Gossip Column

The Fire Divas have been busy blogging again this week. There are lots of posts to check out, so let's get to it!

Ema steps back in time to visit a previous crafting love, and shows how it inspires her current love of lampworking.

Theresa needs more space for her new creations, so she's permanently marked down all items in her shops (except tutorials - those don't take up any space) to clear out some room for new goodies. Can't wait to see them!

Karen showed off some new, bright lovelies she added to her shop - but that was nearly a week ago - plenty of time for them to get snatched up. Check and see!

Over at Mind Melt, Melanie is experimenting with glass colors, and her beads are shrinking. But that's a good thing.

Janel reveals her One World One Heart winner, and she's got a flair for vintage.

At Lutrick, Lara is promoting a giveaway that you just have to see!

Mums the word at Veda's Beads. That's all I can say.a

Holly proves that bead crochet is the perfect take-along project, and the results are stunning!

Head over to Dorset Hill Beads where Eileen has gathered more clues for a Theme for Thursday - there are prizes!

At Maybeads, I share one of my favorite kid books - it's kind of weird.

Donna shows off her fur baby, and boy is she a cutie!

Farm Girl Cat gives a sneak peek at new Etsy beads, and they are beauties!

Bead of the Day 2-26-10 -

Today's "glass bead of the day" is a bracelet of the day with a lovely pink lampwork bead. This beautiful bracelet is in Holly's Folly Glass' 1000Markets shop. Check out this bracelet here: Flower Girl Ladies Crochet Lampwork Bracelet Purple White .

Find more Fire Divas items by searching "Fire Divas" or "Fire Divas Team" on Artfire and Etsy.

2/25 Bead of the Day

Today's bead of the day is a stunning metallic big hole bead by Lara Lutrick.

Be sure to check out all the new exciting work by the Fire Divas in our Etsy and Artfire Promo Threads.

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Special Announcement

Heads up Jewelry Designers!!! In the coming week, The Fire Divas will be announcing their second jewelry challenge! The theme will be Spring related and designers must use beads made by a Diva.

So put your thinking caps on and get those fabulous pieces of jewelry ready to go because the deadline to enter will be April 1.

And if you haven't joined our Jewelry Challenge Flickr group, please do so now.

Bead of the Day, February 24

Last Wednesday in February and I'm down with a soar throat. So I was looking for a bead to cheer me up! And look what I found:

Amber Ivory Coast

Robin from Something New 4U made this bead that looks like exactly what I need to cure this cold - chocolate rippled icecream and an orange filled with vitamine C. Yum!

While you're over at her ArtFire studio, drowling over this and other pieces made by Robin, don't forget to check out the Fire Divas thread in the ArtFire forums. Need more? Visit the Fire Divas thread in the Etsy forums!

Bead of the Day, Tuesday, February 23

Today's bead of the day is 'Antique Lace' by Janel Dudley. It a beautiful melange, with twistie, feathering and encasing.

What a lot of depth! And it's on clearance. As a matter of fact, Janel is having a BIG SALE in her shop. You've just got to check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

And here's the etsy thread to see more wonderful beads from the fire divas:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6444816&page=1

Bead of the Day 2/22

Happy Monday, everyone!  Welcome to a new week of Fire Diva eye candy and commentary.

Today's bead of the day is this compelling big-hole disc bead from RiversEdgeGlass' ArtFire Studio.

This bead also has a friend, so if you're designing in your mind, you might also want to have a look at this one:

You can see more work from RiversEdgeGlass in her Etsy shop, once you've gotten your fill of her ArtFire.

Diva of the Month - Lauren Mazursky Part 4

Today, we conclude our interview with Diva of the Month, Lauren May Mazursky of Maybeads.

Gottlieb the Green Owl

Which of your secrets do we not know… is there something else you would like us to know about you or your work?

I don’t know that I have any secrets. I’m still learning. I’ve been making beads for just over two years. There is still a ton I don’t know. I’d still love to make beautiful beads, but I think my calling was for turtles and penguins. I’ll live with that.

Jeff the Turtle

How has your work changed since you began?

I think my critters have evolved and developed more of a personality. Aside from the penguins, who have vacant stares no matter how I make their eyes, I’ve been able to give my animals (I’m most successful with dogs) some feeling behind their eyes. I like that.

Ella the English Springer Spaniel

What is the biggest challenge you want to accomplish in the next few months?

