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Showing posts from 2012

Drumroll for the winner please!

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Winner of the draw for the bracelet 'Pinked' is Irene of  ' Flamekissed Glass '! Thank you all for particpating and sharing! ..Happy Holidays to all..  Timestamp: 2012-12-21 07:16:41 UTC There were 63 items in your list. Here they are in random order: Irene NiceBaskoota Rwtm Mohammed Rahman Monika Elkhwaga Taopik Gandi Melissa Monika Elkhwaga SKANETRA Amber Van Meter Katherine at Terra Beadworks Rude Mood Shaiha TavÅŸanlı atatürk lisesi Barbie Princese Paul Andthebigfamly Cemara Michelle @womenwwin Laurie Terepocki Stacey Smith jennifer57 carolinainmymind Angela Fehr Jenny Laurie Zeynep Sibel Aksünger Sert Waone Gembhell Sumedangtea Zeynep Sibel Aksünger Sert, Oktav Chasanova Linda Wilson Karan Lalwani Julz Sophia Mustafa Urban Cheryl Roe Janice Lewis terri AnNa Cvk Tea Taopik Gandi Tamsyn Gregory Mohammed Rahman Carmen Milagros Torres ‎محاسب‎ at ‎محاسب اول‎ Donna Yasemin Ataman Çaldıran 賴俊智, Melanie Cloud TK
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  Photo taken from the hotel window in Netanya, Israel in June 2012

Looking for a perfect orange? Make it.

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'Cane' is a term used by glass artists to describe the glass that is created and used to enhance and further design your bead [marble, vessel, ring..etc] some of the hand pulled cane, twisties and stringer that are on my work bench this morning When I began learning the art of lampwork it was enough to use the rods as they came shipped to me. While that's still exciting! [glass makers are always coming up with a new recipe and christening them with enticing names..see 'Mint Lozenge' or  'Gooseberry' Ltd run . .who in their right mind with a set of didy's and a torch does not want to melt that. I ask you.] So, while I still salivate over the rods of glass that are in production, I have also been eyeing the rods I have with a deeper curiosity. What might I get if I encased a blob of yellow with some of that transparent blue I never use, then stripe with small lines of my very expensive silver blue? If it sounds workable..[and some of course are not

I feel younger already..

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I'm always looking for new and interesting findings and materials to add to my stash. Mediums that play well with glass and that work with my style.. Seedy, textural findings. I love artisan made clasps and findings. I love the warmth of copper, bronze and brass..those metals jive well with my work. If I use sterling or fine silver I almost always oxidize it. I just think it makes it look more substantial..worn and lived in. The other day, while going through handmade findings and supplies on Etsy..I found some Rudraksha Seeds, these to be used as beads..have you heard of them? I had never set eyes on them before but as I learn about them I find that they are commonly used as prayer beads. Anyway..love them. Bought them. They look like this:  and here's a little bit about them:  "The rudraksha seed comes from an eponymous broad-leaf evergreen found in South and Southeast Asia. The fruit is bright blue and generally of no interest, but the seeds are named accordin

July 2012

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Our daily life here is beginning to find a hum..it's own rhythm. My husband works long hours..14 hr days. Exhausting yes. But on his off days we play..we travel and explore. We look forward to those off days. Last weekend we took a small day trip to Tel Aviv to enjoy the water and to visit one of my favorite jewelry supply stores located on Allenby Street. Allenby is a busy bustling street that sits near Jaffa and most definitely has a flavor all of it's own.  There are merchants sitting outside their shops smoking, surveying the day. There are assistants carrying bolts of material and boxes of merchandise.Of course the shoppers..lots of people shop at all hours. They're slow shoppers for the most part..out to mosey and explore, touch and examine. The streets are not drive-able really. You would be smart to take a cab. There is continuous honking to add to the mayhem.. We have yet to become accustomed to driving the narrow streets with the thrust of people, bikes and tax

artist made jewelry~ 'Renaissance'

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Earthy and original... bold and lusty,  with just the right amount of jangle  ~ this artist made bracelet was created for original women.. Sold.
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Congratulations to Elena V..winner of the artisan earrings. Thank you everyone who played along and helped to add some sparkle to my Facebook page..you're all great..I wish I could send each one of you a pair of earrings :-) Stay tuned and keep popping in for a visit..I don't know when the next draw will be but you can be sure there will be another! Enjoy your week everyone..create something today. Even if its just a fabulous dinner for the one you love.

Back in the Bay

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E'Bay that is! Just listed this set of nine hand formed beads [as in no presses]..enough for a necklace or a couple of bracelets when you mix them up with other components. Created with shards using rods of dark plum. .. a fun bead-making technique that involves the breaking of glass. yes, we all enjoy that I think. ;-) Click on the photo to visit the 3 day auction Enjoy your week all!

Lampwork earring Giveaway!!

