September 2012


As ever, thank you so much for your support.  It means the world to me.
Nikki
  

Ways to Use Up Shorts - Swirled Beads

 I have a thing for glass shorts - fun little bits of glass that were partially used and left... I adopt them from others, beautiful bunches of color.


Now the problem is... What to do with them?  I collected some transparent colors and white stringer, and melted them together into fun, swirled wispy beads.  Here's how! 


Heat the end of the short (I used the scummy, cut end, since not all the glass will go on the bead) and attach it to the heated end of a punty mandrel.

 

Wrap an opaque color around it.  I used white for contrast with the deep cobalt blue. 
 

 

Fold it in haf, or let it fall on itself, or just wad it all up.  Neatness does not count - the messier the hot mess is, the wispier the result.  For what's shown above, I folded it half then gave it a few twists with pliers.

 

Wind it on a mandrel - remember a narrow footprint so it's nicely dimpled - and melt it down. 
 

  

The results can be very fun - remember a small amount of opaque color goes a long way! 

If the bead is smaller than you'd like, encasing in clear or another color will magnify the swirls and add depth. 

First Friday Sale!
 
 
We're trying something new.  On the first Friday of every month (or just before!) I'll send a newsletter.  One bead style will be on sale for an awesome deal - HALF PRICE - in my Etsy and NLC Beads shops.   This month?  Sheep, since it all started with the sheep.
The fine print:
1. Sale limited to stock on hand.
2. Sale pricing not valid on previous orders, made to order or special orders.
3. Sale is effective from when you receive the email until midnight on the first Saturday of the month.
4. Free US shipping, $2 international shipping for all orders, as usual.  (International, please add shipping to your order on my site, it's in the shipping section.)
5. All items purchased will ship on Monday.
6. No coupon needed!  Sale prices have already been adjusted in the shops.
 

Tile Goddess - Joy Munshower

My favorite part - showing off other artists who delight me. 

Joy makes amazing sculpted figures, sea life, and more. 

 

 

Isn't this the cutest manatee ever?

 

 

 

There's more in her shop, including some divine human figures.  Be sure to check her out!

  

 Tile Goddess Joy on Etsy

NLC Beads online!
Free United States shipping at all sites, and the beads love travelling together!
Sites update every Sunday, with any changes listed on the front page of my personal site. 
  
  
  
 
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