Bead of the day - Tuesday 08/31

I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of September. Where is the summer gone? I look out of the window, rain is pouring down and the wind fights with the trees in front of my window. There is definitely more than a hint of fall in the air.

That's why I selected for today's Beads of the Day these beautiful flower disks in rich, harmonious fall colors.



They're made by the fabulous Lara Lutrick and you can find more of her gorgeous beads in Lara's Etsy shop.

Fire Divas Gossip Column

It's been a busy week for the Fire Divas! Even with back to school madness, the Fire Divas have listed some beautiful new work.
check out this great deal by Amy! She has wonderful spacer beads on sale for her back to school promo! Great colors too!

Veda's beads has some examples of ''sunset" colors of glass. We've seen some nice sunsets this summer, and Veda can help us carry those through the coming autumn days.

Holly of Holly's Folly has some beads this week that are some of her favorites to make. The cupcake is yummy looking! (and no calories!)

Awwwww look at the duck beads! May Beads made some for a special customer. Maybe you want some too! They quack me up! ;-)

A beautiful pendant with lampwork by Silver River Glass is a nice example of jewelry with lampwork as a component. She has the pendant for sale and it's very tempting!

Melanie of Mind Melt has more tests with glass. Thank you Melanie for the great tests! It's so interesting and helpful!

SusanLambert posted a favorite set. Sometimes it's a great way to relax, working with favorite colors.

That's it for this week. Stop back for more Fire Diva gossip next Sunday! And enjoy today, the last Sunday in August!

Fantasy Shopping Saturday

Today I'm shopping for beads that are not only pretty to look at, but fun to touch. Bumpy beads can add a whole new dimension to your jewelry designs.

The Fire Divas Holiday Jewelry Challenge is right around the corner, so be sure to check your shopping list and check it twice!

Now let's head down that bumpy bead road . . .

JanelDudleyBeads

BeadygirlBeads

ahouston

DorsetHillBeads

emakaye

Bead of the Day - Art Fire Friday 8-27-10

This graceful Whale's Tail Patrice or shepherdcreations on ArtFire. Patrice has lots of lovely beads and pendants made of Boro glass. Check out her ArtFire site HERE

If you buy this bead in the next 24 hours. Patrice will offer free shipping.

Jewelry Challenge Shopping List

In case you missed it, the next Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge is underway, and the theme is "The Holiday Season." You can read all about it and see the incredible prizes up for grabs in this blog post.

If you want a shot at winning some fantastic prizes from the Fire Divas but don't know where to start, this post is for you! Below you will find just a few links to items that fit the theme.

Ghost and Bat Pair by Maybeads



Santa Snowman by Holly's Folly



Glow in the Dark Focal by Janel Dudley Beads



Tomte Santa by Bab's Beads and Design

There will be more Shopping List posts to come in the future!

Bead of the Day for Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Happy Thursday!  Hey, it could be worse; it could be Monday!  Well, cruising through the weekly Artfire thread yesterday, this gorgeous bead caught my attention, and I just knew it would be my Bead of the Day pick for today:

Striped Big Hole Lampwork Bead -- Babs Beads & Design

I love the pattern and colors, and this is truly a one of a kind feature for your charm bracelets and all your big-hole-bead needs!  The intertwined stripes of varying colors, lovely emerald base... This bead is speaking to me :)  It is whispering seductive glass nothings into my ear...  If it's also speaking to you, you're in luck: Susanne of Babs Beads & Design is participating in the Bead of the Day Promotion, offering 10% off this bead in her Artfire Shop (which is already a great price to begin with), so click on through here.

See what else is new in the realm of the Fire Divas by perusing the weekly Artfire Thread here, or visiting the weekly Etsy Thread here.  See you next Thursday!

Bead of the Day: August 25

I almost wish I had dreads. If I did, I would buy this lovely, lovely bead and where it on a daily basis:

Field of Flowers Dreadlock or Focal Bead

It's made by Barb at River's Edge Glass. And if you place an order on it within 24 hrs, she'll ship it to you for free!

You haven't missed the Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge, have you? All the Divas are so excited to see what all you talented jewelry makers will come up with. Read all about it here!

Bead of the Day - August 24, 2010

Can't believe how late I am with the Bead of the Day post. Sorry!!!
We went on a fabulous trip into the North Cascades today and got home only really late. It was such a fabulous summer day, I wish summer never ended.

Talking about never ending summer. Don't these Baby Blue and Dark Lavender Disks from Lampwork by Amy remind you of mild summer nights, lavender flowers and the Provence?



And best of all, Amy is taking part in the Bead of the Day promotion and if you order these disks within the next 24 hours, shipping is free!

So head on over to Amy's Etsy shop to check out all her beautiful beads!

To see all new Fire Diva listings on Artfire, follow this link.
And if you want to see what the Fire Divas on Etsy are up to, please click here.

