This is a reprint from Art Bead Scene, but as it applies to Beads of Clay I thought I'd reprint it here just in case we could spread the word about ceramic beads even further!



Our very own Melanie Brooks Lukacs was recently published in the August 2007 issue of Simply beads - Yeah!!! Way to go Melanie. Though she appears several places in the magazine - this blog focuses on her incredible article about Ceramic Beads.

Melanie began the journey of writing this article quite a while ago and the time and care put into the article shows as she explains how porcelain, stoneware and earthenware clays are used to make fired beads and pendants. There are many, many examples in the magazine but I wanted to show you some right here that coincide with our monthly challenge theme of Mermaid's Grotto.

Porcelain examples:

Stoneware examples:

Earthenware examples:

In that same article Melanie explains the differences between clays commonly used to make fired beads and pendants. In that article she points out that one glaze can look quite different when applied to different types of clay. Here are some examples of the same glaze applied to different clays:



Thanks for taking a look!

- Elaine

Colorful Beads, Pendants and Buttons By BOC Artists

Red and White
Originally uploaded by marlasmud

I recently visited the Beads of Clay Flickr! Group and was excited to see so many brightly colored beads, buttons, and pendants. I am always amazed that such tiny works of art can be so colorful and full of detail. This post is being devoted to the especially colorful Beads of Clay on Flickr! You can click on any photo to get the artist's full portfolio.

I am starting with this vibrant colorful heart from Marlasmud at FiredClayArtists.com. It is the beautiful heart at the beginning of the blog.

Next we have a beautiful porcelain flower from Annieo2006 (Annie O'Fallon)

Originally uploaded by annieo2006

These colors are truly flaming hot. A wonderfully playful bead by Melanie at Earthenwoodstudio.com

Flaming Heart Bead
Originally uploaded by Earthenwood Beads

New Watercolors Series
Originally uploaded by offcentergallery

Gorgeous pinks by Joan Tucker at offcenterproductions.com

spotted fish
Originally uploaded by rusmar31

Spotted Fish by Marti C. Wild and full of fantasy. Quite a beauty.

Salsa bead bracelet
Originally uploaded by LadyBrook

Vibrant and very red salsa beads by LadyBrook of FiredClayArtists.com

Beautiful combination of silver and pink from Lisa Peters at lisapetersART.com

Heart Button RAKU Love
Originally uploaded by Lisa Peters Art

paz
Originally uploaded by Dilán

Stunning colors from Dilan. So sultry.

JoelleBday
Originally uploaded by gaeac

Mexican Folk Art colors on this lovely necklace by gaea of http://www.gaea.com/

Three corset-like jackets
Originally uploaded by embroideredsoul

These jackets are so different, colorful and fun. They are from embroideredsoul.com

Ladybug Leaf Pendant
Originally uploaded by Shaterra Clay

Gorgeous colors so skillfully done on this Ladybug leaf Pendant by Shaterraclay at FiredClayArtists.com

long bead
Originally uploaded by MillerPorcelain

An incredibly made and beautifully colored porcelain bead by Joan Miller of JoanMillerPorcelain and Fired ClayArtists.com. Truly remarkable.

New Tie Dye Buttons
Originally uploaded by claybuttons

Way cool buttons by Claybuttons.com. I can't imagine how she can do this.

Tuan with Twisty Bead Drops
Originally uploaded by nataliegillihan

Wonderful shapes and colors from Nataliegillihan.com

Cameo Pendant
Originally uploaded by yoli miramontes

This is such a tactile pink on Yolanda's Locket Pendant. Wow! Yolanda Miramontes of FiredClayArtists created this one.

I guess I am not going to leave myself out although I don't usually use such bright colors. Multicolored vessel by Mary Harding of maryhardingjewelry.com and firedclayartists.com. Vessel has extra holes for more design options.

Multi colored vessel shaped pendant
Originally uploaded by maryharding

All of the BOC artists here have achieved such intense and beautiful colors by the skillful use of glazes. My all time favorite glaze for myself is Mayco Stroke and Coat. These glazes come in a wide selection of colors and are very reliable. If you want a really bright color you will need to put on three coats. I often don't use such bright colors and one or 2 coats gives me a more of a watercolor effect. I have recently seen that Duncan has come out with some very bright Neon colors. Duncan also makes a line of colors like Stroke and Coat. I haven't tried them but I know that many people really like Duncan glazes. For high fire clays like porcelain and stoneware, I've heard that Spectrum and Georgie's glazes have some very bright and intense colors but that is not an area I know much about. A good subject for another blog post from our BOC Blog Team.

Beads of Courage

Hello....I am Sharleen of Shaterra Clay Studio. I am a member of BOC, and I make low fire earthenware ceramic beads and pendants.


The latest issue of Bead and Button magazine features an article on page 16 called "String of Achievements". This article is about a program called "Beads of Courage".


"Beads of Courage" awards hand made beads to children fighting serious illnesses as milestone markers during the course of hospital treatment. For instance, a child may receive a bead for sitting through an Xray or a chemotherapy treatment. At the end of the treatment, the child receives a purple heart of courage.


Parents are also given butterfly bereavement beads when a child loses his or her battle with the illness.


The Beads of Courage organization is always looking for donations of beads. I was inspired to create some butterfly and purple heart beads to donate. The web site shows lampwork and polymer clay donations, but I didn't see anything ceramic. I felt this would be a good way to raise the profile of ceramic beads and ceramic bead artists, and also to donate to a worthy cause.


For more information about the organization, or if you are interested in donating beads, visit beadsofcourage.net .