Unique Beads…How to create them?
Let’s talk about creating unique beads that are one of a kind & you!
You’ve learned tons of silver techniques that you can be incorporating into your beads. But the secret is to spend time exploring each of these silver techniques until you have mastered them.
I spent about 6 months working with the silver techniques until I felt comfortable using them. I did explore techniques of other artists’ beads but I stayed away from duplicating their designs.
In college, the “old masters painting method” was to study the masters by physically copying their painting. In this way you were able to discover how they did their techniques. If you can really understand a technique… it becomes part of you. Then you work hard to develop you own style with those techniques.
Most old master techniques were only taught to apprentices. Italy did this, passing lampworking techniques down through the family.
But guys, times are different. You can go learn lampworking techniques easily now. They are not secret anymore.
But the principle of standing out from the crowd by developing your own unique beads is still paramount to your success as an artist.
Want unique beads? Developing your style by mastering as many lampwork techniques as you possibly can and follow your heart is the only way!
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OK, guys…2 things I need to clarify in this video…
1. When I am describing the silver under the thick layer of clear glass…that was silver foil, not silver leaf.
2. At the end…I said that this was the demo for silver leaf …NO…demo for silver leaf and silver foil!
Enjoy the video…
A few more clarifications…
1. Below my torch, my Silver Foil is loose and cut in strips. The Silver leaf is in the peach paper squares.
2. I called the Silver Foil that I covered with the clear… silver.
3. I called the Big piece of Silver Leaf…Silver Foil as I was working it. … aarrgggghhhh!!
So… just remember…Silver Foil is on the right side of bead and Silver Leaf is on the left side of bead.
TIP...When I say ‘reduction’, I mean to turn up the propane or lower the oxygen. That will bring out the reactions of the silver on the bead.
Got a question for you:
1. Are you currently using silver techniques in your unique beads?
2. What are you having trouble with?
Here’s some techniques I have taught in my videos that you can find on my blog…
Silver Fuming
Silver Encasing Fuming
Silver Leaf
Silver Foil
Silver Reduction Glass
Silver Striking Glass
Silver Glass Encasing
Patsy :)
Example of me used Silver fuming, Silver glass and Silver Glass encasing in the lampwork bead below.
Click my abstract bead for a closer look…:)
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