.50 we'll make them into a ready to wear bracelet or necklace. Sounds like a great deal to me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/bead-sets/576-apprentice-beads-offer.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO BUY</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(PS don't worry, beads will be cleaned and annealed before sale.)</span></div>
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Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-73147508932538748042013-11-14T09:13:00.000+00:002013-11-14T09:13:56.425+00:00Owl Tutorial<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i style="background-color: white;">I originally wrote this tutorial in September 2011 for Beverly Hicklin's Make Glass Beads resource but she has now taken that offline so I thought I'd preserve it here.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I noticed that owls
are really fashionable right now, they’re on fabrics, stationery and people are
even making owl-shaped beads! I was
looking at a heart focal I made and realised the shape would make a great base
for a wise old bird ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. First of all make a heart shaped bead. Use a press or shape by hand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">2. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Heat the
surface of your bead and roll in frit to decorate – I used a fine iris orange (raku)
frit for a feathery look. Melt frit
smooth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Apply large dots for the eyes, press flat into
the bead, then cover with a large dot of coloured transparent. I used Effetre sky blue and Effetre
transparent medium blue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Pick up a
murrini chip in the tip of tweezers, flash the bottom of the chip in the flame
and at the same time, lightly warm the eye area, then apply the murrini onto
the centre of the coloured dot. Twice!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Warm and
gently press the murrini down with a marver.
Do this a few times until the murrini chips are almost – but not
completely – flat. Use a sharp point to
poke the centre of each chip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Cover each
murrini with a dot of clear to really magnify the murrini for proper owl eyes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. Add two
large dots at the bottom of the heart and flatten from the bottom to make feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Use a
razor tool or knife blade to mark claws in the feet dots. I used sky blue for my owl’s feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Add a
large dot in between and below the eyes, then use tweezers to pinch into a beak
shape, it should be long and narrow, slightly wider at the top than the
bottom. I used dark chocolate brown.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsxXjLW556ACs8xoFvdFAWpsGAqjrUHEcv9WdHi_J0yim5IrlzdOJ5CX76HRlgX5K6keAWZAygSFxpISu-kZPEpyDGT5Bh5vw07OZdAGPs49oWYHhUIcS6kRtwPAU29OPRayhlLISLak/s1600/owl10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsxXjLW556ACs8xoFvdFAWpsGAqjrUHEcv9WdHi_J0yim5IrlzdOJ5CX76HRlgX5K6keAWZAygSFxpISu-kZPEpyDGT5Bh5vw07OZdAGPs49oWYHhUIcS6kRtwPAU29OPRayhlLISLak/s200/owl10.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">10. Add
feathers! I made 6 large raised dots in
sky blue, then added another small dot on top of each one to make them look a
little spiky!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SH9DLXfa1HzvEg0xQjl_gA-RGaveqJ6g9zXEY80IXK8ZqxZbiQMzSIvvND-D4AmTwv_WmRdUKWHQ_EeFdfe721EeXhNgIGv5aOEMxzwKwHT5I5OxJp3OYeEMgL4T8kHAwal4yEbWPB8/s1600/owl11+-+hot+tip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SH9DLXfa1HzvEg0xQjl_gA-RGaveqJ6g9zXEY80IXK8ZqxZbiQMzSIvvND-D4AmTwv_WmRdUKWHQ_EeFdfe721EeXhNgIGv5aOEMxzwKwHT5I5OxJp3OYeEMgL4T8kHAwal4yEbWPB8/s200/owl11+-+hot+tip.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HOT TIP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give the owl eyes
extra depth by shaping the socket with a flower rod tool from Mango Beads: heat
and soften the eye area, lay the bead back in the heart press or on a marver to
support the shape, then gently press in the round tool to make indentations for
eye sockets. Add the opaque and transparent
dots, then support and indent again before applying the murrini.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All glass from <span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.tuffnellglass.com/"><span lang="EN-GB">www.tuffnellglass.com</span></a></span> , frit and murrini from <span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.kazkebab.etsy.com/"><span lang="EN-GB">www.kazkebab.etsy.com</span></a></span> , flower rod tool from <span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.mangobeads.co.uk/"><span lang="EN-GB">www.mangobeads.co.uk</span></a></span> , heart presses from <span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.beadpress.nl/"><span lang="EN-GB">www.beadpress.nl</span></a></span> or <span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.bavarianbeads.de/"><span lang="EN-GB">www.bavarianbeads.de</span></a></span></span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-76001464774385181522013-04-02T12:21:00.001+01:002013-04-02T12:21:42.304+01:00Colour by Numbers<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's that time of year again, when my glassy friends and I get all giddy and excited, and I get up at stupid o'clock because I've got so much to do (5.30 this morning, unheard of!). </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's better than Christmas, more exciting than birthdays ... it can only be <a href="http://www.flameoff.co.uk/" target="_blank">Flame Off</a> 2013! I'd describe it as Glastonbury for beadmakers, without the mud!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be selling at Flame Off on Friday and Saturday, and also at <a href="http://www.beadshows.co.uk/towcester-bead-fair.html" target="_blank">Silverstone Bead Fair</a> on Sunday (the exhibitor list on that link hasn't been updated for a while), so I've been doing some serious preparation for what feels like months (but is probably only a couple of weeks to be fair, I'm all last minute as usual!).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Uocf3GTak7c-0rUyF5sKPZ3yO6alRrZwUAGBWCnNUdBQxgHp1kWKsuQujndWmFK9TTWUkoSb11Ev7bRYJbZdfHI_MRiDuaj_-3z-uFpGBUbIw0iNdYnfxzL70DJm-YX2lajIjlBCTp0/s1600/P1220836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Uocf3GTak7c-0rUyF5sKPZ3yO6alRrZwUAGBWCnNUdBQxgHp1kWKsuQujndWmFK9TTWUkoSb11Ev7bRYJbZdfHI_MRiDuaj_-3z-uFpGBUbIw0iNdYnfxzL70DJm-YX2lajIjlBCTp0/s400/P1220836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Hoops and Loops are counted, bagged and ready to be picked like cherries by (hopefully) hordes of eager bead and jewellery makers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYcBKpG1oQYxRUwurZ2BnIVrZ8f3rHINr7ssRHTYd3cTet3-ukSKjN41USr1xwSrKNDuWg5-Ao_s2UaXANrtwbSvuZ18BGtXAAYzRwttlbSKuK2x1Iwq98o5KmTt8wCNqGyFpS3WU0u8/s1600/P1220873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYcBKpG1oQYxRUwurZ2BnIVrZ8f3rHINr7ssRHTYd3cTet3-ukSKjN41USr1xwSrKNDuWg5-Ao_s2UaXANrtwbSvuZ18BGtXAAYzRwttlbSKuK2x1Iwq98o5KmTt8wCNqGyFpS3WU0u8/s320/P1220873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've made lots of new beads, especially these "Colour by Numbers" sets - the same beads in lots of different colourways, I've really enjoyed making them, it's like working to a formula.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn31UWpjVuYUoFfgFIsIZKNocfO0cRqhyZkfAEOXYwAcI31Ts5Rqc55gAUshZIDcBPb4RQoJrBfyvS59LljdVYBOFSBg0BvRf2qfYFMNmnBJJGVif57LLqzK3MItjT6nGfxHhfe2nCI7Y/s1600/P1220876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn31UWpjVuYUoFfgFIsIZKNocfO0cRqhyZkfAEOXYwAcI31Ts5Rqc55gAUshZIDcBPb4RQoJrBfyvS59LljdVYBOFSBg0BvRf2qfYFMNmnBJJGVif57LLqzK3MItjT6nGfxHhfe2nCI7Y/s320/P1220876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made some new mixed seaside sets in a similar style too, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsMIcCr0jaGoZnmK13Zc44C9tqD1KzZOTPUisj0GB71IrCLhb9GwdpsnjwxP3bLPv4h6TTUEuh8xHDSnLT7bJx35EdLwpJ-roJIgEOoi1-s2Pi4cuVZHJpSrIRqcVGQxVfLSe3yZSP2g/s1600/P1220849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsMIcCr0jaGoZnmK13Zc44C9tqD1KzZOTPUisj0GB71IrCLhb9GwdpsnjwxP3bLPv4h6TTUEuh8xHDSnLT7bJx35EdLwpJ-roJIgEOoi1-s2Pi4cuVZHJpSrIRqcVGQxVfLSe3yZSP2g/s320/P1220849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and I couldn't resist making one set up into a necklace.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Flame Off is taking place at Silverstone Race Course on Friday and Saturday, 5th and 6th April, followed by the Bead Fair on the 7th, 10am to 3.30pm. There is an admission fee for both events.</i></span></h4>
