Friday Pick - Rings & Things Holiday Lampwork Bracelet

In my last Rings & Things goodie package I received some lampwork holiday beads. Here's the bracelet I'm making using them:

I made the simple chain bracelet with gold plated jumprings, then I put the beads on some ball-tipped gold plated headpins from Beadalon (purchased at Michael's) with small gold a beadcap to keep the headpin from slipping through the fairly large hole in these beads. Because they do have a large hole, you could string these beads on cord or even a serpentine chain if you wanted. I put a wrapped loop at the top and then opened the jumpring to hook the loop on to the chain.

Between the lampwork beads are three sets of Christmas light charms that were part of a "Dress It Up" button set by Jesse James beads (also purchased at Michael's) These charms are of a very soft plastic, feels like rubber, and have a great translucence that gives the impression of a glowing bulb when back-lit.

The Rings & Things lampwork beads on this bracelet come from their Christmas Lampwork Beads selection. These beads are made in China. On the Rings & Things page for each item is a description. I really appreciate the transparency and disclosure from Rings & Things - note what they say about these beads right on the product page:

Glass beads made in China, India, and Indonesia are usually not kiln annealed (a controlled cooling process that improves durability). They are slightly more prone to breakage than glass beads made in Europe and the United States, but are priced accordingly.

The ones shown in the photo above are Red Gingerbread Man, Brown Teddy Bear, and Round Snowman Head. Still to be added to the bracelet is an adorable Penguin. The other two beads I received in my goodie package, a Christmas Tree and a Stocking will probably go on another design.

Still trying to figure out what I want to do with the large wood chain and polyester chain I got. Have an idea for the copper chain that I hope to get too soon and share.

Come back tomorrow for Supplier Sales Saturday - the holiday offers out there are pretty good!


Holly fairy picture in my signature, above, came from The Graphics Fairy

FTC compliance, disclosure of material connection: The lampwork beads reviewed above were provided as a promotional consideration by Rings & Things for design and review purposes as part of their Blog Partner program.