Bead of the Day - 08/23

Today's bead of the day is this Bunny Runner, a be-shoed carrot, ready for takeoff.

Never seen a carrot this worried before?  Or a carrot wearing shoes?

OK, well me either, but that's part of its charm.  The idea of a bunny rabbit getting too close is clearly very concerning to this little guy.

This adorable veggiebead and many other humorous and beautiful creations are available for sale in AnkleBiterBeads' Etsy shop.  He will be 10% off if you purchase him within the next 24 hours.

Fire Divas Gossip Column

Hello there bead lovers, Welcome back to our weekly gossip column, a great place to see what is new in the Fire Diva's group. Beautiful lampworked beads are available from the Fire Divas talented members.

Take a look at Patrice's blog which is 'glass by Patrice'. It's hard to pick a favorite from her beautiful work, but the whale tail is my favorite in her beach goodies. She has an awesome palm tree also and her favorite, the beach scene shell pendant.

Bab's beads is also reflecting on the end of summer with her Summer Sea View. Too bad this is already sold, but check out Bab's blog for other beautiful beads.

Amy of Lampwork by Amy has a back to school special. Check it out!

Icarus Beads has been doing some work on her blog. She has an interesting article on test beads. That is something many people don't realize is a part of lampwork.

SusanLambert is also back to work this week. Check her gecko on a disc bead. It has many design possibilities.

Veda's Beads has a nice article on 'the dark side' as we lampworkers call working with a glass that takes even more heat. Borosilicate, or 'boro' for short. Always an interesting challenge to work with a new kind of glass.

LA Jewelry Designs got a new torch and has some beady goodness flowing from it!

MayBeads has been a bit nostalgic over her hooters er - owls.

HollysFolly has some spooky new beads.

TeaseBeads is planning for the future - of her beads!



That's it for this week. Stop by our blog again, and also be sure to check out the Fire Diva's Jewelry Challenge, and you can win one of $215 of donated prizes!!!!!

Fire Divas Monthly Bead Challenge Results!

We have a winner! Here is the winning set:

Entry #2 by http://www.ahouston.etsy.com

Congratulations! Now let's see the other incredible entries:

Entry #1 by http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com

Entry #3 by http://www.hollysfolly.artfire.com

Entry #4 by http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com

Entry #5 by http://www.AshlynDesign.etsy.com

Thanks for voting!

Fantasy Shopping Saturday

This week I'm trolling for scrolling. One of the trickier lampwork skills (according to me), is writing or scrolling on a bead with stringer, which is a thinner rod of glass. The artist needs to have complete control for it to work, and these Fire Divas definitely make it work!

Ashlyn Design

emakaye

LAJewelryDesigns

DorsetHillBeads

Lutrick

Holly's Folly Glass

Beads of the Day 8-20-10 Art Fire Friday

Today's Beads of the Day are these super cool abstract turquoise, green and black "Water World" beads by SilverRiverGlassworks.

More of her work and other Fire Divas' work can be seen in the Fire Divas weekly promotional thread on Artfire! Silver Rivers Glassworks is participating in our promo. If you buy these bead in the next 24 hours, she will give you 10% off your perchase. She does ask that you contact her first via convo.

Bead of the Day for Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Once again we find ourselves looking for something fresh and interesting in the Divas' shops.  Every time, we succeed...  Today's glass intrigue is from a set called "Frosty Rootbeer Handmade Lampwork Beads" by Dorset Hill Beads.  Soft glass folks have all the luck when it comes to etching, and this is a lovely brown and earthy colors set of etched glass handmade beads.

Frosty Rootbeer Handmade Lampwork Beads - Dorset Hill Beads

This set qualifies for the Bead of the Day promo, which means if you order it within the next 24 hours, you get Free Shipping in Dorset Hill Beads' Etsy shop!  Visit it here for these beads and even more goodies.

See what else the Fire Divas are up to by stopping by the Etsy chat thread and the Artfire chat thread.  See you next Thursday!

Bead of the Day: August 18

I found this lovely set of beads in in Ahouston's shop. Aren't they wonderful! I love the feeling of sea in them.

Mermaid Jewels

Just look at the colours!

Ahouston is also a part of the Bead of the Day project and discounts, so if you order this set within 24 hours, she will give you free shipping. Go ahead!

Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge

It's that time again! For this challenge, the theme is "The Holiday Season." There are several holidays coming up, and we want to celebrate them! You can see holiday-inspired Fire Diva creations in our Flickr. By entering this challenge, you have the chance to win:

http://www.twoglassyladies.ca

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

http://www.arensea.etsy.com

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.etsy.com
or http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com

http://www.hollysfolly.com

http://www.lutrick.artfire.com

Owl bead from http://www.maybeads.etsy.com

http://www.emakaye.etsy.com

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than October 15, 2010. No Flickr account? No problem. You can also email your submissions to firedivas @ gmail . com (no spaces). Please include, in the comments section or in your email, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Bead of the Day - August 17, 2010

Although you wouldn't know if from the temperatures lately, summer's end is rapidly approaching.
But Zuma, the colorful slider bead made by Tera from Beadygirl Beads seems to capture the essence of summer ... sunny colors and a playful design remind me of tropical vacations and hours spent lazing on the beach.

