What do you do with shards?
 

I have seen a lot of talk and tuts on blowing shards, but what do you do with them after the are made? Pictures anyone?

You use shards to add interesting shapes, colors or effects on beads.

Just a warning, once you start using them, you'll never be able to stop :)

Example of silvered ivory shards on a bead.
http://www.avenuebeads.com/images/sh...redivory_2.jpg

I'll admit it, I'm an addict, I love making and using shards. :cool:

Here's one I made yesterday.

Dawn, that bead is gorgeous!

Thanks very much! :-)

Almost all of my beads these days feature shards. I'm addicted too!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP3518.jpghttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP3347.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP3335.jpghttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP3247.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP3256.jpghttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP3176.jpg
And some different effects:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP3003.jpghttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...s/IMGP2995.jpg

Be very, very careful. Blowing and using shards is highly addictive. The warnings are very clear :lol:

Oh yes, you do oh yes you do oh yes you do oh yes you do oh yes you do oh yes you do.

wow, Very impressive answers. They are all so beautiful!. Thank you all.

There are vendors here on LE - check out the Sale Rack section, and of course you can make your own.
I use both my own and bought shards.

I blow my own shards. Some samples of what i did with them:

Pick your poison :lol:
http://www.avenuebeads.com/index.php...&cPath=6_13_14

Check out Joe's shard tutorials when you want to make some cool ones on your own :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85911698...w-glass-shards

I love the movement I get from using shards in my beads. I'm personally not ashamed to say I'm horribly addicted to Joe's shards. I like using other lampworkers shards and frit because each bead becomes a collaboration between artists. WARNING don't you dare go into Avenue Beads website unless you are willing to develop an instant addiction.
Cara

I have some pretty green shards I received in a RBOG a while back. I tried using some, but they turned black. Is that my technique (or lack of) would you think? Is there anything different I need to be aware of when applying shards?

What I love about shards (buying them that is, I exploded a bubble in a Jen Geldard class and never made another one after that scared the crap out of me...) is that you get such a nice bead for little effort on your part:



Blue Lagoon shards from Avenue Beads over a swirled mix of dark ivory and Yellow ice base with a few strands of silvered ivory stringer doodled at the edges of the shard, a few twists, then encased. Looks like ocean waves..

That bead is GORGEOUS Charmaine! :)

thanks! if only I could get it to do that more than once....

This is made with some of Joe's shards ... *Like Midnight Fireflies*

http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.284783430.jpg

love that. now I need more shards. thanks a lot...:-P

Joe needs to put some more tuts in his Etsy shop!! All gone!!

I like to use silver glasses (Gaia and psych mostly) on ivory for reactions and colors that pop.

Mary what colour is that? it's very ethereal I love it.

thanks

namaste
Rowyn

Lara, those beads are absolutely gorgeous! I especially love the last one, that blue makes me melt. :)

I finally got the hang of blowing shards just a couple of weeks ago and am using them in everything now. I pulled a gorgeous black heart with a Chase rose murrini and some great pink shards out of the kiln but haven't photographed it yet. Meanwhile here are a few examples of the shards I've been making and using:

Attachment 119418
Attachment 119419
Attachment 119420

Lovely!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...activesgal.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...erandgold3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2..._0005_copy.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...a/P1010281.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...a/P1010246.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...a/P1010174.jpg

I've discovered shards and I love the effects you can get. These are all shards from Avenue Beads. I haven't tried blowing my own shards "yet"...but I will!

Thanks ya'll. I think it is psych.

Can I use shards of a different COE, like Frit?

Thanks!
Cheryl