Czech glass

Continuing the series on Whys It So Expensive?!......

Glass is glass is glass....right?  Or is it?

When we buy things like glasses or windows or even mirrors, we start to learn that all glass is not created equal - and the same is true in beading.  The most popular types of glass include lampwork (see the last edition of "Whys It So Expensive"), crystal, dichroic, Venetian, vintage, cats eye, and today's topic Czech.

I've been learning all about Czech glass in the last few weeks because my Bead Soup partner is a big fan and sent nearly all this type of beads to me.  It's been a challenge and so much fun to learn about the different finishes, shapes, colors, mixes and types of beads.

ArtBeads.com describes it this way:
Glass making in the Czech Republic is an age old cottage industry. These glass beads are still made in small quantities by hand. Due to the way the glass is made, there may be slight color variation from one bead batch to the next.

Now, you may wonder why this matters....well...it matters because when an artist decides to use this glass, it's more expensive than say something that is mass produced.  HOWEVER, this glass is simply *splendid*!   Check out some of these different types:

Click Photo to Enlarge

GORGEOUS, right?!!?  I'm having a great time using these 'new to me' beads and looking forward to using them in my jewelry.  I LOVE that they are hand made in small batches and that gives them more personality!  The price is a bit higher than a typical glass bead, made in large quantities but it is CERTAINLY worth it!

Here is an adorable pair of earrings I made with some adorable pressed flower bead caps:




Next time you're looking at hand made jewelry and they tell you it's made with Czech glass - you know that while it may be a little more expensive - it's also that much more special!

Hey - what's the on the back of your neck?

Continuing the series on Whys It So Expensive?!......

So, we've talked about the wire....we've talked about special beads.... now, the fun part - CLASPS!  One of my favorite things about making jewelry is, as I refer to it, "righting the wrongs of jewelry designers past", CLASPS!  We all know them....the little springing thing that you have to practically rip your fingernail off to get pulled back, and then do a dance with the necklace to get into the teeny tiny little hole that they've provided to latch to.  BLEAH!  Guess what?!  They don't have to be so horrid!  It's true!

My favorite types of clasps are magnetic, toggle and hook & eye.

MAGNETIC
How much time do we WASTE trying to get those little springs into the little hole, while the bracelet flips and flails around our wrists?  There's no need! Magnets all the way, baby! Many older ladies comment "Oh this is so great for my arthritic hands"....honey it ain't great just for those hands - how about ANY hand?  What I love about the magnets is that all you have to do is get them close together and they do all the work for you!  How wonderful, right?  Here's a sample of some pieces with magnets....

https://www.etsy.com/listing/115818697/square-champagne-gold-bracelet

Here's a sample of a *necklace* with a magnetic clasp.  This piece was begging for a beautiful clasp!  The crystals on the clasp matched and it was a perfect fit!  What's great about this clasp is that it can be worn in the front OR back - making what I call a "2-fer" - 2 pieces for the price of one... wear clasp in front or back! =)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121690359/mother-bridal-pearl-and-purple-crystal


















TOGGLE
The next type of clasp to talk about is the Toggle.  One of my favorites!  It is, in simplest form, a circle with a bar that comes up and through the center.  VERY easy for anyone to do.  In it's more extravagant form, it can be worn in the front or even on the side.  Here are some examples:

I'd wear this in the back - but you can see the toggle clearly
https://www.etsy.com/listing/178824158/pink-purple-clear-ab-necklace-quartz

Beautiful Leaf clasp - worn in the front or back
https://www.etsy.com/listing/160691973/lime-green-turquoise-and-antique-copper

HOOK & EYE
And one last, for today's lesson - the hook and eye.  You can see on this piece the little hooks on either side of the orange bracelet, in the front (yes! the orange detaches and can be worn as a bracelet!  Another 2-fer!).  In this case, since I wanted the bracelet to be easily removed, I went with this type of clasp.  It's very classic, and gets the job done...but I will say, it can be a little tricky getting that hook into the teeeny tiny little hole - but MUCH easier than the springs =)  These types of clasps are also good for necklaces which are don't have a lot of weight, because the toggle does need some downward force to keep it in place (if that makes sense).

(Listing coming soon!)

Until next time!