Finding the Perfect Findings

When I'm out doing a show, oftentimes, customers pick up one of my art beads and says,

"This is pretty, what do you do with it?"

So I've taken that as a challenge to items to my website that will complement my handmade beads. Here are the new items I've added recently to help customers figure out what to do with the beads.

When you're designing with a natural feeling pendant like the Lotus Pod,

you pair it with other natural beads like these chunky red bamboo coral beads:

What to do with the Red Lotus Pods? Vintaj chain and jump rings complement the brown tone of the patina on the red lotus pod.

Do you have ideas about items I should add to my site? What do you think would look good with my handmade art beads?

Favorite Things: Designers

One of my favorite things is when designers send me pictures of the pieces they've made with my beads. It's a thrill to see someone else's creativity sparked by something I've created. When I form the glass, I usually have ideas about how to use them but I'm constantly amazed at the variety of ways they are used by jewelrymakers - ways I've never even thought of.

Mary Jane Dodd created a beautiful necklace called "winterberries" using the Ivory Links and Silver Ivory Double Dips.




The unique use of fiber is a hallmark of Mary Jane's work. The fiber introduces another level of texture to winterberries, reminding me that it's fibers that keep us warm in the winter.

Thank you for sending the picture Mary Jane and thank you for designing such a beautiful piece!

When a designer sends a picture to me, I upload it to a special flickr account where others can see these amazing designs. If you're ever wondering what can be done with any of my beads, you can see it on flickr. Maybe it'll spark your creativity - it does mine!

If you've designed with my handmade glass beads, please send me a picture! It's one of my favorite things!