Red Winged Hearts

are so Traditional

Red is a color we quite naturally associate with hearts, since the real thing is a pump evolved for moving the red stuff through our bodies. It's pretty amazing when you think of it---a pump that works 24/7 for 70--80 years, without fail. Now that's reliability for you.

Alas that the romantic kind associated with this shape of heart is not often as enduring, but even with the added wings, it's a lot simpler to render in glass;)

assorted red winged hearts. Effetre, thompson enamels, spring 2008.

So, since I figured red would be the most popular, I made several of them. My fave, in front, is also the largest, and probably measures close to 50mm across. It's white effetre cased in transparent striking red, and I got a nice even coat---quite a simple technique, except, as I've noted before, my casing is terrible.

An earlier example, with streaks, is towards the back right. As a beadstringer, I think the variation gives the bead a little interest; but as a beadmaker, it's nice to know I can do it right if need be, and not just rationalize all my beadmaking flaws as ``but it will be interesting to some beadworker or other''. I also did one heart of completely transparent glass, and also one of opaque red glass, shown on the left. Both are nice, but I like the subtle depth of color the transparent casing over white gives. As a bonus the thicker bead is less likely to holepop. And, as I said, it's good practice.

Finally, as sort of an homage to that guy with the nailed hearts, I did an abstract one, with frit and powder, to give a more organic look.

All in all, I'm fairly happy with these, and hope the folks at B&B, for whom I made them, will like them too.

file created 2jun08