I Love Lampwork

This week I have been beading with lampwork beads.  Every time I create a lampwork design I become more amazed with these delightful beads. Lampwork beads are created with rods and tubes of clear and colored glass which are worked over an open flame, then blown and shaped into beautiful glass treasures.  Since these beads are handmade, sizes and shapes can vary slightly.  Some lampwork beads have sterling silver or gold foil submerged within the glass – such as in the Blue Paradise necklace and earrings below which have silver -lined foil.  Other lampwork pieces are created with interesting combinations of colors and designs submerged within clear glass – such as the large focal bead in my Bold and Beautiful design below.

Blue Paradise Lampwork Glass Beaded Necklace and Earrings: I beaded these Blue Paradise items on a cold dreary day with somewhere balmy and tropical in mind. Beaded with bright aqua blue lampwork beads and Czech glass fire-polished beads in clear and dark aqua. Lampwork beads were handmade in Italy with silver foil submerged within the glass producing a rich radiant glow. Larger beads on the necklace are spaced with tiny sterling silver beads.  Finished with sterling silver spring ring clasp. Measures 18 inches.

Blue Paradise Lampwork Glass Beaded Necklace

Earrings are beaded with the same bright tropical blue lampwork beads and Czech fire-polished glass beads in clear and dark aqua. Sterling silver earring wires. Drop is about 1 1/2 inches.

Blue Paradise Lampwork Glass Beaded Earrings

Bold and Beautiful Lampwork and Cats Eye Beaded Necklace: Bold and Beautiful describes the interesting combination of beads on this necklace. The lampwork focal piece at the center is a large colorful sphere with a rich mix of blue, red, orange, yellow, gold and green hues. It has incredible depth and catches and reflects light beautifully as it rolls and twirls at the neckline.  Vivid blue Cats Eye beads are mixed with gold satin glass Czech beads. Two topaz Czech glass beads are beaded near the large lampwork bead, and a clear fire-polished bead at each end. Delicate blue glass seed beads are spaced between the larger beads and along the center with the lampwork bead.  Sterling silver S-clasp. Measures 18 inches.

Bold and Beautiful Lampwork and Cats Eye Beaded Necklace

Something Blue Wedding Jewelry

This weekend I have added some bridal jewelry to my collection.  I call these pieces “Something Blue” because they all have just a touch of blue.

SOMETHING BLUE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL PEARL NECKLACE: Every bride needs something blue to wear – like this Swarovski crystal pearl necklace with two blue lampwork beads situated quietly on each end. Center of necklace features a large lampwork bead in a beautiful color called “crystal silver.” Beaded with Swarovski crystal pearls in “cream rose” and delicate glass pearl seed beads. Accented with brilliant Swarovski crystals near the center and at each end. Sterling silver spring ring clasp and extender chain.  Measures 17 inches plus 3 inch extender chain also in sterling silver.

Something Blue Swarovski Crystal Pearl Necklace

SOMETHING BLUE CRYSTAL TEARDROP EARRINGS: These Swarovski crystal teardrop earrings are accented with pretty blue lampwork beads. The lampwork beads match the beads in the necklace and are from Italy where they were handmade with .925 sterling silver submerged within the glass – they add an interesting splash of blue that contrasts nicely with the brilliant Swarovski crystals.  Sterling silver fish hook earring wires. Drop is 1 1/2 inches.

Something Blue Teardrop Earrings

SOMETHING BLUE GLASS HEART EARRINGS: These pretty glass heart dangle earrings are accented with cobalt blue Czech glass beads and small round gold beads. Glass hearts are set in bright gold brass setting.  14K gold filled earring wires. Drop is 1 3/4 inches.

Something Blue Glass Heart Earrings

Colorful Vintage Glass Cabochon Pendnat

Colorful Vintage Glass Cabochon Pendnat

Originally uploaded by distinctivejewels

I bought this vintage glass cabochon a while back and set it aside. When I rediscovered it, I decided to place it in an antiqued brass setting which seems to compliment the warm colors in the pendant very nicely.

This beautiful vintage glass cabochon pendant explodes with an absolutely beautiful kaleidoscope of colors!

I set the Czech glass cabochon into an antiqued brass setting with “beaded” edging. Antiqued brass chain measures 24 inches. Lobster claw clasp.

Glass cabochon measures 25×18mm, entire pendant with setting measures approximately 1 x 1 1/4 inches.

New Heart and Valentines Day Jewelry

With the Holidays about over, it’s time to think about the next seasonal Holiday – Valentine’s Day.  The last few days I have worked on Heart Themed and Valentines themed jewelry:

Sweetheart Necklace and Earring Set: This sweetheart of a necklace set is perfect for Valentines Day or any special day!  Necklace has an antiqued brass heart pendant with a small enameled heart cabochon set into the center. Beaded with delicate golden glass seed beads, small round brass beads and Czech glass heart beads in “vintage bronze.” Finished with a Czech glass crystal bead and more Czech glass hearts at each end and an antiqued brass lobster claw clasp. Measures 18 inches.  Earrings have matching antiqued brass hearts with enameled heart centers suspended beneath a Czech glass bead in “vintage bronze” and 14K gold-filled earring wires. Drop is 1 1/2 inches.

Sweetheart Necklace and Earring Set

Sweetheart Necklace

Sweetheart Earrings

Hearts of Gold and Glass Heart Earrings: These earrings have beautiful crystal clear faceted hearts inside a bright gold brass setting. They dangle beneath a Swarovski crystal glass pearl in “bright gold” and 14K gold-filled earring wires. Drop is 1 1/2 inches.

