Ocean Wave Ceramic Bead

Before I was diagnosed with cancer, I was taking a extension class over at the local junior college in ceramics and while I went to class, I didn't have the energy to do wheel work or handbuilding or other things I normally would do.

So instead I just sat there and made beads.  This is one of the beads I made that semester.  It's shaped like a lentil, has small bead caps, and one side is decorated with this ocean wave motif. I used a needle tool to make this texture.

I just added it to my etsy store yesterday.  Here's the link if you are interested.

Green and Blue Sprig Ceramic Beads

These also came out of the kiln earlier this week.  These would work well in a statement necklace or bracelet.

I haven't used this glaze combination before.  Do you like it?

Pink Two Hole Bead Whistle

I added two holes in this whistle and it works great. The pink with the black underglaze gives this whistle an edgy flavor.


These bead whistles are so much fun to make.  This is the first time I've been able to add more than one sound hole successfully. 


The pitch is high, as would any small body whistle, and the holes just send that sound up even higher. 


Love it!

Terra Cotta Red with White Accents Ceramic Beads

I rubbed white underglaze into these terracotta sprig beads and coated with a clear overglaze.

Fun times!  Each bead is different, no two are exactly alike.

The kiln has been good to me this week, although yesterday when I went out to turn up the temperature, I discovered that it wasn't turned on at all.  I turned it off, jiggled the turning knob and it came on.

I don't know why I didn't notice that it was not on the first time though. I will have to make a note to open it up and have a look at the inner parts and see what was going on with that.

Pink Seed Pod Ceramic Beads

I could hardly wait until this morning to take these out of the kiln. I shaped them a few months ago and agonized on how to glaze them, finally setting upon this delicate pink with the black accents. 

I will sell them individually in my store, and in sets of two or three. Look for them soon.

Bye Bye Artfire

I deleted my items from the Artfire store yesterday and will be adding them to the Etsy store in the coming days.   Artfire was fun to try for a few months. I jumped in at the $5.95 pro price per month. The beads got a lot of views, but no sales.  I dropped to basic after the first of the year. I still got a lot of views but no sales.  Then I got an email saying Artfire was getting rid of the basic accounts and only taking Pro accounts.  So before I lost all my pics and descriptions, I copied them to my computer and deleted them.  I left a message saying I would be at my Etsy store.  I enjoyed being over at Artfire. I always meant to drive more traffic over there but I never seemed to find the time to do it properly. These are some beads that I'll be moving into my Etsy store in the next few days.

I took some beads out of the kiln this morning and put some more beads into the kiln. I'll have to take some photos later in the morning and share them tomorrow or the next day.

Thank for stopping by!

Back to Normal

Last night I sat on the couch and formed beads for the first time since late April.  I've had the shops shut down for the last couple of months while I've been going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  The good news is that I am now cancer free and well on my way to recovering my strength again.

In the meantime, I have really missed working in clay.  I had glazed some beads right before my treatments started and this morning I loaded those beads into my small kiln and they are currently firing. 


 Because I finally have enough strength to stand at the line in the post office to mail international packages, I will be re-opening my etsy stores (both beads and pottery) tomorrow (July 22nd).   Thank you for those who logged onto my facebook page and followed my progress and had so many kind comments, and especially thank you for all of you who have prayed for me and continue to pray for my recovery as well. I could never have gotten through the last couple of months without all your prayers.  It's nice to be getting back to normal. It's great to be back.