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Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-24941858385452552432013-03-15T12:09:00.000+00:002013-03-15T12:09:13.508+00:00Always Learning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNux1Pg7erld67fy2C4awYv0P5JzSSlYUJpMZ6PLu9WcbdPnZgnqhHyQJB7Ojnj2heowpKuGKnAhrjAl2lTdRfx_TgbBn2HajYTQFIPb1lMnWGih0BxhN6mruZ2uWscxD_LNutk0Zc6jo/s1600/P1220762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNux1Pg7erld67fy2C4awYv0P5JzSSlYUJpMZ6PLu9WcbdPnZgnqhHyQJB7Ojnj2heowpKuGKnAhrjAl2lTdRfx_TgbBn2HajYTQFIPb1lMnWGih0BxhN6mruZ2uWscxD_LNutk0Zc6jo/s200/P1220762.JPG" width="195" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took some time to try out a couple of ideas yesterday and actually got to grips with two things that I've been struggling with, like, forever!</span><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIib48cDW4gUZnS6XhWhtjHWOykiVQ_-9Laby_2fzXqhdg3oXSxaOGjfpmEc2lhPOR0k8ljeZ4JVLDD4z8Y8tJYZ5a8zrFkxS86NtHV_pDuFB3v08OHdCYsXAAt9Ost4UWKjH-S58jl9s/s1600/P1220761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIib48cDW4gUZnS6XhWhtjHWOykiVQ_-9Laby_2fzXqhdg3oXSxaOGjfpmEc2lhPOR0k8ljeZ4JVLDD4z8Y8tJYZ5a8zrFkxS86NtHV_pDuFB3v08OHdCYsXAAt9Ost4UWKjH-S58jl9s/s320/P1220761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made off mandrel hearts that are actually big enough to wear and have a functioning loop, woo hoo!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LzVZSfVZTlMvIsXPIQVWrqOwn-m8zTgMDPxfPBaRr52jt2SfzdouEXA53nWywB05pHWtNFkCTmC0GX0iJbhP_XYTbHM_ugE_TQh5XdxCmvFl00k0yNU-QU2ynv09B7CtEGMqbBVj3nY/s1600/photo+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LzVZSfVZTlMvIsXPIQVWrqOwn-m8zTgMDPxfPBaRr52jt2SfzdouEXA53nWywB05pHWtNFkCTmC0GX0iJbhP_XYTbHM_ugE_TQh5XdxCmvFl00k0yNU-QU2ynv09B7CtEGMqbBVj3nY/s320/photo+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I blew my first ever successful shard bulb! I know, five and a half years of beadmaking and I couldn't blow shards, shocking isn't it - but I did it, and hopefully I'll be able to do it again. Today I will see if the shards I made are actually usable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Excuse the rubbish phone photo)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtZ_Qv3JJ8Wi0d0-o26SMbKqHBIxxDVNiY5e2v6SsXMSMe1Fuu0-co6tUy04OB5DaL67fMCSgj-4z-IQVOcL87o-wmoCCIOoSCyhGqMUJmiMNa8rAXdKt6CSgMswlSp1rQwt0DoqUrS0/s1600/P1220781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtZ_Qv3JJ8Wi0d0-o26SMbKqHBIxxDVNiY5e2v6SsXMSMe1Fuu0-co6tUy04OB5DaL67fMCSgj-4z-IQVOcL87o-wmoCCIOoSCyhGqMUJmiMNa8rAXdKt6CSgMswlSp1rQwt0DoqUrS0/s320/P1220781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JkwMlEidIh7FLxSKgULiJzgridbIaotpeQe6aIMl_a_o9SCpM-adQ0w9kSJje5BE8rKAgE6xWQlmuBjK4kMDNhVXhq55ks7ewR61uwsHqq0sIZAgJU93CbU7CZXxRIV66wufxG1A95E/s1600/P1220763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JkwMlEidIh7FLxSKgULiJzgridbIaotpeQe6aIMl_a_o9SCpM-adQ0w9kSJje5BE8rKAgE6xWQlmuBjK4kMDNhVXhq55ks7ewR61uwsHqq0sIZAgJU93CbU7CZXxRIV66wufxG1A95E/s200/P1220763.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just listed on my website are some new wonky buttons and a pretty set for spring.</span></div>
Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-40015328524035338362013-03-11T15:37:00.000+00:002013-03-11T15:37:03.149+00:00Beyond Beads<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I wrote a tutorial for a magazine, so when Beads & Beyond asked if I could make beaded keys, I jumped at the chance.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhAb0EPqBxlTwHGaHdpBWSv6UVWI-Psbc-XlKL-fncMMCwO4dO51frDMgAlhF9WAfj3-PQ8GcZUjTrNAgQ-b44Uc5yLYjDKVSFIWG7S5j2iyYwmGLFYkTe2jeP7t2cZE1IlAXXUR28rk/s1600/P1220623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhAb0EPqBxlTwHGaHdpBWSv6UVWI-Psbc-XlKL-fncMMCwO4dO51frDMgAlhF9WAfj3-PQ8GcZUjTrNAgQ-b44Uc5yLYjDKVSFIWG7S5j2iyYwmGLFYkTe2jeP7t2cZE1IlAXXUR28rk/s320/P1220623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The two page spread looks lovely and the instructions are very simple for any ability of glass beadmaker to follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made a few extras and have now listed them in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LushLampwork?section_id=6210445" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and on <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/37-for-the-home" target="_blank">my website</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the originals come back from the magazine, I will list those too (well, I might keep one for myself!).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupeoaq9ox4a1I_e_pOQxINNVs9m-FLO8UcQvZ3nwfRomEsFRnFDGbY3cqGI96qgRoE3ewC8tFfLB_aCjadX-khJJrQt1TW8YdgbaAFD5EdJ3Znhprs7zTLRdqrmx9dpnA_8vDoVKM5A0/s1600/P1220395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupeoaq9ox4a1I_e_pOQxINNVs9m-FLO8UcQvZ3nwfRomEsFRnFDGbY3cqGI96qgRoE3ewC8tFfLB_aCjadX-khJJrQt1TW8YdgbaAFD5EdJ3Znhprs7zTLRdqrmx9dpnA_8vDoVKM5A0/s320/P1220395.JPG" width="277" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They make unique pendants, hanging decorations or even very unusual keyrings!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-53463710501472395182013-03-01T14:03:00.001+00:002013-03-01T14:03:31.578+00:00Ossa - new from Double Helix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-mFFQyScC2sAq25sBZleUcST9b0ximmseTwHQR6id9jWvLw6HFbDZ3H3pcYv8CqsGgNqteUtE15EV5mxZrEpA_S-xdR46AIjX-Jfl3sYOvJOkCsUa3-FS-5NEQZzMfhgfTLzNrz8Arw/s1600/P1220621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-mFFQyScC2sAq25sBZleUcST9b0ximmseTwHQR6id9jWvLw6HFbDZ3H3pcYv8CqsGgNqteUtE15EV5mxZrEpA_S-xdR46AIjX-Jfl3sYOvJOkCsUa3-FS-5NEQZzMfhgfTLzNrz8Arw/s320/P1220621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday I received a few rods of the new Double Helix glass from <a href="http://www.tuffnellglass.com/" target="_blank">Tuffnell Glass,</a> and I got straight out to the Lusherie to put it through it's paces. Both the rods and the beads are more purple (amethyst rather than Cadbury) than they look in any of my photos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to Tuffnell's website, Ossa is the first of DH glass's "new speckled lustres". The rods are very unusual, heavily textured with little bumps that are apparently "thousands of refractive inclusions". When heating the glass, I found it can be prone to boiling, but this didn't appear to affect the bead.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdhnU72fhXQA7o3klQZ9qU4qKl9N79bZ9xsiLzKUVU3GvSrTJeX8gxGNIaGi2cVqwx3UvSc4KX6Etrzp8UEaZaQqCsSoMloZ2Wl6tC0Xmz5J7tuU-ND5g9ZZoWhheH-dEdn3rAQTj5Yw/s1600/P1220602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdhnU72fhXQA7o3klQZ9qU4qKl9N79bZ9xsiLzKUVU3GvSrTJeX8gxGNIaGi2cVqwx3UvSc4KX6Etrzp8UEaZaQqCsSoMloZ2Wl6tC0Xmz5J7tuU-ND5g9ZZoWhheH-dEdn3rAQTj5Yw/s320/P1220602.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It reduces quite easily and seems to prefer oxygen down rather than propane up, but that may just be because I work hot with two oxycons. Unfortunately I think I tend to be a bit heavy handed with reduction glasses and get a lot of yellow streakiness rather than subtle mother of pearl! I do like this little encased bead though, it reminds me of the brass wire effect with tiny golden bubbles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought a tornado bead would be a good style to show Ossa both reduced and not. There's lots of free tutorials around if you want help with this technique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple surface reduction results in very shiny beads!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM7hFCfgmf6yZTHrjc5p0heCOidjLEC_U0GgqRNxnXJDQeRprv_ExB0-tK8zcPHzdh2q93-4byPx54jCvE0zP2B63sdOc8hoHa5HdELWwngFKR2Otyzm1wlfrjHfXj3oBR3D8OyW6R6Y/s1600/P1220601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM7hFCfgmf6yZTHrjc5p0heCOidjLEC_U0GgqRNxnXJDQeRprv_ExB0-tK8zcPHzdh2q93-4byPx54jCvE0zP2B63sdOc8hoHa5HdELWwngFKR2Otyzm1wlfrjHfXj3oBR3D8OyW6R6Y/s320/P1220601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the whole, Ossa makes me think of goldstone with the benefit of metallic effects. I think these disc beads really do the glass justice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A nice photo to finish with ... The top of a wave bead - you can't see the bottom, but it's lovely and shiny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-7634858009917277202013-02-13T13:53:00.000+00:002013-02-13T13:53:19.892+00:00A good lesson to learn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4CvHpLhS2595xgHV5eQmrNWmJuodNVLbvjDy_7C_A___Sopxxp-oz93oNwNJdAxyoVWPxqPELERYXfBTq4WZ5m1KR6pbPraUo5vZkSHLASQXdVEq_Ag4eG43Zt1aKrKFojUe3UMvb5g/s1600/P1220448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4CvHpLhS2595xgHV5eQmrNWmJuodNVLbvjDy_7C_A___Sopxxp-oz93oNwNJdAxyoVWPxqPELERYXfBTq4WZ5m1KR6pbPraUo5vZkSHLASQXdVEq_Ag4eG43Zt1aKrKFojUe3UMvb5g/s320/P1220448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had such a great day yesterday - I had a proper cabochon-setting lesson with my great friend and regular "partner in design" <a href="http://www.mizgeorge.co.uk/" target="_blank">mizgeorge</a>, George Harper East. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have made a few cabochons recently (cough cough) and now I have a good idea of what to do with them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made the ring with the red and purple cab, George made the one with the lime centre so she could teach me the method, step by step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I made this amazing pendant - isn't it just fantastic?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been shopping this morning, buying up all the bits and pieces I need to make more rings and pendants at home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ooh, I hope I can do anything like as good a job on my own!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRZBOU1KAykJOOHnYl6C8Em_bU4n4chfHfIQDidfVe9NZ9SJXJBeq2VavVZHXF_GblWHK-ckrd-p5zQuOtdqTNGtXQSElxIXlcaXLr2HeNVPiMIiKjlfR22FzU8OuuFqzkE8pvZlvKIQ/s1600/P1220474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRZBOU1KAykJOOHnYl6C8Em_bU4n4chfHfIQDidfVe9NZ9SJXJBeq2VavVZHXF_GblWHK-ckrd-p5zQuOtdqTNGtXQSElxIXlcaXLr2HeNVPiMIiKjlfR22FzU8OuuFqzkE8pvZlvKIQ/s320/P1220474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you'd like to learn to do pretty much anything in silver (or any other metal!), I can't recommend George's teaching enough. She's patient, encouraging, has all the best designs and is crazy clever!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and of course, if you need cabs to set, there's a few to choose from in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LushLampwork?section_id=10480145" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> ;0) Or if you'd like to make your own cabs to set in your own ring, you might find my new <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/tutorials-and-tools/401-everybody-needs-glass-buttons-ebook.html" target="_blank">eBook</a> helpful too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-31842437091780265752013-02-08T15:05:00.002+00:002013-02-08T15:05:12.448+00:00I love ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... making seaside beads</span><br />
