Hold on for implosions and a life time commitment

lass Implosions are exciting.

Basically you put color down, and let the clear slowly fall over it. One side “explodes” internally. Hence, the word, “implosion”. (At least, that is how I interpret the whole thing.)

I have been studying color theory on the side.  I am reading books, cutting out pictures from magazines, printing google images, and whatever, wherever else.

The studio is too cold to torch in this time of year. I am putting different colors together to create a variety of samples that I can refer to in the future.  (Most likely, I will photograph the pieces, and refer to the print for a reference. The beads will be for sale.)

When I do get to the torch, I take my notes with me and I practice encasing different colors. Different colors, and shapes of glass give you many different reactions.

These beads are from a day when the sun must of came out.

When a customer asks for purple, it is pretty challenging. So many different shades exist.  In this purple-ish implosion I used ivory to lighten up the purple, and that came out nice.

I do not offer to do many custom order beads. Every now and then, I take it on as an exercise, and some inspiration. Usually I make 3 or 4 for the customer to pick from. Sometimes they purchase them all, or I just add the ones they did not choose to my inventory.

I decided to try putting my figures on this 2″ paper weight. (first attempt last year, right here!)  I created the earth brown Mother earth with her hands over heart. The butterfly/floral growth behind her.  I would like to perfect this. The clear glass is so soft and absorbent when you heat it. I am finding the challenge to be the  figure bleeding into the clear in spots. That is not really what I am looking for. I want the figure to be on the piece. I may have to make the figure first, and then put the figure on later. That will challenge me to practice more “Italian style” sculpting skills like Lucio Bubacco.