To see more of Tera's beads, follow this link to visit her shop on etsy
And see what the other Fire Divas are up to in the weekly Etsy and Artfire threads. Enjoy!

Diva of the Month - Barb Reed Part 3

We're back for another interview with Barb Reed of River's Edge Glass. Let's hear what August's Diva of the Month has to say when we ask her Ten Silly Questions.

What is on your nightstand…list everything?

A couple of books, some magazines (mostly bead/wire related!), nail clippers, pad of paper for reminding me to do things (not that it helps that much), some scrap material from the blinds my daughter made for our bedroom, Tums, a rosary, spare pair of glasses, probably some other stuff too, but that’s all I can think of at the moment.

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?
Well, you would definitely find some pasta and rice to cook, almost anything you needed to bake something, and about 213 different spices. In the frig, you’d find milk and juice, but if you were looking for something really fresh, you’d have to go out to the garden. You’d find tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, beans, peppers of all kinds, some zucchini, onions eggplant and a few other things to make yourself a delicious salad or meal.


Favorite color and how does this show up in your bead work?
Favorite color is green – in my beads I use it, but I don’t think really anymore than other colors.

Making beads is solitary work. How do you handle that??? If you listen to music / watch videos, please share some of your playlist.
Up until recently, I had a hot head so couldn’t listen to anything cause it was so loud. Now I usually just play the radio – usually a classic rock station. And my mind just wanders all over the place anyways.




Describe the most fun day you’ve ever had.
Most fun day I’ve had? Hard to answer this one about any one day specifically. Lots of the fun days often involve being on the water – usually canoeing or kayaking. That could be in many place from Michigan to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, Connecticut or Massachuesetts.

  If you had one wish, what would it be???
Hmm that I was more organized and what’s the opposite of lazy anyways – I need to be that.

 

Who do you most admire in glass and if you could take a class with that person, what would you most want to learn? (Please include LINKS to their website!)
Glass drooling. There’s so many artists I really admire it’s hard to pick one person. Heather Trimlett - http://store.heathertrimlett.com/gallery - how does she do those fantastic discs? Kristina Logan – she has gorgeous discs in a whole different style. And my friend Tracy Bell – her happy heads just put a smile on your face - http://www.etsy.com/shop/TracyBell?ga_search_query=tracybell&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

What is the first thing you do when you get home?
Varies, but pretty often its checking my mail and email.

Do you have a day job??? If yes, what is your favorite thing about it???

No day job – I like to say I’m retired, but am fortunate that I don’t have to work at a full time job.

Name three tv shows you watch but are kind of embarrassed about.
NCIS – and reruns from it even though I’ve seen it before, I’m really not that much of a tv watcher for specific shows – lots of times its just background noise while I read.

River's Edge Glass on Artfire

River's Edge Glass on Etsy

River's Edge Glass on Flickr

Bead of the Day - 08/16

With the extreme heat these past few days, I'm in the mood for cool, and these ice-like, sparkly beads from Judith Billig of icarusbeads seem just the thing.

With their cool hues and unique shape, these Bubble Squares really appeal to me. 

These and many other beautiful things are available in Judith's etsy shop.  If you buy these icy beauties in the next 24 hours, Judith will give you 20% off.

Fire Divas Gossip Column

It's a busy week for the Fire Divas! Check out some of these wonderful pieces of new work. What an interesting group of lampworkers! So much beautiful work, and so many great creative minds.

Judith Billig of Icarus Beads is working on natural forms. See her pictures of plants and how she interprets them in glass.

May Beads is posting some wonderful critters. It must be a critter/nature week!

Stop in and see Amy for information on a 'give away'!!

Check out the new ring kit from Holly's Folly. I love the colors of the bead she used. It's a good way to use single beads.

Janet Dudley has some glow in the dark beads that are positively stunning. Wouldn't they be fun to wear out in the dark, at a nightclub, at a dance, or even just in a dark closet to admire them!

Susan Lambert has some new candy colored discs in her shop. yummy

Dorset Hill has some pretty new earrings in red and white. They would look super with a red sweater this fall!

Silver River Jewelry did a lot of work putting together a collection for Art Fire. Stop by and see it, to appreciate some beautiful work.

Interested in how glass reacts and what colors work together? Look at this interesting post by Melanie Graham.

Patrice of Shepherd Creations is also working with nature, however she has insects!!

Have a great week!!

Fantasy Shopping Saturday

Around here, everyone has a case of the back-to-school blues. But I don't want to give my favorite glass color a bad rap. So this week I'm shopping for blues that make me happy.










emakaye

SilverRiverGlassWork

JanelDudleyBeads

giapet

icarusbeads