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<br />Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-44809269368222954092013-02-07T23:41:00.000+00:002013-02-08T19:20:23.466+00:00A new eBook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been rather quiet on the bead, photo and blog front for quite some time but I have been busy in the Lusherie and at my desk. I've been experimenting, researching, writing and generally obsessing over a new tutorial for bead makers to make these fabulous little (and not so little!) slices of art glass that I've named <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/32-tutorials-and-tools" target="_blank">Bubbles, Urchins and Carousels</a>. There is actually another type of cabochon in there too, but I didn't come up with fancy name for that one. Now that it's done I can finally get back to making beads - and have been making up for lost time already!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sent cabs out to friends that work in different mediums, to see how they would set them, and here are the photos of what they made.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Solder-free settings by <a href="http://www.mizgeorge.co.uk/" target="_blank">George Harper East</a> ... watch out for a tutorial from her on how to make these.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And a more traditional silver ring from George too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More beautiful silver work by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ceram60" target="_blank">Rita Bennett</a> - a clever clasp and earring pair. The bracelet beads are Rita's own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/nemeton?ref=owner_profile_leftnav" target="_blank">Lynn Davy</a> works with teeny tiny seed beads. I think she's going to make the green one into the focal piece of a necklace and, as you can see below, the pink one has become the top of a charming little beaded box.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This silver PMC ring was beautifully made by <a href="http://www.magickminxproductions.com/" target="_blank">Leigh Armstrong</a>, and so was the polymer clay dragon - with a clever Urchin eye!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's another little Carousel set in silver clay, by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/theatoo" target="_blank">Lesley Watt of TheaJewellery</a> - I love the texture on the pendant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All this lovely work makes me want to have a go at setting some cabs too ... watch this space!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're a jewellery maker and use cabochons in your work, I have lots for sale in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LushLampwork?section_id=10480145" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>, or if you'd like a copy of the tutorial that's also in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LushLampwork?section_id=8054383" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>, and on my <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/32-tutorials-and-tools" target="_blank">website</a>.</span><br />
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Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-62360865752420285992012-11-23T14:38:00.002+00:002012-11-23T14:38:30.121+00:00A "sew sew" week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been rather distracted this week. Well, to be fair, I did work all weekend, and I have had a rotten cold, and I do have lots n lots of market stock and no huge commissions outstanding, so I thought I'd earned a bit of time to indulge myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been attending a sewing class for the past few weeks and one of the things I particularly wanted to do was make a pattern for a dress that fits me, as opposed to using a commercial pattern. So with help from the teacher I made a paper pattern from a dress I already own and made it up in calico. Lots of adjustments were needed, then I made another calico version - and finally I got my hands on some wine coloured needlecord and made my first pinafore dress. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I learnt how to add darts and how to make and apply bias binding, and I finished it all off with some sweet little lined patch pockets. Its not perfect but I learnt loads, I have ideas for a couple of little tweaks (more fabric on its way!) and, as you can tell by its general crumpledness, I've worn it for the last two days!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a little light relief during the final stages of the pinafore, I did use a commercial pattern, New Look 6803, to make this dress, which I then took along to class for advice on correcting the fit around the neckline. A couple of extra tucks was all it needed and now I love it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just look at the delicious pattern, like little murrini flowers - beady inspiration is everywhere!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another thing I've been wanting to get to grips with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in my class </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is inserting zips, and after a couple of goes I made the pouch in the first photo to keep all my sewing bits n bobs in. Its a bit "floppy" so I might try again, but that zip is (almost) perfect! I used a </span><a href="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2010/10/pdf-sewing-pattern-sugar-loaf-pouches-in-2-sizes-only-520.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">pdf pattern from u-handbag.com</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, but I wanted it big enough for my scissors so I got the original pattern photocopied 50% larger. I found the tutorial a little tricky to use because the photos don't line up with the written steps, so there was much rifling through pages and muttering going on!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a little bit of glassy eye candy to finish with. A pair of beautiful "by george, it's Lush!" fibula pins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And some light pulls. The black and white one is so sweet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm selling at <a href="http://www.moseleyforum.org.uk/?q=node/186" target="_blank">Moseley Arts Market</a> tomorrow, its meant to be an extra special market as it coincides with the Christmas lights switch-on. I'm very worried about the weather though, we might get rained off or blown away!</span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-87218274314476668822012-11-16T11:17:00.000+00:002012-11-16T11:17:05.987+00:00Commissions<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a couple of commissions I've been working on recently.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fifteen little sets - it was impossible to get a good single photo of the whole group, but it was very satisfying to see them all together before I sent them off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this commission was for a pair of earrings to match a pendant I made probably around 2 years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Busy bead - just for fun!</span></div>
Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-73496004411922079802012-11-15T16:12:00.000+00:002012-11-15T16:12:57.808+00:00Jellybeans anyone?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hooray, <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/25-lush-loops" target="_blank">Lush Loops connectors</a> are back in stock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I could finish off this stash of <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/bracelets-and-rings/321-sunshine-and-showers-bracelet.html" target="_blank">Jellybean Bracelets</a> I was working on. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iZZocK9wQfOaCi5tw5-jBznMkBKbfdvQwzoI1NgR2kGeCu4NNeHfOE1zk4WyUul_Q9ihzsoi4q_pGbYEAIIobueutv35u5OT467dOcCHBbDGviMSLqrxlQK-2rk-sX7mDefNBbgZuIM/s1600/P1210047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iZZocK9wQfOaCi5tw5-jBznMkBKbfdvQwzoI1NgR2kGeCu4NNeHfOE1zk4WyUul_Q9ihzsoi4q_pGbYEAIIobueutv35u5OT467dOcCHBbDGviMSLqrxlQK-2rk-sX7mDefNBbgZuIM/s320/P1210047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm hoping these might keep me going till Christmas!</span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-86056628658339359662012-11-13T15:26:00.000+00:002012-11-13T15:26:40.645+00:00Hoop-la-la!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGhoqmHLLZQj-5D7qXeYYHAC09SDnDqm32PTPwqUrIRuhCOdMLNjCGKJo8M8r6OJGdp9ys0isLdWvwim7W_3Vsl9BwoGHjAznkxWwSpHU_hS-buEFIarpOnM4lD9-iDhSpZ17qAn5whI/s1600/P1200906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGhoqmHLLZQj-5D7qXeYYHAC09SDnDqm32PTPwqUrIRuhCOdMLNjCGKJo8M8r6OJGdp9ys0isLdWvwim7W_3Vsl9BwoGHjAznkxWwSpHU_hS-buEFIarpOnM4lD9-iDhSpZ17qAn5whI/s320/P1200906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hoop-la-la bracelets using the <a href="http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk/p/tutorials.html" target="_blank">tutorial on Lesley Watt's blog</a>, The Gossiping Goddess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/31-lush-style" target="_blank">Cotton cord, large seed beads</a> and <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/23-make-your-own-jewellery" target="_blank">Lush Hoops</a> from my website.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Odd lampwork buttons from down the back of my sofa (metaphorically speaking!).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqz7qizmFTFaUJJeo44AlxRsD1C0sApjGq4l1s3Ne5C3VifAYtmUePgBmtNZqbe8KMF8LaZN_chFnUF0Ie0F8ykGo0UL5nAoAn7A1Fes0gjxXJeTD4YZfrbUI6JxXJh7Dj-0Fe_wOfv0/s1600/P1200917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqz7qizmFTFaUJJeo44AlxRsD1C0sApjGq4l1s3Ne5C3VifAYtmUePgBmtNZqbe8KMF8LaZN_chFnUF0Ie0F8ykGo0UL5nAoAn7A1Fes0gjxXJeTD4YZfrbUI6JxXJh7Dj-0Fe_wOfv0/s320/P1200917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got rather carried away with this one, its a double wrap bracelet to celebrate the mad wonky button.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friend </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151329515948973&set=pb.547703972.-2207520000.1352819888&type=3&theater" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lesley Jane Dixon</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> makes gorgeous bracelets from the same tutorial - hope you can see her pics in her Facebook album.</span><br />
