What DO you want??

I buy focals, mainly. I used to buy sets, because I just like how they look, LOL, but I prefer making smaller simpler jewelry. A whole item (bracelet, necklace...) made from lampwork is just too big for my tastes. BUT, I am always on the hunt for matching beads to make earrings from. I would love to see sets that consist of a focal, and two smaller matching beads for earrings:o)

Often single focals are bigger than what I like to work with (or know how to). I also like that sets let me frame a (usually smaller) focal with accents. I like having a center bead and two accents for a necklace, at a minimum. I like to have matching earrings, with beads matching (ie, from the set) if the beads are small (or I'll make them from Bali, druks, Swarovski that are contained in the necklace). Between 5 and 11 worked beads seems to be my favorite.

Most beads larger than 1/2 inch (e 15mm and up) tend to feel a little cumbersome to me. Except the ones I really just love!! And beads smaller than 8mm tend to get too easily lost. Unless they're strung with just small crystals and small silver or gold beads.

I especially love the greens, teals, turq (color range beads you do). Those ones you speak of as being serene. I like your toothy beads. And the ones in red and in purple/turq that build colors from the sides (ends) to a strip in the middle. Kind of like a topographical map. I love your half and half beads, with either two shades, or two hues with the same "value", or a shade and a treatment of it.

And I like your graphics and how quickly your pages load up on a slow connection.

I tend to like floral or lyrical beads, and I love it when you combine that with you sophisticated crispness.

And by the way, I like your beads.

Tina

That's pretty much exactly how *I* feel, too! I like a focal by itself, or with a coordinating matched pair or two. I don't much like "big" jewelry. I guess that's why most of what I put up for auction is a single focal or small sets.

DITTO.

Thanks Kyla, You know, I used to offer these back when I did dichroic beads. When I started doing lampwork there weren't that many of us but nearly everyone was doing focals. I decided that I would offer only pairs (for earrings) or sets and some matching focals. When I got tired of making a couple dozen of each type bead I decided to stick with just focals. What a release that was! It was so great to just make one bead, each one different. After starting boro, I went back to making small beads again for earrings and sets. I have to admit, with a few exceptions, I haven't explored doing focals with the boro (but I guess I should!) I love the "big" necklaces that everyone makes, but I admit, when it comes to what I wear, I am a "one focal" type person myself.

Thunk!! You know, I haven't listed a set like this in quite some time (the smaller focal and 2 to 4 accents. Didn't even occur to me. Like the thought just disappeared into the dark recesses of my brain. I used to do it all of the time.

You'll have to let me know which of my beads are "toothy". I might add that to my description :->. I haven't made any of the ones you describe as topographical in a long time either. Brother, I'm really falling down on the job here! I probably need to take out my album of past auctions and browse for awhile.

Thanks for all of your input Tina, it gives me a lot to think about.

You had named the set Teal Teeth, and it was almost the same as this set

the focal bead had a yellow core with teal "teeth" and no line in thecenter. I think ideally, for me, the set would have one more pair (preferably the

1/2 and 1/2 ones) to either make the necklace just a little more complex, or (more likely) to use as earrings. In this set, the single color doesn't function as a spacer, to me, FWIW.

Of course, I love your larger and grander sets, but a set of 5 or 7 is more within my budget. :-)

I think the best for any artist is always "do what you love", and go where your heart takes you. But I know I love some of my old work and forget to go back and incorporate it again, just because I think of it as going back instead of going forward. The conformation of the set is nice though.

Tina

This question has been asked a lot. Here's my answer: I like sets that have one Focal of maybe 30-22mm. Tab focals are cool. I then like to have say 6 additional beads that compliment and mirror the colors of the focal; it's nice if 2 of those bead are sort of small versions of the focal for matching earrings. I also am more drawn to a set if you throw in the Bali spacers. I think it's good if the set follows a certain theme. If it is a modern look or a natural look, it's nice if the accompanying beads follow that same theme. I often see sets where I love the colors and love half the beads in the set but the other beads are of a different nature and style. I am thinking specifically of sets that have floral patterns thrown in or dots added to an otherwise elegant, simple set. For me, it should either be ornate and fussy or it should be more smooth and simple. Usually really large sets don't cut it for me because there is too much variation in style with the beads.

Ha! I had forgotten I named a set that. When I came up with that bead design, I originally called it Calliope. Totally forgot the "teeth" thing. I don't know why I haven't made those anymore. It's one of my favorites. In fact, I wear a larger one as a pendant on a snake chain a lot of the time. I've also used them as silver dangles on bookmarks.

Thanks Kathy, I agree with the similar theme thought, though once in awhile I do get wild. I've also seen "mixed" sets of other artists that work well, it really just depends on the selections.

For my own bracelets, if it's a single strand of beads, I like to use all of one kind, or mostly one kind of style. Since a bracelet is small, and a person's hands are usually moving a lot, it makes it easier to really make out the design of the beads. Your eyes don't have to work so hard trying to find a place to focus. Also, usually only a portion of the bracelet is visible at a time.

I can see I need to start experimenting with some focals again. It seems to be a pretty common theme that focals are important, in any size.