“Everything And the Kitchen Sink” — that was the theme for last week’s Alexander McQueen show during Paris Fashion Week. A pile of stuff was piled onto the runway — props from past events, including a kitchen sink. Milliner Philip Treacy came up with some unusual “hats” for the show, blending them with the circus-like atmosphere that accompanied the theme.
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
D.D. Hess sent me some interesting Raku-style lampwork beads she has been experimenting with making, and I asked her to explain the difference between making a normal lampwork bead and a Raku lampwork bead. This is how she explained it to me.
1. First, she starts with an actual base bead, just like you would normally make with a torch.
2. Then she rolls that bead in reduction frit.
3. While rolling the bead in the reduction frit, she uses what is called a reduction flame, turning the oxygen nearly off and using a bushy, propane flame.
The use of the frit and flame together creates a metallic luster to the bead. If you soot up your bead too much, to the point where it looks like mud, just increase the oxygen and burn it off. Then repeat your reduction process.
I love the look of these beads. You can make them in any kind of color combinations and they each come out with a sort of combination earthy and sparkling finish.
If you are a bead lover, nothing beats being able to make your own beads, and when I started experimenting with a two-part epoxy resin product called Ferido Formula x1, beads were one of the first jewelry ideas that popped into my head. I ended up making four beads in this project, two 15mm and two 12mm. Obviously, you can make the beads larger or smaller by just adjusting the amount of resin you use.
You’ll need the following materials and supplies:
*Ferido Formula x1 in Aquamarine
1 – 2mm wooden skewer
Gloves
Water
Paper towels
Waxed paper
Fine sand paper
Jeweler’s files
*The package of Ferido Formula x1 is available from Fire Mountain Gems & Beads and comes with gloves and the flat back crystals.