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<br />Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-13457336796094978992012-11-12T20:59:00.000+00:002012-11-12T21:47:58.868+00:00New Hoops!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"New Hoops" ... I can't help but think of Julie Walters when I say that, tottering along in a waitress uniform! (two soups ... get it?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So like I said, I've got some new Lush Hoops. There's 7 new colours in the medium and large size: a couple of lovely festive reddish shades, <b>Red Red Wine</b> and <b>Vimto</b>; some useful neutrals -<b> Lentil</b>, which is kinda yellow, kinda green, and <b>Sticky Toffee</b>, a creamy caramel colour; <b>Basil</b> is a gorgeous soft green with a hint of blue, I think I'll be using that one a lot; <b>Jade</b> is actually an old colour that disappeared and I'm very pleased to see its return, in all 3 sizes, yay; <b>Bye Bye Baby</b> is a soft baby blue, not quite as pale as Bubble Bath; and finally <b>Milk Chocolate</b> in the Large size.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.com/23-make-your-own-jewellery" target="_blank">here</a> to see Lush Loops and Hoops on my website.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've restocked all the Collections and Mixes, and these options include the new colours. And for a limited time I've also listed packs of just the new colours if you want to top up your collection without trawling through all the listings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lush Loops and Hoops got a mention in the December issue of Beads and Beyond which has just come out, resulting in a flurry of orders and serious depletion of Loops connector stocks! Not to worry, lots more will be here in a couple of days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjm7Mz-IYidiTGndrdyt1CFS2fFub45uVoy-TUPV0BWUkHGWGsIRvJ8bzwp9eNQXAt7zaI-tqeCOuNjWqE7sysRCTpp0HNKWGqyfnWjhO7HOmx-fcrNGRhhB8G9pP6tpLKcn4ozwxB_w/s1600/just+pink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjm7Mz-IYidiTGndrdyt1CFS2fFub45uVoy-TUPV0BWUkHGWGsIRvJ8bzwp9eNQXAt7zaI-tqeCOuNjWqE7sysRCTpp0HNKWGqyfnWjhO7HOmx-fcrNGRhhB8G9pP6tpLKcn4ozwxB_w/s320/just+pink.JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of Lush Loops, I recently added a new shade of light pink, perfect for girly girls!</span><br />
<br />Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-85900583166232827792012-11-09T21:07:00.003+00:002012-11-09T21:07:53.751+00:00Getting Stuck In<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJfFLxETYND601rXz6eNOOqz_W-mMxLai5jsKc78LcI8udPBFz0a36b6JnUqXQPvdMBA4hvNCzSRNVtkeUhalqeeIxiimj0AJ8kbrJBk66PiK4aPJvzc2PVIKsmQS8qbCU1iCkvUUL4k/s1600/P1200757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJfFLxETYND601rXz6eNOOqz_W-mMxLai5jsKc78LcI8udPBFz0a36b6JnUqXQPvdMBA4hvNCzSRNVtkeUhalqeeIxiimj0AJ8kbrJBk66PiK4aPJvzc2PVIKsmQS8qbCU1iCkvUUL4k/s320/P1200757.JPG" width="280" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My lovely friend <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/kazkebab" target="_blank">Kaz</a> came to stay last weekend and we had a ball, chatting, eating and playing for hours on end in the studio. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been busy busy ever since, working on all the new ideas we came up with and preparing for Malvern Arts Market tomorrow (Sat 10th November).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At last I have lots of stud earrings for all those ladies that tell me they don't like drops. I think these are my absolute favourite pair - so far ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui-LaiBodyOTovOcbTqxHsfTYO4h-ZBiFXOhUm-PQATUxdiwHEYjdGShuXokGyYQm3UlrGoBzNA3k8pGKM4C5Bw6SYl7F3canMOM1UC3NoB8RCMPQSOS9_W7IfnxpaNu51s6K4CRSwgc/s1600/P1200860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui-LaiBodyOTovOcbTqxHsfTYO4h-ZBiFXOhUm-PQATUxdiwHEYjdGShuXokGyYQm3UlrGoBzNA3k8pGKM4C5Bw6SYl7F3canMOM1UC3NoB8RCMPQSOS9_W7IfnxpaNu51s6K4CRSwgc/s320/P1200860.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got rather carried away with the cufflinks! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx_l22GcjSGEGSF4Yzt9nE2cNtfJD7Xu7Noqaf_1UV-4b7Rxhuc8ePQU4oUtoWCC-YRI5ULzw2C1XJVgKLB7IlhSkmMJgSuPypF-_SYX-J_92mda_u5QYrM4bbsyblBXD-AVO7mw6CqE/s1600/P1200864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx_l22GcjSGEGSF4Yzt9nE2cNtfJD7Xu7Noqaf_1UV-4b7Rxhuc8ePQU4oUtoWCC-YRI5ULzw2C1XJVgKLB7IlhSkmMJgSuPypF-_SYX-J_92mda_u5QYrM4bbsyblBXD-AVO7mw6CqE/s320/P1200864.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These may look a little familiar - they used to be ring toppers, but now they're permanently attached to some cheap and cheerful adjustable rings.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPwb9KJ71HJbSgfFFW09QZWe8lW5PO_aLrbCpLbptYfYm8CLg9tqUUiDBEAjBKNeWVSPn7G7sm50qnClUDtbWkCTp-v8Z3KTgtTcykFZgQw0TlnnMkwp4yzyANBiddbyRU0fjpLhqhNU/s1600/P1200867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPwb9KJ71HJbSgfFFW09QZWe8lW5PO_aLrbCpLbptYfYm8CLg9tqUUiDBEAjBKNeWVSPn7G7sm50qnClUDtbWkCTp-v8Z3KTgtTcykFZgQw0TlnnMkwp4yzyANBiddbyRU0fjpLhqhNU/s320/P1200867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And finally, I made more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lushlampwork/sets/72157631905466222/" target="_blank">Heavenly Hanging Hearts</a> to take to market, and some simpler ones too. They look quite Christmas-y, but I think mine will be hanging up all year round! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope to update the website with some of these new pieces next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS Thanks to <a href="http://www.dawnturnerdesigns.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dawn Turner</a> for all the advice :0)</span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-61469538608698987822012-08-01T16:08:00.002+01:002012-08-01T16:08:37.099+01:00A Sense of Achievement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3UYGoLDq49JDf5DPOyue6ZqspJF2mjBGpssC6DXqVjTn2zIcMKocBhkiYgPpuJbh5EDFOm76igunGjwCEMhA3gX4D8OQtOwjaBlqlI_0Cee2POY5Vm2nupln32OHRPO2wIRyb1V9Z0M/s1600/P1190624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3UYGoLDq49JDf5DPOyue6ZqspJF2mjBGpssC6DXqVjTn2zIcMKocBhkiYgPpuJbh5EDFOm76igunGjwCEMhA3gX4D8OQtOwjaBlqlI_0Cee2POY5Vm2nupln32OHRPO2wIRyb1V9Z0M/s320/P1190624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may remember <a href="http://juliefountain.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/700-beads.html" target="_blank">my earlier post</a> about the commission from <a href="http://www.annacliftonjewellery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Anna Clifton</a> to create glass beads for the sculpture she is working on for Edgbaston High School? </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I've finally delivered around 4 kilos of plain, large, clear glass beads to Anna!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every single one of the 700 beads was shaped in the flame one by one - if you haven't seen lampwork beads being created before, I made a little video to show you how its done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The glass starts out as rods, made by Stourbridge glass manufacturer, <a href="http://www.plowden-thompson.com/" target="_blank">Plowden & Thompson</a>, which I melted in the flame and applied to 4mm wide stainless steel mandrels. I first dipped the end of each mandrel in a clay like substance which prevents the beads from permanently fusing to the steel. I used a graphite "<a href="http://cgbeads.com/beads_donut.html" target="_blank">bead roller</a>" to help with the shaping, and then I placed the hot beads into a kiln to cool down very slowly. This slow cooling process (annealing) takes around 9 hours and is vital to ensure the beads are strong and stable and that they will last pretty much forever. (Thanks to Max Bristow for filming the video - apparently he's my favourite nephew!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After cooling I removed the beads from the mandrels and cleaned out the powdery residue left in the holes by the separator substance, at the same time checking every bead for quality and integrity. Then the mandrels were ready to be re-dipped for the next session. I had originally planned to make 10 beads at a time, but as time slipped by there were a few long - usually late night - sessions when I'd manage to get around 50 beads in the kiln at a time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now its over to Anna, to finish her <a href="https://annaclifton.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/leaves-triangles-galore-june-update/" target="_blank">beaten shapes</a> and assemble all the components at the school by the start of the September term. I just can't wait to see it!</span></div>