Hearts of Gold and Glass Earrings

Antiqued brass hearts and glass hearts were purchased from yummytreasures Etsy shop.

All other beads and components are from FireMountainGems.

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Jewelry

This weekend I beaded these two pieces using antiqued brass and garnets.

Necklace:  The antiqued brass chain on this necklace has a pretty textured stamping pattern.  The ornate circle pendant is antiqued brass pewter and has a small round garnet bead dangling from the center.  I formed wire-wrapped links using garnet oval beads and antiqued gold plated filigree beads.  Finished with a lobster claw clasp.  Measures 20 inches.

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Necklace - View 1

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Necklace - Close-up view of pendant

Earrings:  I used intricately patterned antiqued brass pewter chandelier drops on antiqued brass fish-hook earring wires.  Small round garnet beads are wire-wrapped to the chandelier drops.  Drop is 1 1/2 inches.

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Earrings

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Necklace and Earrings

Glass Gem Marble Pendants

I call these pendants glass gems because of their gem like beauty.  I used clear flat-back glass marbles (about 3/4 inch diameter) and applied pigmented glazes to the back.  I selected iridescent jeweled colors for the pigments and I must say the resulting effect is beautiful.  The shimmering colors when viewed through the front of the glass are absolutely spectacular!  I used Aanraku bails – most have sterling silver-plating, but some have 18K gold-plating.  I attached a matching ball chain necklace in either silver or “vintage gold.”

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Carribean Blue

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Copper Sparkle

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Sunset Gold

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Golden Glow

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Shimmering Green

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Majestic Purple

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Cherry Red

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Silver Pearl

Antiqued Silver and Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklace

This morning I revised one of the necklaces I created and described in yesterday’s post.   I really wasn’t satisfied with the final look.  I changed the bail to a simple sterling silver jump ring and created a more elaborate focal pendant station.  I kept the antiqued sterling silver chain and used ornate pewter links with antiqued silver plated finish to create the pendant station.  I think it has a more refined appearance and gives the piece more of a Victorian or Twilight flair.

Description: Vintage inspire necklace with spectacular Siam Red Swarovski crystal heart suspended on a delicate antiqued sterling silver necklace.  Crystal heart is in brilliant AB (aurora borealis) finish and measures 18mm. I created a focal pendant station for the heart using antiqued silver links connected by round jump rings.  Necklace measures 20 inches. Drop on the pendant is 1 3/4 inches.

♥ Swarovski crystal heart, Siam Red – AB finish
♥ Antiqued sterling silver chain – textured
♥ Sterling silver lobster claw clasp and heart closure
♥ Ornate antiqued silver-plated pewter links

Antiqued Silver and Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklace (View 1)

Antiqued Silver and Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklace (View 2)

Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklaces

Today I beaded two necklaces using antiqued sterling silver chain and Swarovski crystal hearts.  I love the contrast of the antiqued sterling silver against the brilliance of the Swarovski crystals.

The Siam Red heart has a simple bail which I created by wire-wrapping half-hard sterling silver wire.   It measures 17 inches plus has a 3 inch extender chain with a small sterling silver heart charm at the end.  Lobster claw clasp and heart closure.

Siam Red Swarovski Crystal Heart and Silver Necklace

Close-up View of Siam Red Heart Pendant

The amethyst crystal heart is connected to the antiqued sterling silver chain with an ornate focal station – also in antiqued sterling silver.  It is my favorite of the two pieces because of its more complex appearance.  I also wire-wrapped a bail for this heart using a 20 gauge sterling silver headpin.  Lobster claw clasp and heart closure.

Amethyst Swarovski Crystal Heart and Silver Necklace

Close-up View of Amethyst Swarovski Crystal Heart Pendant

Little Gem Glass Pendants

I call these pendants “Little Gems” because of the gem like beauty.  I used flat back glass marbles and applied iridescent pigmented glaze to the back.  I used powdered pearlescent pigments in “Gold Pearl” and “Antiqued Silver Pearl” which I purchased from Fusionbeads.com.  I mixed the pigments with Diamond Glaze.  After the glaze dried – I waited 48 hours – I applied Aanraku bails to the back.  I used an 18K gold-plated bail with a ball chain necklace in “vintage gold” for the gold colored pendant.  I used a silver-plated bail and ball chain necklace for the silver colored pendant.

These pendants shimmer with a beautiful radiant glow.

Little Gem Glass Pendant - Golden Glow

Little Gem Glass Pendant - Silver Pearl

Glass Marble Pendants and Glass Square Tile Pendant

These marble glass pendants are so versatile.  Wear them with casual or evening wear.  The ball chain necklace pictured is quite casual, but other more sophisticated chains can easily be substituted for a more elegant look.   I purchased these images from Etsy seller Artcult.  She has an extensive collection of unique and original designs.

Petite Marble Glass Pendant

Petite Marble Glass Pendant

The square tile glass pendant features a sepia style art nouveau image of a woman probably from sometime in the early 1900’s. This glass tile is scrabble sized at about 7/8 inch.  Just like the marble pendants, the ball chain pictured can easily be substituted with a more elegant chain.  I purchased this digital image from Etsy seller Sabrinazanetti.

Art Nouveau Glass Tile Pendant

Both the square tile and the marble pendants have metallic silver paper on the back sealed with Diamond Glaze.

Materials used:

• Glass square tile and round flat-back glass marbles
• Silver-plated Aanraku bail
• High resolution digital images
• Paper
• Adhesive
• Diamond Glaze