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Hi!

I am switching to Tumblr. You can see new posts at: http://loriasmithbeads.tumblr.com/

You can also follow me on Twitter @LoriASmithBeads

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

 

This has been a tough year for me in many different ways. The hardest things were probably having to make difficult decisions when I wasn't in my best frame of mind, and dealing with a world turned upside down. 

 

Yes, it has been a tough and lonely year, but faith in God helped me to stay patient and calm. He has walked with me through some deep valleys and each time my faith only grows. I'm convinced that if life were a cakewalk we wouldn't know what faith really is. He is my rock. Thank you Lord.

Getting Back in the Saddle

As some of you know, I've been sidelined for quite a while with pain in my hands coupled with my continued battles with depression. The pain turned out to be a combination of Carpal Tunnel and Fibromyalgia. Fibro rarely manifests in the hands and feet but of course it happened to me last December. It felt as if someone had beaten my hands with a lead pipe. The pain has trailed off over the next few months and I am now managing it with Lyrica, the "wonder drug." In addition, I have some torn cartilage (to simplify the explanation) in my right wrist and no insurance at the moment, so I only torch when I really feel up to it. I wish I had happier news, but hey, I'm trucking along!

This past week I made some icicles and I really liked them. I think I'll try to make more before Christmas. I've also been working on silver core boro beads for European charm bracelets (3mm sterling snake chains). You might know these by other names like "Pandora," "Troll," and "Biagi." In the meantime, here are some pictures of some recent sets. I love the colors!

Have a super Thanksgiving week!

Spiral Fibula Pin Tutorial is Finally Here!

I don’t know about you, but I am really drawn to big beads — especially long beads. But how can you really wear them aside from as a pendant? Well, you can make them into pins! Fibula pins are easy and make wonderful statement pieces. They are also great gifts along with a pair of matching earrings.

I’ve designed this fibula pin to include a decorative coil formed into a spiral embellishment at one end of the pin.

This tutorial includes two options for the coil: a straight coil, and a twisted coil. 

This tutorial is divided into three parts, and each on their own is a valuable mini tut: 

• Making the Twisted Wire (Optional)

• Making the Coil

• Making the Spiral Fibula

I encourage you to experiment and use different gauges and shapes of wire for the coil as well as different shapes for the “spiral” such as triangles and organic shapes.

Get your copy now at http://www.etsy.com/shop/LampworkbyLori.


Experience Level: Advanced Beginner or higher.



The .PDF file includes 14 pages of instructions, tips, and images that will be delivered via email within 24 hours of purchase via email. Please include your phone number with your order in case there are problems. My contact number is 317-490-3791.


Recommended Tools & Equipment:

• 8’ or more of 20, 22 or 24 gauge wire (round or stamped twist)

• 18” 16 gauge wire

• Cutters (heavy duty preferable)

• 1” to 2½” of beads that fit on a the 16 gauge wire

• Fine or super-fine steel wool (000# or 0000# grade)

• Flat nose pliers

• Round nose pliers 

• Chain nose pliers

• Nylon jaw pliers

• Jeweler’s file

• Chasing hammer

• Bench block or anvil

• Tumbler with mixed shot

• Dawn® original dishwashing detergen 

• Coiling mandrel (about 1’ of 1/16” or 3/32” stainless steel TIG rod or 14, 12 or 10 gauge wire for mandrel (you can also use any other similar material such as a dowel rod, coiling gizmo, etc.)

• Keyless chuck power drill (recommended)

• Bench vise (optional)

• Cup hook (optional)

• Safety glasses (optional)

It's Bead Show Season!

I'm gearing up for the 2010 bead show season which, for me, starts in Skokie, IL on February 20 & 21.

I have a few exciting surprises up my sleeve this year. At some of the shows I will be giving wire workshops for creating copper bangles and fibula pins which will include a copy of my "book" Wire Workshop Secrets.

Wire Workshop Secrets is jam packed with tips and techniques I've gathered over the past thee years that you won't find in any other book on the market. Even if you don't take a workshop with me you can still buy the book at any of my shows for $18.

And the Winners are....

Dragon Troll Queen! Chosen at random, this is a woman after my own heart who loves to make jewelry, books on archaeology, ancient history, and the greatest movie of all time Young Frankenstein! LOL! She will receive a nice variety of boro beads totaling 1/4 lb just in time to make some Christmas goodies.

Bebdesigns! Bebdesign is a member of the Starving Jewelry Artists Street Team (http://www.starvingjewelryartists.com/) on etsy, which is sponsoring a "Wrist Candy Holiday Giveaway and SALE 10/26 through 12/6" so be sure to check that out. She will also receive 1/4 lb of my boro beads very soon!

Congratulations winners and thank you to all who participated in the boro giveaway!

Call for Wire Jewelry Photos

Hello friends!

I'm in the home stretch of what has turned out to be my book on wire jewelry basics. This "little" book started out as an outline for a class I want to teach at the 2010 Intergalactic and Bead Mercantile shows; however, it has taken on a life of its own and become a 70-page book chock full of all the things those books with the wire tutorials never taught you. How exciting??!!

I know that many of you are jewelry artists who have purchased beads from me in the past, and a good percentage of you probably work with copper and/or silver wire. SO... I'm going to offer a free focal bead to anybody who sends me a picture of a piece of jewelry you created using wire that I use in my book. My objective is to show varying styles of jewelry made with wire, so go wild and send as many photos as you like! (All entries will remain YOUR property unless you sign a release form.) Here are the details:

DPI: 300
Dimensions: At least 1000 x 1000 pixels
Background: NOT white (if possible)
File type: .jpg 
Include: Name, your website, your email, your artistic statement or a blurb on your inspiration for the piece, a signed release form (I'll send you one if your photo is selected).
Email address: lori@lampworkbylori.com
 
Deadline for entry: December 31, 2009! 

Oh, and don't forget to go to www.lampworkbylori.blogspot.com (if you're not already here), click "Comment" and leave a few words to let me know you're reading my blog for a chance to win a 1/4 lb of boro orphans! The more you comment, the better your chances to win! The drawing will be held on my birthday, December 1 for TWO winners! Wooo hooo!

Bead on!

Lori