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</div>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-77436675696740930902012-07-17T18:16:00.003+01:002012-07-17T18:16:46.155+01:00New Classes in The Lusherie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdeaCtR636vJ-08f-9IOaYar1z6dzPZdgClwdepHlxbjf7n_UfkcW8Cb_xqXs-B8kkY1xlKCmehKiFx4Ev8OYlWfDpXLehFG7J18Bqh9z7LnPcsYufuCqZ3boMY1CqpopHMa94n0xEZM/s1600/Taster+lflt+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdeaCtR636vJ-08f-9IOaYar1z6dzPZdgClwdepHlxbjf7n_UfkcW8Cb_xqXs-B8kkY1xlKCmehKiFx4Ev8OYlWfDpXLehFG7J18Bqh9z7LnPcsYufuCqZ3boMY1CqpopHMa94n0xEZM/s320/Taster+lflt+small.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've devised two new class formats, mainly aimed at the local folk - although they are of course open to all! For those wanting to just have a go at melting glass and making a few beads I have a one hour Taster Session, costing just £25 for one person, or £20 each for groups of up to four people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And for a fun girlie trip out (fellas can join in too), you can Make Your Own Glass Bead Bracelet - following one hour's tuition in making simple rounded beads and decorating with dots, you get to choose a coloured thong bracelet then spend a happy couple of hours filling up the kiln. This class can be taken by up to 4 friends, for £40 per person (£45 for one) and would make a fun hen party or birthday gift. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYaU8aD6tjIcvov_m1gjl4gjXScaqbhZhbs_cdsR2rRq35XwG5Q3ALeoHCDfXujthHSGub1Trbm-ekMspakAQmVUPzQ6hxeSwm-dfyAw1E_eJDr0iXc7CnBZu_aEgL7kiIs1vM_7vots/s1600/P1190606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYaU8aD6tjIcvov_m1gjl4gjXScaqbhZhbs_cdsR2rRq35XwG5Q3ALeoHCDfXujthHSGub1Trbm-ekMspakAQmVUPzQ6hxeSwm-dfyAw1E_eJDr0iXc7CnBZu_aEgL7kiIs1vM_7vots/s320/P1190606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at how many beads the first Bracelet class students made. I think they might need more bracelets!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following either of these sessions you can either come back for Torch Time if you're feeling competent to "fly solo", or book another tuition session - from 3 hours to 2 days, whatever suits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-60814732255033444542012-07-04T21:43:00.001+01:002012-07-04T21:43:15.614+01:00A lovely bundle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6GVZLja9KR17JDkw8f0OAlNtfW8d1kSN2DvhQx9iRlJOsH4cHT6ey6klq9a-fsVkz9c8DqykoTrqDsIlThfNN1cBbORDOO4CqQ0aardcMGvlFCcTtVQmuiXvmOUtqNzHWJYzfsapopI/s1600/P1190283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6GVZLja9KR17JDkw8f0OAlNtfW8d1kSN2DvhQx9iRlJOsH4cHT6ey6klq9a-fsVkz9c8DqykoTrqDsIlThfNN1cBbORDOO4CqQ0aardcMGvlFCcTtVQmuiXvmOUtqNzHWJYzfsapopI/s320/P1190283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at this lovely little bundle of glass I got in the post last week. It came from Creation is Messy HQ, via Tuffnell Glass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rarely do new colours inspire me as much as these to run straight out to the studio and get playing. The first colour that really got me excited was the beautiful glowing opal blue called Poseidon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be completely honest, I was a little concerned to find that the first bead I made with Poseidon and Cardamom (more about that beauty shortly) actually came out of the kiln cracked. I'm not sure if I admired it too long before putting it to bed, so the next day I reheated it in the kiln, carefully introduced it back to the flame and thoroughly warmed it through to heal the crack. Its actually about a week now since I made it and no crack has reappeared so I'm pretty certain it was my fault and the glass is not to blame!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I'd describe Poseidon (bead 2) as a greeny blue, sitting somewhere between Chalcedony (bead 1) and Kryptonite (bead 3) ... mmm, gorgeous! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd76ZnWKuULwyC1AdgInzQJmEFEY8ViHogNejpABj8dNaDwa4AqlhUMyvvs1T_zy4Q5R7Iiage51W7idZlnsRg7ZeqgauL0-qdAdRg2y_7WKmYmamWPOF_IX1ZooduzfXWjbRDNOdPmkM/s1600/P1190317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd76ZnWKuULwyC1AdgInzQJmEFEY8ViHogNejpABj8dNaDwa4AqlhUMyvvs1T_zy4Q5R7Iiage51W7idZlnsRg7ZeqgauL0-qdAdRg2y_7WKmYmamWPOF_IX1ZooduzfXWjbRDNOdPmkM/s320/P1190317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a look at the other side, aren't these just lovely colours together?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GzguktgyYLLM2cxsvJbIrqnwIj1sMnNK63PUZcrrM0YQNNMAFhn2hpABxbaYaVCzEN-wYnv3xwd9EDLKdLno1Jv2p7mwK8aTUZShpY1l28d6mT-kAKfl78lwbArzOh3g4IqhHdohlw0/s1600/P1190289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GzguktgyYLLM2cxsvJbIrqnwIj1sMnNK63PUZcrrM0YQNNMAFhn2hpABxbaYaVCzEN-wYnv3xwd9EDLKdLno1Jv2p7mwK8aTUZShpY1l28d6mT-kAKfl78lwbArzOh3g4IqhHdohlw0/s320/P1190289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, it does have a tendency to over strike and become a little muddy as in these two beads. In no 1 I have used Poseidon with another of the new CIM colours, Linen, and quite a lot of SIS and silver wire - its possible that the silver has fumed the Poseidon and caused it to darken. Bead no 2 is the one I mentioned earlier, that I had to reheat, and I think the colour has lost its clarity due to overworking. It doesn't look too bad on this photo but bead no 2 is not pretty!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXw5b_IA6PmKUJ5wEhvIcq_r20XnZglt2eSKsP45muBNGxOKXJn6gVKv_aGXOqKX6-7bN5c38ofBPrt_oCEnQxNc9089Aw-5tQbBJWJr7oPnW7lB70kocDZzpFwj-ozwu_G6h2a5YKNU/s1600/P1190293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXw5b_IA6PmKUJ5wEhvIcq_r20XnZglt2eSKsP45muBNGxOKXJn6gVKv_aGXOqKX6-7bN5c38ofBPrt_oCEnQxNc9089Aw-5tQbBJWJr7oPnW7lB70kocDZzpFwj-ozwu_G6h2a5YKNU/s320/P1190293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at this! Both the Poseidon (bead 1) and the Kryptonite (bead 2) have reacted in the same way; they've gone opaque at the bottom and retained their semi-transulency (is that a word?) further up. Presumably this is due to the relatively large mass of opal glass and the more gentle flame I've used compared to when I made the first beads. Great effect.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD7jwwZhMP66_ho-VRsnBuehHib2IuPxfxrog8gFVwS4AprqJFV7vVawhQibvrvSJYUqr2zdDksJyv1NENfOYnD-mwOqYxxGJ1gpVt0eZbG8w7pL9F7Iw0m61czwECbB1FcqHsk36Ryo/s1600/P1190285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD7jwwZhMP66_ho-VRsnBuehHib2IuPxfxrog8gFVwS4AprqJFV7vVawhQibvrvSJYUqr2zdDksJyv1NENfOYnD-mwOqYxxGJ1gpVt0eZbG8w7pL9F7Iw0m61czwECbB1FcqHsk36Ryo/s320/P1190285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next new colour on my shopping list is CIM Cardamom, its such a pretty, fresh, delicate green, lighter than Elphaba or Effetre lime and sharper than Dirty Martini. I really can't think of another opaque green to compare it to. So bead 1 is the aforementioned Cardamom with Poseidon, bead 2 is with Fremen (my favourite combination), bead 3 with Dirty Martini (on the bottom) and bead 4 with Celadon. SIS sits nicely on Cardamom and isn't swallowed up into a thin line, as is the case with a lot of greens. I'm yet to try dots on Cardamom, but there's plenty of time for that because I'll definitely be ordering this colour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGurbcEdArr_BsiNeYrNN8cKFv-g4RRvFpUDKWFsAJuiG1PrSiPZ-xWd6o7C11ACZYwvr1Mddplj9f0zC7ucf9CYBihr3V-Tq5KQpeZMBwPdxVD1AnOYnICsxlhfWwirp7veFHYUsf-PM/s1600/P1190291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGurbcEdArr_BsiNeYrNN8cKFv-g4RRvFpUDKWFsAJuiG1PrSiPZ-xWd6o7C11ACZYwvr1Mddplj9f0zC7ucf9CYBihr3V-Tq5KQpeZMBwPdxVD1AnOYnICsxlhfWwirp7veFHYUsf-PM/s320/P1190291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now onto Peachy Keen, the very pale transparent rod you can see in the top photo. I was surprised by how dark this colour actually became when it was worked, closer to ginger beer than peach, I think. Its a nice colour and etches well. In this photo bead 1 is Peachy Keen with Linen and SIS; I think bead 2 was the same combination but I wrapped rather too much silver foil around it; and bead 3 shows how nicely Peachy Keen etches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last rod was Linen. Its a nice neutral, one rod wasn't enough to play around with it much. You can see it in the above photos with Poseidon and Peachy Keen, and I also used it in the Poseidon heart bead instead of the Effetre ivory I've used in the other seaside beads. Sorry, I don't have any better pics of Linen as it took a supporting role.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just to add, thanks to Emma at Tuffnells for sending me a second rod of Poseidon and Cardamom to continue to experiment with. I still have a little bit of each left and will post if I find anything else interesting! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-58963040570170213962012-05-24T15:50:00.001+01:002012-05-24T15:50:53.270+01:00Tumbled<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following on from my last post, 700 beads ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tnkfLe6lih-3-rndSGcPWGuzu68697Gl5cRnR0YmEOLvgeQMoJCCooqvUK11xnuYvxcPdjaWYAj8tbwBSsEAsk8w_1Irv9yqAsRDQC4wEAtQOjpK2pcL8czlHxbtfSITD1crWVUL04M/s1600/P1190011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tnkfLe6lih-3-rndSGcPWGuzu68697Gl5cRnR0YmEOLvgeQMoJCCooqvUK11xnuYvxcPdjaWYAj8tbwBSsEAsk8w_1Irv9yqAsRDQC4wEAtQOjpK2pcL8czlHxbtfSITD1crWVUL04M/s320/P1190011.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After around 6 or 7 hours of tumbling with steel shot and garden gravel, the beads (on the left) are definitely less shiny than when they went in. Unfortunately though, I still had to clean the holes with my dremel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sent off this photo to Anna, and she has decided she prefers the shiny beads. Hurray!!</span><br />
