How do you thread lampwork beads?

In the beginning I found it had to make jewellery out of lampwork beads because the large holes make them wiggle on the hattpin (or whatever you use).

I found som very expensive findings on the market tha I didn't have money of to invest in. But then I got another idea!

Read about it in the Europe Artfire Guild blog!

Glass shelf - finally!

Look! I finnally almost finished my glass shelf!
Now I can get a good view of my Effetre collection.

Effetre Crystal Clear 1006

I love it!

Bought a pack from Tuffnell and I'm sure to pick up more cause this is greate.

I've been using Vetros clear and it worked fine when I was on a HH, but when I got myself a better torch, the clear glass started frying on me and every flaw in the rod got visible in the beads.

The new Effetre clear doesn't do this. It doesn't fry, scum, bubble or in any other way misbehave.

Hurray!

Yesterday I installed my new Minor Bench Burner, complete with a New Life oxygen concentrator and all. It's wonderful and I'm allready in love.

It will take somPPP though, to get used to it. Now I finally understand what they mean by "dripping hot". :) And a lot of the advice I've red that seemed unimportant on my HotHead suddenly makes sence.

But this will be great fun. Now I can bring the colours out of the raku. I also ordered some DH Gaia to celebrate the event.

Loving these

I'm loving these brass tools from Beady Sam Glass:

Double pointed tools, perfect for sculpturing

Proof of me using my equipment

Ok, here I go.

An implosionbead that didn't crack is proof of me using my kiln

My very, very first lentil bead with my new earth frit that I had inone of my new frit trays (I burned the frit, but still am quite happy with the result!)

Like a child on Christmas Eve... :)

Okej, I've gotten myself some new toys. Wanna see?
On the left lays some LAuscha rods and som handpulled Effetre (I just have to try the copper green and Opal Yellow before I go crazy!) togheter with a little gift of gold aventurin from my new "drug dealer" Anibeads.

In the middle my brand new and very first beadpress. (The flesh is weak and so was the spirit when it realized Cattwalk had an offer on beadpress and holder that I just couldn't refuse.) This one is a tripple lentil press.

On the right some really greate frits from Beady Sam Glass. She also made the brass tools and provided me with the cute frit trays, AKA tea bag rests.

Okay, haven't got time for you right now! ;-)

Finally

I've got my kiln up and running! I batch annealed once and used it for new made bead once and both seems to work.

This is so greate!

New store

After looking at all the pretty Lauscha beads in the Christmasbead thread at LampworkEtc I had an instoppeble craving for some Lauscha glass. :)

As the glass is manufactured in Germany I figured it would be nice to buy it from there. Googling through the internet I found a store I didn't see before. I've placed an order to test it (and to get me some pretty Lauscha!).

Ventilation!

I finally got the fkitchen fan up in my studio. So now I can work with the door closed without the risk of getting poisoned. :)

If anyone's got an idea of how to test the strenght of the fan without lightening a cigarette under it, please let me know.
I THINK it works, but I'd like to be sure.

Foster Fire!

I LOVE my new bed release!

Earlier I've used Blue Sludge, simply 'cause that's what came in the beginners pack. To sum it up - Blue Sludge is not good! You really need to be strong to get the beads of the mandrels (I usually have to ask my husband for help) and as you have to put so much energy to it, half of the mandrels become bent in the process. :(

But now I've found Foster Fire. And sometimes I don't even have to use pliers to get the bead of!

Thart Blue Sludge is going down the drain. I'm a Foster Fire believer!