Gorgeous Raku and Seed Beads Necklace by Njema

Raku&Beads pt. 1, originally uploaded by njema.

I'm a little slow in the blog world!!! I hope everyone had a great holiday season! I wanted to share with you this gorgeous necklace that Ginny of Njema made for her mom. Ginny said, "I used beads matching the highlights of colors in the pendant and took the copper heart that came with it to use as a clasp." Very creative, I think! I love seeing my pendants, beads and buttons in others work. It's so amazing to see what evolves! Fabulous necklace Ginny! I hope your mom liked her gift! Make sure to check out Ginny's Etsy shop when you get a chance!

I've been crazy busy trying to get ready for The Tucson Bead Show Feb 7th-9th!!! I'll be in booth GP305 at the Tucson Doubletree in the big tent. Come by and see me if you're planning on making the trip to Tucson this year!

SweetFreedom Jewelry Designer

Wow! This piece is spectacular!!! I just love what jewelry designer Lesley of http://www.sweetfreedom.etsy.com/ did with one of my MAKUstudio raku pendants!!! You can read about all the work that went into this weaver's masterpiece in her Etsy shop. Beyond my imagination! She created this gorgeous necklace for the Etsy Beadweaver's June Challenge with the theme "Anything Goes"! Voting begins on June 7th. Visit the team's blog, http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/, to vote for SweetFreedom's amazing creation!!! I hope you win Lesley!

Fabulous Handmade Necklaces with Raku Ceramic Focal Beads

Wow! I love these creations! These lovely necklaces were handmade by Sherry of melangeatrois. Make sure to visit here Etsy shop of unique jewelry! Sherry used my raku pendants as the focal beads and added her own unique touch creating a one of a kind piece of art! Beautiful! Thanks so much Sherry for sharing them with me.

2 Times in One Day!

Today was a good day! I got on the front page of Etsy 2 times in one day! How exciting!!! I haven't been able to find the other screen shot yet, but will be sure to post it when I do! Both the "Black Petals" raku pendant and the "Black Daisy" raku magnet sold right away! Thanks so much to XENOTEES and catROCKS for placing my raku pieces in their amazing treasuries!!!

Jewelry Design by Broadway Beads

Oh, I am so excited with how this necklace turned out!!! Just gorgeous! This necklace was created by Marie of Broadway Beads. She used my raku white crackle bead with the celtic square in the center as her focal point. She added lava rock, polymer beads, and her own handmade glass beads as well. Amazing! Marie is a member of the Arizona Society of Glass Beadmakers who have always been involved with Beads of Courage, a unique group for children coping with serious illness. Beads of Courage is holding a fundraiser called BEad Inspired on April 5th at the Scottsdale Borgata in Scottsdale, Arizona. This necklace will be for sale at this wonderful charity event. Thanks Marie!

"White Icing" Raku Bead/Pendant

Here's one of my latest creations! A simple, classic donut style with a textured pattern and white crackle glaze. Fired in my homemade raku kiln...of course! What really makes this raku bead stand out though, is the hand dyed fuschia silk ribbon that I have paired it with. The ribbon is the handy goodness of Heidi of Jamnglass. Heidi makes fabulous glass beads as well as a myriad of hand dyed silk ribbons which she also stitches herself. What talent! Make sure to also check out her Etsy shop when you get the chance. You can find this raku pendant featured on her website www.Jamnglass.com. Thanks Heidi!

Raku Beads

Here are some of my latest raku bead creations! Handmade by me, Marianne "MAK" Kasparian. They are all meticulously sanded, fired, glazed and fired again! I fired these in my homemade raku kiln. Some of these will be going out for a custom wholesale bead supply order to New Jersey. A talented glass artist and jewelry designer is incorporating the beads into her designs. Check out her website when you get the chance! I'll be adding more raku beads and pendants to my Etsy website very soon! Check back often!!!

Handmade Raku Focal Beads

Here are some photos of the finished raku fired focal beads that I was working on for Marie of BroadwayBeads. I know she is going to make some really cool jewelry!

Just Keep Sanding, Just Keep Sanding

Today is a sanding day! I have a custom order from Marie of Broadway Beads for some pendant focal "beads". She liked my magnets and wanted me to add a hole so that she could incorporate the raku pieces into some of her designs. I am so flattered!!! These are some pieces that I am working on that are in the bone dry stage. I am sanding them to get them just right. Next they will be bisque fired (later today), glazed and raku fired in my homemade raku kiln. Lots of work, but I LOVE it!!!