Lampwork Bead of the Day - January 31st

Today's beads of the day are all on this strand of colourful J'adore crystals by Judith Billig of icarusbeads.

This set is stunning with its mottled sunset colours paired with the mirror finish of the accent dots and spacers.  Judith's beads are always fabulous, though, as you will see when you visit her Etsy shop.

Because icarusbeads is participating in our Bead of the Day Project, you will get 20% off these beauties if you buy them within the next 24 hours.

One World One Heart 2011

Welcome to the international blog hop adventure known as One World One Heart!

The blog hop is hosted by Lisa at  A Whimsical Bohemian and the rules are ♥here♥  and the Fire Divas would like to add just ONE more for our players... PLEASE, please make it easy to get in touch with you if you win!!! The Divas have all participated before on this blog and our personal blogs and people we cannot reach are passed over for someone who makes it easy to get in touch with! So please, leave your email OR make sure your profile has an "email me" button!

A little bit about this blog: The Fire Divas are a team of artisan glass bead makers who support one another and promote the making of glass beads by hand! We believe that by promoting one another, we all benefit. Our blogs feature Bead of the Day, Fantasy Shopping, Gossip, and Diva of the Month as well as other informative articles about selling online/ in person. We all sell our lampworked glass beads in our various online shops (links both left and right) and that means... the give aways on this blog will be pretty and fabulous! We will draw ten winners, one prize per winner. 

Comments are now closed.  Winners to be announced soon!

We have a treasure pendant in soft pastel colors created by Judith Billig of Icarus Beads. Lampwork focal bead in kalera shape with silver foil and wrapped into pastel colored shards. Softly etched and matched with 3 additional lampwork beads and charms with Swarovski and Czech crystals.

Rosemarie of Spawn of Flame has donated a Glass Lampwork Pendant with sterling silver findings and bail - ready to be placed on your chain or ribbon.

Karen / Giapet a/k/a Fire-n-Sand has a Lovely heart necklace featuring a 3/4" pink lampwork heart.

This pendant bead was created using the "off mandrel" technique by Karen K.

Barb of River's Edge Glass is donating a glass bead pendant  on a 20" copper chain.  The bead is etched and contains silvered ivory stringer and fine silver dots.

Judith Johnston - is donating this gorgeous purple off mandrel heart.

Susanne of Bab's Beads and Design is also donating a heart. This one is a red lampwork herat made to 

a pendant with sterling silver parts and a clasp, so it can be attached to almost any chain or necklace you already have.

Hearts must be on the mind of the Divas (really, we just adore making beads!) because Holly Dare of HollysFolly Glass is also donating an off mandrel heart in shades of teal, green and lavender and features a yellow rose. 

And for our final prize, Kathleen Robinson Young of Ugly Duckling Beads is donating a Hand fabricated sterling silver Interchangeable pendant, on a suede lace cord , and enhanced with a handmade Borosilicate lampwork bead.

But that's not your ONLY opportunity to win something pretty from the Divas! Several of us are hosting giveaways on our own personal blogs! Be sure to visit those too!

• Rosemarie / Spawn of Flame OWOH blog post.
• Holly has  OWOH prizes on two of her blogs: Creekhiker and HollysFollyBeads
• Judith Billig / Icarus Beads OWOH blog post
• Judith Johnston / Judith Beads OWOH blog post

Fire Divas Gossip 1/30/11

It's not even summertime, but the Fire Divas are busy busy bees this week. There is a lot going on, so let's get to the gossip . . .

Lori's plate is full this week ~ she's off to a huge show, plus she's participating in the global blogging even One World One Heart, which involves a giveaway. To see her gorgeous giveaway prize, head to Ashlyn Design now!

Ema also posted her stunning OWOH giveaway (a must-see!) and is participating in the Bead Soup Party, but she's being careful to slow down and enjoy it all. Stop by Ema K for all this and more.

Glass beads + wood = ________. I'm not going to tell you the answer! You have to head to Lutrick to see what Lara and her dad are collaborating on - this you don't wan to miss!

Judith has had a lot going on this week, with OWOH, some icy new beads and a SALE (ending soon)! Go to Icarus Beads - Dreams about Glass & Color for all the details.

What do chocolate cake and training for a half-marathon have in common? The answer should be nothing, but somehow I'm talking about both of them over at Maybeads this week.

