Favorite "unusual" shaped bead?

Jenne · #1 2011-08-21, 10:09am

Someone made the comment to me the other day, that I would sell more beads if they were different than what's in the craft store. Of course, she was a flippin' moron talking about the imported un-annealed slave labored crap...but perhaps she had a point.

I make rounds/donuts, lentils, bi-cones, barrels, and large focal tabs. All plain jane I suppose if you're looking at a shape stand point.

What's your favorite shape that's "unusal"? Pressed or shaped by hand.

If you want to include pictures, I wouldn't hate you for it

-Jenne

glassymom · #2 2011-08-21, 10:58am

I like to make these. I put on the glass, melt how I want and then squish. I like to make them different by putting more on one end or the middle......these are my favorite style to make!

Heather Behrendt · #3 2011-08-21, 11:14am

I love crystals and discs for my kinda unusual bead shapes.

I see them both pretty frequently by other artists, but I don't think I've ever seen them in Michael's

985 by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

Purple Sparkles over Pink Rose Discs with Metallic Lines by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

glassymom · #4 2011-08-21, 11:29am

oooooh, heather I love those disks!!!

alb6094 · #5 2011-08-21, 11:29am

I wouldn't call it unusual but I like doing hearts and they always seem to sell well. Of course I do lots and lots of donuts just like you.

I also love to make long oval beads and then squish them.

I don't do long focal tabs like you do but I've got to say I don't see that shape at all when I breeze past the beads at JoAnn's on the way to whatever I'm searching for that day. What I seem to recall are lentils, squares, rounds, and donuts.

Quite frankly if the woman is comparing what you do to import crap I'd make sympathetic 'mmm-hmmm' noises to whatever she says and let it go in one ear and out the other.

Lisi · #6 2011-08-21, 4:18pm

I could be wrong but I haven't seen too many beads shaped like these:

It's a surprising easy shape to make too.

Quote:

I make rounds/donuts, lentils, bi-cones, barrels, and large focal tabs. All plain jane I suppose if you're looking at a shape stand point.

On what you said here - Number one, don't listen to that moron person's BS. Number two -these shapes you mentioned here are really not so "plain Jane". If you can make all those shapes, then this is great! Don't be so hard on yourself because many of us "old" beadmakers don't even try to make an assortment of different shapes. We're so set in our ways that we only make what is comfortable.

It's when you make nothing but "round donutty beads" like I do...now that's plain Jane's style.

Kevan · #7 2011-08-21, 4:31pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisi

On what you said here - Number one, don't listen to that moron person's BS.

This. Someone else will tell you something completely different.

Angie09 · #8 2011-08-21, 4:53pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisi

I could be wrong but I haven't seen too many beads shaped like these:

It's a surprising easy shape to make too.

So Lisi ... how do you make these????

HannahRachel · #9 2011-08-21, 5:05pm

I can't really describe these, so here's a bunch of pictures...

Lisi · #10 2011-08-21, 5:06pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angie09

So Lisi ... how do you make these????

Easy! Just make a regular donut round and I use the Coon Valley masher to press just once, and then fire polish. With this masher, I raise it up on a weighted coffee can so I can stoop a little at eye level to get an even mash.

You can do this with a paddle masher too, but preferably one that a parallel stop so you can get an even mash with all of your beads. I don't know what it's called but the mashers stop at a certain width and don't flatten all the way. Like the ones that Devardi Glass sells.

Those in the photo are about 8mm thick, and with the thicker washers I can raise the masher more and get them 10mm thick.

NLC Beads · #11 2011-08-21, 5:09pm

This shape seems to be popular for me...

Shrimp · #12 2011-08-21, 5:09pm

Lots of cool shapes! Hannah has some really interesting ones there. I tend to see a lot of potential in a long tab like Astris has posted.

Roo Blaty · #13 2011-08-21, 6:13pm

I make these crazy guys...wonder what the moron would think of them??

Angie09 · #14 2011-08-21, 6:19pm

Thanks Lisi....I'll have to give that shape a try.

Gelly · #15 2011-08-21, 10:14pm

pig shaped, of course!!

Porkchop w/bling

FrankenSwine

PumPig

Pot-Bellied Pig

Jenne · #16 2011-08-22, 7:25pm

I know she's a moron, and...I'd like to see her make a freakin' bi-cone

I can admit I'm a bit sensitive, especially when it comes to my art. Gotta toughen my skin and ignore the morons!

Thanks for all the pictures! The talent really came out to answer my question. I think I just need to spend some time experimenting. I may even look into a tutorial that focuses on the sculptural side of lampworking. Well, still on-mandrel...that piece of metal is my security blanket

If I come up with anything cool, I'll show you guys.

JCHerrellGlass · #17 2011-08-22, 7:37pm

I like triangles:

Lisi · #18 2011-08-22, 8:19pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCHerrellGlass

I like triangles:

Those are so cool! I can imagine all kinds of design possibilities with these!

dcaaw · #19 2011-08-22, 8:26pm

the shapes are awesome

Judith Billig · #20 2011-08-22, 8:52pm

My customers always jump really fast on beads that I make in a "stalactite" shape.
And I love making them. Win - win

DarkFlowerBead · #21 2011-08-22, 11:40pm

Judith, I have long been a fan of your gorgeous icicle beads. I enjoy all your variations. For me, I can't stop making these off mandrel pods.

I also love the cone shape for earrings

And barrel shapes

Ok guess I couldn't chose a favorite. sorry to hog
Cara

selma_belma · #22 2011-08-23, 3:35pm

I love seeing all of these different shapes! I especially love the ones Judith posted. Wow!

essiemessy · #23 2011-08-23, 5:10pm

Gloooooops! I love gloops

Man, Judith's gloops rock!

Roo Blaty · #24 2011-08-24, 1:23pm

Just curious, what do the imports make besides the usual round, square, lentil, etc?? (oh, right...ugly cracked BHB's I forgot)

I mean, seriously. I think that most jewelry makers (those who use glass beads) plan for, use and BUY those "usual" types of beads b/c they can put them in so many types of jewelry. And there are people on here (LE) who make serious $$ making those types of beads that the maroon (I love Bugs Bunny) was talking about. Of course, they make them beautiful and perfectly executed...AND they are awesome and they sell.

I bet your beads are just fine!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenne

Someone made the comment to me the other day, that I would sell more beads if they were different than what's in the craft store. Of course, she was a flippin' moron talking about the imported un-annealed slave labored crap...but perhaps she had a point.

I make rounds/donuts, lentils, bi-cones, barrels, and large focal tabs. All plain jane I suppose if you're looking at a shape stand point.

What's your favorite shape that's "unusal"? Pressed or shaped by hand.

If you want to include pictures, I wouldn't hate you for it

-Jenne