Sunday Browsing - glass edition

Anyone reading this knows by now that I love lampworking - whether it's drooling over lampworked glass, or doing it myself (although that's been given a rest for quite a while sadly). So today I'm sharing a selection of unusual beads and quirky lampworking ephemera I found while browsing Etsy (the task was made easier by searching through the 'fhfteam 2010' tagged listing - a team I joined which is devoted to glassy goodness ;) )

Violet - Sweet Glass Lady by OneHeartArt

I love lampwork goddess beads, but a part of me finds it a little disturbing that there's a possible subtext behind a lot of them; the symbol of 'woman' reduced to her most stereotypically 'female' parts. Where are their heads, their hands, their faces, everything that makes them a person? Anyway, that's a bit too thinky; my point was, this glass lady by OneHeartArt is interesting because she looks more like a person. Plus, on a more aesthetic level, the fabric effect on her coat is simply stunning:


http://www.etsy.com/listing/43339199/violet-sweet-glass-lady-artisan-glass

Kiln Fairy Magnet by BruntiesBeads

Here's an essential offering to the most fickle of creatures, the kiln fairy, made into a pretty magnet. Many lampworkers are plagued by her whims, always facing the chance that their beautifully coloured bead will be transformed into mud, or horribly cracked by the kiln fairy. Of course, the kiln fairy taketh away, but she also giveths; sometimes a bead will metamorphize into something one couldn't have imagined:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45820528/kiln-fairy-please-bless-my-beads

Giggles by Pandanimal

Giggles. Brings to mind cuteness, joy, a hint of bubbly abandon? These unusual beads by Pandanimal encapsulate the idea of a 'giggle', as cheery and bright as they are. They were made during a 'playday' with glass, which means you can almost *see* the fun behind them:

 
 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/50231195/girly-giggles-a-set-of-19-pink-lampwork

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Lisbeth The Schnauzer by suzoom

There's something about the expressions in Suzoom's animal beads that gives them an amazing sense of character; my personal favourite is this Schnauzer, but I also found a gorgeous orca, cute cats, and a roadrunner in her collection!

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50734547/lisbeth-the-schnauzer-lampwork-dog

Vial Lavender Glass Bead  by LavenderBeads

If you've ever read a business article, you'll know that finding a niche is one of the keys to success. Well, LavenderBeads on Etsy has found a niche, cornered it, captured it, and made it work for her! There's a cornucopia of beautiful glass lavender flower in all stages of growth, some beads, some vials, like these pictured:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/14450252/vial-lavender-glass-bead-in-purple-rose?ref=v1_other_2



I could have kept going on this theme, but I'll save some for another time *G*

And finally, if you haven't entered my giveaway yet there's still time!