Holly's sharing good news over at Holly's Folly Glass! Plus, she's posted her OWOH giveaway and chats about how to turn beads into wearable pendants.

What do butter pecan, poison apple and latte macchiato have in common? They'll all be making appearances over at Mind Melt in the coming weeks.

Eye see that Janel is having a SALE! So head on over to Janel Dudley Beads for your coupon code, and you'll see what I'm talkin' about.

Has Lea got a deal to share with you - stop by LA Jewelry Designs for the details on this ArtFire special.

Judith has an update on her latest giveaway, and she's hinting at another competition, so visit Judith's Bead Lounge for the scoop.

Laurie has come up with a win-win solution for doing demos. Check it out at Lampwork Glass Beads, Playing With Fire.

The rest of the divas who blog are on the lower left side of the Fire Divas page, so if you missed any previous weeks, be sure to check down there.

Fantasy Shopping Saturday

Through my window the view is pretty dreary. The one exception is the trees, they're completely covered in a veil of  pristine white snow. And although looking upward is really pretty, ultimately I have to look down, and then I see dirty, packed, slushy snow.  And all I want to see is yellow...any shade of yellow.  Yellow is full of creative and intellectual energy,  wisdom, and what's more people who are blind to other colors can generally see yellow!  And let's not forget that Yellow means joy and happiness.  So our adventure today is a trip through the Fire Divas Shops for anything yellow! Join me....Happy shopping!

Giapet

Spawn of Flame

Icarus Beads

EmaKaye

A. Houston

Silver River Glass

Lutrick

Holly's Folly Glass

Glass by Patrice

Bab's Beads and Designs

May Beads

Ask the Divas about lampwork glass beads for Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage is a wonderful program that works with children who have been hospitalized with severe illnesses.
During the month of February, Marcy Lamberson is working with Beads of Courage to offer something special for glass beadmakers.

Here's Marcy's offer:
"For every $25 or 25 bead donation to Beads of Courage, you receive a chance to win this GTT Cricket torch ... This promotion is ONLY for the month of February starting on the 1st and ending on the 28th at midnight. If you donate 200 beads, then you get 4 chances..."
Read Marcy's blog for all the details.
http://www.givebeadsofcourage.blogspot.com/


At the Beads of Courage site, you can see the meanings that are attached to each different type and color of bead. Every bead you make and send in will be enjoyed by someone. We here at the fire divas want to help you along by linking you to free tutorials for some special beads that you'll enjoy making to send along to the program.

Lara of the fire divas has written instructions on making butterfly beads. http://lutrick.blogspot.com/2010/03/butterflies-for-beads-of-courage.html

Emakaye, another of the divas, tells about her own butterfly explorations: http://emakaye.blogspot.com/2010/03/evolution-of-butterfly.html


There are several other free butterfly tutorials out there as well.
DianeWoodall has two at this site, as well as a heart and kid- friendly fish: http://www.dianewoodall.com/pages/FreeTutorials.htm
And here's another three dimensional butterfly idea:
http://isinglassdesign.blogspot.com/2009/07/lampwork-glass-butterflies-for-beads-of.html
Robert Simmons has directions for adding a butterfly to a bead using copper foil:
http://www.southernflames.org/Tips%20and%20Techniques/Tips%20and%20Techniques%20BOC%20Wearable%20Butterfly%20Bead.htm


Purple Hearts are another bead Beads of Courage always needs. In addition to Diane Woodall's link above, Lori Greenberg has a sweet heart tutorial here:
http://lorigreenberg.com/blog/?p=647


Our own Holly of hollysfolly has written a tutorial for off mandrel hearts here: http://hollysfollybeads.blogspot.com/2011/01/off-mandrel-hearts.html


And if you want to make some sculptural beads, here are some useful links for tips and techniques. Remember, sculptural beads need to be made extra sturdy for the children.

Lauren at maybeads recommended this one to get you started on your sculptural journey: http://www.beadenvy.co.uk/tutorials.htm


And Holly came through with some suggestions: http://hollysfollybeads.blogspot.com/2010/03/sculptural.html


We hope you have a great time making all sorts of beads for the kids in the Beads of Courage program.



