My Boyfriend Makes Beads!!! What a Happy Girl I am!!!

My boyfriend (Keith aka Boyfriend) picked up lampworking around February of 2012. Since then it has taken quite some time to get him motivated on doing anything serious with it but after he recently invested in a new torch set up and an ever so kind friend (Dean Abner of Bubby & McGurk Beads sent him some WONDERFUL resources) he's finally getting into his groove!! I can't say how excited I am to have a partner who cares enough to find a way to make himself a part of my hobby! This blog is my way of sharing that with you my followers and random viewers. In this blog I will show off some of my favorite sets and some pieces made using the up and coming "Boyfriend's Beads". You can follow him on Facebook or check out his Etsy shop for more info and samples! I also have some older sets in my photos on my Facebook as well. Feel free to join us in our networking!! :)

And here they are ladies and gentlemen. Some of my favorite sets/pieces of "Boyfriend's Beads"

These are what I refer to as the "Peacock Pattern". Not sure where that came from but it sticks. I was browsing a bead store and found the most perfect feathers for these.. here's a sample. 

Another one of my favorite sets of Keith's beads are what we call the "Tiger Pattern". The peacock set was one of his first sets and shortly thereafter came the tiger set. So rich in color I fell hard for these babies!! 

Now, as of lately Boyfriend has been getting into some specialty glass and frits. I can say I am REALLY enjoying that part! Some of my favorite specialty sets I'm having a very hard time parting with, and one I've already decided to keep. 

This last set is one I kept for myself. I made a nifty leather wrap that showcase the beads and have 2 beads left to make matching earrings. I LOVE this set!!! 

I also made some other random pieces with some beads focusing moreso on the piece as a whole as opposed to trying to showcase the beads. They ended up being some great fillers! 

Here I used a set where the frit hadn't quite turned. I thought it was perfect for spring. As things are just starting to bloom, so was the frit. 

On this piece, the specialty green set with accenting sea foam green beads worked GREAT with my stamped and painted focal. I couldn't be more happy with this piece! 

On this one I used some "Messy Olive" glass beads to add to my acorn stamped and painted focal. This one looks better in person! 

I've had this sea horse for years now. It finally came together for me with some of Boyfriend's creamy glass and light transparent green dots. Just goes to show... there will come a time for EVERY bead piece you collect. (Told ya Mom! hahah)

This is the last one I promise! You should really click the image on this one to enlarge the photo and see the beads. I was going for something beachy when I picked this glass out. The black was a total fluke. Did not expect it but I loved it. It reminded me of black beach stones. So the bead, to me, has blue for water, white sandy tone for white sandy beaches, and black for the beach stones. The sari silk and pendant give it an Island feel and the pearls and Swarovksi crystals jazz it up a bit while the riverstone ties it all together. 

There are just so many possibilities in jewelry and that's why I love it so much. The creativity is never ending. There are always new avenues to explore. So explore some "Boyfriend's Beads" and see what kind of inspiration he can ignite in your designs!