Jana Filípková's Astonishing Beads

I told you the other day that I had to share some of the most especially awesome beads that I've bought over the past few months with you - some lampwork glass from Jana Filípková. 

This set, specifically. Aren't they amazing? The detailing, the depth of pattern and colour. I recently made my first lampwork beads and honestly, I can't quite fathom these at all. They are simply astonishing.

I snagged this set a few months ago, and I couldn't believe them when they arrived. Jana describes her work as 'painted' with glass stringer, which of course they are (painted with MOLTEN GLASS) but what I love about the butterflies (see?!) in both of these sets is that they have such an illustrative quality to them. Really, it would be amazing to even be able to 'draw' a crude butterfly with little or no style with 0.5mm molten glass stringer, but to be able to create a drawing with such style and character - well, my mind is blown. I've used 2 of the large petalled vocals, but I haven't quite worked up to any of the butterflies from either set yet. Bead intimidation...

This set is on its way to me. Just look at those colours....throw in a little turquoise and I'm in Autumnal-platte heaven. I'll let you know when they arrive!

Oh, and by the way, whilst writing this post I realised that Jana also has an etsy shop! I know that Facebook auctions are 'the thing' these days, but I love an online shop. Nice to have fixed prices and be able to stroll through sold items too. 

Bead Table Wednesday

So, I am actually going to post some pics this week! I am meant to be at my drama class right now at college but I've been burning the candle at both ends for weeks now (sadly, both ends of my candle are work and, well...work...) and I have to sing at a masterclass tomorrow and a competition on Monday and I've done no practice and so....here I am blogging. Of course! It's 8pm here in the UK and I think if I'm honest I'm going to blog, do a little more practice and then go to bed. Sounds pretty great to me! What an old lady, seriously. Well, I am thirty in two weeks.....

Anyway, on with my bead table! I thought I would share with you some of the goodies that have come in the post this week. It's Christmas every week in my house ;-)

Some *a*mazing beads from Mindy Moogin....mmmhhhh....she is amazing!! I also got some gorgeous poppy nuggets (think Klimt) but I'm saving them for another post. 

And today came a very exciting package....labelled LeVart....yes, I know many of you know what I'm talking about, MissFickleMedia. How I love getting a fat little packet from her! Loads of links in various patinas, some pastel beads and some beautiful Easter Sunday flowers that she threw in as a thank-you. Thank YOU Shannon! I love them! 

And can you see what else I bought?? Yes, an underwater dish. It's MFM's Water and Wood colours and they are just my fave. Brown and aqua - you just can't beat it. I'm aware that it really doesn't go with my lampwork beads but I was just too excited to shoot some beads on it!

So, what's on your BTW??

A couple of new bracelets...

Hello there! It's so nice to have internet....driving me a bit wild at the new place that we haven't got in installed yet but then, I haven't actually rung Virgin to tell them we're moving...so I have no one to blame but my own self! I had to wait in for a delivery from John Lewis this morning so I did a little bit of beading....got some gorgeous sari silk from the lovely Miss Fickle Media the other day so decided to put some of it to good use, along with lampwork beads from Diane of Sowzere and Mindy of Moogin. What do you think then?

Arabian Nights

Poppy Fields

What do you think? I just love my lampworks, as you know!

Tomorrow is back to (secondary) school day for me - I was in my primary yesterday, singing away with the wee ones - and of course, I am just now after being well all summer getting a stinking cold. Boo! I hate colds. And just before I start my Vocal Studies course at college too. Hopefully it'll be a quick one; I'll try and be good and get lots of sleep and have lots of fluids...best not wine though ;-)

Just one last thing before I go...loads of folk (Lorelei, Malin, Gaea, Jane Lock) have been blogging about copying later and I just wanted to throw my tuppence into the ring. These ladies have all written great posts about the subject and I absolutely agree with all of them! Obviously, copying someone else's design to sell without their permission is a BAD thing. That goes without saying! It's unethical and very unfair. But, I really feel I must say something about copying other folk's designs not always being a bad thing (as Gaea pointed out, it's one of the ways in which we learn the best). When I teach beading classes which I am lucky enough to do on about a fortnightly basis, whilst the colours I leave up to the students, I am teaching them something I have designed. I want them to copy me! I celebrate it - it's great! When I am lucky enough to be published in a beading mag, I am very happy for readers to copy my designs, bead for bead if they so wish - when you buy a beading magazine or a beading book, you are positively invited to copy the designs that the author/designer has come up with! It's a great thing to share with others. For some, learning a technique or a stitch is a great spring board into new territories where they can transform the technique into something entirely new. For others, they are happy creating other folks designs. This is NOT a bad thing! It doesn't make them less creative to my mind, just of a different sort. I don't think people should be made to feel bad for not being able to or wanting to design things themselves! It's fantastic to share something you love with others in this way, so they can make jewellery for themselves or to give as gifts to friends and family. Not to sell! But to share. Sharing is lovely.

So, those are my thoughts! I am interested to know everyone elses. Hope you are all having great weeks and not coming down with the lurgi like me!

Edinburgh Beaders

Hello again! So little time, so many blog entries - I don't know what's going on! I have decided to do an entry enthusing about some of my friends' beady goodness. Top picture is the VERY talented Emma Baird's wonderful lampwork beads. Emma (based at The Little Bead Shop in Edinburgh) came 2nd in the British Bead Awards - 2 Edinburgh winners, yay! - with her lovely piece, Shield of Light - but also had these beads short-listed and displayed at the Big Bead Show last month. I think they are absolutely breath-taking and can't believe they didn't come top of the show! I want them for my very own...


Next up is ANOTHER Edinburgh beader - Jane Lock - based at the other Edinburgh bead shop over on the other side of town. It's very near my Mum's house so I popped in when I was back home-home at the weekend and she showed me not only her gorgeous Laura McCabe Geo Floral Beaded Bead but this STUNNING bracelet of hers which is her own original design. It looks pretty cool in this picture I've pinched from her blog but honestly, you have to see the thing in real life! It's awesome! I've never seen anything quite like it - gorgeous!

Little Bead Shop

So, I'm just back from my fabulous home town - Edinburgh! I was there on a flying visit to do a day's teaching at the rather wonderful Little Bead Shop in Bruntsfield. I had a small but very sweet class doing my absolute favourite thing in the whole world (apart from singing Handel...Bach...Rossini..Mahler...oh, Ok - I have lots of favourite things to do!) BEAD EMBROIDERY. Everyone (including my lovely Mum!) did a really good job getting started on a beaded cuff (like the one above), I only work with a few stitches as the beads really do the rest for you, and everyone left having made a really good start to their project. Below are two of my own beaded collars for your perusal.

I had a great day and I hope everyone else did too! Gil Baird, Little Bead Shop proprietress, has a fantastic shop with a really unique range of beads and I thoroughly recommend if you are visiting Edinburgh (something I recommend in itself!!) you pay it a wee visit. Everyone who works there is always super helpful and lovely and if you're lucky, there may be some of the very talented Emma Baird's BEAUTIFUL lampworked beads...She's also very good at photography as you can see from the three pictures in this blog entry! It's a great place to visit and you can be sure of a cheerful welcome. I have a few more classes scheduled in November and December and I'm really looking forward to them already.