<br />Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-20847516278661343122012-05-23T14:46:00.001+01:002012-05-23T14:59:16.640+01:00700 beads!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a little task to be getting on with, its going to keep me rather busy, but as <a href="http://www.annacliftonjewellery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Anna Clifton</a> put it, it is very exciting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anna contacted me just over a week ago to ask if I would be interested in working on a fantastic commission she has received from Edgbaston High School. You bet I would!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The piece is to be a 2.4m high framed sculpture to be displayed in the school's new entrance hall. Anna explains all about it in <a href="https://annaclifton.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/a-very-exciting-commission/" target="_blank">her own blog</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So while Anna gets on with lots of metal cutting, bashing and soldering, my job is to make beads as a backdrop for her housemartins, leaves and triangles. Originally we thought I'd need to make 640 beads (yep, six hundred and forty beads!) but to be sure there's enough, I'm actually going to aim at around 700. Daunted? Rather! Oh, and the beads need to be 16-20mm wide and made on 4mm mandrels.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought it would be good keep the Midlands connection going, so I ordered 5kg of clear glass rods from UK glass makers <a href="http://www.plowden-thompson.com/" target="_blank">Plowden & Thompson</a> in Stourbridge. Did you know that 2012 is the 400th anniversary of glass making in Stourbridge?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I expected to start work on Friday 11th May and the beads need to be ready by the beginning of August, AT THE LATEST!. I think I need to pace myself or I may completely disappear under a mound of clear beads, so I've worked out there's 70 days until 22nd July, which gets the job finished before my birthday and leaves some time in hand to make any adjustments. I should be able to manage to make ten beads a day for 70 days, shouldn't I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, best laid plans and all that. I missed the glass delivery on Friday so didn't actually get started until Monday. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The P&T glass is fantastic - its 93 COE so my two oxycons come in handy, but the glass is lovely to melt. Its not shocky or scummy and is incredibly tolerant of getting a little cool. In fact, I'm getting two beads to a mandrel with no trouble at all. Good job actually, as of course, this week my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LushLampwork?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> has come to life with orders for beads made on 4mm mandrels. Doh - good job I ordered another 15 mandrels then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, I got off to a great start on Monday with 22 beads made, and around another 16 on Tuesday. The extra mandrels have now arrived so there should be no excuse for falling behind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slight problem though, in Anna's brief she said "I don't think the beads need to all be perfectly round and I'm happy for them to be a bit cloudy" - two descriptions that aren't necessarily as easy as they sound. To make sure the beads are big enough, I need to use a tool to shape them and my biggest round shaper is a <a href="http://cgbeads.com/beads_donut.html" target="_blank">CG beadroller donut</a> that goes up to 18mm. Some variation in size is required - I'm managing that by not being too perfectly precise with the roller, producing the occasional bead that's a little larger or smaller than the cavity. But this glass is incredibly clear and shiny (I reckon it gives DH Zephyr a run for its money) so the finish may be too bright for Anna's requirements. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe a very light etching would work, but I'm giving tumbling a go first of all. The tumbler has been running for about 3 hours now, with around 20 beads in there together with steel shot and a load of garden gravel. I didn't clean out the bead release before putting them in, I'm really hoping that tumbling will roughen em up and clean em out ... we'll see!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and I see <a href="https://annaclifton.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/beads/" target="_blank">Anna's blogged again</a> :0) (I made the beads in her photo with the last of my scummy old Effetre 004)</span><br />
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<br />Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-19247880568845584682012-04-17T18:07:00.000+01:002012-04-17T18:07:11.762+01:00Lush Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLN5uA056Y-7v6_gsqmlByAVl3Ca6p-DEJU1xT4cPfYfzx2mVmu8jxzvH5wtF05i-84Rc5SmsmhODfEvdloe6WMeEkafBM8hXI16VgAGDh7w_l26ev5CNZiC3xKYgmYdndGCO19_1eTI/s1600/P1180447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLN5uA056Y-7v6_gsqmlByAVl3Ca6p-DEJU1xT4cPfYfzx2mVmu8jxzvH5wtF05i-84Rc5SmsmhODfEvdloe6WMeEkafBM8hXI16VgAGDh7w_l26ev5CNZiC3xKYgmYdndGCO19_1eTI/s320/P1180447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you like my style?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love to play around with different stringing materials and enjoy coming up with alternatives to traditional tiger tail, with metal crimps and clasps.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknaZx_OlfkApvl3bRpqMY_cYZpZLuaPb23Uya5fNn6UKXXyWcXdbpqlDngx7-1RcewemVZbaJUCbkdqHs_qoi-WDVzJJ2xtIXxqInEPL3q61kypNLyQ7jBNJxHy0wuVgbrS94jtdcH2s/s1600/P1180431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknaZx_OlfkApvl3bRpqMY_cYZpZLuaPb23Uya5fNn6UKXXyWcXdbpqlDngx7-1RcewemVZbaJUCbkdqHs_qoi-WDVzJJ2xtIXxqInEPL3q61kypNLyQ7jBNJxHy0wuVgbrS94jtdcH2s/s320/P1180431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its actually a few years ago now that I first came across some wonderful 3mm PVC tube in a stunning array of frosted colours, I bought a bagful, stashed it in a drawer and waited for inspiration ... and waited ... I even bought some more ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have no idea what finally got me going but eventually I pulled all that lovely tube back into the daylight and rediscovered its fabulousness! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz4FcsHii825BXeN8t567SFLI-x8-GvAnFALtwAMs4H7X1W31-3JgvZBmabkufO2JtxXQqsNsKfNg0u2XO32p2svFLdb4qZAGVAfjM66CLH7MEhCVHlVpMPXN-_4AhU-Gd4s3xAADSR4/s1600/P1180463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz4FcsHii825BXeN8t567SFLI-x8-GvAnFALtwAMs4H7X1W31-3JgvZBmabkufO2JtxXQqsNsKfNg0u2XO32p2svFLdb4qZAGVAfjM66CLH7MEhCVHlVpMPXN-_4AhU-Gd4s3xAADSR4/s320/P1180463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I realised that such good quality tube in this size was so hard to come by I decided to bite the bullet and offer it for sale to my friends and fellow lampworkers. They loved my </span><a href="http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/userimages/procart42.htm" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lush Loops</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> so much, they keep selling out! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPcLD3bfiM2TRhcy2U0QwSzf3lIXs-XwcrEG3_iU3aSwa86JSQzrXx0rh1z9iFv5D-cAs77Gt-V_HvApd8VPBWwa03KSm7aDZpcnaPsvWptimqvSv8VFruZsMWDjhhXlr-gR9zmgQpVU/s1600/P1180450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPcLD3bfiM2TRhcy2U0QwSzf3lIXs-XwcrEG3_iU3aSwa86JSQzrXx0rh1z9iFv5D-cAs77Gt-V_HvApd8VPBWwa03KSm7aDZpcnaPsvWptimqvSv8VFruZsMWDjhhXlr-gR9zmgQpVU/s320/P1180450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lush Loops are perfect on their own for simple bracelets and chokers, and I also enjoy chopping up any leftovers and threading them onto cotton cord with a random colourful mixture of beads and ... </span><a href="http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/userimages/procart43.htm" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lush Hoops</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRusmLRG5J0ocWYncN5Ez3Cp-zNmTShXnj8E3PW5p4vZWOJ5ihtOOTsmmx1YVHJKrQ0cVwOAxHh-RtEaWWDK9L68mGkexun_WzgweOxmYsQdHXeJCGgnEfA5oo9U9goJ148GZSeq4u-vc/s1600/P1180764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRusmLRG5J0ocWYncN5Ez3Cp-zNmTShXnj8E3PW5p4vZWOJ5ihtOOTsmmx1YVHJKrQ0cVwOAxHh-RtEaWWDK9L68mGkexun_WzgweOxmYsQdHXeJCGgnEfA5oo9U9goJ148GZSeq4u-vc/s320/P1180764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh oh oh, look at all those colours! I can't believe how happy a bunch of rubber Hoops can make me feel (except that they keep selling out too!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That lovely silver clasp was made specially to compliment these designs by George Harper East - check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mizgeorge?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_blank">mizgeorge on Etsy</a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxU7bSqvBhpworH0MoC5VJhCmT9cVKbFij36dQS49hKghkJy8K-HuuDEjecvE7wpXyIzRNRhjlkfY5ISYX-an3SLkwmgSyPJd5WPgY6YMfXE9dMxej-kQleUxqr0mdFJJQExq4kzW67A/s1600/P1180773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxU7bSqvBhpworH0MoC5VJhCmT9cVKbFij36dQS49hKghkJy8K-HuuDEjecvE7wpXyIzRNRhjlkfY5ISYX-an3SLkwmgSyPJd5WPgY6YMfXE9dMxej-kQleUxqr0mdFJJQExq4kzW67A/s320/P1180773.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you need a little inspiration, if your mojo could do with a kick to get it going in a new direction, take a look at my website and check out the new pages: there's Lush Loops, Lush Hoops in 3 sizes (the Small Hoops won't fit on the Loops but there's plenty of other uses for them), and <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/userimages/procart46.htm" target="_blank">Lush Style</a>, where you can pick up cotton cord, and large seed beads to bring your designs right up to date!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJluWgR_aiXfysOlLRBc0APucza5kJeAfYuaHzlev_h4a7lA91kgpVTSWJYpIN4Z1tzLR8gMLWwePHmscuYDRgSAbBsQGEy0DVg0Wq1tyuwwK0969RrK1W6c8NiQOBvyj_-XbMg6zxkO0/s1600/P1180783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJluWgR_aiXfysOlLRBc0APucza5kJeAfYuaHzlev_h4a7lA91kgpVTSWJYpIN4Z1tzLR8gMLWwePHmscuYDRgSAbBsQGEy0DVg0Wq1tyuwwK0969RrK1W6c8NiQOBvyj_-XbMg6zxkO0/s320/P1180783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if that lot doesn't get you going, how about a <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/userimages/procart39.htm" target="_blank">Kit</a>?!