My Newest Beading Addiction: Czech Glass Beads

I have been busy this week beading several new pairs of vintage style earrings after finding some really interesting and pretty Czech glass beads.  These beads can be addictive to work with because of the incredible assortment of styles, colors and finishes available.  I order my beads from various vendors and I really never know for sure whether I'm going to like the beads until they arrive - but every single one of these beads turned out to be spectacular and I could not wait to start beading with them.

Temptation Glass Garnet Earrings:  These glass garnets are simply too tempting to resist!  I beaded these earrings with deep garnet Czech glass beads dangling from antiqued brass chain and earring wires.  Accented with antiqued gold Heishi beads and bead caps.  Faceted rondelle Czech beads are 14mm size.  Drop is 2 inches.

Picasso Purple Amethyst Earrings:  These vintage style earrings are prettily beaded in purple and sterling silver,  Faceted Czech glass rondelle beads are an eclectic combination of pinks, purples and white.  They have a picasso finish giving them a beautiful marbled stone appearance.  The faceted edges allow the light to dance and reflect off of them - they measure 9x6mm.  Round amethyst gemstone beads sit atop the Czech glass rondelles and small amethyst Swarovski crystals dangle beneath them.  Accented with antiqued silver Heishi beads and bead caps.  Bright sterling silver kidney shaped earring wires.  Drop is 2 inches.

Celestial Blue Vintage Style Earrings:  I beaded these Celestial Blue dangle earrings using pretty blue Czech gire polished rondelle beads.  These faceted opaque beads are a soft tranquil light blue - but their faceted edges contrast beautifully with the soft color as they allow the light to reflect and dance off of them.  Small round cloud white Cats Eye beads add to the celestial appearance.  To give these earrings a Victorian and vintage style appeal, I used oxidized antiqued sterling silver earring wires along with antiqued silver plated Heishi beads and bead caps.  Gunmetal eye pins and jump rings complete the vintage style charm.  Drop is 2 inches.  Blue rondelle glass beads measure 9x6mm.  Cats eye beads are 4mm.

Glass garnet rondelle, Picasso purple, and celestial blue czech beads are all from ShipwreckBeads.

To see more of my vintage style jewelry, be sure to visit me at DJAjewels.etsy.com!

For explanation and descriptions about Czech glass and other types of beads, click here.

My Favorite Mother's Day Items

Here are some of my favorite items from my Etsy shop that would be perfect for Mother’s Day:

Crystal Pearl and Antiqued Brass Earrings: Petite Swarovski crystal pearl dangle sweetly from these antiqued brass round French hook earrings. Crystal pearls are in soft “cream rose” color, accented with antiqued brass bead caps. The antiqued brass against the luster of the crystal pearls gives these earrings a nostalgic vintage style charm.  Drop is 1 3/4 inches.

Vintage Floral Bouquet Cameo Necklace: This pendant is created using a rare vintage glass cameo cabochon which I set into an ornate antiqued silver setting. The floral bouquet glass cabochon measures 13x18mm; with setting the pendant is 25x30mm. Pendant dangles from a delicate antiqued silver chain with lobster claw closing.  Measures 26 inches long.

Swarovski Crystal Pearl Book Thong: Splendid vintage inspired book thong. Book thongs are a type of bookmark made to lie between the pages of your book.  Created using Swarovski crystals in clear and “black diamond,” Swarovski glass black pearls, antiqued pewter bead caps, silver-plated beads, and silver-lined glass seed beads.  Measures 17 inches.

Purple Passion Crystal Heart Earrings: Splendid purple amethyst Swarovski crystal hearts dangle from antiqued sterling silver chain and earring wires. These vintage style earrings have a very romantic and nostaligic charm. Drop is 1 3/4 inches. Crystal hearts measure 10mm.  All sterling silver metal components. Earring wires and chain are oxidized giving the silver an old and nostalgic appearance.

Violet Gems Lampwork Beaded Earrings: These earrings feature magnificent lampwork glass beads that I call “Violet Gems” because of their beautiful jeweled look.  Lampwork glass rondelle beads have rich intricate swirls of different hues and shades of violet. Accented with antiqued pewter beads and small faceted round amethyst beads. They swing prettily from delicate antiqued silver chain and antiqued sterling silver earring wires. Drop is 2 inches.

Visit my shop at DJAjewels.etsy.com for more great Mother's Day jewelry!

Vintage Style Rose Chintz Lampwork Earrings

I found these nostalgic looking floral lampwork beads on Etsy and knew I had to have them for some of my vintage style jewelry designs. They have such an old-fashioned and romantic charm! I really love shopping for handmade beads and jewelry supplies on Etsy because I find really unique and distinctive pieces made by some really talented artisans. These beads are some of my favorites.

Rose Chintz Lampwork Artisan Lampwork Beaded Earrings: $38.00

Soft romantic rose pattern round lampwork beads with wonderful mix of lavender, blue and green colors. Accented with pretty antiqued pewter bead caps and small genuine amethyst round bead dangles. Sterling silver earring wires. Drop is 2 inches.

Rose Chintz Lampwork Heart Earrings: $30.00

These earrings feature charming lampwork heart beads that dangle on antiqued sterling silver earring wires. Accented with Swarovski crystal pearls in "cream rose," Swarovski crystal amethyst beads and antiqued silver Heishi beads. Gunmetal head and eye ping findings are used to compliment the dark oxidized sterling silver earring wires. Drop is just more than 2 inches.

I found these beautiful rose chintz lampwork beads at CrazyLadyBeads on Etsy.

Lampwork Beads and Beaded Jewelry

Lampwork beads are one of my personal favorite beads to use because of their radiance and luster. They seem to have a depth not found in other types of glass beads. There are several popular types of lampwork:

Fiorato Beads: These are a variation of Murano and Venetian glass beads created using melted glass to “paint” flowers and decorations onto the surface.

Foil lined: These beads contain either white gold foil, 24K gold foil, or .925 sterling silver foil submerged beneath the glass brightening the color and producing a radiant glow.

Millefiori Beads: Variation of Murano and Venetian glass beads hand-created by working slices of millefiori glass canes into each bead. Millefiori means “thousand flowers” in Italian.

Sommerso beads: These beads are created using a technique in which the glass artisan submerges different colors beneath clear glass. Small copper flakes (called aventurina) are then worked into the clear glass giving the bead a look of depth and a rich luster.

Borosilicate (boro glass): Borosilicate glass is different from the "soft" glass that is normally used for beads and other items such as paperweights, ornaments, etc. It is far stronger than "soft" glass often used for other glass items. Expert torch work can meld different colors and hues to create incredible depth and vibrant beads.

I found these cherry red Czech lampwork beads at fusionbeads.com and used them to create the matching antiqued brass necklace and pair of earrings pictured.

Antiqued Brass Cherry Bomb Earrings $24.00
These antiqued brass earrings have gorgeous red cherry bomb lampwork glass beads that glow like bright little lanterns. Lampwork rondelle beads are accented with antiqued brass bead caps. They swing freely on a few links of antiqued brass chain. Antiqued brass earring wires. Drop is 1 3/4 inches.

Antiqued Brass Cherry Bomb Necklace $18.00
This antiqued brass necklace has the same gorgeous red cherry bomb lampwork glass bead as the earrings above. Lampwork rondelle bead is accented with antiqued brass bead caps. Suspended on antiqued brass chain. Measures 18 inches. Pendant adds another 1 1/2 inches. Lobster claw clasp closure.