glass beads

I had a busy weekend and didn't get to work on any glass until late Monday night. These are my favorite colors to use.


I want to really play around with the swirls I like the way they look. The new torch makes all the difference in the world. The glass flows so much better now. I attempted to make a heart pendant last week but it didn't survive the cooling process.

My first Bubble Beads

I made these Sunday night. I decided to only use my new glass rods and stringers.




I made some other beads but I haven't taken pictures of them yet.

Craft room and Glass store

Finally got my craft room rearranged.
I still have more sorting to do but atleast the end is in sight. I put all my glass making supplies in the black milk crate I found on the curb. Everything fits great. I put all my glass rods in a plano box after I took these pictures.


I will take better pictures this afternoon. I was still cleaning when I took these Saturday.
I drove to Roswell, GA Friday morning to visit Flametree Glass. It was the coolest store. The owners were very friendly and helpful. Here is everything I bought there.

On my way home I stopped by a thrift store I'd never been to and pick up a few things. I bought a large bottle of Sobo Glue for .69 cents, a picture frame for a certificate for .50 cents, this huge bread book for $2.69

and a bag full of watches for $3.99

Glass work

Yesterday evening we had a big storm roll thru so it was a lot cooler outside. I decided to work on glass beads again.
As soon as I tried to light my torch I could tell something was wrong with it. It took about 5 tries for it to light and it kept spitting and sputtering the whole time I was working. I had just changed my canister of gas so I knew it wasn't out. I checked up on it online and discovered that everyone that has owned a Fireworks torch says they don't last long. The get gunked up and can't be disassembled for cleaning. I guess I need to look into buying a Hot Head torch.
I did manage to make 5 beads but it took forever for the glass to melt and was difficult to work with.
The yellow bead shattered when I tried to take it off the mandrel.

Steampunk and Glass Beads

Last night I finally created a Steampunk charm that I love. What do ya'll think?



I haven't worked on my glass beads in over a week since I've been cleaning and making steampunk charms. These are the last set of beads I made... I don't really like any of them. The colors came out ugly..

Books and Glass Beads

This past weekend I went to Barnes and Noble and finally used the gift card I got for Christmas. I bought two books

and

So I tried out one of the techniques used in the lampwork book.
I'm pleased with the results for my first few tries.
My glass disk kept shattering before I could add all the dots to make the flower petals.

Monday's Beads

Photobucket is down for maintence today. So I'm hoping I can load my photos straight into blogger.




I worked on my steampunk swap last night. I was using a tiny screwdriver to take apart an old watch when it slipped and I ended up with a screwdriver buried a quarter of an inch under my fingernail. It hurt so bad and bled like crazy. I finally got the gear off I'd been working on and called it a night.

Saturday Beads

I went to Hobby Lobby on Friday after work and got more glass rods. There weren't any black or white rods in the packs so I guess I'll have to order them online. I made a few beads on Saturday morning only using my new rods.








I only broke one bead Saturday.

Tuesday's Glass Beads

The one in the center is a vessel instead of a bead. I wanted to try something different





I ran out of fuel while making this one

Monday's Glass Beads

The goofy shaped one is one I stopped on because it was sticking to the metal