Photos from- Butterflies- Lutrick ; Butterfly wing- Ema K Designs; Heart- Hollys Folly Glass; Owl- Maybeads

Lampwork Glass Bead of the Day 1-28-11 - Art Fire Friday

Check out this beautiful blue and teal big hole bead by Amy Sims. It has a silver core AND super sparkly clear CZs. Check out this beauty and all of Amy's wonderful glass beads in her ArtFire shop. Also check her out at her Etsy shop, where you can also buy this bead.

Amy is participating in the Fire Divas' Bead of the Day promotion. If you buy this bead in the next 24 hours, she will offer FREE Shipping at Etsy and ArtFire (She does request a message first for a coupon code).

Glass Bead of the Day for Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Today's bead follows the color scheme of a recent Fire Divas ArtFire Collection, Colors of Winter from the Fire Divas.  Although this lovely bead isn't in that particular collection, it is right in line and is in the spotlight today!

Glass Focal Bullet Bead - Triton Fish Scales, by Sonja of Silver River Glassworks

I love the fish scale pattern on beads, especially when used in this kind of precisely-placed pattern of two contrasting colors.  The silvered glass used, Triton, is a delight, and will truly steal the focus of a necklace using it as the "focal" indeed!

See what else Sonja is hard at work making by visiting her ArtFire studio here.  She also has an Etsy shop, so check out your favorite venue for her glass goodies.  She also participates in the Bead of the Day Promotion, offering 10% off this bead for the next 24 hours!  Contact her in her shop if you are the lucky taker prior to purchase for a smooth experience. :)

To see what the other Fire Divas are up to, please visit the weekly ArtFire thread, and the weekly Etsy thread.  See you next week!

Glass Bead Of the Day: January 26

Januari is soon over and the light is slowly coming back to the north. But it's still cold and I needed something to warm my scenses. Browsing thru the Divas ArtFire shops, I found this yummy pair of beads at Roses' shop:

Soft Fire

The colour scheme is so great! And the webbing effect...

You can find these and more deliciouse beads at Rosemarie Hanus Spawn of Flame.

Glass Bead of the Day - Tuesday 1/25/2011

As so often, I had a hard time to decide which bead to select for today's lampwork bead of the day. So much talent, so many beautiful beads! But I'm always on the lookout for beads that "talk" to me, somehow surprise me, touch me or bring back certain memories.

And that's exactly what happened when I saw this fabulous Floral Focal bead by Judith Johnston of Judith Beads.



I think this bead is absolutely gorgeous. Just check out the dainty bubble dot blossoms and the sparkling cubic zirconias in the center of each flower. So beautiful.

Did I talk about the lovely teal color yet? I love, love, love this color. And it brings back treasured teenager memories to me - teal was for a long time my favorite color, and everything had to be teal ... t-shirts, schoolbags, hair bands, even my bedroom walls! LOL.

Don't forget to check out Judith's Etsy shop for this flower bead and other gorgeous focals and bead sets.

And also a quick reminder that our Fire Diva's Jewelry Challenge is under way and there's still enough time to participate! Submit your piece with Fire Diva lampwork beads and you can win amazing prices. Check out all the details and great prices here.

Lampwork Bead of the Day - January 24th

Welcome back to Monday!

Today's lampwork bead of the day is this Springtime Party focal from Lara Lutrick's Etsy shop.

This bead exudes confidence and beauty, and sees everything from that big all-seeing-eye.  The colours are gorgeous, and I'd buy it myself if it weren't for that pesky New Year's resolution I made.  Still, though... the cloudy corals, streaky blues and the gleam off that murrini eye are calling me.

If you made your New Year's resolution about something important, like losing weight, exercising more or spending less time on the internet at work, you are more fortunate than I am and can scoop this little beauty up :)

Lara is participating in our Bead of the Day Project, so if you buy this bead within the next 24 hours, shipping is on her!

Fire Divas Gossip 1/23/11

Valentine's Day is on the horizon, and what do you think the Fire Divas are dishing about? If you said knife sets, frit and the winter blues, you'd be right. Oh, and hearts too!

I own an off-mandrel heart made by Holly, and it is so pretty! I've often wondered how to make a bead "off-mandrel," and now my wait is over. All I have to do is head to Holly's Folly Glass for Holly's complete (with pictures!) free tutorial for off-mandrel hearts. Thanks, Holly!

Rosemarie is designing a necklace for beads she is making, and she's sharing sneak peeks of her design and her progress over at Spawn of Flame.

