Of course I can’t go a weekend without making beads. I’m cleaning up all my short ends of glass again and I made these simple encased beads.
And I couldn’t go without making a few buttons. I’m still working on flower implosions.
Porthole Pendants Galore
I finished up an order for several porthole pendants. I still have one more to do, just didn’t get the end caps and button clasp made last weekend for it.
These are tough to get a good picture of since they have a glass domed cab on the top. I did all the same end caps and button clasp on all of them so I’m only going to show one since they are all the same except in different colors to match the silk ribbon.
And since I’ve never shown the back of one of these, here’s a picture of one.
I use etched copper sheets for the backs. I’ve etched a bunch of copper sheets with different designs on them to use for different projects.
Three More Little People and Some Buttons
Okay, this is it on the little people figures. They are fun but I don’t have the time to play around right now. I need to be making things that I can sell at the next craft show.
And I’ve finally made enough buttons for the button swap that I joined. I only need 10 for the swap but I must have about 30 of them left. Some aren’t so nice, others I don’t want to part with. Here’s the ones I made this weekend.
More floral implosions. I’m still working on the petals and the left one doesn’t show up that well. It’s the frit I used on the back of it. I think I’m getting better with the petals. Still need practice but I’m getting there.
Some more striped buttons. I really like making these in all different colors.
Little People Mini Sculptures
Lisa Fletcher on Lampwork Etc posted a picture of her little people sculptures. They are so cute!! I had to try to make some. I finished two of them and plan to make another one. I ran out of components. I’ll finish the third one tomorrow after making a few more components tonight. I’m not selling any little people. They will be just for my enjoyment.
I used steel wire for the armature. It’s so stiff it’s a killer on my hands. The components are fun to make and a great way to use up all my short rods as I can use whatever color. Anything goes on these.
More Buttons
I thought I was done making buttons but decided to spend another day making them so I have a good number of them for the button swap I joined. Still working on the flower implosions and other buttons.
I’m still trying to figure out how to control the flower implosion so they turn out centered and looking like flowers. I still need lots of practice. Guess I’ll be making more tonight.
Implosions Are Challenging
I’m still messing with flower implosions. They sure are challenging. The dot ones are simple and fairly easy. I’m having a harder time with more complex flowers. The petals don’t always go where I want them too. I’m trying to manipulate the petals during the implosion so I have more control over how the come out.
I wish I could get the stamens to stand up more. Still trying to figure that out too. So you’ll be seeing more buttons for a while. I am working on a few other things at the same time, just haven’t take pictures yet. Wishing everyone a blessed 4th of July.
Another Ladder Bracelet
I got an order for a ladder bracelet. I decided to use my new flower implosion button on it. I used a bunch of leftover semi-precious gemstone beads from previous bracelets I’ve made. I thought about doing them in some kind of order or pattern but went with the easiest way – to mix them all up.
More Floral Implosion Buttons
I’m still practicing these trying to get a better looking flower. I wasn’t having very good luck last night drawing a flower onto glass. When I do draw it on the glass it’s not like drawing a picture. I have to draw the flower with the petals or dots spaced out. It looks nothing like a flower before imploding it. So it’s a little weird.
The left one, I drew lines on the glass and then imploded it. It’s amazing that it turns out looking like a flower as it looks nothing like that before. The other three I used dots. I’m still using leftover encased stringers and striped stringers so they are all whatever colors I have made up from previous projects. I want to try more of the line ones. They look more like roses. The dot ones have a chrysanthemum look to them.
Buttons But New Type Of Buttons
At least for me. These are based on what’s called an implosion. It’s where the decorations get pushed up into the clear glass when it’s melted in. These are supposed to be floral implosion buttons. They don’t look too much like flowers to me but I got the implosion part (should have taken the pictures from the side) and they are fairly centered.
I use striped stringer canes and dots to make the petals. I probably should try to draw the flower on so it looks more realistic. That will be my next attempt. I wanted to make sure I could do the implosion part before getting all crazy with making the flower and having the implosion part turn out crappy. Many thanks to Morgan (Baywinger) on Lampwork Etc. for posting a blurb on how to make them.
Totally New Necklace
I’ve been working on making the glass components to use in some necklaces and I finally got one assembled. It took me all morning to sew on all the components, then when I went to glue the end caps on, I got glue on the fabric cording. Yuck. The only way I could think of covering the glue up was to dye the cording. I used Ranger’s Adirondack Alcohol Inks. They are supposed to be permanent. Guess I’ll know once I wear it.
I make the components on the ends of copper wire so technically they aren’t really beads but more like decorative head pins that I make a loop on the back so I can sew them onto the cording.
Mewkittie Creations 