I’d love to get really good with stringer and making flowers on beads. Imagine the turtle shells I could make with flowers and stems!

Bardo the Blue Mouse

What do you like about being a Fire Diva?

I love the support I get from my teammates. I appreciate so much the help I receive from everyone when I’m looking for a certain color glass or have some other question. Everyone is so quick to help. And to have more experienced lampworkers to bounce ideas off of or get help from is truly priceless. But I especially love all the friends I’ve made – current and former Fire Divas.

Sebastian the Sensitive Hippo

Lauren's Etsy	Lauren's Twitter	MayBeads Blog
Maybeads on Flickr	Maybead's Facebook Fan Page

Paco the Pandora Dog

We hope you've enjoyed getting to know Lauren as much as we have! Check back on the 1st of March to meet our next Diva of the Month!

Gossip Column

The Fire Divas have been busy bees all week! Our team sale may have ended, but the Divas haven't stopped creating and talking about it - and other things. Check it all out here:

Farm Girl Cat is hosting a giveaway - click on over to her blog for your chance to win one of her gorgeous creations!

Babs Beads has had a crazy week, but she had just enough time to show off a fancy fish bead.

Over at Fire-N-Sand, Karen reveals her careful bead and glass packing methods.

Great news over at Lampwork Glass Beads ~ she's been published . . . twice! Check it out to see where to find her eye candy!

Janel has moved lots of her amazing beads to clearance ~ take a look!

Eileen is SO close to reaching a milestone goal, and you can help!

New Fire Diva Melanie reveals her winter colour diet over at Mind Melt. You knew she wasn't from the US by the spelling of colour, didn't you? She's a neighbor up north, in Canada!

Beady Girl gives a sneak peek of her beads going to the Iowa Bead Fair this weekend. I bet there will be a line at her booth!

Holly is laying some speckled eggs - and they're getting snatched up quick!

Ema and Lea reveal their lucky One World One Heart winners - spreading the love.

Silver River Jewelry is all about the virtues of layering - find out how to do it well!

It may be winter, but Prima Donna Beads is spreading the summer vibes with her Flower Power necklaces - these are stunning!

And over at Maybeads, I'm showing off what inspired my recent kitty cat beads. Meow.

Fantasy Shopping Saturday

It's Saturday!  Let's take a stroll through some of our newest members shops!

Ankle Biter Beads has cute, crazy critters                                        Magikal Glassworks makes great beads
guaranteed to bring a smile to your face:                                          in both boro and soft glass:

                                               

















Prima Donna Beads has some                                                              Arensea makes fantastic                  
gorgeous flower pendants:                                                                     organic beads:

                                                    






Have a fantastic Saturday ~ and go do some shopping!

Bead of the Day 2-19-10 - ArtFire Friday

In honor of the winter Olympics I choose these super cute turtles from Lauren of Maybeads. Lauren is also our Diva of the month, check out more of her items in the threads below. Lauren makes the cutest animal beads and has a shop of both Etsy and ArtFire

Check out more Fire Diva finds on Art Fire and Etsy by searching "Fire Divas Team" or "Fire Divas" and check out our promotions threads on both sites.

Art Fire Thread

Etsy Thread

Bead of the Day 2/18

The Fire Divas Bead of the Day is Death by Chocolate Cupcake Necklace made by Prima Donna Beads!
I love the dark humor in this piece!



Wanna see more lampwork by the Fire Divas?! Check out our weekly promotional threads on Etsy and Artfire!

One World, One Heart Winners Announced

The winners of the international blog event called One World, One Heart have been drawn and packages of beady goodness are on their way. Sorry this post is a bit late... it took some time to notify all the winners!


Edytheanne won Janel Dudley Beads' gorgeous necklace called Squiggly Blue II:


Edytheanne is a semi-retired artist living in Florida and has been blogging about a dollmaking project.


Moments in Time won this necklace called Amethyst and Topaz Ruffled Pendant donated by Lea of LA Jewelry Designs:

She is one lucky lady, having won THREE giveaways during One World, One Heart this year!!! Moments in Time blogs about rubber stamping!


Ladybug won a baaaad sheep by Laurenof Maybeads, meaning this guy has found a home in Montana!

Ladybug is a professional theater artist who is preparing for shows in warm, toasty Australia and she makes amazing quilts!

and finally, My Thoughts, My Voice won this off-mandrel heart made by Holly:

This bead is headed to the Philippines. My Thoughts, My Voice blogs about crochet and gospel reading.


