What a difference a day makes (or a couple)

Don't seem to get much time at the torch, well not as much as I would like and for a couple of weeks just couldn't get to it for work, but then two weeks ago I went on a 2 day course with the most wonderful Julie Fountain of Lush Lampwork fame http://www.lushlampwork.co.uk/  This was held at the studio of the also very wonderful Manda of Mango Bead fame in Barnstaple http://www.mangobeads.co.uk/ The first day we did dots and spots and a bit of sculptural stuff, piggy buttons and one that was supposed to be a monkey but got a bit confused and ended up as a one eyed bear!   I also got to try out using a press which I had never done before.  Have to admit that my dots and stringer control still needs alot of work, but it is still early days for me and I am learning all the time, just need as much practice as I can get (now where did I put that lottery ticket!).

On the Sunday we played with silver and silver glass.  Well I have to say that this was my favorite day and I cannot believe the things we learned and made.  If you had told me a month ago I would be making these things I would have fallen on the floor in hysterics.    To be honest I wept a tear after making this bead, I just couldn't believe I had done it.

Since then I only managed to have a play at home yesterday and made a few beads, sadly my favorite
(the one at the bottom of this post) appears to have a blooming great thermal crack in it, but hey ho these things happen and I know exactly what happened so won't do it again!  Oh yes, the bead in my blog title is also one I made yesterday and come to think of it, there might be a bit of a competition on the 'favorite' front! :)

Some of my first beads made at home

My studio has now been set up for a week and I have managed to get to the torch most days.  I should be torching today but some of my equipment needs a bit of TLC after the cold night and damp weather.  I thought I would share some of the better beads I have made and those that I am most pleased with.

First are a couple of big hole beads, the pink one is clear with a reactive frit and is prettier in real life, the other one was dots with spots that did, to be honest, go a bit wonky.

The second photo is of two dotty beads that I rather like.

The third is of two hollow beads with little spacers, the biggest one was the first hollow bead I made and I am very pleased that I managed to make it without it collapsing or breaking.

The final photo (a bit out of focus on the blue bead) is of two gravity swirl beads I made.  I have to say I am particuarly pleased with the red one!

Studio finally up and running

I have finally got the studio set up in the outbuilding (jolly chilly out there) and today saw the first day of beadmaking at home.  Beads currently annealing in the kiln so no piccies yet, but thought I might post some photos of my work area. (Very pleased by the way that I didn't blow everything up in my first attempt)!

First photo shows how high the ceiling is in the barn; the second one shows my work area; and the final one shows one of the big doors which will give me ventilation.  The double doors are about 8 foot wide and there is another one opposite the one in the picture.  Gives a lovely airflow but is also can be very windy!