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Ellygator β Opal River
Published: 2007-01-25 02:54:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 3523; Favourites: 33; Downloads: 32
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Description
(2006) 16" for the overall length of the necklace, 2" x 2 3/4" for the pendant.Art glass beads (black, turquoise, lilac, ivory and clear Moretti glass, 999 silver leaf), Bali silver, amethyst beads, silver beads, findings.
This one has a focal bead that is my all-time favorite glass bead so far. I started with a black core, shaped it on the marver and then added a "stream" of silver-fumed ivory glass, wich I dotted first with lilac, then turquoise glass and finally capped the dots in clear glass. That way I got myself a river of opals flowing across the deep black of the core bead.
Amethyst lentil beads and smaller peacock pattern glass beads pick up on the subtle lilac colors and round this necklace out for a nice overall opalescent effect.
And nope, don't even ask, I ain't selling this beaut!
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Comments: 89
You know you did a good job with glass when I don't believe it's glass.
I wonder though...now that you know lampwork is there any medium you can't do?
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Thank you! And I have to confess I suck at sculpture, that's why I admire your work so much! Oh and I can't really sew. Those costume artists here, they just baffle me with their amazing skills...
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Thank you very much! So far I think it is the best glass bead I've managed.
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You really caught the spirit of opal in those colors. Even the photo shows off flashes of purple and green. Definately luminous
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Thank you! I think of all stones opals are still my favorites.
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Probably a couple hours. The good thing with glass is you can't really stop and start, it's got to be all in one sitting.
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Well, it hasn't happened to me yet, but I've heard you can over-fire the glass even and have the colors go off, so you want to work pretty speedily. The longest process is to anneal the beads, but that's just waiting for the kiln to do its thing, no work involved.
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Thanks so much! I am really in love with this focal bead...
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gha opals are my fave stones. of the 13 rings i wear every day 6 of them are opals. this is gorgeous - very natural feeling me thinks
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Oh, same here. Opals are definitely my favorite stones, too. So mysterious and individual...
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Wonderful creation... I definately see the opal and why this is one of your favorites-
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Thank you! I actually wear it with an opal ring to match and it works...
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this one is one of the most original I've ever seen!
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Thank you! I really love how this has turned out. Some effects were surprising like the metallic rings around the turquoise spots that developed in the flame but that I did not plan for. It makes the spots look like they were set in bezel settings...
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very nice! ~<3 The contrast of black and silver makes it almost seem alive. First time I saw it, it reminded me of a spotted snake. After reading your inspiration behind it, it now seems like a mythical river of souls... Never had a piece of jewelry inspired me so. Awesome job! ^____^ *instant fav*
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Thank you! I like the idea of a river of souls. Though a lot of folks were reminded of a snake, too. Sine I love snakes that's perfect!
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Thank you! It's so odd to me that glass is a solid, you work it in fire, and yet so many pieces have a sort of aquatic feeling to them.
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I'm afraid to ask how much a piece like that would cost, because: a) I wouldn't have the money to buy it 
Once again, you have created a masterpiece.
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I wouldn't really be sure what to charge. I guess for materials and time etc it would come to about $250...
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I think it's a fair price...
Tell me, what happens to your jewelry creations? It's quite clear that you put a bit of you in everything you do. Parting must be a sweet sorrow...
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Thank you! Actually most things I still have as a sale is rather the exception than the rule. If I really don't want to let go of something then I'll say so even if I do get a buyer. With the pieces I sell I try and at least get some decent pics for the archives...
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And what a lovely collection you have so far.
Well done!
Sorry if I bothered you with so many questions 
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Thank you so much!
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Oh my gaaaaaaawd...! I loooooove those smaller beads, I think I like those more than the main one 
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Thank you! I am such a sucker for those dotted beads, myself...
The way I understand the fuming process works is that you coat the heated bead or the glass rod in a thin layer of 999 pure silver leaf and return it to the flame. The heat burns off the silver which then reacts with the oxygen in the flame and binds itself to chemical components in the glass. If you fume the whole bead the mottled effect will be everywhere (though some glass-types will show less reaction with the silver than others) if you fume the glass rod or a thinner stringer drawn from the rod it will only be on the glass that you then melt onto the bead. The ivory glass is particularly reactive with the silver due to the coloring and components mixed into the matrix.
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Ooh. I see. Thankyou for that. I gotta say, the effect is stunning.
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I am in awe.. It is organic, elegant and your craftmanship is mind boggling... Just wow !
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Thank you so much! Your compliment means a lot to me. I'm very glad I am beginning to pick up a bit more proficiency with my glass tools...
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The central bead looks like a bronze knot/snake from afar... Especially on a dark background. And The dots give it a kind of... natural look. In other words, a thought-inspirig thing))
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Thank you very much! Some other folks saw something serpentine, too. Makes me quite happy as I like snakes...
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Mein Gott, das muΓ ja eine Wahnsinns-Arbeit gewesen sein, schon das EinfΓΌgen der ganzen Steine. Hat sich auf jeden Fall gelohnt. Also ich denke unter diesem Teil ist schwarz ein MuΓ. Oder nackte Haut.
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Danke! Gluecklicherweise sind die tuerkis Tupfen nur heisses Glas, das ich auf die Perle aufgesetzt und dann partiell eingeschmolzen habe. Die metallisch aussehenden Ringe, die wie Fassungen aussehen, haben sich zufaellig in der Flamme unten an der Basis gebildet.
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