Please also check on the individual blogs of Divas participating to check out more winning bloggers.

Dorset Hill Beads
LA Jewelry Designs
May Beads
Janel Dudley Beads
EmaKaye Designs
Holly's Folly Bead Blog and Creekhiker


Fore more information on this year's event, click the link below.

Bead of the Day, February 17

Lots of us haven't seen this much snow in years. The world is covered in white and I, for one, am longing for some colour.

And look what I found! This wonderful, yummy set of beads, made by Barb at River's Edge Glass.

2 Tone Waves

Don't you just want to eat them!?

Want more colours? Surf thru the weekly threads at ArtFire and Etsy for more Fire Diva goodies!

Team Sale - Last Day!!!

Today is the LAST DAY of the Team Sale on Etsy...so if you had soemthing on your beady shopping list...today's the day!

The Fire Divas are having a sale to celebrate our new team status on Etsy. Individual team members will be offering a variety of discounts or free shipping from their shops. Search "Fire Divas Sale" to find items on sale in participating shops from February 11- 17. After the sale, we hope you will continue to search "Fire Divas Team" for quality lampwork beads, jewelry and accessories.

Let's go shopping!


2. Lutrick - 20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire
3. Hollys Folly Glass - 20% all items in my Etsy shop
5. Janel Dudley Beads - 15% off all items on Etsy, additional 10% off to returning customers
6. Something New 4 U - 20% off all items in my Etsy shop
7. Rivers Edge Glass - 15% off beads in my Etsy and ArtFire shops
9. MayBeads - Free Shipping on everything in my Etsy shop
10. Giapet - 20% off loose beads in my Etsy shop (jewelry,supplies not incl.)
12. Ema Kaye - 15% off all items in my Etsy shop

Bead of the day for Mardi Gras!

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all! Today's bead of the day is a cool eye-shaped disk bead from beadygirlbeads by Tera Belinsky-Yoder. It's so colorful, like all of Tera's work, and it's got the three all important Mardi Gras colors- purple, green and gold.
So laissez les bon temps rouler!

Go here to see more of Tera's work:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadygirlbeads

And here's a forum with links to more of the Fire Diva's shops:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6438226

Bead of the Day 2/15

Monday's bead of the day is this Spring Fling set from VedasBead's Artfire Shop. Funky and studded with silver, these beads are ready to march winter right out the door.

VedasBeads lists her gorgeous work on both Artfire and Etsy, or if you're craving some face time with her beads, you can find them at Sun Dog Bead Co. in beautiful downtown Wenatchee, Washington.

Pay her a visit, and come see the rest of us, too. To find our listings, just search for Fire Divas on ArtFire and Etsy.  The Fire Divas sale runs until February 17 -- search Fire Divas Sale on Etsy for team members participating in our introductory sale.

Fire Diva of the Month - Lauren Mazursky - Part 3

This week, we are getting to know the lighter side of our Diva of the Month, Lauren Mazursky of Maybeads.

Blue Striped Cat

What is on your nightstand…list everything?

A dish for change and jewelry, a lamp, chapstick, alarm clock, books and the controller to my side of our heated mattress pad.

If we were visiting, and starving and you weren’t home…what could we find in your pantry / fridge to use to whip up a meal?

Everything for nachos. In fact, that could be what I’ll whip up tonight. There’s always some chicken in the freezer, too.

Marlow the Murrini Turtle

Favorite color and how does this show up in your bead work?
Blue. I like to use blue for all animals, especially dogs.

Bentley the Blue Dog

Making beads is solitary work. How do you handle that??? If you listen to music / watch videos, please share some of your playlist.

I enjoy the solitude. I listen to an ipod usually, and lately I’ve got the Jersey Boys soundtrack going. I can’t get enough of that.

Describe the most fun day you’ve ever had.
I’d have to say a day at the beach on Lake Michigan. I love summer days there with my kids when the waves are high. Then going out to dinner.

Frick & Frack

If you had one wish, what would it be???

In terms of my business, I’d absolutely love a real studio. I’d love my very own room with everything set up in it and a door that closes.


Who do you most admire in glass and if you could take a class with that person, what would you most want to learn?

Nikki Carollo (don’t mean to embarrass her, but she knows this already) – I’d love to learn techniques from her and get critter tips. I’d also just like to watch her at the torch and see her process.

