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Hi!

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

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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

New Teaching Gig at Blooming Dragon Emporium! I'm Really Psyched!

All of the i's aren't dotted and t's aren't crossed, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be teaching my Twisted and Coiled Wire Jewelry Workshop at Blooming Dragon Emporium on Indy's east side in mid December as well as January, February and March of 2010.

I'm planning to add two additional wire classes called Floral Fibula Pins and Hammered Earrings that feature hip disk beads. I'm not Blooming dragon's posted schedule yet, but head on over to their blog and sign up for their monthly newsletter for upcoming dates.

In addition, Blooming Dragon will be carrying my wire pieces for purchase in their gallery section.

I've known part-owner, Marti Icenogle, for several years now. She and her daughter Tina do some wonderful things with Precious Metal Clay and fused glass, too!

 Oh, and don't forget to go to www.lampworkbylori.blogspot.com (if your'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 drawing will be held on my birthday, December 1 for TWO winners! Wooo Hooo!

Over and out!

Lori

November Give Away: 1/4 Pound of Boro Orphans!

Since I've started making boro beads I've accumulated more orphans than usual. Orphans are beads that didn't quite make it into a set or little experiments that didn't quite go my way.

So, from November 1 thru November 30, if you come to my blog at http://www.lampworkbylori.blogspot.com/ and click "comment" under any blog post and leave a comment, I will enter your name in a drawing for 1/4 pound of boro orphans! The more you comment the better your chances of winning.

I will draw twice for two different winners on my birthday, December 1st (Wooo!) and post the names here on my blog.

NOTE: If you have trouble posting a comment please email me at lori@lampworkbylori.com; however, only blog comments will count as entries.

Won't You be my Guinea Pig?

I've developed a class that I'm planning to take on the road with me to help offset my show fees next year. Here's an invitation to all of you locals to come over and help me test it out in person! 

Twisted and Coiled Wire Jewelry Workshop
 
Class Fee: $35 (WHAT A DEAL!) including materials and a 40-page workbook with color pictures, instructions, tips, exercises and design ideas.
Contact: lori@lampworkbylori.com
Class Limit: 5
Date and Time: Saturday, November 7 from 1:30-4:00
Location: Lori's house (Greenwood) BYOB

This workshop is designed for persons who are interested in or new to working with wire and beads to create stylish, unique, and long-lasting jewelry. We will:

• Review a detailed list of tools, materials and supplies
• Twist and coil wire (both manually and with a drill)
• Uncover the secret to making perfect wire-wrapped loops
• Make your own jump rings
• Make a swan clasp
• Wire wrap a focal bead
• Learn how to select beads for wire work
• Practice reaming bead holes
• Discuss ordering wire for your future projects

At the end of the class you will have assembled a beautiful copper bangle to wear home.

A tools list will be provided but all critical tools will be available for borrowing or sharing. You are welcome to bring your own beads.

What a Whirlwind Week!

Somebody please remind me not to schedule two shows back-to-back again, and a 2-day lampwork class in between! Aw, it wasn't that bad, and of course I had a great time.

One of the highlights was my two-day class with the fabulous Kim Fields in her sculptured birds class. I have to tell you, that lady is quite a talent and I learned a lot. I was on the verge of selling off all of my soft glass but now I'm thinking twice. We made a simple transparent bird, an owl, a "Pudgie," a Snow Bunting, a Chickadee, a branch for birds to sit on, and finally, Kim demonstrated a "fantasy" bird. Here is one of Kim's birds, a Vermilion Flycatcher.

I had been meditating on the following scripture that week. As we were making the birds and looking at books to understand their detail I was reminded again of the wonders of nature and how each species is so unique and realizing there are so many different kinds... I was just amazed and humbled once again at the creativity of God.

What is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?...
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea. ~ Psalm 8:4-8

At The Art Center bead show in Highland Park, IL (Chicago) I had fair sales and got to meet some long-admired and friendly beadmakers such as Ellen Black, Karen Ovington and Ofilia Cinta who's watermelon quartz murini hollow fish stole my heart!

The best part of the weekend was probably the food, and by food I mean pizza - Gino's East pizza - and introducing it to my nephew. I couldn't believe there was a Gino's right near our hotel when planning our trip and I was so excited to taste it again after almost 30 years. We got a 12" pan pizza, and when they say pan, you should imagine a cake pan. It was so yummy, and Jake loved it. We ended up eating it for Satruday dinner and finishing it off for Sunday lunch. Mmmmm, mmmm!

Oh, by the way, be sure to stop by http://www.lampworkbylori.com/ to vote on where you buy your lampwork beads and check out my tentative 2010 schedule.

