Monthly FHFTeam Blog Topic

Welcome to the first post of Monthly Blog Topics, where Frit-Happens Forum team members share their thoughts on random questions about beads, glass and jewellery.

This month's question was:

What do you love most about lampwork beads (making or using them)?

Here's what some of our members had to say - come back next Wednesday to read more members' thoughts on the brilliance of lampwork!


ScarletImpressions:   I fell in love with Lampwork beads from my American friends I used to adore all the fascinating colours and using them in jewellery. Then I discovered how easy it was to get started and now I think I love melting the glass more. Being able to control the glass and see those amazing reactions happening are the most rewarding, even when the final bead doesn't always look perfect.


HelenPetersBeads:  I like looking at them, touching them, feeling them. Sorry, that's possibly pervvy. 
I find that making them is slightly hypnotic and I can lose so much time doing it when I'm allowed to and able to 'get into the zone'. And then there's the sorting through the glass rods and arranging them into different orders depending on what colour they are, or whether transparent or opaque and then there's the 'special' rods which are stored in a different place.... (It's the grown up version, for me, of sorting through my pencil case at school and arranging my pencils or felt tips in colour order and making sure all the pencils are sharp.)


Gaysiemay:  Lampwork beads appeal to the magpie in me.  I've got to touch them, looking is never enough, I need to hold them in my hand and feel the weight, to be sure they're as smooth and shiny as they look.  No two beads are ever the same, and the fascination of the endless possiblities intrigues me and holds my attention. 

Each bead is like a small treasure, that may be kept in a box and taken out and admired from time to time.  Or else, on the wave of inspiration turned into some comfortable piece of jewellery, that becomes as familar and loved as your favourite pair of old boots.


Glittering Prize: The fact that they are unique, and that you can evolve a design. You can make them to suit the ideas in your head.


JustDesireJewellery: I started out 'making jewellery' because there was nothing i liked in the shop and i 'THOUGHT'  i could make it better and unique lol, now as many of you know...... making jewellery and being introduced to lampwork has danger written all over it.......

Now if i make the bead from scratch and then a piece of jewellery from scratch it is definitely different and most certainly unique, it just makes you grin from ear to ear when you think about being 'ABLE' to design and make something with a substance that you would never have thought possible at no serious costs.... and the buzz of someone you don't know telling you that what you've made is amazing 

plus the fact friends and family love that they have their very only personal jewellery/bead slave at hand.


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We'd love to hear your thoughts on this question - pop your answers down in the comment box below :)

Member Intro Lesley Nixon (Mad Cat Glass)

A new feature for the FHF team Blog get to know our members and what makes us tick.

First up is the lovely Lesley of Mad Cat Glass a lampworker and sometimes jewellery artist she makes some funky focals.


My name is Lesley Jane Nixon and I am ALMOST 40 years old. I have been working with glass for almost 7 years from my home studio in North Staffordshire.

Lots of different things inspire me as I have lots of different 'styles' ... everything from our beautiful countryside, to friendly aliens inspires me :)

It has to be one of my vikings ! To be honest, I can't really single one specific bead out, but discovering my vikings was a real victory for me ... I really felt as though I could finally call a particular design my own :)

Visit Mad Cat Glass on Etsy and see Lesley's  Work

Designs Ideas from the FHFTeam:

Everyone who knows about jewellery, knows about big-hole-beads, or BHBs. They're on the High Street, in the media, and probably on your wrist! The whole idea behind them is to make a special, meaningful bracelet, and one way to do that is to buy unique handmade artisan beads; with that in mind, here are a few ideas for a special Valentine's themed BHB bracelet.



 First up, you're going to need something to put the beads on; if you want a simple snake chain to highlight your beads, ARJewellery have a sterling silver chain available, all ready for threading.

  





If, on the other hand, you want to make a bold statement with your chain as well, mizgeorge makes a handmade sterling version complete with a stunning, handmade, gemstone accented toggle clasp.

And for the beads...

For the traditional Valentine's touch, this trio of beads by HelenPetersBeads provide a soft palette of pinks that fits well with an ultra-romantic theme.

Continuing the colour scheme is dilunahs' beautiful silver glass bead featuring a subtle interplay of pastel pinks and purples, and finished off with a sterling silver core, which is textured to add that special detail.

Sometimes you need a bit more silver to complement your beads, and mizgeorge's handmade charms will work perfectly; and their inspirarion, a style of Russian wedding ring, adds an extra romantic significance.

For a bit of passion and vibrancy, this bead pair by ScarletImpressions will make a statement, with their ruby red depths, without causing too much of a stir amongs the softer colours










And finally, if you really want to include an extra personal effort, have a look at beadweaving tutorial for bubbly beads - the pattern has scope for experimentation, so you can adapt it to fit your bracelet, and use your beloved favourite colours





Hope you enjoy!

The teams week on etsy

We have some lovely listings appear on etsy from the team every week and three weeks ago I started a team picks treasury to showcase the latest and greatest from members.

So firstly I had better give you the previous links before I start nattering on about this weeks stunning submissions
3-10 Jan Team Picks
11-17 Jan Team Picks

This week the listings were more beautiful than ever, everyone is picking up the pace after a long rest from last month and there was just so much to choose from.
We are leading this week with Sarah Downton's listing - Silver waters a luscious turquoise, teal, emerald and green encased in sparkling clear. Also in the treasury you will find Dawn Turner, certainly not new to the forum but her brand spanking new etsy shop was only opened last week and her fused coasters are selling out just as fast as she is listing them check them out before they are all gone again. Oh and if you haven't seen flyingcheesetoaties glass bunnies I suggest taking a quick peek, available as a paint your own or clear glass. Perfect for easter.  

Take a look at the rest of the week in 12 pictures in the treasury

Scarlet xx

Pick of the week - Ice Ice Baby

Ice Bowl by dawnturnerdesigns/td>

Frosted round nuggets by finishingtouchjewels

Three Ice Blue Shimmer Hollows by shineon2

Iceburg earrings by Pandanimal

Frozen tranquility by Beaujolaisbeads

Yes! It's that time, dancing on ice is back. To celebrate, here are some ice cold beauties from FHFteam 2011Enjoy, Jolene x

Pick of the week - Dark Nebula

White Ribbons - Vortex Nebula Pendant Necklace by steampunkglass

Galaxy bead by sals25

Mirage Lampwork Bead Set by helbels

Far Away Galaxy by Lemonkitten

Galactic Spots by ChatElaineGlassArt

Dark Nebula -
–noun Astronomy .
a cloud of interstellar gas and dust that absorbs and thus obscures the light from stars behind it, appearing as a dark patch in front of a bright nebula or in an otherwise bright area of sky.

Five beauties from FHFteam
Enjoy, Jolene x

Pick of the week - Lust

Omari - silver and bronze chainmaille necklace by Eleljewellery

Amethyst Beach by cheekycherubdesigns

Opulence lampwork earrings by charmedbymarie

Geisha Heart by josephinewadman

Regal Dragongfly lampwork and bronze bracelet by pixiewillowjewels

Five beauties from FHFteam
Enjoy, Jolene x