BeadandButton Show Lets Us Play With Fire

I remember as a little girl being fascinated by the glass on display in a southern Ohio glass factory. I've always been drawn to glass, particularly glass artwork. The beautiful glass beads used in jewelry design was one of the things that made me want to attempt jewelry making. When an opportunity came to learn lampworking, I jumped on it. One of the venues the iKandies team has used to learn new techniques like lampworking has been by attending the annual Bead&Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Members of the iKandies team have been attending for four years and we thought we would share one of our classes with you in this episode of iKandiesJewels.

The class we attending was a beginning class in lampwork. According to Wikipedia, the definition of "lampworking" is:
Lampworking is a type of glass work that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It is also known as flame working or torch working, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps.

Our instructor provided us with the tools we needed, as the photo shows.  This included a hot head torch, metal table surface, marver, mandrels, fiberglass blanket and glass rods, to name a few.

In the next three pictures we see Jill, Debi and I demonstrating the techniques we learned to melt the end of the glass rods, wrap them around a mandrel, and shape them into round, oblong or square beads.

We also learned to layer colors of glass and add dichroic glass pieces to add depth and sparkle to the bead.

The beads can be cooled in a fiberglass blanket, but in order to reduce chipping and breaking, they must be annealed in a kiln.

Although creating beautiful pieces of lampwork glass can't be learned in a day, we benefited from the learning experience.   Our beads were far from the beautiful pieces on display at the BeadandButton Show but we learned alot from the class.  We learned about the properties of glass, how various colors heat at different temperatures, how to work with the hot glass, and even how to fix mistakes!  We truly have a greater appreciation for the artisans who create their beautiful pieces using this technique!

iKandies- Have us Repair Your Jewelry or Design a Custom Piece for You

The designers at iKandies have had requests to repair jewelry pieces that we have not designed, and we have always been happy to do our best to transform your items back to their original condition.  These repairs have included lengthening necklaces, repairing clasps, restringing, and even redesigning older pieces.  What is involved in these kind of repairs?

First, photos are taken of your item and an inspection is made to ascertain what repairs are needed.  If replacement parts are required, we make a diligent search to find the closest duplicate to the part to be replaced. The item is careful disassembled and laid out on a jewelry mat. In most cases we use Accu-Flex 49 strand Beading Wire or Berkley Fireline braided cord to restring an item.  Sterling silver components are replaced with sterling silver parts while plated metal components are replaced with plated metal parts. Similarly, we replace crystals, glass, pearls, and metal beads with the same type of component.  

If an item is to be redesigned, we will discuss your vision for your piece and answer any questions you have about changes you would like made. 

Amonite and Potato Chip Shell Necklace

If after the initial inspection we find we are unable to repair your jewelry piece, it will be returned to you in the same condition in which it was received.

Prices will be quoted after photos and the inspection have been made and before we proceed with any repairs.  Rates are based on time and materials, and a flat $5.00 rate is added for shipping for most items. Shipping insurance may be added upon request. 

Additionally, we have created beautiful custom pieces that have been requested to match specific outfits or for special occasions. Customers who have sent us photos and asked us to recreate the piece for them are not only pleased with the results but surprised at how well we are able to duplicate the jewelry piece in the photo.

If you would like a quote for first class repairs or a custom jewelry piece designed just for you, please contact iKandies at kkrizzy@hotmail.com.

Out of the Lab and onto the Jewelry Designer's Bench

 Those new to Jewelry design usually begin with simple components - Czech glass and plated metal beads, stringing wire, crimp beads and a clasp.  But as they soon discover, beading includes a wide array of options that often surprise and inspire the designer to attempt new techniques and materials.  Often, they are surprised to learn the background of some of the materials commonly used.  For instance, iKandies often uses boro glass in its designs.  Boro glass teardrops were used in our Copper Leaf and Glass Autumn Necklace and boro glass cubes were used in our Raspberry Seed Bead and Boro Glass Necklace.  What is boro glass?  


Boro glass is borosilicate glass, a type of glass that consists of about 10% boric oxide. The boric oxide makes the glass resistant to extreme temperatures, and also improves its resistance to chemical corrosion. This glass is very popular in the manufacture of scientific instruments and in the scientific lab. This glass is also used for reflecting telescope glass mirror components because the optical surfaces change very little with temperature fluctuations, resulting in very precise measurements.


