Beadlust

Lampwork Beads
&
Treasure Bracelets

Fourteen years ago, I wrote an article for Ornament Magazine about Patricia Frantz and the process of making lampwork beads. At that time, she was one of four people in this country who knew how to make beads in the flame of a torch. Since then the art has grown and flourished, until, like all things beady, there are dozens of lampwork beadmakers in every community, thousands nation-wide. If you want to see examples by the best of the best, take a look at this book.

Among the relative newcomers to the field of lampwork beadmaking, Terri Budrow-Nelson and Nicole LeClaire Brown are two of my favorites. If you have a few seconds, check out these two links. Terri sells her beads on eBay; Nicole sells hers through her website.

Below is a set of beads (which she calls Primary Retro) I recently got from Terri.

And here is the finger woven treasure bracelet I made with them last week as a demonstration project for 22 very eager students at the Puget Sound Bead Festival. Their bracelets (and two tassels made with the same technique) are fabulous! If you want to learn how to make beaded treasures with finger weaving, get this book.

Here's one more set of Terri's beads. She calls this one Lagoon Relic.

I'll be making a finger woven treasure necklace with this set... can't wait to get started! Of course, I'll post pictures.

Tomorrow, look for pictures of Nicole's beads and two of her finger woven treasure bracelets. Here's a hint of what's to come ~ one of Nicole's beautiful lampwork beads:

* * * * * *

Surprisingly (because there was sooooooo much eye candy and lots of beady friends), I missed blogging and reading your blogs while I was at the Bead Festival last week. As soon as I get around to going through several hundred pictures I took there, I'll be sharing some fabulous art with you!