26 March, 2010

Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge - inspiration

You haven't forgotten about the Fire Divas jewelry Challenge, have you!?

Holly posted two inspirational posts here and here. You can also visit the Flickr Challenge gallery for inspiration.

Now, go create!

22 March, 2010

Fabulouse give away!

A lot going on in the ArtFire guilds right now. I've already told you about Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge.

My other guild - Handmade in Europe - is having a kind of Egg hunt-give away. Though with Flappy Flambé - the phoenix bird. It's not hard, just fun! And the winner will get beautiful, handmade stuff from european artists. The items will be presented more thoroughly in the blog during March and April.

Now go hunt!

20 March, 2010

The perfect tool

People who are just about to get their first lampwork setup often asks what tools they should invest in (beside the obviouse torch and mandrels). Moste beginners kits includes a graphite marver and som kind of poking device, wich anyone who is into this hobby probably would recommend too. But what is the next step?

I've been addicted for almost three years and have gathered some tools, more or less useful. But there is one that I don't think I would do without (at least not as well!) and that happens to be the cheapest tool in the box! Here it is:

Yep, that's right. It's a common, stainless steel table knife. It was part of my husbands cuttlery when he moved away from home and I'm guessing he bought it real cheap at IKEA or so.

And now it's a lampwork tool! That must be a somewhat surprising experience for a knife. But totally awesome!

And I love and use it all the time. It's perfect for gently pushing glas around while encasing a bead. It works as a tiny marver when you just want to shape part of a bead, like the legs of a goddess or the fishes head. As it is so narrow, it doesn't hide the while bead like a marver would so it's easy to follow the lines you're creating.

It makes nice creases (I always use it for making striped wine stringer) and the cutting edge is great for raking or feathering pattern on the surface of the bead.

Tools can be really expensive. But they don't have to be to work! As long as they are made in a stainless material and doesn't melt or burn, they can work.

And the best part; When this knife is worn out, there are 11 more in the box!

12 March, 2010

Jewellery challenge with great prices!

It's time for the Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge! The theme for this challenge is Spring! Show us your beautiful Spring themed jewelry creations featuring Fire Divas' lampwork. Head over to the Flickr site to see many beautiful jewelry pieces made with Fire Divas' lampwork to inspire you! You have the chance to win these incredible prizes from the Fire Divas:

$50 Gift Certificate to http://www.hollysfolly.com





Bentley the Blue dog from Lauren of Maybeads


$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.arensea.artfire.com


$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.beadygirlbeads.etsy.com


$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.lutrick.artfire.com



$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.JanelDudleyBeads.etsy.com



Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than April 15, 2010. Please include, in the comments section, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Name of the lampwork artist:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.


Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Ok, go have fun creating, and good luck to all who enter!