Lampwork Lori
lori@lampworkbylori.com

Meet Me in Chicago this Sunday for The Art Center's Annual Fall Bead Sale

First, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all of my new customers from the West Michigan Bead Expo! It was a pleasure to meet you all and thanks again for purchasing one of my little creations! I hope you enjoy your purchases for many years to come. I used to live in South Bend in the late 80's. Michigan is one of my favorite states to visit. The air always smells just a little sweeter once I cross the state line.

Second, I'm excited to announce that I'll be at The Art Center in Highland Park (Chicago, IL) for their annual Fall bead sale this Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 10:00 to 5:00.  The event features exquisite jewelry and an exciting variety of new and antique beads with interactive beading workshops. Admission is Free to TAC Members and a $3 donation is requested for non-members. For more information, contact Jackie Chilow at jchilow@theartcenterhp.org.

Third, after next weekend's show I'll be posting most of my inventory on ebay and Etsy. When I start posting heavily, I'll include instructions in my blog on how to get notified when new listings come up.

Have a great week!

Lori

Meet Me This Saturday in Grand Rapids! Take Advantage of Wholesale Pricing!

I have lots of news this week!

First, I'm very excited to share that I will be at the Western Michigan Bead Expo this Saturday, October 10th at DeVos Center in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. I love doing bead shows because I just LOVE beads! If you are in the area I hope you will stop by and say hello!

Second, if you have seen me at a show then you know that my prices are already rock bottom for lampwork beads. However, since I am often asked about selling wholesale I have decided to set up a pricing schedule just for you jewelry artisans. The following schedule begins immediately and applies to all focals, sets and loose beads (including orphans). Finished items, special orders and findings are NOT included in wholesale pricing.

Purchase = $100 to $299.99, then discount = 10%
Purchase = $300 on up, then discount = 15%

I hope to get to a point where I can keep my online store stocked to the point where I have to worry about this!

Planning Ahead

Believe it or not, I've already started planning my show schedule for next year. I'd love to be able to do LOTS of shows because I love meeting the customers and the other vendors. But, I don't have as much stamina as I used to so I've limited myself to one show a month within a 5 hour drive. I may make and exception or two and fly down to Florida (where it seems you can find a bead show almost every weekend) and hang out with some other lampworkers. Financially it would likely be a wash, but it could be fun! Anyway, assuming that I get into all the shows I've registered for, my current 2010 schedule is posted in the right column.


Unfortunately, I don't have any new pictures this week either because I had a bladder infection AND a kidney stone! UGH! In the meantime, enjoy some boro sets for sale on ebay by one of my inspirations: Little Crow Glass Arts.

Rainy Days and Sundays...

It's a typical autumn day in Indiana. A little rainy, a little cool.. perfect for a nap. Jake took me to the JC Penny Home store after church and I finally bought some sheets that fit my bed. I'm pretty psyched! These sheets are even made by Sealy so I figured I couldn't go wrong! I also bought one of those REALLY soft blankets to match and a nice foam pillow. It was all 50% off! Wooo!

I'm very thankful to have found a church that I like, and grateful that my friend Ann has agreed to pick me up (I don't drive because I'm incredibly accident prone!) Today I met my Sunday School class. We're small, but we're covering some pretty interesting topics.

Well I don't have anything new to report on the topic of beads except that I'm getting ready for the Southwest Michigan Bead Show (October 10 in Grand Rapids, MI) and still exploring lots of colors and reactions in boro. It's a whole new learning curve, just like Moretti was, only not as many people talk about it.

It is a little expensive to switch from soft glass to boro so I have been trying to sell off as much frit (crushed glass) and other tidbits to buy glass and a more protective pair of eyewear. Colored boro throws off a much brighter light at the torch than soft glass, so I have to have eyewear almost as protective as a welder's.

Here are some samples of the boro colors I work with:

Allow Me to Introduce You to My Friend, Mr. Smiley

As you know, it is often a risky proposition to pursue the passion of art as a profession. Sometimes, the risk pays off...

My friend Mr. Smiley, a.k.a. Brent Graber, was one of my first instructors in boro glass. Before meeting him I had read many of his helpful posts on Lampwork Etc., a very popular forum and global virtual community for lampworkers. Brent is famous for his heart pendants and nobody I know can coax the beautiful colors out of boro glass like Brent. He has even worked with Northstar Glass to create a custom glass cane called "Serendipity."

