Love Pats

I had the best time at the torch last weekend.  I wanted to do something special for Valentine's day.  I ordered this really awesome Puffy Heart press from Beadpress:

 

It's not going to be here for a while though, because it's coming from the Netherlands.  So, I had to improvise!  I knew I wanted to make hearts, so after some soul searching (get it?  Heart and soul?  Ok, ok, terrible...), I came up with this idea:

 

 Love Pats 11 Bead Set

I made the center heart using a press that my friend and fellow Fire Diva Holly from Holly's Folly generously lent me.

I was thrilled with this set.  The problem was, however, my husband and I both agreed that although it was good for Valentine's day, it was also good for Easter, and not quite what I had in mind.  I set out again to make that absolutely breathtaking, jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, romantically perfect Valentine's Day bead set.  I made this:

 

 Love Pats 8 Bead Set

Now this was what I was aiming for!  The little red hearts on ivory were the perfect combination.  It really felt like "love" to me.

Somewhere along the way I realized these little beads looked remarkably like truffles to me.  Therefore, the only natural thing to do was make a third set.

 

Chocolate Love Pats 8 Bead Set

If they were edible they'd be good enough to eat.  Mmmm... chocolate.  My biggest vice.  I think I'll go have some and ponder over what I'm going to make this weekend.

Ah, I almost forgot (sidetracked by chocolate - happens every time!), all three sets are available on my website and in my Artfire and Etsy shops.

Back Where I Started

I got into lampworking, like many other glass bead artists, by making jewelry first. In fact, I started making beaded jewelry nearly ten years ago. My first pieces were simple strung braclets and necklaces, and I really had no idea what I was doing. I was instantly addicted, though, and before long I was making detailed, complicated pieces, like my Reef design, which I won Bronze prize in the Pearls category of the Fire Mountain Beads and Gems Annual Beading Contest in 2008:


However, like many lampworkers, since I started making beads it has taken precedence over making jewelry. When you consider the fact that the reason I started making beads was to make my own beads jewelry, it is actually quite ironic! I really quite enjoy making jewelry, whether it is beadedwoven, strung, or wire worked.

Olive Twist (with matching bracelet)

For this reason, I've decided to spend more time during the week doing what I intended to do four years ago. I'm going to make more jewelry, like this bracelet and earrings set, just listed:

Passionate Affair

The set is now available on my website, my Artfire shop, and my Etsy shop, where you will also find other jewelry pieces featuring my very own lampwork beads. Look for more in the future!