Now that my 2012 glass season is coming to an end with only one venue - Bay Area Bead Extravaganza - to go in November and just finish my last teaching gig at The Gathering Place studio in Naperville, Illinois, earlier this month. I finally have an opportunity to post some of the Ornate Series Beads. Thank you for making these so popular! :)

First let's start with the scale of these - from ginormous to wee! Most of them fall somewhere between these two extreme sizes!

A better picture of the beads:

Here are a few of the "normal" size ones - about 1-1.25" in diameter:

Some of the Ornate Series beads are still available. They range in price from $95 to $185. If you are interested, please contact us via our website:

http://shop.envisionsf.com/contact 

 Thank you!

List of our eBooks

We have been meaning to put this list together for easy reference for a while now but never got around to it! All of our ebooks are available in PDF format and most are available as printed books on Lulu. For more information, please visit our website.



Bedazzled - a reference ebook on layering Clio, Kalypso, and more!Layering Double Helix striking and reducing silver glass is all the rage right now and I have been caught up in making these shocking pink, magenta and red beads that also shimmer gloriously with iridescence. It’s hard to resist! Trouble tho is that it’s near impossible to tell them apart unless one takes meticulous notes and photograph them as soon as they come out of the kiln. Trust me, I know! So early on, I have made it a point to keep copious notes of my progress. As I experimented with different base glass and various silver glass, my notebook for just this series grew and became quite a nice little reference piece. I decide that perhaps some of my fellow beadmakers may be interested in having a copy as well. I have put it together in such a way that they are shown in different silver glass on the same base, as well as the same silver glass on various bases. I especially love the group shots for even closer scrutiny of the subtleties of these combinations. I hope you enjoy Bedazzled! $23



S W I R L – an ebook on gravity swirl, bicone shaping, silver glassS W I R L is a three-in-one tutorial for both newer and more experienced lampworkers. Using the techniques on how to make a gravity swirl bead, I will share with you how to shape a perfect bicone AND show you how to work with using both striking and reducing silver glass on a single bead. Please do note that the silver glass part of this tutorial is secondary. It’s 21 pages with over 50 images. $21



Reactive Twisties 2011This booklet is a compilation of exchange beads submitted for Reactive Twisties 2011 – Reactive Twisty Bead How To and Exchange - on lampworketc forum. There are almost 100 beads with description. Each bead is accompanied by the recipes of glasses used and some have detailed step by step description of how the bead was made (the level of detail is based on how much information the original beadmaker shared.) 34 pages plus cover. $16

Silver Color How To eBookAll our Silver Color How To eBooks are compilation of exchange beads submitted for the silver glass exchanges we run on lampworketc forum. Each bead is accompanied by the recipes of glasses used and some have detailed step by step description of how the bead was made (the level of detail is based on how much information the original beadmaker shared.)

SE9

With 45 pages, there are over 110 beads with description. $17

(Aurae, Clio, Ekho, Elektra, Gaia, Kalypso, Kronos, Luna, Olympia Rain, Psyche, Terra 2, Terranova, Triton, Fire Lotus, test batches and many more!

SE8
With 35 pages, there are over 80 beads with description. $17
(Aurae, Clio, Gaia, Psyche, Triton, Black Pearl, test batches and many more!



SE7
With 52 pages, there are over 130 beads with description. $18
(Aurae, Clio, Ekho, Gaia, Helios, Kalypso, Psyche, Terranova 2/2.1, Triton, Multicolor Dark, Fire Lotus, test batches and many more!)



SE6
With 54 pages, there are over 130 beads with description. $17
(Aurae, Clio, Ekho, Elektra, Olympia Rain, Psyche, Terra 2, Terranova 2/2.1, Triton, test batches and many more!)



SE5
With 95 pages, there are over 250 beads with description. $25
(Aurae, Gaia, Ekho, Nyx, Psyche, Terranova 2/2.1, Triton, Black Pearl, Rembrandt, Silver Brown, StrikingColor, Golden Emerald, Taxco Silver, Aquis, Chalcedony, test batches and many more!)



SE4
With 80 pages, there are over 200 beads with description. $19
(Aurae, Gaia, Pandora, Psyche, Terranova 2/2.1, Triton, Green Envy, Silver Brown, Taxco Silver, Zeus, test batches and many more!)



SE3
With 72 pages, there are over 180 beads with description. $18
(Silver Cinnamon, Silver Rattan, Aion, Aurae, Gaia, Luna, Psyche, Terra, Terranova 2, Triton, Hades, Copper Green, Garzoni, Ivy, Sasha's Silver, Green Dalai, test batches and many more!)



SE2
With 65 pages, there are over 170 beads with description. $15
(Silver Cinnamon, Silver Rattan, Hades, Aion, Elektra, Gaia, Kronos, Nyx, Olympia Rain, Psyche, Terra, Dark Silver Plus, Black Nebula, Rembrandt, Sasha's Silver, Van Gogh, and many more!)



SE1
The first one is about 1/3 the size of the rest. $5

SE7 – Seventh Silver Color How To eBook

This booklet is a compilation of exchange beads submitted for SE7 – Seventh Silver Color How To and Exchange - on lampworketc forum. There are over 130 beads with description. Each bead is accompanied by the recipes of glasses used and some have detailed step by step description of how the bead was made (the level of detail is based on how much information the original beadmaker shared.)

