Friday, July 4, 2014

From Across the Pond...Greetings and Beads





To all our readers in the USA from everyone here at AJE we'd like to wish you a very happy 4th of July and hope you're all having a wonderful time with family and friends. It's rather ironic that today of all days it should fall to one of these teams British contributors to host the post when many of you are celebrating having got away from us. But hey, we're all friends now aren't we and nobody would ever go to war over beads would they..?

I thought today was a good day for a nice light type of post and since I've not done it for a while I'm going to treat you to some bead candy from some of my favourite artisans on this side of the pond that you may not be familiar with. So grab a glass of your favourite tipple and follow me (click on the images for links)...

First up we have some stunning lampwork from the hugely talented Madeline Bunyan - a glorious floral goddess focal bead...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/193212875/purple-red-and-gold-flower-goddess?ref=favs_view_13

And a rather sad but beautiful hare focal bead...love him.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/191879354/sad-turquoise-hare-lampwork-focal-bead?ref=related-5

Then we have some simply stunning porcelain pods...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/493988652847812592/

...and porcelain beads by Lisa Stevens of Seapods. I so covet Lisa's work.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/381750505884249703/

Moving on we have some fabulous polymer clay beads from Emma Ralph of EJR Beads...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/325525879288079163/

As well as these polymer lovelies Emma also creates glorious lampwork and ceramic beads.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/486599934709255000/

Another favourite ceramic artist of mine is Jo Lucksted especially these cute little critter beads...


And these porcelain coastal seascape pendants are just divine - I know because I own one!


If you like your beads with more beads then check out Lynn Davy of Nemeton who, in addition to making the most spectacular bead woven jewellery also makes these gorgeous beaded beads...

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/154521414/small-beaded-bead-kit-18mm-bright-red?ref=favs_view_3

...and sells tutorials and kits so you can make your own.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/51494136/beadweaving-tutorial-no-3-sleek-beaded?ref=favs_view_4

And last but not least we have some adorable lampwork beads from Wendy Willmott of Creeky Beads...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/189332319/handmade-lampwork-beads-turquoise?ref=favs_view_11

Aren't these just so cute and full of character...?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/178457168/handmade-lampwork-beads-creeky-me-creeky?ref=favs_view_1

Well I hop
e that little
tour of British craftsmanship has helped you while away a few pleasant moments and if you are partying today have a great time. I'd also like to wish my stateside AJE colleagues a very happy 4th of July from myself and Caroline...don't worry - we've got everything under control!

Have fun folks.

JULY COMPONENT OF THE MONTH WINNERS


The lucky winners of Francesca's glass cabachons are: Carol Briody, Rita from Toltec Jewels, and Deb Fortin. Congratulations.

Lesley
The Gossiping Goddess





4 comments :

  1. What a gorgeous round up of beautiful work! Thanks for including my beads!

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  2. Thank you for this post! I love being introduced to new-to-me bead artists. These are all wonderful. I especially love pods! There is something about pods that just makes me all aflutter. I have a small collection of pod vessels from a local artist. I think I need to start on a pod bead collection.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such beautiful work - lovely tour. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The porcelain pods are so cool & the seascape... loving the lighthouse & going happy for lighthouse beads! Glad to see ALL the great beads here. Thank you. And woo-hoo! I'm so excited to be designing with Francesca Watson's gorgeous glass cabs! :) I'm thrilled!
    Rita

    ReplyDelete

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