New Strands of Lampwork Beads & Kaleidoscope Series

The below is part of my 'Metals' series. These were made to be a necklace with pearls. I will be working on this tomorrow. (After my dentist appointment...yes, another one...if I keep going on like this, I will have more crowns than I have 'real' teeth.)

Crys suggested the name “Kaleidoscope” for the new series that I’m working on. I like it! When you look at the beads close up, it looks like a like a section of what you view in a kaleidoscope. Almost fractal. This is a strand, that is part of that series, in blues, green, yellow, and purples. The hues just blend together. I think that they will make very dramatic pieces of jewelry. I also did several matched paires for earrings.

There is one experiement...it's a melon bead on the right. I think that I'm going to work more with this design. I did three and only one turned out OK. I have an idea for melon buttons. I've also been working on an idea for toggles. I'd like a vest made in the below colors with a toggle button. Off the button would be a tassel. So far, every one of the demo that I've created are to heavy. They might work on a coat...but that's not what I'm wanting.

Yesterday, I was at the eye doc. I’m very happy to report that I have no eye damage. I didn’t think I did but it’s better to play it safe than be sorry. Since I work on a torch, both for lampworking and silver smithing, I run a higher than average risk for eye issues. Wearing the correct safety glasses make a difference. Having good ventilation is another issue that needs to be addressed in the industry. Good lighting, good posture while sitting, and a huge number of other issues should be addressed in beginning classes.

I make sure that I remind my doc once a year to run a liver panel because of the type of work that I do. I use toxic materials in enameling plus there is always some of the fumes from lead based materials. There’s solder fumes, the chemicals that I use for matting metals, and then there is my new thang…resin. NO, you haven’t seen any pictures yet. I’m not sure that anyone will see any for a while. This isn’t going as well as I thought it would.

BTW…I did order a new pair of glasses. Ya know you are getting older that you have entered your second childhood. This time I got a pair of ‘cat eye’ glasses. No, rhinestones this time…they didn’t have any or I would of tried them on for size.

Ok...this is my last day at the torch for a week or two. I've got to get a quick fix in.

Have a happy creative day!!

~Moon