Borosilicate glass is thought to have been created by a German glassmaker in the 19th century. In 1915 a famous line of borosilicate kitchen products was released under the Pyrex label.  Borosilicate glass is usually without color, but colored borosilicate was introduced into the market in 1986 and is used by jewelry design artists today.

Acrylics are Hot!

iKandies just sold two of our acrylic flowers and leaves necklaces. They have been a popular item at the artfairs we've participated in this summer and now they're gaining popularity on Etsy. Take a look and let us know what you think...

We're designing  more of these beautiful necklaces for our Etsy site.  We thought it might be fun to show these "creations" in progress..

The first step is to select the color pallet. In this case, Debi chose these colors, with the focus on the pastel pinks and green.  Spring Green seed beads, size 6, were selected as the base for the necklace.

After stringing the base to a desired length using the seed beads and Fireline, Debi added a small loop at one end with smaller seed beads. This will be one half of the "clasp" that will keep the necklace closed. 

Then she began laying out the leaves and flowers and attaching them.

Not only is color important, but equally important is the placement of the components on the base, the sizes of the leaves and flowers that are selected, the textures and the variety of shapes.  Acrylic birch and japanese leaves were used along with pansies, trumpet and five-petaled flowers. Some of the larger flowers were crowned with smaller cup shaped flowers creating a whole new flower resembling a tulip.

Most of the leaves and flowers have a matte finish and some of the trumpet flowers have been hand dipped into pastel contrasting colors making them appear to be more life like.

Check our website iKandies or our  Etsy site where our newest acrylic flowers and leaves necklaces will soon appear!  By the way, matching earrings are available, too!  Enjoy! 

New Project Accessory Show Challenges Designers

iKandies received an email the other day from one of its suppliers, Rio Grande, and discovered this company was a supporter of the new Lifetime Channel show, Project Accessory.  In this program, 12 designers will compete by creating one-of-a-kind jewelry, bags, shoes, and other accessories.  Rio Grande not only supplies some of the tools shown on each episode but is also offering a design challenge of its own each week that coordinates with each episode in the show.   The first episode on Project Accessory challenged the designers to create an accessory for jeans and a t- shirt by using objects found in a storage unit.  Rio Grande’s take on the challenge was an Asian-inspired, industrial collage belt.  For a look at the finished product and a list of supplies and tools used to make it, click on this link. You can also signup to be notified of Rio Grande's weekly challenge and contests they'll be holding in conjunction with the TV program.

Esty Lush - Another Opportunity to Get the Word Out

I recently stumbled upon a third-party marketing website that is advertised on Etsy - Etsy Lush.  Although not affiliated with Etsy, Etsy Lush provides another location on the internet to showcase an artist's handmade items with a link to the item in the artist's Etsy store.  EtsyLush describes their site as a place where the "best of handmade and vintage" items are presented.  The items submitted to the site are carefully checked to see that they qualify to meet the standards of high quality and originality being promoted by Etsy Lush.   Once an item has been accepted, it appears on the site for 2 months.  For a small fee, approved submissions may be added to the Etsy Lush "Gift Guide" for a period of 1 to 3 months.
    Here's iKandies Unique Custom Jewelry's first submission:

Viking Knit Bracelet

Fireline is Not Just for Fishing

In the description for the most recent necklace I posted to our Etsy site, I included the product "Fireline" in connection with the spiral stitch used to create the necklace.  If you are a fisherman, you might wonder why in the world we would use Fireline?  If you're not a fisherman, here's a little info on this wonderful product that is a plus to have in your beadbox, especially if you like to do something more elaborate than bead stringing.

Berkley Fireline is part of their "superline" family of polyethylene microfibered fishing line.  Its known for it strength and the fact that there is little stretch.  Colors such as "Crystal" and "Smoke" make the line nearly invisible not only to fish but also when woven into beaded designs.

I discovered the product several years ago when it was suggested in a project I decided to try and I haven't used anything else for my weaving and stitching projects since.  It's thin enough to thread on a needle and can be tied off and hidden anywhere in your project.  It won't break and beads won't wear it down or cause it to fray.  

Some bead supply houses have been stocking it in recent years, but you can also find it a sports shops such as Cabela's or a local bait and tackle shop. (When the girl behind the counter asked me if I knew how to use Fireline the first time I purchased a spool at my local bait shop, was she surprised when I explained I wasn't fishing but beading!)

Give it a try on you next project; you won't be disappointed!