All the votes are in and the poll has closed. All the names that were submitted (thank you!) were really good choices, but obviously we can only have one winner. There was around 120 in total names submitted and it was really difficult narrowing them down to just 10 choices. The winning name was in the lead pretty much from the beginning and finished with a strong 33% of the winning vote out of 114 total votes. So I am happy to announce that the new shards will now be called “Amphibian Shards”! A very fitting name if you ask me. Thanks to all those who voted and to those who submitted names. If your name wasn’t chosen for the poll, or you did not win, don’t worry. I’m sure there will be many more shard naming contests to come for you to play again.

Congratulations to Lisa a.k.a GlassGalore for submitting the winning name! Your pack of shards will be on their way shortly, enjoy!

~Joe~

I have selected the top 10 names (wasn’t easy) of all those submitted for the new shards, and it is now time for you all to decide what these shards will be named. The individual who submitted the winning name will be receiving a free .5 ounce package of these shards. This poll will run until June 21st 11:59pm. These shards and many more are also available for purchase in my web store.

Happy voting! Good luck to those who’s names have been chosen!

Yes I have run into another wall trying to name the newest shard color mix. All the names that come to mind are boring and lame. So, I thought it would be fun to run another “Name these shards” contest.

This is how it works. Starting now, submit any number of names until the cut off date of June 14th. When submissions have closed I will go through the list and select the top 10 names that I think best fit the shards. I will then put up a poll on here with the names I have chosen for everyone to vote on for their favorite name.

The best part, the person who submitted the winning name will receive a free .5oz bag of these new shards! Or if you are not a bead maker I will send you a coupon code good for $14 dollars off any beads in my webstore! The poll will be open for voting from June 15th-21st.

Please submit your shard names by email.
Have fun!

We’ve all had it, we all laugh at it, and I’m sure its a fad somewhere. That super stylish hair that stands up in odd places, goes every which way and greets us in the morning mirror every day. Now you can embrace it with these comical Bed Head glass pendants. Talk about a conversation piece! Buy a sterling silver snake chain or one of the adjustable satin cord necklaces from my store and your all set. All metal components used in these pendants are sterling silver.

These pendants along with the necklaces are currently available in my Etsy store. Buy one as a gift to give or keep it for yourself.

I may be a tad late in posting this, but better late then never right? The name “Glacier” and “Italian Marble” were tied for awhile but after 52 total votes it was “Italian Marble” that came out on top in the end with 31% of the votes. So “Italian Marble” it is! I think it was a good choice and really fits the appearance of the shards well. Thanks to all those who voted and to those who submitted names.

Congratulations to Bearrampart for submitting the winning name! Your pack of shards are on their way!

I had a name block for these shards and couldn’t think of anything catchy for them. So I thought it would be a good idea to run a little contest to find a name for these beautiful shards. I have selected the top 10 names of all those submitted and it is now time for you all to decide what these shards will be named. The individual who submitted the winning name will be receiving a free .5 ounce package of these shards. This poll will run till March 14th 11:59pm. These shards and many more are also available for purchase in my Etsy store.

Example bead made using these shards.

Happy voting! Good luck to those who’s names have been chosen!

Yay! Another new design. Fresh out of the kiln are these beautiful one of a kind pendants. They are fairly large pieces and very noticeable that are sure to make a statement. I wore one the other day and people that I was talking to or passing by couldn’t help but look and comment, love it when that happens. They really are a good conversational piece.

I was doing something else at the torch and like most of my ideas it triggered something in my head. Of course now with this new style of pendant, comes with it a flurry of design ideas that is going to take awhile for me to digest and make it a reality. I can see lots of beautiful floral, landscape, abstract, and organic designs in my head and pretty much daydream about the ideas non stop. Right now I’m in or sort of abstract organic mode until I think out the other possibilities with these pendants. Now I wish I had more than a couple hours a day to work on the torch. It’s going to take me forever to make all the designs that I am envisioning.

See all the current medallion pendants for sale HERE.

Grab your mittens and hats and come on down to the Downers Grove Ice Fest February 8-10th! This 3-day festival is held in downtown Downers Grove and features an ice carving competition with both amateurs and professional carvers competing for prize money. Bring the family down to enjoy the competition excitement and entertainment provided by street performers. Downtown merchants display ice sculptures in front of their shops for all to enjoy viewing. Local vendors offer hot chocolate, kettlekorn and other warming treats. Free trolley rides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to view the carvings.

For complete info on this festival, visit the Downers Grove events page here

So you are probably wondering why I titled this post the way I did. Well, I will be at Gallery’s Choice doing live bead demos during the Ice Festival. Hence the title, “Fire and Ice”, Clever eh? I will most likely be doing demos of hearts, fish, large barrel organics and whatever else comes to mind. If you’ve always wondering how these little works of art are made, do not miss this chance to see how its all done!

Gallery’s Choice is located at 1014 Curtis in downtown Downers Grove, just a half block off of Main st. I will be there Friday Feb. 8th from 6pm till whenever the crowds disperse. I will also be there Feb 9th from noon and untill I get tired

If you would like to call Gallery’s Choice for specific directions or information regarding this event, contact Rose the gallery owner at 630-969-5660.

~Joe~

Yes, I have yet another lampwork product line. This time however it has nothing to do with wearable glass art. I’ve had several pounds of clear borosilicate rods just sitting in my studio and a two pound grab bag of colored boro waiting to be used for something cool. Two nights ago as I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep, just like every other night . An idea popped into my head. There really isn’t much in unique artist made bar ware out there. Sure you have your mass produced items that everyone has or can buy, but not much in one of kind unique items.

So with that I give you my new lampwork glass swizzle sticks. Each is one of kind and will be sure to add a conversation piece at any party or get together. Of course you can enjoy them all on your own as well. I know I do

On one end is a paddle with a gorgeous colors and design with the other stirring end having a matching design. These would make excellent gifts for weddings, house warming presents, or a gift for any occasion. Use them to stir your favorite alcoholic beverage or some fresh tea. They will be sold in packs of four as well as singles. If you are a collector of swizzle sticks, you are going to love these!

Purchase these at my Etsy store.

Ahh yes it must be my new fish pendants These adorable lampwork fish beads, turned pendants are full of great character with their blue eyes and big red lips. Most of them are based of real reef fish but with my own whimsical style taking over. If you are a lover of the ocean these are a definite must. I haven’t ever worn one of these out in public but I would imagine you would get lots of looks and comments from people in viewing distance.

Best of all, as you know with all my work, these lampwork creations are all one of kind. So you are the only one that will ever have that exact piece. Kinda cool when you think about it eh?

See these and the rest of my pieces in my Etsy store.