New Gallery Loaded Into Website!

As I'm typing this entry, I am uploading a new Sculptural Beads gallery into the web site containing my latest non-traditional beads for 2008.  This is just the start of this gallery, so be sure to subscribe to it and get all of the latest updates sent directly to you!

The new gallery contains pictures of my latest leaf bead sets as well as my "Early Bloomers" flower bud beads.

Have I mentioned how much simpler updating my website is now with my new Mac?  

New Item In Etsy

Just when you thought it was safe to go into my shop, you see it.  Another new dot design!

While I made grapes this weekend, that doesn't mean I've listed all of my dot beads yet.  This little gem is called "Pinky Blues" for its Lilac Ice base bead and the deep ink blue of its dots.

It's got a lovely contrast between the warm and cool shades, don't you think?  Under the blue dots, white dots were used and can be seen in the photo if look carefully.

Hope you're having a great night.  Sleep well!

Rubies Are Red

As I look over the items in my shop, I have become aware that I am a bit deficient in the color RED.  I attribute part of this problem to the time of year--namely, that Spring is here (or will be soon, I hope) and the colors of spring are blue, green, yellow, and pink.  

Another part of the problem is that I only have a couple of RED rods left and I haven't placed another glass order yet since I'm working to get taxes prepared and applications to art festivals done.

However, I cannot allow my low reserves of RED to allow the colors of beads in my shop slip too far into the cool color scale.  So, may I present to you  "Rubies Are Red"?

This HOT little focal sports lots of this elusive color and just shines in the light.  Sure to FIRE your imagination, the deep, transparent RED dots encompass this focal bead.  It reminds me a bit of a jewel encrusted piece of jewelry such as a Faberge' Egg.

Then, of course, there are those lovely shoes of Dorothy's in "The Wizard Of Oz" which also have a bit of RED on them too.

Well, whatever this bead reminds me of, really doesn't matter.  The only question is, "What does this bead remind you of?"

It'll be in my Etsy shop in the morning.  Please come a take a look and see more pictures of this little gem.

Don't Tell Anyone, But I've Spiked The Punch!

Have you seen the punch yet?  Well,  here it is.

This little pastel bead, entitled "Spiked Punch", was quite the hit when I took it into work the other morning.  While I knew it was a cute little focal bead, I wasn't expecting the ladies to really take to it as much.

Created from a citrus punch odd lot glass as its base, it has been dotted with copper green which has been completely melted into the bead.

Raised dots of light ivory were then stacked on top each dot to create this fun little work of art.

While it is not etched, it does appear to have a bit more of a matte finish which may be due to the glass reactions with the copper green or just the time it took to create the bead.  It did not devitrify (evaporate some of the metal from the glass) like some other colors tend to do when they produce a non-etched matte finish.

I guess I won't try to analyze, just enjoy it.  This bead will be in my Etsy shop tomorrow morning, which, by the way, has been reorganized into new bead categories.  

I'm hoping the new sections will make it easier to find the various kinds of beads you might be looking for without having to go through pages and pages of beads.

I hope you get a chance to stop by my shop sometime or just drop me a line.   I always love hearing from you.

It's Alive!

Well after much promises and reassurances that the new web site was going to be coming, it is finally here.

The old site is now dead and the new one is up and running in its place with lots of pictures and new features that the old one didn't have, not mention a much snazzier look and feel than the old one.

Check out the new web site here: www.LampOfLuxury.com and let me know what you think of it.  Post a comment or two in any number of areas that you'd like to comment on.  I've even put out a new blog announcement on the site which you can view directly here. 

Many more pictures and galleries will be loaded now that it is up and running. 

What's New Tomorrow

Tomorrow, this bright blue bead will be coming your way in my Etsy shop.  This little gem is called "Swimming Pools" due to all of the blue pools that remind me of tiny beads of water just big enough for maybe an ant to swim in, if ants swam.

This bead is a turquoise base with transparent blue dots arranged around the bead.  The back color for the deep blue pools is actually  pink, which gives this bead a nice warmth despite it being a cool color.

Anyway, have a great night.

A Most Productive Weekend

What a difference a week makes.

Unlike last weekend when I was sick and feeling lousy, this weekend I was able to actually accomplish a number of things.

One of the items on my list of accomplishments is this necklace called "Tribal Summer" which consists of 7 lampwork lentil beads in a bright orange and decorated with turquoise scrollwork.  

A sterling silver toggle clasp and black onyx beads complete the design which was a custom order for one of my clients who loved the Tribal Summer set of beads in my shop too much to let anyone else have them.

Usually when I'm on the torch, I like to have a lot of beads made and ready for the week, but his weekend I was in a very different mood.  I decided to think less about quantity, and more about creating something that was beautiful--regardless of how large or small the items were.

I hope you appreciate the results.  Several new focal beads and new hollow set were created out of this endeavor. 

This first focal is entitled "Sherwood Forest" and was created from a rich chocolate brown base bead.  Onto the dark background, dots of banana yellow were arranged all around the bead and melted down a bit. 

For a touch of neon and to give this focal a bit of zing, a layer of transparent emerald green was then placed over the top of the banana dots and fused onto the banana dots with a good dose of heat.

Voila!  One little focal bead that will be showing up in my Etsy shop in the morning along with a lot more pictures!