</span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-30666375376137240762012-04-08T11:19:00.000+01:002012-04-08T11:19:24.270+01:00Testing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been playing with a few rods that were sent to me for testing. First up is the new silver glass by Double Helix, Notos.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlkuPBZzdqof7SLztKWuYAHQrOiFNuYDRmQFENF6i8kKS0n5q3uA0RNJ6gwQNqj0h2YBL5398WAx12PCl9N58SJAmYBWQgB-mwjOkIsa7bbeDz2CI7LbLGQdPXxiYHtk5CNZgYJpAbdM/s1600/notos+stringer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlkuPBZzdqof7SLztKWuYAHQrOiFNuYDRmQFENF6i8kKS0n5q3uA0RNJ6gwQNqj0h2YBL5398WAx12PCl9N58SJAmYBWQgB-mwjOkIsa7bbeDz2CI7LbLGQdPXxiYHtk5CNZgYJpAbdM/s320/notos+stringer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Billed as "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Sans', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">a silver saturated super-luster with a subtle blue-grey-green tone" </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I definitely agree with the grey/green tone, that's exactly how I was describing it to myself when working with it. I found it really easy to reduce and achieve a shiny silver, which turns more golden when worked more in a cool reducing flame. I had a little play to see what would happen if I allowed it to glow when reducing - as expected, Notos did then turn murky but I could mostly burn off the murkiness and reduce it again (something I can never do with Triton).</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg864CffasSv7_hq1J_eUeW_wyPlaQUqilGSarTqc-DRb8FUKgOMiiHKBJIkN13fMHc2mWBNMBbnLS31fyoUt86UEck87IMyJ4ZfBYr3UCBkh6-smxJyWLVB7804pgomj0m1Ccj6FJ0eIU/s1600/notos+encased.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg864CffasSv7_hq1J_eUeW_wyPlaQUqilGSarTqc-DRb8FUKgOMiiHKBJIkN13fMHc2mWBNMBbnLS31fyoUt86UEck87IMyJ4ZfBYr3UCBkh6-smxJyWLVB7804pgomj0m1Ccj6FJ0eIU/s320/notos+encased.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had very little success with encasing Notos. A few faintly lustred wisps was the best I achieved under clear, but its lovely when simply reduced on the surface. I shall be interested to see what more those with more silver glass skills can achieve.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL-6iRI9dJUxnDRYPNAcqwrbcZix8DNCOBU5dfVGS-K_8c3fMxImO8XODbQ_ExVGwGMTRC7yd_qeD961PgGIlXCkrdM-lSQy48PkppXlkuRIQYmErKGYLOF7aKUIRNPS_PYUvlTzCjc8/s1600/vm+notos+heart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL-6iRI9dJUxnDRYPNAcqwrbcZix8DNCOBU5dfVGS-K_8c3fMxImO8XODbQ_ExVGwGMTRC7yd_qeD961PgGIlXCkrdM-lSQy48PkppXlkuRIQYmErKGYLOF7aKUIRNPS_PYUvlTzCjc8/s320/vm+notos+heart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made this heart from Verde Muschio with a Notos shoulder and spots. The Verde Muschio - which I think means Moss Green - is really surprising. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVj0Bfph726uT1PD_K7b0DhFjJdx8UMY2YC-cxtMYYG2mVAHIs_IX6jQlV1tTvyML0BawscAj-qJ1OnUFmaebKZb_AvYDlDieX9ZB_cGnqrn3GOGXOpCtX38Lkt7DL53VgD0eyqFEso8/s1600/verde++muschio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVj0Bfph726uT1PD_K7b0DhFjJdx8UMY2YC-cxtMYYG2mVAHIs_IX6jQlV1tTvyML0BawscAj-qJ1OnUFmaebKZb_AvYDlDieX9ZB_cGnqrn3GOGXOpCtX38Lkt7DL53VgD0eyqFEso8/s320/verde++muschio.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It starts out transparent, develops a bloom as it cools and ends up cloudily opaque - I love it! The heart is a darker green than the lentil, probably due to the fuming effect of the silver glass ... interesting ...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SfcxNvo_Y1eR74NFqpnNVH6xwEJY4DfsnLQUjeIdlSpMBzcowXGTkeQCOyIEWD0DY2cO3m22gZrFs7oC0ptmJZ-T_SmIqBnBQQePwEAS1Sf69gbNDVLjY8YyYoGLdZH9RPtVhDlyf84/s1600/mauvelous.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SfcxNvo_Y1eR74NFqpnNVH6xwEJY4DfsnLQUjeIdlSpMBzcowXGTkeQCOyIEWD0DY2cO3m22gZrFs7oC0ptmJZ-T_SmIqBnBQQePwEAS1Sf69gbNDVLjY8YyYoGLdZH9RPtVhDlyf84/s320/mauvelous.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vetrofond Mauvelous is simply marvellous! Its a pretty pale creamy mauve with a beautiful lustred sheen and just looks fabulous on its own. My torch tends to be a little reducing, so a more neutral environment may produce less, or more even, sheen.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVu0LUUNTto6sN5aU9VYKCuHTrP3a88CH4eH1eigw8DNqOHGAkox25kmvmUTPREibc6YNRMYBQcKFGsFXb-APMbo0uESqAwsapy0cAtoK6GyImKhZRF-jGHTLzkY6qtVKlI-qUMlMZzQ/s1600/sandstone+and+sediment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVu0LUUNTto6sN5aU9VYKCuHTrP3a88CH4eH1eigw8DNqOHGAkox25kmvmUTPREibc6YNRMYBQcKFGsFXb-APMbo0uESqAwsapy0cAtoK6GyImKhZRF-jGHTLzkY6qtVKlI-qUMlMZzQ/s320/sandstone+and+sediment.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Effetre Sandstone and Sediment are two lovely organic glasses that also work so nicely on their own, together or as an organic base. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't yet had chance to try them with silver but I can just tell they'll be great.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-faSW97szxRqMHjQuempW7eI8CUIhkfKA_30EUa7Z271ruiUCB67xAbksp0FBeCTZVVEU2RFIGt5wYabCml23RnKk4D-f1qiznv7h8nv6T1rOlZrg30AbZEZC7I-hNhWiWc_hA-4lxOI/s1600/pinkywinky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-faSW97szxRqMHjQuempW7eI8CUIhkfKA_30EUa7Z271ruiUCB67xAbksp0FBeCTZVVEU2RFIGt5wYabCml23RnKk4D-f1qiznv7h8nv6T1rOlZrg30AbZEZC7I-hNhWiWc_hA-4lxOI/s320/pinkywinky.JPG" width="314" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried Pinky Winky once before and didn't really get it ... and I must admit, I still don't get it. Its an odd combination of pink over blue, and I find the blue just makes the pink look a bit dirty. But that just might be down to what I did with it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's get a little brighter ... Vetrofond Orange Punch, Dreamsicle and Transparent Orange are next. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXWdmf-CyNX7M3OOq5JeWqzvupVfuL10_cqi2EzBXRH07I3LDIKbJ56DsXNoOR7mKujqgRX0bQ5FkU5VGTw-sNUBF8TzFYmqkLKu9AgocDlZHjW9sVMWCHa_yMNBkZcoxJKPEqL1Z7n8/s1600/orange+punch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXWdmf-CyNX7M3OOq5JeWqzvupVfuL10_cqi2EzBXRH07I3LDIKbJ56DsXNoOR7mKujqgRX0bQ5FkU5VGTw-sNUBF8TzFYmqkLKu9AgocDlZHjW9sVMWCHa_yMNBkZcoxJKPEqL1Z7n8/s320/orange+punch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Orange Punch is a rich, reddish orange. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaEtcN_lyPJt4FxZW96fQ267aRz3zoq7u4KpSKJjz6hvhbiAO1iLNTlvyQ2l3xV_zHNPe7Ws7Z_tIluXppIEjBiHoJqrba41on5YL2f9rs0xBGAb2jOswp1ywIDXoLOg8-_ntwdvy82o/s1600/dreamsicle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaEtcN_lyPJt4FxZW96fQ267aRz3zoq7u4KpSKJjz6hvhbiAO1iLNTlvyQ2l3xV_zHNPe7Ws7Z_tIluXppIEjBiHoJqrba41on5YL2f9rs0xBGAb2jOswp1ywIDXoLOg8-_ntwdvy82o/s320/dreamsicle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dreamsicle is bright, with lots of lovely depth. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AL_AC__2WYVssMqLon4Vko0ImEGSf4M90zH9ozScY8jeF0nqqKq86V6n5bhvo7zN4nzSgUH8jy_p07BanG5bBPbCijeAgSboD8_y79gv2ahHTyA1BK4pkceSDQBZDLYAKa0dYq9k4p8/s1600/orange+transp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AL_AC__2WYVssMqLon4Vko0ImEGSf4M90zH9ozScY8jeF0nqqKq86V6n5bhvo7zN4nzSgUH8jy_p07BanG5bBPbCijeAgSboD8_y79gv2ahHTyA1BK4pkceSDQBZDLYAKa0dYq9k4p8/s320/orange+transp.JPG" width="305" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Transparent Orange made my mouth water like a juicy ice lolly, its not really transparent at all, more like a CIM opal, brilliant!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ0aLPJccxnKgMAcxS2AF9VdXzDehhPTJVjAvNfA9B9wFUaOAWW2XJiOlCKn0mXPdr1rc9s9GCOcQOyDTQfnRtIAeES4V4TL9z_2nNegwpqzIvS7HsDl2ROjPa7MWFEar8zCTjD7BDeE/s1600/streaky+denim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ0aLPJccxnKgMAcxS2AF9VdXzDehhPTJVjAvNfA9B9wFUaOAWW2XJiOlCKn0mXPdr1rc9s9GCOcQOyDTQfnRtIAeES4V4TL9z_2nNegwpqzIvS7HsDl2ROjPa7MWFEar8zCTjD7BDeE/s320/streaky+denim.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also had another very quick play with the new Effetre Cool Earth and Streaky Denim. I managed to avoid Streaky Denim reducing this time and I'm pleased with the purple (just a touch of reduction on the edges). </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfvlbhMx9MnWDsMJlPDB5JHMsLMYPNswp3CwVjiVkrkrZ8v-4AbN2zkaGot8_91OXbdZVZVBHaB6cOtpOqWNDHlcXgH_jrdLJ_F96kKy070ECxCKsyyCraWP2ZQdQjJQc7rtcx2UTKhw/s1600/earth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfvlbhMx9MnWDsMJlPDB5JHMsLMYPNswp3CwVjiVkrkrZ8v-4AbN2zkaGot8_91OXbdZVZVBHaB6cOtpOqWNDHlcXgH_jrdLJ_F96kKy070ECxCKsyyCraWP2ZQdQjJQc7rtcx2UTKhw/s320/earth.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earth is a strong, rich blue with a touch of green.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglO2wm_sRLm_8b_dyNJ5lQGTC77P3RK5ktykR-s-JSYtTWzJ2hiKiZhjw4P4g86WVG_zIn_unt05qdMGQAP8ejTPjL4UaUCM2WBQKdjZLfKUlUp6H_X6S67_fPjdtbIvwyTHcNGy4Cl8/s1600/mauvelous+heart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglO2wm_sRLm_8b_dyNJ5lQGTC77P3RK5ktykR-s-JSYtTWzJ2hiKiZhjw4P4g86WVG_zIn_unt05qdMGQAP8ejTPjL4UaUCM2WBQKdjZLfKUlUp6H_X6S67_fPjdtbIvwyTHcNGy4Cl8/s320/mauvelous+heart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's finish with another look at that Mauvelous heart!</span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-90905657147230054292012-03-30T21:10:00.000+01:002012-03-30T21:10:50.962+01:00Arts Markets!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been working hard this month, getting new jewellery ready for a series of Arts Markets I'll be attending this year in Malvern and Hereford (list of dates on my website).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without actually meaning to, I appear to have come up with a whole new range of jewellery and packaging and I've even made Kits! I'm very pleased with everything and really looking forward to the first market, which is tomorrow!