Meet Betty Anderson of Flashtrack Gems

I met Betty Anderson of Flashtrack Gems over a year ago when she first purchased a few of my beads on Ebay. I had just started to do focal beads and electroforming. Betty purchased some of my first works, and has been a source of encouragement ever since. I'm always honored when somebody chooses to use one of my beads, and I appreciate her very much.

On of my earlier (and favorite) electroformed focal beads that Betty used in the set below

Necklace and Earring Set by Betty Anderson

Betty is a lover of lampwork, and has supported many bead makers by using our beads in her beautiful creations. Betty has over 300 stunning bead creations listed in her Etsy shop, Flashtrack Gems. Check them out, as she has a very special, unique way of combining natural stones with lampwork beads.

From Betty's profile: "My specialty is faceted colored gem stones. I learned meet-point crystal faceting in the 1970's. It's a perfect fit for blending my creative side with my linear side. Glass and crystals have always been an attraction for me. I started stringing beads 5 years ago, just for simple relaxation. I got hooked when I started using Lampwork glass beads for composition inspiration. When I see a beautiful piece of art in the form of a glass artisan-created gem I'm compelled to find stone beads, mostly natural, that compliment the glass artist's creation. I also have jewelry listed that use only natural stone components. I'll be listing frequently so if you don't see something you like today, it may be there for you tomorrow....... ....Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. "Live long and prosper", Betty

As always, thanks for looking! ~ Lisa

New Items Now Listed

I have listed new beads in the shop today, and will continue listing throughout the week. New listings will include Christmas focals. Thanks for the emails...I really appreciate your interest. If you would like notification of new listings, please email me or join the email list on my website: Touch Of Glass Designs

Thanks again, and Happy Holidays to you!!

So Much To Be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving! My father is town this week and staying with us. We have had a busy last few days. We spent the evening and had dinner at my brother's house this evening. Of course, we all ate too much! Family and friends, a happy home and good health...we have so much to be thankful for.

I did take time this morning to put together a bracelet.

Copper viking knit bangle with copper end caps, electroformed acorn cap bead caps, red and amber electroformed lampwork focal bead:

Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you!

Electroformed Leaf Bead and More

What a whirl wind of a weekend! Saturday was my last day at the Indiana State Muesem, and although I had a great time and will miss it, I'm looking forward to a calmer schedule and more time at the torch.

Here are a few beads from this week:

Electroformed Leaf Bead: Amethyst, blue and amber with murinni and CZ accent and electroformed maple leaf on one side

Special Order Bead for Isabella's Beads (if it meets approval)

I have about fifteen beads that I will be listing mid week. Thanks for looking!!

New Beads From The Kiln

Here are a few more beads from the kiln.

This one is very soft baby blue and brown:

And a Christmas bead with very subtle gold stone glitters:

Thanks for looking!

Viking Knit Bracelet - Acorn Bead Caps

My little sister, Carmen, came over last night and I showed her how to do viking knit, and this is one of the bracelets that we made. I so enjoy spending time with Carmen, and love how close we are. This is just one more thing that we share...the joy of creating!

Since I started doing focals two years ago, I've spent little time doing smaller beads. We had to dig through the leftover, older beads, but I think it turned out pretty good.

Copper wire, lampwork bead, electroformed acorn caps for bead caps, and accent beads:

Thanks for looking!

A Few New Beads

Here are a few new beads from Friday. I had a few hours at the torch today, and mostly just played and tried new things. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

Here is a cosmic bead....lots of depth

and a very simple black and white

Thanks for looking!

A GREAT Day at the Museum as Artist In Residence

It was a wonderful day at the Indiana State Museum! ISLAGA members and friends held their monthly meeting there, and visited the Artist in Residence area afterwards. It's always so good to see my bead friends, and make new acquaintances. I met Samma, a lampworker that I had met online sometime ago. It's always great to be able to put a face with an online friend. Thanks to everyone for their friendship and support. Special thanks to Julie Miller (Indy Jules - great vessels), who helped me "man" the station and answer questions from the many visitors today.

It's very, very exciting to see the interest in lampworking. It's wonderful that lampworking is perceived as an art, more and more, through public education. I am much honored to be a part of that.

The Artist In Residence area is set up with a big screen monitor, which I have a PowerPoint presentation looped, and a nice glass case. The glass case is set up with finished work on the top shelf, and equipment used (flamework and electroforming) on the bottom.

Just a note: My goal is to concentrate on getting items posted on my website store by December 1st. I truly appreciate the interest and inquiries.

Here are a few pictures of today’s event. As always, thanks for looking!

The Latest From The Kiln ~ Beam Me Up, Scotty

The museum presentation went very well, and I will try to get some pictures next Saturday.

Between the gallery and museum commitments and working full time, torch time has been very limited. I found a few hours to torch yesterday, and revisted some class notes (Andrea). Here are a few beads out of the kiln this morning.

I cannot tell you how much depth this bead has in "person". I layered and layered the glass..... My husband declared it his favorite bead that I have made to date. I think I'll slip this one in his Christmas stocking.

As always, thanks for looking.