8.8.12

... final notes and giveaway details

... this is the final post with my notes from the CiM testing. I've been a bit sick lately and am running behind with my stuff, so here goes!

Lemon Drop - 511303 was a bit 'ordinary' and  strange looking! The glass and is quite insipid in colour and lukewarm in intensity.  It is a pale lemon/yellow and several of the rods contain a dark orange seam that runs through the centre of the rod. I start to think " Effetre striking reds and oranges" .... and check the tags twice!
 
 ... inconsistency = confusion

The photo shows the beads made with the same tagged glass- they all look different and definitely have "colour striking" properties as seen in the dotted hollow bead to the right of the photo!
... Coconut Milk now a favourite
Coconut Milk - 511808 was a lovely surprise for me! I had used it earlier as stringers for surface decoration but it wasn't until I sat down and paid a little more attention that I realised how good it was. It's beautiful, creamy consistency reminds me of the enamel whites in the Gaffer range without the stiffness and starched look. It is perfect to use a a base for beads and behaves nicely when putted into stringers for decorative surface work.
.... Poseidon - same as the others but different in colour!
Poseidon- 511509 is another opal /alabaster like glass made by CiM. Again, like some others I have been testing, it can be a bit slow to melt and is quite stiff in the flame. It has a tendency to scorch if you increase the heat in order to speed the process, so user beware!
Not a very exciting colour for me and to add interest, I have used frit, gold leaf and lots of surface decoration to cover most of the bead.  The larger heart bead cooled quickly (as many colours in the opalino range do) and caused it to crack from the base of the bead.
.... and now for the bead give-away
 I have several sets of beads to share with you. The photos are posted below. To enter into the draw, register to follow my blog and leave a comment with the set you would like to win. I will draw the names this coming weekend and post on Monday :) Talks soon - Liz x

set1: Macaw - large focal bead and matching button/tab beads



Set 2: Tandoori - Sarah style focal bead with matching button/tab beads


Set 3: Cardamom - 2 lentil shaped beads and  8 assorted spacer beads.

21 comments:

lamplight crafts said...

Set3: Cardamom. I love green! Great giveaway, by the way. Followed your FB post @BeadSoupCafe!

Shirley said...

Wow! I love seeing your experiments! They are all gorgeous colors, and I'd be thrilled with any of your giveaway sets, but I'm especially drawn to the green set. I've been wanting to incorporate spacers into my beadweaving more, and this set looks perfect for that. Thank yo so much for such a lovely giveaway!

rockcreekcreations said...

Oh my goodness!!the cardamon is breathtaking!!! I'vealso started to followyour blog!

MirandAck said...

I am particularly drawn to Macaw. Gorgeous fall colors.

gretchen said...

Wow, you do amazing work. These are all just so darn beautiful and the colors do look hot! If I happen to be one of the (very) lucky ones, I guess it would be the Tandoor group. I've never worked with anything close to these beauties and the challenge would make it all the more interesting. Thanks for the chance ~

KvH said...

I love set 2, wonderful color.. and such a nice blog.. Now I'm your follower...

Anonymous said...

They're all lovely, but I like the green ones the best. You're in my blog reader and I just registered as a follower too.

Dragonfly Close said...

I'm a follower! I love them all, but green is my favorite color, so have to say the Cardamom. I did also want to comment on the Lemon drop beads. I get that they are uneven, but I kind of like them. I can see pairing them with those some green beads, actually, for a sort of spring combo. Just might have to take out that one with the spikes on it. Love your beads!

Alicia said...

Oh, WOW - I love your expetiments! I love them all, but if I were to win it'll be #2 - Tandoori. Why? we are currently vacationing in Myrtle Beach and yesterday my son and I visited the local bead store (DH waiting patiently for us) and my son really wanted some beautiful jasper beads, in a perfect orange shade. We couldn't find a fitting focal - the Tandoori-Sharon is just *perfect* for his 'volcano' necklace (my 9yo designer already picked a name for it!)
Love all your beads!!

Unknown said...

I am a flower lover by nature(kind of redundant isn't it) but would love the chance to create something with the beads in Macaw. Thanks for a great giveaway opportunity!

Anonymous said...

All of your beads are beautiful! I would like the Cardamom green set, or my second choice would be the Macaw set.

Unknown said...

Beautiful beads - thank you so much for giving us the chance to win some!! I'm really drawn to set #3 in green:)

The Crazy Creative Corner said...

Ooohh, new follower and, choices, choices. I'm really loving the Tandoori followed by the Macaw. I'm just really drawn to oranges right now, especially the rich hued ones. Lovely job!

KayzKreationz said...

I already follow your blog, KayzKreationz. I like Cardamom, but I'd rather win Macaw. Those colors are just divine and really call to me. I don't think I have anything in those colors yet, so it'd be great to win Macaw.
I like your first sets of experiment beads, but I know as a bead artist you need consistent, reliable colors/turn out all the time. Although surprises can be fun, too. :)

dreaminofbeads / SAS Jewelry Designs said...

I am now following your blog...all of these beads are stunning...I do not normally go for oranges but those two sets of beads are really beautiful, I would be thrilled with either one!
Thanks Sonya

Rachel said...

I love the Tandoori set! Such delicious colors! And now I'm craving Indian food! ;)

flyingbeader said...

Tandoori is just amazing...it makes my heart beat faster...oh wait...maybe that is the coffee...never mind...LOL! Love them all

lyn said...

They're all stunners Liz!! You certainly look like you've had a great time with all the new colours! Cardamom is really pretty, Tandoori is gorgeous but Macaw would be my number one draft pick ~ LOVE the combo of colours in the floral.
p.s. The linen is drop dead gorgeous, I can see why it would be a favourite!!

Unknown said...

Oh lovely beads! Now I can't wait for my Frantz box to get here with my new CIM.

Unknown said...

Wow! I loved your post! I'm not a lampworker but the way you described how you work with the colors was amazing. I can't decide which one I like the best so I will do it like this -- in order of the ones I'd like to have:
3 - Cardamom
1 - Macaw
2 - Tandoori

Following you via GFC. Thank you for a fabulous giveaway!

Francy said...

Set 2: Tandoori oh the color is gorgeous and the beads are so awesome!