Rose Vine Necklace

Focal Bead by Toastie Beads

When I was at the craft show I mentioned in my blog yesterday, I found this lovely gem of a lampworked bead. I've never really felt much fondness for lampwork before then - yes, I've admired the pretty colours and such, but I've always found them terribly expensive. I can't say how much the glass canes, and fuel for the torch and all the other bits and bobs cost - I've never seen the raw materials for sale anywhere. This one, however, grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. I had to have it. Talk about impulse buy.

Thankfully, my imagination, a quick trip to the somewhat-local bead shop, and a healthy dose of courage, I dove into some freeform netting. I was hoping to get an open, organic-feeling necklace that would still support the weight of the bead. I picoted a few leaves into the mess, and actually found 3mm firepolish beads that nicely echoed the colours on the focal, so I dotted them around as well. Check out the overall shot, and a close-up of of the sides below.

PS - Thank you, Anna, for the impromptu photo shoot today after school!

Craft Fair Etiquette

I went to one of the many craft fairs that are going on during this season. I'm trying to get into the craft circuit in my local area, and this one was a good one to check out. There were two other jewellery artists there - strung, and one lady who had a large variety of things, which included some beadwoven work.

I recognised each and every last piece she had on sale. Sandra D. Halpenny, Maria Rypan, and other designs that I knew came from recent issues of Bead and Button and Beadwork. While I know that Ms. Halpenny routinely gives permission for purchasers of her designs to sell their creations at local craft shows, I know that copyright issues have been of an interest in the above magazines of late. Even though permission was given, shouldn't the beader of a piece give acknowledgement to the designer of a piece, regardless?