A while back I snagged these vintage chandelier crystals from an estate sale, a set of 10 each. While I wasn't immediately overwhelmed with love, I had a vague idea that they might be transformed into something with some holiday spirit.
I spent part of today creating these large porcelain 'lentil' beads, 18 in all. Completed, these will be about 2" in diameter. Yep, those are styrofoam balls up there, split in half, being used as drape molds. I haven't touched a piece of styrofoam in many years but it is truly amazing what the craft store will yeild up in terms pottery tools. 
And voila! This is what those beads will become (hopefully). This is the prototype ornament. I think of it as a little jewelry for your tree. I disassembled those chandelier crystals and brass wire wrapped them back together in a combination of clear and red. Frankly, those chandelier connections are just about as ugly as they come. This was clearly an exercise in honing my rosary bead, briolette wire wrapping skills. I've got 18 sets done, and even though my hands ached, it really made me want to work more with wire. It really is addictive. Maybe there is a jewelry maker buried deep inside me? And for those of you who were counting, there is no number 20 set. One of the crystals was chipped so that left me with 18. Just as well. I haven't the time right now to do 2 more.
16 comments:
truly lovely... hopefully i will snag one of those, but instead of on my tree, it will hang in my window, catching the light...
beautiful - what a wonderful idea you had!
MJ, the window is where this one here is going. I love old leaded crystal and how it captures and reflects light. I know, lead is a bad thing, but sometimes.....?
Those are just beautiful!
I like the snowflakes. I know what you mean about getting into the holiday spirit when its warm outside. We used to go to the islands for a week before Christmas, the lights on the palm trees were pretty, but it didn't feel much like Christmas, although Baby Jesus was born in the desert, not at the North Pole...lol! Merry Christmas!
Rosanne, we spent 11 years in Australia. It completely changed my Christmas idea. Now I think about Christmas being a barbeque and 90F weather. In fact, here in W TX we do barbeque for Christmas. I still love Christmas and snow though.
So beautiful, LeAnn!!! You are ahead of the game with 18 ornaments made! I love how you combined the vintage crystals with your own work...sooo pretty!
Cindy
www.sweetbeadstudio.com
These are sooooo beautiful LeAnn, when will they be for sale?! Awesome! And thank you for your explanation of raku...I do love raku!
Awesome, LeAnn. I just love them! So beautiful! BTW. I will be ordering my kiln this week - excitement!
LeAnn, those are just wonderful! Will you be making snowflakes for pendants?
So pretty! Your beads make such a beautiful snowflake ornament. What a cool idea using the chandelier pieces.
very cool!
amazing!! great idea!! firts i love your lentils.. and combo porcelain/crystal is stunting!!!
LeAnn, I'm going to echo everyone and say these are just so great! I know they are going to a show, but it would be great if they didn't sell so we could all buy one!!! :)
Very pretty! Those would surely be a great addition to any tree or home for the holidays. And you know I understand about it not feeling like Christmas...Of course, the one Christmas that it snowed in Houston, we were visiting my mom in Knoxville, and there wasn't a flake to be found there...Isn't that how it usually works?
LeAnn,
Those are just freakin' awesome!! I predict you'll sell them faster than you can make them (because those lentils are little buggers to make!). Beautiful work as always :)
Love the snowflake lentil, and those crystals are killer!
These are really beautiful and will make such special ornaments for a family to treasure. The snowflake lentils are yummy!
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