Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Serena's Beadery

The New Year of 2013 began right in at least one way for me.   That was about the time I found Serena Thomas' Etsy store, "Serena's Beadery" (also known as "Taneres,") and placed my first order!     I have to say,  there is room in my heart for many a bead maker, but Serena is fast becoming one of my new favorites for lampwork.
I've since placed several more orders and can't seem to get enough of her beads in a rainbow of colors that never seems to end!

While Serena may be new to me, she's not new to making handmade beads. She has been making lampwork glass beads since 2001, one at a time, in her studio in south central Missouri.

There is a wonderful series of photographs on the evolution of Serena's Studio 
in the ABOUT section of her Etsy site!
This is one involving her collection of glass!
It's fun, please take a look!

You can also read more about Serena on her website!


It's always interesting to learn how good ideas get their start.  Here's one for you!   Some time back,  Serena created this color gallery, and put it online.  She says, " I started it a reference for myself and then decided it could serve as a wonderful resource for other lampworkers and also bead buyers trying to match up colors and make choices."     Take a look and think of the many uses for this!    Perhaps it could help in designing jewelry too! 


I thought today I'd show you a couple of the items I've made using beads from Serena's Beadery.  I think some of you will recognize these.  

Lampwork Spacer Beads 5 RAINFOREST GREEN 

Glossy Handmade Glass Donut Rondelle 

 (Serena's Beadery)






Gray and Green Celtic Ceramic and Lampwork Swirl Necklace

Handmade gray triangular ceramic pendant by Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio. This pendant dangles from a section of chain connected to a scrolled sterling silver filled wire, containing two 14mm gray ceramic beads by Marti Conrad of Marti's Buttons-n-Beads; three smaller,  10mm dark green swirled lampwork beads handmade by Serena Thomas of Serena's Beadery)
(Necklace by Sharyl's Jewelry)

YELLOW and PINK FLOWER Pair Lampwork Bead - taneres - mto

(Serena's Beadery)

One of our faithful blog followers won a gift certificate to my store 
and selected these right after I listed them!
(Not to name names, but her first initial is "Shirley!"  ha!)
(Earrings from Sharyl's Jewelry)

(I have many more of Serena's beads I'm "hoarding," 
but I'm not showing you those!    No way! )     :-)




Instead, 
here are some more of my favorites currently for sale in
 Serena's Beadery:

MOJITO Dark LAVENDER matte beach European Charm 

Lampwork Bead mto TANERES

PEA GREEN mini glossy Handmade Lampwork Glass 

Spacer Glass Beads- taneres


Lampwork Glass Bead REFLECTIVE LOVE WREATH Handmade Dots Set - taneres



Give me time,
I'll get them all!   ;-)

* * * * * * * *

As I often like to do, 
I'm offering a little giveaway:

1) I'd like you to go to Serena's Beadery, 
find something special you like, 
and come back and tell us what it is. 
2) Please paste in the URL to make it easy 
for us to look it up too.
3) Also leave your name and... 
4) ....a way for me to reach you.
(You can leave contact info in a separate message 
if you would rather that not be public.)


That's it!   I'll put your name in the drawing.  Deadline is Thursday night at 11:59pm, Central time.

The drawing winner will receive:
3 of Serena's handmade squash orange mini spacer beads
;
2 of
my handmade copper components, 
1 altered brass sunflower component, and 
1 pair of handmade copper earwires  
...to make a pair of earrings and a pendant, or to use on a charm bracelet, whatever,  ...you decide!  


Have fun everyone, 
and thank you to Serena for being our special guest!

~Sharyl


P.S.  You may want to drop by the Serena's Beadery Facebook Page too and give her a "like."  Be sure to click "Get Notifications" and "Show in Newsfeed" too if you want to keep up with announcements.

* * * * * * * *

Photo Credits:

Photographs from Serena's Beadery are copyrighted and used by permission of Serena Thomas for the purpose of this blog post only.   Please do not copy without consulting with Serena.

Photographs from Sharyl's Jewelry were taken by Sharyl McMillian-Nelson and are copyrighted on ArtFire.

* * * * * * * * *


12 comments:

aneri_masi said...

Those are supremely gorgeous!!!

baymoondesign said...

IIt is hard to pick a favorite! I went with a pair of beads in my favorite color --green.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/105701989/earthy-green-bubble-pair-lampwork-glass?ref=shop_home_active

If I am fortunate to win contact me at baymoondesign@gmail.com

Karin Slaton said...

WOW! I totally see why you're in love with Serena's work. Thanks for introducing me to her shop. Love how you've incorporated her beads into your own designs. If I had to pick a favorite it would be her Champagne Sepia European charm bead. :

http://www.etsy.com/listing/109896588/champagne-sepia-matte-european-charm?ref=shop_home_active

The matte finish is perfect for the soft pinks and browns and I'm finding so many ways to use large-hole beads right now.

Alice said...

I purchased lots of beads from Serena way back when she was on ebay. Then I lost track of her for a while. And now I've been on a bead diet for over a year. I miss her lovely beads!!!

I'm craving color now, and aqua/turqouise seems to be my favorite right now. I love her darling spacers--so useful in any piece.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/106092486/5-light-turquoise-matte-handmade-donut?ref=shop_home_active

Thanks for the chance to win. Watch out for bad weather today and tonight!!!

Michelle W said...

Thank you so much for introducing me to another very talented glass maker! Her work is just beautiful. It is so hard to choose a favorite. One of my favorites would have to be the MERMAID Matte Handmade Donut Rondelle Lampwork Spacer Glass BeadsFrom taneres
I love the color!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/110724845/5-mermaid-matte-handmade-donut-rondelle?ref=shop_home_active

Unknown said...

I love these Raku matte beads: https://www.etsy.com/listing/104817297/raku-mini-matte-handmade-lampwork-glass?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=matte

Tanya said...

I had so much fun window shopping in Serena's shop. It's very hard to choose a favorite, but I loved the colors in

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118726729/black-silvered-ivory-matte-poika-dots?ref=shop_home_active

I really want to order something now. :)

Thanks for the giveaway. I can't wait to see who wins.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for showcasing such a talented bead maker! I am always on the lookout for new sources of beads. Her shop is so full of goodies, it was a hard pick, but I really like the colors in these --http://www.etsy.com/listing/113704455/impression-jasper-handmade-lampwork.

If I was so lucky, you could contact me at meisje028@hotmail.com

Cilla said...

Thank you for the chance to win this wonderful set!
I just love all her beads too! It is easy for me to show you what I like most as it is on the front page!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/118760149/copper-green-and-pink-vine-flower?ref=shop_home_feat
Thanks!
Cilla
Tellyourgirlfriends.com

Sharyl said...

I just went through and looked at all of your selections! It's funny, one pair I have already bought... Another is high on my wish list. Some others I had not even noticed before, but now I want!

I suspect the truth is, Serena doesn't make a "bad bead!" :-) I've tended to buy her spacer beads because I love their versatility and the wide variety of colors. I've ventured out some, and now realize, I must venture out more! There are many great styles in her store!

Thanks for participating! Entries are still welcome until Thursday midnight Central time! --Sharyl

Sharyl said...

Thanks to all of you who participated in the drawing and/or left comments! What fun! The opportunity to enter the drawing is now past, but please feel free to continue leaving comments, telling us your favorites, etc.! A winner of the give-away will be announced soon! --Sharyl

Serena said...

Thank you Sharyl for this wonderful post and everyone else too for sharing your favorites. I have really enjoyed seeing what everyone has highlighted here. Its great feedback!! Congrats Aly. Would love to see what you make the beads and Sharyl's findings. Do share if you can.