Ta Da! My First Dichroic Glass Pendants

I'm not a morning person. I usually stay up until 11pm and then read for at least 1/2 hour, so waking up before 8:00 is not my cup of tea, so to speak. But this morning was different. My eyes popped open at 6:30 and I had to sneak out of bed, get dressed and skip out to our shed where my kiln awaited. It was Christmas time!

My heart was beating fast and I was holding my breath. I was full of hope, but prepared for disappointment. I cautiously opened the door of the kiln.

I should have taken a picture of the pendants still in the kiln, but my mind just wasn't working that way. I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. Here's my precioussssssss pendants!

Pendant 1

Pendant 2

Pendant 3

OK, maybe they aren't the most beautiful pieces of dichroic glass in the world, but they mean so much to me. I learned a new skill and it was FUN! And I'm so looking forward to doing it again - and again - and again.

Let me know which pendant you like best and why. It will be fun to read your comments!

New Venture - Glass Fusion

I took a dichroic glass fusion class from Fusion Glass Company in San Diego last month. It was so much FUN! Using a variety of 90 COE dichroic glass and total freedom to be creative, we built our "potential" pendants. Here's an example of the pieces I chose for my 1st pendant. The black square will be the base.








I used this grinder/polisher to shape the glass.
I rounded down the corners so it wouldn't be
quite so square.







The pieces are all shaped and stacked on top of each other in the pattern and design I chose.

For my second pendant I chose a vibrant orange colored base, some wild glass for the middle and a clear glass top - and again I rounded the corners.



Both pendants are currently in my Sierra kiln. I'm praying that I was able to program it correctly so that it will do all the things it's supposed to do at all the right temperatures.

I'll know in about 6 hours. The suspense is intense (at least for me)!

Stay tuned for pictures of the finished product. Hopefully I will have some beautiful pendants to show you.

Let Me Introduce - Christine Burgess

It all started with a simple Etsy convo. Chris contacted me to let me know that she liked my "Going Green" bracelet and had added it to her favorites which she has posted on her blog. So of course I had to check out her blog - Chris' Comments - which was a very pleasant experience!

The first thing that greeted me was a beautiful picture of where Chris lives in Florida. Isn't this beautiful? I know I could create in that setting!

Chris creates mosaics and she has started sharing the process on her blog. You can read part 1 by clicking here. She also has an Etsy shop called Memories in Mosaics where she displays her work. Here's one example called "Garden Harvest Mosaic."

Her work is beautiful and I can't wait to read the next part of her "how to" series on her blog.

I believe Chris found me because I joined a new Etsy team called HAFteam (Handmade Artists Forum Team) which I'm just getting familiar with. More to come about this new team!

Thanks, Chris, for your convo. It's been a pleasure meeting you.

Red, White and Beadweaving Sale-e-Bration!

The 1000Markets Beadweaving Emporium Market (BEM) is gearing up for a July 4th Firecracker SALE-e-BRATION!

Many of the shops that are members of The Beadweaving Emporium (BEM) market at 1000 Markets have teamed together and are planning a fantastic 4th of July SHOPPER-TUNITY SALE in their shops. Items on sale will be designated by their SALE-A-BRATION badge; some shops will have selected items and others may have every item in their shop on sale.

Participating beadweaving shops will be:

1. CigarboxBeads...................Marilyn

2. BeadsForever....................Linda

3. NossubGallery..................Ana

4. KeepsakeTreasures.........Tanya

5. Enchantedbeads...............Ileana

6. SilverDragonCreations....Patricia

7. ConlinsCreations..............Amanda

8. BeadazzledofOregon........Dini

9. RachelesOriginals.............Rachele

10. LittleStoneDesign...........Cheryl

11. GoodRiverGallery...........Hannah

Be sure to check out each and every designated shop for outstanding handmade items and generous sale prices! Look for the SALE-e-BRATION badge in the participating shops for their SALE ITEMS.

Below is your own invitation to join us at BEM anytime the first week of July in our own Independence Celebration. Use the scissors to cut out this reminder ~ Shop right here at home!

RED, WHITE and BEADWEAVING SALE-e-BRATION!

DATES: July 1 through July 8th, 2009

WHERE: http://www.1000markets.com/groups/bem

WHAT: unique and creative beadwoven art

HINT: shop early for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and more!