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sU-fGzJy69NK95jW712-Befy_nxpiOIIQNz3uB5UPCPQlbZ1R1bPor27EiohlYmsitabbc5WcoRhyphenhyphen2jwJQT2A8mlXUNEF6h-LIIeqM3TbisfmGbkSJDAMZajxaLNdzrV8AJA_OYUpRw/s1600/P1180498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sU-fGzJy69NK95jW712-Befy_nxpiOIIQNz3uB5UPCPQlbZ1R1bPor27EiohlYmsitabbc5WcoRhyphenhyphen2jwJQT2A8mlXUNEF6h-LIIeqM3TbisfmGbkSJDAMZajxaLNdzrV8AJA_OYUpRw/s320/P1180498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a quick pic of the new stock, as you can see, I've made rather a lot!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH2DoZwAvU_wy67yL6H3SXAf7LuyV9MbNuYVuHkCWiYoLbe6u99LXhBANJQevUnXddk6YwlkVzmpcd_bpM4tIi8tdUt17rlvF70_Qy4Qx_uIH73P2JLPwmCpud21iULN1WmEmgnnGRRk/s1600/P1180506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH2DoZwAvU_wy67yL6H3SXAf7LuyV9MbNuYVuHkCWiYoLbe6u99LXhBANJQevUnXddk6YwlkVzmpcd_bpM4tIi8tdUt17rlvF70_Qy4Qx_uIH73P2JLPwmCpud21iULN1WmEmgnnGRRk/s320/P1180506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the kits - which heavily feature my new Hoops and Loops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, I've discovered that I'm not actually Wonder Woman (well, who knew?!) and my planned Listing Day on 1st April is going to be a much quieter affair than the last two months. Its just not been possible to focus on producing new bead stock with all the excitement of the new jewellery flying around my head. I promise to try harder next month!</span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-27892943172129914572012-01-27T21:07:00.000+00:002012-01-27T21:07:03.190+00:00I've got a plan ... Stan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdnU1D0emBvUdNM71cDi59pU2OfvO22xHHGrD8A8uKPYrPzreyeSUKPHTBfG48oC3_eDOhR80NyyKtxh38yFLDZVcl9It2BE0DQwgIq54m_jLTMZw-wh8_O27cjK1TNcIkrYuletP1tU/s1600/pressure-620x250+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdnU1D0emBvUdNM71cDi59pU2OfvO22xHHGrD8A8uKPYrPzreyeSUKPHTBfG48oC3_eDOhR80NyyKtxh38yFLDZVcl9It2BE0DQwgIq54m_jLTMZw-wh8_O27cjK1TNcIkrYuletP1tU/s320/pressure-620x250+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm know I'm not the only one that works best under pressure. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYy-oD7gPuHWgnr8IGWfO5n3Zvd_ZEc4SU1KBKU_b1LlNZUclc-WxpeY0Rn4na5VoTGFFiAg70iCjllQjQ_3Ksz0AUP7IoxbYqdUw-uggm3GPuZNchQ_IAXQZxVaLUmNxbL7uwbhrS9o/s1600/P1060084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYy-oD7gPuHWgnr8IGWfO5n3Zvd_ZEc4SU1KBKU_b1LlNZUclc-WxpeY0Rn4na5VoTGFFiAg70iCjllQjQ_3Ksz0AUP7IoxbYqdUw-uggm3GPuZNchQ_IAXQZxVaLUmNxbL7uwbhrS9o/s320/P1060084.JPG" width="277" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take bead fairs for example, they're usually in my diary at least 6 months in advance and the sensible approach would be to start stashing bead stock away from the outset. Ha! Check me out 3 weeks before a fair and the frown lines are appearing, I'm starting to lay a few bits away. A week later and I realise that 4 sets and a couple of focals are going to put on a pretty poor show on that six foot table, so I get much more serious and get my "production" head on. Fast forward another week and I finally get my act together: emails go unanswered, commissions start to pile up, the house is uncleaned, the washing is unwashed and the only time I come up for air is to walk bluddy dog. Instead of spending most of the day fiddling about cleaning beads, photographing beads, looking at photographs of beads (blah beads blah blah beads) I actually get stuck right in to <b>making beads</b>, from early in the morning till late at night and I fall into bed exhausted, satisfied and excited to open the kiln next morning. I get deep deep deep into "the zone" and I LOVE IT!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thing is, I don't do many bead fairs any more (although watch out for my next post when I tell you what I'm going to be doing instead).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stopped doing bead fairs for a number of reasons, but one thing that always happened, whether it was a great fair, a so-so fair or a downright dead fair, I would slog back down the motorway, unload the car, put everything away, photograph all those unsold beads, get em up on the website like fresh sheets on the line - and get the most satisfaction from posting them out to my lovely customers all over the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But since I stopped selling at so many bead fairs, I've missed indulging in that period of concentrated production, and I just end up grabbing good studio days when I can, uploading a few listings here and there in dribs and drabs and constantly berating myself for being a bit rubbish and never getting enough done; even though I seem to be always running round in disorganised circles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So its time to get organised! And tell you about my plan!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Listing Day! A kind of virtual bead fair, once a month, on the 1st of every month to be precise (or as near as possible), no need to buy a ticket or look for a parking space :0)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnvBsRVE3Ayb8cvJE8NR6j70f2HtOzm1k29SbGly0_xNJ9XyWMcPIPCdW1wh8fAZRMkB05cmKlNYgCyL1U4flgKcQ_1_Tm8Nhzt7u2OvLc-QcokcY9-a1HQ1CI6w2Qu_rvN15auesF1g/s1600/P1150383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnvBsRVE3Ayb8cvJE8NR6j70f2HtOzm1k29SbGly0_xNJ9XyWMcPIPCdW1wh8fAZRMkB05cmKlNYgCyL1U4flgKcQ_1_Tm8Nhzt7u2OvLc-QcokcY9-a1HQ1CI6w2Qu_rvN15auesF1g/s320/P1150383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the last week of every month I hereby promise to get In The Zone. Dib dib dib! Steam will once again be seen coming out of my studio till the wee small hours and my bead stash will grow like it used to. I'll send an email to my mailing list members (sign up on <a href="http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/" target="_blank">my home page</a>) to remind you of Listing Day and I will restock my virtual shelves on the 1st of every month for at least the first few months of 2012. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's see how it goes, shall we?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. Don't forget, if you want to be reminded of Listing Day, sign up to my mailing list and keep me informed if you change email address.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.P.S. A month is a long time, so I'm bound to list new items for sale on my website or in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LushLampwork?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> at other times too, but I aim to give this monthly mega-upload a good go!</span><br />
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</span>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6581708682845760754.post-75128232176849931422012-01-19T11:19:00.000+00:002012-01-19T11:19:25.639+00:00Tag!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq_WrJ2kiiFjy8NBXRFnkgoUx3kHeRdaOStEyx1IZXz77p6N9P_SP4zMCIi6DkmZDQBrCTd1_7cAttTTKKfgU4gV6uDaYKd-jRYRdLUx7l05Ko1cKQiVfh4Cygr6P0Fkcr8fF8HUEndI/s1600/sasha1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq_WrJ2kiiFjy8NBXRFnkgoUx3kHeRdaOStEyx1IZXz77p6N9P_SP4zMCIi6DkmZDQBrCTd1_7cAttTTKKfgU4gV6uDaYKd-jRYRdLUx7l05Ko1cKQiVfh4Cygr6P0Fkcr8fF8HUEndI/s320/sasha1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I fell in love with this photo that popped up in my Flickr contacts by Russian artist, Sasha Kulakova, recently.</span><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVdEDPWsiN5Dz8m0UShtTyzGTzzgMO_iaVb78igBny6VQndfQDV1r_ZgMTfrpMhsd1iypo9bkEcvmMPn9phsqmyYrWhtOaU_aztG2nG0EuvSBp339Wpa_yJzF7WSPG2oIEWdV4zrnwYw/s1600/pods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVdEDPWsiN5Dz8m0UShtTyzGTzzgMO_iaVb78igBny6VQndfQDV1r_ZgMTfrpMhsd1iypo9bkEcvmMPn9phsqmyYrWhtOaU_aztG2nG0EuvSBp339Wpa_yJzF7WSPG2oIEWdV4zrnwYw/s320/pods.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The simple shapes, the bright contrasting colours, so stylish and just crying out to be made in glass. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP0Mk_QIzVXaF7fqoX11G73iucWadnE_5JfV5Y6b_4fOgzSDcuYUz0oJwNWQ6TRtIlxs67WM1HsKk3ZbwZj4Qv_I25VXPXnfQDSpc7QA8dqw4VzBbthm3Jc3CfHZcFjeoVbPcM0F9yfw/s1600/poppin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP0Mk_QIzVXaF7fqoX11G73iucWadnE_5JfV5Y6b_4fOgzSDcuYUz0oJwNWQ6TRtIlxs67WM1HsKk3ZbwZj4Qv_I25VXPXnfQDSpc7QA8dqw4VzBbthm3Jc3CfHZcFjeoVbPcM0F9yfw/s320/poppin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sasha was really pleased to have inspired me, so she took up the challenge and recreated my Poppin' Buttons</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqDXntY4zDe-H7uUkPAHo8UYK2fBYX3Qg5qarVRoouKlhRv3AMv5DpkUcqj8Y2ekJMad2FTgI88TqlbS0w9Kh6QQGO5MzXRqymKySYdvBP00oejfW5L3ej44M5REkbnUIzS2fQYjhEbU/s1600/Sasha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqDXntY4zDe-H7uUkPAHo8UYK2fBYX3Qg5qarVRoouKlhRv3AMv5DpkUcqj8Y2ekJMad2FTgI88TqlbS0w9Kh6QQGO5MzXRqymKySYdvBP00oejfW5L3ej44M5REkbnUIzS2fQYjhEbU/s320/Sasha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow! Crochet?! Incredible!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNFINv-tlATvDAhipRMR4ixddiVMTWV2Og0TslrU3uoHpE5nVhNMCz6jJQRVLrzFiF_Lj7z8HeDQ1e4hu_v_8EBkGTsVoQrH_EaxzmRawsWHKgGlkQq1WUJwecu8E4l345oYiVuRFIgE/s1600/toppers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNFINv-tlATvDAhipRMR4ixddiVMTWV2Og0TslrU3uoHpE5nVhNMCz6jJQRVLrzFiF_Lj7z8HeDQ1e4hu_v_8EBkGTsVoQrH_EaxzmRawsWHKgGlkQq1WUJwecu8E4l345oYiVuRFIgE/s320/toppers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just couldn't leave it there though - Ring Toppers!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Playing Tag! like this has been brilliant fun, I'd love to hear if anybody else has been inspired across media in a similar way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do check out Sasha's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sashakulakova/" target="_blank">photostream</a> and <a href="http://sashakulakova.com/gallery/" target="_blank">blog</a>, her work is beautiful. I'm loving her stress relief cats and funky birds ... black, white, orange, mmmmmm ...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Julie ... Lush!http://www.blogger.com/profile/06818667024715407691noreply@blogger.com13