Ema has plans to stay more organized with her bead business this year, but first she's playing catch-up and showing pictures from last year's art charm exchange. Stop by Ema K to see the goodies, and then find out her idea for organization (I may have to steal this one).

Theresa has got hearts on the brain. She's come up with a brand new design and they are scrumptious ~ so get on over to Tease Beads now and prepare to fall in love!

Lori is sharing her latest find from her trip to the mall - wait, make that the hardware store. This girl hangs out at Harbor Freight Tools, so be sure to stop by Ashlyn Designs to see her new tools she says are a steal.

Judith is admitting to having a disastrous day at the torch (I feel her pain!), but she bounced back quickly and her wheels are turning with new ideas. She's showing off one fabulous heart bead and some chunky lentils you don't want to miss at Judith's Bead Lounge.

There's Murrini Mondays, and now there's Fritty Fridays. That's right. There's a day of the week for each of my addictions ~ so mosey on over to Maybeads for the latest editions of both.

Lea has made butterfly beads for the very first time. These gorgeous new creatures are fluttering off to a very special place, so stop by LA Jewelry Designs to find out their destination.

New critters are crawling, slinking and fluttering out of Patrice's kiln. Head over to Shepherd Creations for a closer look.

The rest of the divas who blog are on the lower left side of the Fire Divas page, so if you missed any previous weeks, be sure to check down there.

Fantasy Shopping Saturday

It appears I've got a bit of writers block!  Aacck! I figured I'd  go the the Fire Diva's Fan Page and spend time reading about the other Divas, drool over their beads, and check out the latest gossip.(Shhhhh...it's all good gossip.)  Lo and behold, within 2 minutes, inspiration hit!  Only 3 or 4 postings down, this fabulous necklace caught my attention. Often we see the Diva's from a bead perspective, but there's some real hidden talent among them. Today I'm treating you to the "Desserts" of glass.  These are just a start....You can find more beads and jewelry here.  Now pick your favorites... Happy Shopping!

Isinglass Design

Holly's Folly Glass

Ashlyn Designs

Judith Beads

Giapet

EmaKaye

May Beads

Amy Sims Designs

Tease Beads

Lara Lutrick

Shepherd Creations

Bab's Beads and Designs

Janel Dudley Beads

Diva of the Month - Lea Avroch - Part 4 (Conclusion)

Well, this week is our final segment on our January Diva of the Month, Lea Avroch of LA Jewelry Designs.



We asked Lea which of her secrets we did not know, or if there was anything else about herself she wishes to share. She responds, "No secrets that I know of. I'm an open book. :-)" I guess we won't get anything juicy this time!



As for how her work is changing over time, Lea says she thinks she's getting better at color usage. She also feels like some of her techniques such as bead ends and shaping have improved, but she says "I feel that I have so much more to learn."



A challenge she wishes to accomplish over the next few months is to get back on the torch on a regular basis. "I also have several presses that I'm dying to try out and get a feel for," she says.



And finally, we asked Lea what she likes about being a Fire Diva. "The people!" she exclaims. "We really have a wonderful sisterhood of like-minded people who support each other. They're also friends that I can turn to in time of need."



Thanks again for "tuning in" to this month's feature, and we will join you again next month with our February Diva!

LA Jewelry Designs on Artfire ~

LA Jewelry Designs on Etsy ~

Lea's Blogspot ~

Follow Lea on Twitter

Glass Beads of the Day 1-21-11

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you are ready for the weekend. I know I am. I'm a little late at Bead of the Day today. I had a hard time choosing beads for today, but saw these Elements Beads from UglyDucklingBeads on Etsy.

Check out the shine and sparkle on these boro beads. The colors are rich and beautiful.

Check out more beads in our Etsy and ArtFire promo threads.

Fire Divas Monthly Challenge - True Love Results!

The results are in!  The winner is:

Entry 1 - http://www.maybeads.etsy.com

Now let's see the other incredible entries.

Entry 2 - http://www.etsy.com/shop/LAJewelryDesigns

 Entry 3 -  http://www.artfire.com/users/HollysFollyGlass

Entry 4 - http://www.artfire.com/users/AmySimsDesigns

Entry 5 -www.lutrick.etsy.com

Thanks to everyone who voted, and all the Divas who entered!