Buttoned Up In Winter

Making buttons is a great way to use up really small bits of leftover glass.

I'm talking about those wee silly pieces that are an inch or less of glass wonderfulness.
Scrippity scraps.

Gather 'em up, melt them down, mush them around and mash flat.

Viola! Buttons and pendants.
Miss Kiki shakes her head in disbelief.

Heart Fob

Ya know, like heart throb?

An experiment.
Just something a little different than my usual heart bead.

I like it, let's make more.
Valentine's Day is coming.

Made on the end of a 3/32" mandrel with some unknown batch of coral, light ivory stringer and Cim's 'Commando' green glass. There's some nice frazzling with the ivory but not much else, I expected more 'glass reaction' magic. Maybe I should have toasted it a bit longer.

Leather Bangle Tutorial

You asked for it - you got it!
Here is the handout for the free class that I am teaching on Saturday.

It seems too simple to even bother teaching this - it's just design, cut and glue. Viola!
I can't imagine that you will have any questions but please ask if you do.

I love my bead ladies and I am sure the afternoon will be a blast!
In the past two weeks I have made about a gadzillion glass beads with 5mm and 7mm holes.

*** Bead makers I use 3/16" inch mandrels to make beads with 5mm holes. 3/16" is a little less than 5mm and when you add in the extra thickness of the bead release the beads come out fitting on 5mm leather perfectly ***

Hope to see you on Saturday, from 11-2 at Let's Bead in East Rochester.

Design du Jour - Leather and Glass Bangle

I'm teaching a free class!
Saturday, January 17th from 11 to 2 at Let's Bead in East Rochester.

You don't need to sign up, just drop in and we will make one together.
It will take about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Y'all know I'm always skittish about teaching.
I'm the nervous and fearful type when I look into those eager (or bored) faces.
But it's free so how could they possibly feel short changed?

It's a super simple and fun project.
What's the worst that could happen?
Perhaps a minor glue accident.

The first bead is stationary (the spot where it's joined) and the rest of the beads slide freely around the bangle. So much fun to fidget with. Keep it simple or pile on the beads and charms.

Come on in and I will show you all my little tricks.
Leather and beads will be available for purchase - material prices for a one bead bracelet start at $8.

Happy New Year

Shelter, wealth and wine.
Happy New Year!

My obsession with red and white polka mushrooms enters a new year!