Other content includes a list of silver glass by manufacturers and notation of the glass being striking or reducing, and index of each silver glass used in the booklet for easy reference, and a basic step-by-step (illustrated with photos) instruction on how to strike and how to reduce silver glass.

Silver glassmakers featured: ASK, BellaDona, Double Helix, Effetre, Precision 104, Reichenbach 96 and 104, StrikingColor, TAG 104, and Kugler.

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S E 7 - pdf version

This pdf version of SE7 – Seventh Silver Color How To e-Book and is for viewing on your computer. You may also print one (1) copy of this using your printer at home. No authorization will be given with this version to print at a service bureau such as Kinko's. Please make sure you have high-speed internet connection. Instant download is available here on our Blog!

Instant download for $18.00



Please note that this item cannot be returned.


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S E 7 - printed book version
The spiral bound, printed book format of SE 7 - Seventh Silver Color How To e-Book is available at lulu.com for $40.00 plus shipping.
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/se7/15695787

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S E 7 - CD version
The CD version contains a high-resolution pdf of SE7 – Seventh Silver Color How To e-Book, as well as an authorization letter, also in pdf format, to print one (1) copy of the booklet at a service bureau, such as Kinko's. This CD version will be mailed to you via first class USPS shipping within one business day after purchase. Please allow two business days for international shipping. Available upon request.

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To determine if you want a high-resolution or a medium-resolution version: High-resolution = good quality, crisp, and sharp images Even if you don't plan on taking this to a service bureau to print, as long as you have a decent inkjet printer at home, this may be the version to go with. Medium-resolution = for viewing on your computer monitor. If your home printer is just adequate or if you only plan on viewing the pdf on your computer monitor only, then this version is perfect for you. We are also offering a printed book version at lulu.com for those of you who don't want to be bothered with printing the pdf yourselves. Hope this helps!

Hayley's Current Murrini Collection

I have always loved murrinis and used to purchase them when I first started applying them on my beads for my own was not up to standard. After many trials and errors, my own murrinis finally were acceptable. Moreover, I found the process completely addicting! I love coming up with different color combinations as well as glass reactions. I realize that I have more murrini chips than I can possibly use myself. So when I started getting emails asking if I sell my murrinis, I decided it's time to share.



Since I am not in the murrini business, I don't plan on selling different mixes. Instead, I am selling exactly the ones I use myself regularly. Please note that the collection changes all the time, thus the name "Current Murrini Collection." What you get today and one month from now won't be the same! I offer them in packages of 50 or packages of 100. Each order will come with a reference sheet showing you some of the murrini chips as well as how they look applied.

I use silver glass (Double Helix, StrikingColor, Precision 104, George Tessman, TAG), many of which are odd lots that are no longer available or test batches that have never been released. I use sought-after glass that is currently out of production including, but not limited to, the amazing ASK (Arrow Springs Kugler) palette, Vetrofond Odd Lots, Effetre Cool Colors, CiM Unique, and Lauscha. All the glass I use is COE 104 to ensure compatibility.

Here are some of my beads with my murrinis:

Our Newest Series – Ginormous SS Capped and Cored Focals!

In yesterday's post, we shared how we came about making our own line of high-quality leather jewelry. Today, we want to show you the culprits - our capped and cored beads. All of our sterling silver cored beads fit the popular European style Pandora, Biagi and Troll bracelets but this series of ginormous capped and cored focals are definitely way too big for bracelets. These are to be strung on a thick chain . . . or one of our new leather necklaces.



Each one is made with various Double Helix silver glass, including many test and odd batches. The results are similar to our shimmering Pearlescent Series with colors ranging from golden hues, palest pinks and lavenders, rich purples and magentas to opal-like blues and greens. Please visit our Etsy store to see the latest!

Silver Glass 101 – Reducing Silver Glass Tutorial – Psyche and Triton

My sister, Helen, and I did this reducing silver glass tutorial. Enjoy!



Step 1
Start by making a round base bead of Effetre Opal Yellow.



Step 2
Adjust to a small oxydizing flame by turning down both the propane/natural gas and the oxygen.



Step 3
Begin by working at the right side of the tip of the flame.



Step 4
Apply stringer decoration using Double Helix Psyche with the base bead below the flame. The base bead should be fairly cool at this point. The radiant heat of the flame will keep the bead from cracking.



Step 5
Keep the stringer at the right edge of the flame, never inside the flame. Apply three scroll designs.



Step 6
Add dots where needed to complete the design.



Step 7
Melt in stringer decoration slightly, making sure that there are no undercut on any of the dots. Let bead cool until the glow is gone (do the under the table test).



Step 8
Create a reduction flame by reducing the oxygen, increasing the propane, or both. The yellow candles of your flame should be about 1.5-2"/38-50mm long. Gently reheat the bead at the tip of the flame.



Step 9
Continue reducing by bouncing in and out of the flame until desired effect is achieved.



Other Combinations
Try Double Helix Triton on Effetre Opalino Nile Green (see below). Experiment with different effects such as leaving the stringer decoration raised, melting it in slightly, or melting it all the way into the base bead.

Other combinations to try, as shown in main photograph:
• Triton on Vetrofond Transparent Red
• Psyche on Effetre Pale Amber

Step 1
Apply Triton stringer to a round base bead of Opalino Nile Green.



Step 2
Melt in stringer decoration slightly. Let bead cool until the glow is gone. Follow steps 8 to 9 above.



Triton is a fun reducing glass to try! It yields a wide range of colors - silver, pinks, blues, greens, and more!





© enVision 2009