Two Colorful Dogs

What is the first thing you do when you get home?

Pet my kittens and cat – usually one of them is waiting when I get home.

Do you have a day job??? If yes, what is your favorite thing about it???
Not now, this is my day job. I waited tables for 18 years before I learned to make beads, but it was a night job. I have three kids, so they are my “job” if you want to call it that.

Name three tv shows you watch but are kind of embarrassed about.

Haha – only three? I love reality shows – Survivor (not embarrassed, though), Amazing Race (still not embarrassed), The Bachelor (very embarrassed).

Babs the Beagle Pandora Bead

Lauren's Etsy	Lauren's Twitter	MayBeads Blog
Maybeads on Flickr	Maybead's Facebook Fan Page

Fire Divas Gossip Column

The Fire Divas are now an official Etsy Team! Search Fire Divas Team on Etsy for all of our shops. And until February 17, search Fire Divas Sale for team members participating in our introductory sale. There are lots of great buys in our shops! Now let's get to the gossip . . .

Blogging about the sale, among other things, are Fire-n-sand, Lutrick, Lea, Ema, Holly, Janel, Eileen and Maybeads.

Holly also reveals her inspiration behind her recent tree bead necklace, and then tempts readers with a very special offer - check this out!

Eileen's Theme Thursday is in full swing - see if you can figure it out!

Babs Beads discusses all that goes into making glass beads, and the lampworker's quandary of: should I leave the bead as is, or turn it into jewelry? We've all faced this.

Farm Girl Cat gives a sneak peek of some new beads soon to hit her Etsy shop - you don't want to miss these!

GlasstasticTreasures is sharing her great graphics find ~ look who's riding the crazy train.

Lea joined a new guild on ArtFire, and guess who they picked to be the featured studio?

Fantasy Shopping Saturday

The ultimate fantasy for any shopping trip is a great sale ~ and the Fire Divas have one for you!  Here's a trip through just of few of the great things you can find on sale in our shops right now:

Dorset Hill Beads -                                                                                  Something New 4 U
Free shipping on everything in my Etsy shop                                              20% off all items in my Etsy shop

                                                              

Hollys Folly Glass -                                                                               LA Jewelry Designs

20% all items in my Etsy shop                                                               20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire

 

MayBeads -                                                                                           Ema Kaye

 Free Shipping on everything in my Etsy shop                                          15% off all items in my Etsy shop

                                                      

Be sure to search Fire Divas Sale on both Etsy and Artfire for the best deals on fabulous beads!

Happy Saturday!

Bead of the Day - Friday's Fire Divas Find

Today item of the day is this beautiful silvered glass and ivory bead from Robin Weber. This bead is from her Art Fire Shop. Check out her great prices during our Fire Divas Ssale.

Check out more Fire Diva finds on Art Fire and Etsy by searching "Fire Divas Team" or "Fire Divas Sale." and check out our promotions threads on both sites. Art Fire Thread or Etsy Thread

Bead of the Day 2/11

The Fire Divas Bead of the Day is this Dread Bead made by RiversEdgeGlass!

To celebrate the Fire Divas Team Sale, RiversEdgeGlass has 15% off all of her beads and buttons! Prices have been adjusted for your convenience!




To see more of the Fire Divas artistic lampwork for you jewelry creating or dread-lock needs, check out Fire Divas Team Sale on our blog, and the weekly promotional threads on Etsy and Artfire!

Team Sale

The Fire Divas are having a sale to celebrate our new team status on Etsy. Individual team members will be offering a variety of discounts or free shipping from their shops. Search "Fire Divas Sale" to find items on sale in participating shops from February 11- 17. After the sale, we hope you will continue to search "Fire Divas Team" for quality lampwork beads, jewelry and accessories.

Let's go shopping!

