Scarlet-Impressions' Blog

Through Fire and Flame
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Cyber Monday Deals Exclusive to Scarlet Impressions on Artfire

Published: 11-17-2011 09:40am
Thanksgiving is just a week away and while here in the UK I won't be celebrating "turkey day" (turkeys are reserved for Christmas day here.) Scarlet Impressions will still be participating in some great Cyber Monday deals so all of my friends and customers across the pond can save on my range of artisan lampwork beads, handmade findings and custom made jewellery. Of course these deals aren't just for those in the USA. Everyone can get in on the action, where ever you are in the world. So what deals can you expect? Well as well as free worldwide shipping, which is always available at Scarlet Impressions I will be having a Cyber Monday Flash Sal... » Read More

Into the Studio - Week Ending 13th November

Published: 11-13-2011 08:00am
This week is a busy one. I've been preparing for Christmas craft fairs so instead of just making beads I have been turning those beads into some new jewellery lines. Beads You will have probably noticed a new category in my studio recently, Artisan Lampwork Spacer Beads. Where you can buy individual spacer beads, this allows you to buy one to add to a focal or as many as you need to complete a project. I've got the plain chunky rounds spacers in store so far but over the next few weeks I will be adding bicones and ribbed donuts as well as adding etched versions of those beads for those that prefer the matte finish. JewelleryFor those of yo... » Read More

Introduction to Lampwork - Part Three

Published: 11-12-2011 10:40am
Posted In: All About Lampwork Glass
There are many techniques in lampworking that a glass artist may mention when talking about their beads, knowing what techniques have been used is benifical to understanding the lampworking process and the quality of the beads. This list is by no means comprihensive but will give you an insight to the more common techniques and how they should look. Encasing - Sometimes called casing this technique is often done with clear glass over a decorated bead. A bead is made and then the lampworker adds a layer of clear glass to the bead in order to magnify the decoration. This however isn't limited to clear glass on decorated beads. Encasing is the com... » Read More

Introduction to Lampwork - Part Two

Published: 11-11-2011 05:26am
Posted In: All About Lampwork Glass
Lampworking is the art of melting glass in a controlled way to form a shape. The most commom product of lampworking is beads. Part two of this introduction to lampwork is all about the common terminology that you will generally see in lampwork bead listings. Annealing - The most important part of the process after making the beads. Glass is very susceptible to thermal shock and needs to be cooled slowly to remove any stress in the glass that may cause it to break. Annealing is done in a kiln and beads go from the torch flame into a pre-heated kiln. After a lampworker has finished a session the kiln is then programmed to hold the temperatu... » Read More

ArtFire 101 - The new blogging platform

Published: 11-10-2011 10:57am
Posted In: Artfire 101
Since the launch of the new ArtFire studios there has been one feature I have eagerly awaited. The new blogs. Blogging right here on Artfire is a great way to generate fresh content for the ever hungry google and get yourself more traffic as well as promoting interaction between you and your fans. Maybe you used the old ArtFire blogs if you did you know exactly what I am talking about, if you didn't then what better time to start blogging. Firstly it's worth mentioning the benefit of blogging on ArtFire as opposed to starting a blog on another blogging platform such as wordpress or blogger. While these are great platforms and offer you many op... » Read More

Introduction to Lampwork Part One

Published: 11-09-2011 02:40pm
Posted In: All About Lampwork Glass
Thanks to the growing popularity of lampwork, most people, especially jewellery artisans, have now heard of lampworking. Also thanks to the jewellery artists out there including lampwork beads in their designs glass beads in general have risen in popularity as an affordable alternative to using gemstones with more scope for colour, texture and patterning. There are so many different things to consider when looking at lampwork beads, this series of blog posts have been written to help you understand the different terms you are likely to see in a lampwork bead listing, and things to look out for if you are buying beads and want to make sure you a... » Read More
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