Part 3: Pictures of the beads made with the “grail”

In my first post about this series I showed you JC Herrell’s “seconds” bead that I fixed by sculpting some people over this  little tiny dent in the bead.(“seconds” is a piece that has an error of some kind; to the Artist.)  I see so many cool bead designs that could go with the boogie down people.

My second post showed you my original boogie down beads series that started in ’06.  And, I revealed to you  my secret enamel side project I had been thinking and planning since 2004. I told you that Artist’s named the “decal on glass” process the “holy grail” a hundred years ago. I thought I was one of the first to discover this process worked in the flame. It feels like the sky is the limit, it feels holy to me!  I am excited to teach so many people about this process. I am doing a demonstration at my studio for GLASSACT in June.

For a while I thought that if I made decals of my imagery, that I would be able to make more pieces faster.  The images I was creating were becoming a library to be used for future work.   It seemed like all the hard work was going to make the future easier.

Truth be told, by the time I get the imagery created, separate them, place them on the beads, fire them on; I really was not saving all that much time.

Using decals allows me to have a consistent application of color. The results are more even, and instantly perfect after only one fire.  (Well, they are perfect after I figure out the tricks to getting them to stick evenly.)   With clay “glazes” and with glass “enamels”, we sometimes have to do two firings to get the consistent cover coat.  Oxides like to burn off.

So, if I were to paint these figures on the glass one at a time, I would have to encase the colors, and/ or pretty much fire two coats on to get the consistent color application.  Decals were actually created for both of these reasons; consistent color, and consistent imagery. And, I hear often, people think it will save them time on production.  (That part, with flame working, we are still working on; in time.)

The blues, greens, and mauve colors are my favorite today. Each color has some different rules. Many tests!

The symbols I like best with my people are music notes and peace symbols.  The subject itself is a lot of fun. I like the idea of creating happy beads, that encourage positive thoughts.

Transparent cobalt, and swirls of raku glass are inspiring me.  I imagine the swirls and dots in an environment similar to the imaginary spaces in Dr. Seuss books.

I think these are some of the best beads I have ever made.  I made some decals for other lampwork bead makers, or fusers to use in their work.  I have asked those Artist’s to send pictures. Maybe they will perfect something I started? There are ideas I never made time to re-visit.  Not sure if I will? I want to see anothers muse take charge of an idea.    That will be interesting to see in a future post here.

For today, my focus is on making as many beads as I can for the upcoming bead and button show. (I am selling there with my Guild this June;BOOTH 1018).  This is my 3rd year in the show, and I am really excited to see how my new decal (holy grail) beads are received.

The lady with a dress decal is exciting. I was not sure about that one. Originally these were all made in relief. So, flattening them really turns them into an entirely different look.

This project has really inspired me.  Not just to create my own art; also to inspire other people… For me, this has been a full circle awesome passionate artistic experience.

Thanks for reading my journey.  Visit my gallery,   website or the Art talk blog for more!

Peace!