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It's my birthday this month. Yes. Another one. In honor of my many many birthdays I'm giving away a pair of my handcrafted earrings.  A pair of my lampwork beads wired with sterling silver and strung onto french style clips. [retail $40.] Nubby textural warm autumnal hues of amber and purple. He re's how to win: 1. Visit and "Like" Sweetwater Designs handmade glass beads on Facebook. 2. Share the Sweetwater Designs Facebook page or any album from this page on your Wall, and tag me in your posts. Facebook's easy-to-use "Share" button can be found below most featured images and posts on the left side, while the "Tag This Photo" function is typically located on the right side. 3. You can share and post as many times as you like; each shared post in which you tag " Sweetwater Designs handmade glass beads" gets you one entry into the Birthday giveaway. Please comment either here or on my fac

Serendipity

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Google magic. or something akin to it. That was at work this afternoon somehow. See if you can follow this serendipitous path with me.. I was on my stats [viewing statistics for my site and this blog] and noticed that someone had visited my blog through the 'Images' Google link, using my name in the search area rather than the usual searched for terms, which are either Sweetwater Designs or lampwork beads or glass beads..  I open the page curious to see what images there are under my personal name...well there are a lot, and of course, not all are taken from the pages of the blog or have anything to do with me. For some inexplicable reason this image drew my attention. Brodmann's area 10 Until right now, this image has never graced the pages of my blog..but I am very curious when I see it. Its the sort of thing that interests me..anything to do with the brain and all cerebral processes. Also, look at all the pretty purple.. I click on it...it brings me here, to t

Defend genuine Handmade

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May 10th defend genuine handmade at protesty.com Just like many venues before it, [or at least the one big one that shall remain un-named..] Etsy has slowly   the door to mass produced....we should have seen it coming when they added .. 'and supplies ' to their tagline. Showing support to my handy sisters who labor diligently over their potters wheels, torches, sewing machines, wool baskets, hammers and mallets, cardstock and scissors, ink pots and paint pots, I have put my 2 shops into 'vacation mode' for the day. Will it change anything? I'm old enough to have a cynical bone or two..I say, 'highly unlikely'. But, there's small satisfaction in standing together and voicing your disapproval in an organized, ethical way..don't you think?  I can feel the sister bond already..

An afternoon in Jaffa

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I love Milt's days off..we get to explore Israel together. Jaffa is a small city within Tel Aviv..the Old city it's called, and rightly so. History says that it is, ".. one of the ancient port cities on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Old Jaffa is built upon a cliff, at the foot of which the ancient port stretches out, protected by a rocky reef. Tradition says that the city was established after the Flood, and that Japheth, son of Noah, was the eponymous founder." [http://www.artmag.com ] Israel is still celebrating the Passover this week so there was a festive bustle of families, especially in the Flea Market. Loads of textiles and hookahs and trinkets that look imported from China, but it's a fun atmosphere and if you know what you want its an interesting market place. I spotted a fabric table runner and when the shop owner saw me touch it he began his pitch. Hand crafted of course. He pushed a piece of paper at me with his price written o

Lampwork Necklace

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http://www.etsy.com/listing/92048682/artisan-made-lampwork-necklace-the now on Etsy .. 20" hammered sterling silver gemstones and my own flame worked glass beads Nature inspired.. One of a kind . $145
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Jewelry in 2012 is appearing a wee bit more classical in style than last year..don't you think? I like that. Pieces you can hang on to for a few years..I think that's why the gold chains never really get put away. They're always in style..maybe more layered this year but still in style. You're more likely to see 3 or more gold chains of varying link style and lengths than you are just one. According to one of LA's leading style expert, Michael O'Connor we're going to see 50/60's influenced accessories this year..hmm. Smaller rings but mega sized earrings. Brighter bolder colors, botanical and organic designs. Choker length necklaces.. statement cuffs.. Will these forecasts translate in your designs? I create spontaneously generally, but I'm not immune to trends... in fact, possibly it's the reason for all the flowers blooming in the studio lately..

Congratulations Angie.. you won :-))

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List Randomizer There were 7 items in your list. Here they are in random order: Angie Kathy Romaine Jordan Louise Angela Innocent Timestamp: 2012-01-20 09:33:29 UTC Be sure to send me your mailing address Angie [deborahlambsonatgmaildotcom] and I'll have this on its way..thanks all for participating. We'll do this again soon!

Well, isn't this nice..

JG Beaded Jewelry Blog: Handcrafted Lampwork Beads and Jewelry by Sweetwat... : JG Beaded Jewelry is delighted to feature Deborah Lambson, a skilled bead and jewelry creator and owner of Sweetwater Designs. Deborah disc...

Giveaway!!

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I wired up this little flame worked glass pendant this morning and oxidized the copper. I think it has a lot of Spring elements..woodsy greens..mauves, and in my favorite organic floral style. All ready now to be strung onto leather..chain..sari silk...worked into your own designs. Free! to those of you who mention this giveaway OR my etsy shop in any of your social media accounts.. Just send me the link in a comment here and you will be entered to win! Simple,no? ~Sweet, yes? Of course you may enter as many times as you like..your name will go into the draw for as many mentions that are made. Draw ends Jan 20th and comments must be here on my blog in order to count..otherwise I will surely miss someone! Enjoy your week all!

Trending..

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Botanical prints/themes abound this season..as is usually the trend for Spring, but 2012 will see it throughout the year according to some of the fashion gurus. "Half of New York showed florals, but in a great way," said Bryan Grey Yambao , fashion blogger of Bryanboy.com "I love the tropical prints from Joseph Altuzarra, the hyper flower power at Peter Thom, the botanical prints from Alexander Wang ... This season is very visual." taken from http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/21/living/spring-fashion-forecast/index.html Florals are most certainly bang on the money for 2012... so says http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk I don't really follow the fashion trends..or even pay a whole lot of attention to them. I prefer classic styles that will look great for more than a year or two.. As for glass, I play with colors that make me feel good, and organic florals have been the theme in my studio for the last few months.. [at least~ ] Hey,..I'm right on trend. How ab