Going back to my roots

Before I got completely obsessed with making my own beads, I was a beadweaver of seed beads, crystals, pearls etc. At a bead fair recently I found some beautiful geode cabs (from Designer Cabochons, see some of their gorgeous range at http://www.designercabochons.co.uk/), and had the urge to fashion them into something bold and beautiful. These geodes have been coated with titanium, to give them that "in your face" bling factor.
At the top of my list of beading icons is Sherry Serafini, and I took inspiration from her work, check out her website at http://www.serafinibeadedjewelry.com/. Bead embroidery tends to be slow, so I thought I would share the work in progress with you. Unbelieveably, it took me a whole afternoon to decide on the shape of the piece, cut it out, choose the placement of the cabochons and pearls, and then glue/sew them into place.
Here is the base of the piece with the cabochons laid out, with a few pearls. It looks a bit like a longhorn skull and horns to me, or maybe an alien with horns.

Ring a ding ding

Having fun with more ring toppers.
Once I start making these, I have to keep going til all the special mandrels have been used up. I guess its a good thing I only have a few of them.

Magic mosaic shards

Fire lotus glass

A bit of everything

                                                       Lace agate glass

More magic

 

I've been playing with some more magic mosaic shards.

Shards are always fun to make, and because I 'm experimenting with different glass combinations, I'm never quite sure how they will turn out. That surprise when I open the kiln is also a lot of fun!

Ring toppers

 

My first attempts at ring toppers. I think I may have discovered a new diversion, these are very addictive to experiment with and make. Of course they do not reflect the quality of work of the original designer, Manda.

I used the Harlequin Cab Tutorial from her, which can be found at http://www.mangobeads.co.uk/lampwork-tutorials

Twisted

Here are the beads that I promised to show, made with tightly twisted silver glass. They all have the same twisted glass, but on a different base. The differences are quite subtle in some of them, but I like what's going on.

What's up

Ok, so you know that I have been working with silver glass. The newest technique has been with silver glass in twisties. I'll get some pics up as soon as possible.

Contenders 4 and 5