Now, it turns out that Brent needed to have hernia surgery and he needed to pay for it in advance. He received offers for donations, but lovingly declined because he was able to help himself. So, he set a goal to sell 100 "Serendipity Hearts" at $35 each (just like the one shown in the image above) in two weeks. However, due to popular demand, he has added 20 more to that goal! Congratulations, Mr. Smiley!

Tales from the Dark Side

Hello friends and welcome to all of my new friends from the Greenwood WAMM Fest. What a great time!

Generally speaking, in the US there are two kinds of glass used by lampworkers: soft glass and borosilicate. Up until last month I have used mainly soft glass. Soft glass is available in many different colors and does not require all that much torch power and oxygen ($$$) to work. However, I recently purchased a very powerful oxygen concentrator that has enabled me to move up to borosilicate glass. When a lampworker starts out in soft glass and moves into boro, it is jokingly referred to as moving to "the Dark Side."

Borosilicate glass or "boro" is also called "pyrex," just like the measuring cups in your kitchen. It requires much more heat to melt, but the colors and clarity of this type of glass can be mesmerizing! Everything about this glass is sensitive - the flame temperature, oxygen content, length of time in the flame, length of time you strike it, length of time you anneal it in the kiln, etc. But, the results are oh so worth it. Here are some of my favorite beads from my first month on the "Dark Side."

Through Sunday September 13, all Boro focals will be ON SALE for $8.00 EACH with $2 USPS shipping! That's a STEAL for this type of glass and all the work that goes into it. Here's what you do:

1. Go to this link and pick the beads you want: http://picasaweb.google.com/lori.smith.indy/8BoroSale?feat=directlink

2. Check the comment under each bead picture to make sure the bead is not sold or reserved by someone else. If not, put your name in the comment box for that bead.

3. Send me an email stating that you have made your selections with your PayPal ID.

4. I will bill you through PayPal.

5. Once I have received your payment I will ship your beads.

Don't Forget to Join Us at WAMM Fest!

Don't forget to come on down to WAMM fest in Greenwood, IN on Saturday, August 22 to see me and Fran Carrico of Fran's Glass Bead Fancies.

WAMM Fest is a one day festival, bringing a celebration of wine, art, music and microbrews to Greenwood. This is a fun-filled family event with all proceeds going to local charities.

CRAIG PARK - GREENWOOD, IN

AUG 22 - 10 AM - 8 PM

WINE : Local wineries showcasing their finest selections

ART: Many local and surrounding area artists displaying their work.

MUSIC: 6 elite musical acts as well as local youth dance, choral, gymnastic and performance groups

MICROBREW: Local microbreweries featuring their best on tap

Izzie Bella's Growing Big and Strong!

Today, little "Iz" went to see Dr. Pagan for a checkup and she's doing just dandy. She's just over 6 lbs. She got a big Distemper shot, so by the time she got home she was like a wet noodle and she snoozed all afternoon. She is so much fun and is really keeping our spirits up these days. I think the funniest thing is when I am lying in bed in the morning, not quite ready to get up, and I hear her "war cry" as she clomps down the stairs to "attack" and get me out of bed to play. Dad almost has the pool fixed so I'm starting to look for a puppy life vest so we can get her in there and at least teach her where and how to get out in case she ever falls in.

Isn't she a cutie?

Also, I listed some new items on Etsy today so be sure to check 'em out!

Hey You! Come Here and Buy Some Beads!

Enough of the subtle approach. I'm going for the hard sell here.

Just take a look at these beads. Aren't they gorgeous? Can you even believe that I made them? Yup, I did.












Now, I'm hungry.

So, look over to the beads at the right (on www.lamworkbylori.com) and click on the lampworkbylori.etsy.com link (or just go there). Yes, that's right, you can do it!

When you see a bead you like, just click on it and then click Add to Cart. Easy peasy! If you're new to Etsy, you will have to create an account before you can check out, but what else is new? You can even avoid all that online payment crapola by sending me a check or you can even call me with your credit card number and pay over the phone. Can't you see that I'm bending over backward to make this easy for you!

Okay, so maybe you're a guy, or you don't make jewelry and don't know what you want to do with the beads that have caught your eye. Hmmm, well I can understand that. How do you think I got started in this game? All you have to do is let me know. I have lots of beautiful silk ribbons, cords, silver chains, copper and silver wire, etc. I'm sure there's something we can work out. Didn't I tell you I'm just that magical? (I crack myself up SO bad.)

I've given you a good start with some great listings today. Do yourself a favor and snap up some one-of-a-kid pieces of art by moi. I guarantee you will fall in love with them once you see them and hold them in your hands for they are much more delightful in person. Go ahead, you will thank me. ;-)