1. LA Jewelry Designs - 20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire
2. Lutrick - 20% off all items in Etsy and ArtFire
3. Hollys Folly Glass - 20% all items in my Etsy shop
4. Tease Beads - 15% off all lampwork in my Etsy and artfire shops (artfire shop discount will be given as a refund)
5. Janel Dudley Beads - 15% off all items on Etsy, additional 10% off to returning customers
6. Something New 4 U - 20% off all items in my Etsy shop
7. Rivers Edge Glass - 15% off beads in my Etsy and ArtFire shops
8. Vedas Beads - 15% off in my Etsy shop (excluding squares)
9. MayBeads - Free Shipping on everything in my Etsy shop
10. Giapet - 20% off loose beads in my Etsy shop (jewelry,supplies not incl.)
11. Glasstastic Treasures - 15% off all items in my Etsy shop
12. Ema Kaye - 15% off all items in my Etsy shop
13. Dorset Hill Beads - Free shipping on everything in my Etsy shop

Bead of the Day, February 10

This is not just a lovely bead - it's also a lovely piece of jewelry!

Grey swirls - see how perfectly the disc is winded?

The bead and the ring are made by Lara Lutrick of Lampwork Beads & Jewelry by Lara
You should go thre at once to check out all of her stuff!

And while you're at her ArtFire studio, go visit the Fire Diva thread in the ArtFire forums! And than move over to the Fire Diva thread at Etsy and you'll have a perfect evening!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 Bead of the Day

Today's bead of the day is a lovely minty heart by Theresa Ehlers of teasebeads on etsy. Perfect for someone's valentine, and what a nice color combination!

Go to Theresa's etsy shop for lots more hearts and more wonderful lampwork:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/teasebeads
You can find the lampwork of other divas on etsy by simply typing the words "fire divas" into a search. Or check out our weekly forum here:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6431197

January Blues Challenge Results

The results are in - this month's winner is Lauren of Maybeads! Congratulations Lauren! Let's see that handsome dog again:

In second place we have Holly of Holly's Folly. Here was her beautiful entry:

Congratulations winners, and thank you to everyone who entered. Stay tuned for the next Fire Divas Bead Challenge!

2/8 Glass Bead of the Day

Today's Bead of the day is by Karen of giapet on Etsy (a/k/a Fire n Sand). This beauty is called Mermaid Jewels:

I know a few "mermaids" who would just LOVE to wear this!

Don't forget to check out our new listing threads this week on Etsy and Artfire.

Diva of the Month Part 2 - Lauren Mazursky

Welcome back to our ongoing chat with our Diva of the Month, Lauren May Mazursky of Maybeads. This week, Lauren answers our Ten Things About Glass Questionnaire.

Barkley the Basset Hound

What attracted you to glass?

I love the uniqueness of it. I like the fact that no two beads are exactly the same when it comes to artisan-made lampwork beads.


Many glass artists have training in other art mediums. Do you?

Um, none.

Describe the first bead you made that you were really proud of? Are you still proud of it now? (Please send a photo if you have one.)

The first bead I was really proud of was a penguin bead – my kids recognized it as a penguin! That has to be good!


What inspires you?

Cartoons. Animals. My kids come up with some wild ideas, which can be inspiring, or downright ridiculous. I like crazy colors, too.

Bradford the Baby Blue Owl

Do you have a plan when you sit down to torch? Do you sketch beads or have photos around for reference?

No sketches, I can’t draw. Sometimes I have a list of beads I have to finish (if they’re custom beads) or I’d like to make (usually turtles and dogs). But I basically wing it if I’m just making beads to list in my shop.

Photography seems to be a key element for any glass artist. What type of camera / lightbox set up do you use?

I use my husband’s camera, which is a Canon 5D 100mm with a macro lens. We have a light box and there are three lights around it. One on either side and one in the back.



If the issue of finances (i.e. will it sell?) were of no consequence, what would you spend your time making?

Turtles and dogs.

Turtle Love

What kind of jewelry do you wear? Everyday vs. out on the town?

I wear my wedding band, a watch and usually earrings. Sometimes I wear a necklace with a bead on it that I made, but not as much as I probably should.

Ear Candy

What is the one skill you wish came easier to you?

Scrolling, or anything with stringers or twisties.

Leona, the Bluebird of Happiness

What do you love about marketing your business? What’s the hardest part of marketing it?

I actually enjoy marketing online. I’m not much of a salesperson in-person, but I enjoy writing, so I like to promote through my writing. I have a bead blog where I write about lampworking, and I love to promote my fellow fire divas. I love sharing a great find with other people.

Lauren's Etsy	Lauren's Twitter	MayBeads Blog
Maybeads on Flickr	Maybead's Facebook Fan Page

All the Fire Divas would have to agree with that. Lauren is always cheering each of us on and promoting our work!

Join us next week as we get to know the silly side of Lauren.