Hi all and welcome to the July reveal of AJE which is based on flowers. My intention was to make Millefiori jewellery with the beads that I bought in Venice. However, I got really busy at work after my vacation so I could complete only one jewellery set and one decorative object. My Orange Millefiori jewellery set has Murano glass beads, though technically not all of them are millefiori. Let me explain the difference.
Millefiori glass
Imagine that you are playing with bubbles in a meadow full of flowers. You blow a bubble, big enough to catch it with your hands. You gaze in wonder not just at the bubble but all the flowers and the leaves that you can see through the bubble. That is how a millefiori glass bead to glass ball looks like.
“Mille Fiori” means a 1000 flowers and refers to a technique where objects are made using millefiori glass canes. Glass canes are of two variaties – one that you view through the side and one through the end. Millefiori is of the second type. Glass rods of different colours are fused together (one over the other) to create a flower like pattern. The glass rod is then pulled and small discs are cut which can be applied to any glass surface. I recommend that you watch this video from the Corning glass museum to better understand the process.
Millefiori beads and jewellery
I first came across this technique in a book years ago and was mesmerised by it. However, before I left for Venice, I was told by bead collectors I know, that artists at present do not use 100s let alone 1000s of slices in their beads. I was also told that most beads were Chinese remakes. Maybe, because even the basic beads are expensive for the average tourist. While I did find a lot of Chinese produce in the market, Venetian glass houses themselves produce cheaper beads and pendants for tourists using mass production methods. Some are imitations of Chinese beads as well. (Coming from India where Indian companies make “made in China” supplies, I am used to this concept).
Most stores (in Murano) will provide you with a “Made in Murano” certificate. This is just a small 1-2 inch tag with an emblem or a box with the same print. I don’t differentiate between “real” and “fake” items as long as I know what I am paying for. While I bought a lot of Murano beads at roadside shops, I also bought some jewellery directly from the artists who make these pieces. The millefiori ring you see above is by Paolo of Epimme.
Orange Millefiori jewellery set
When I was in Murano, I posted on my SM platforms asking if people wanted glass beads. One of my regular clients wanted a necklace but wasn’t quite happy with available options and their prices. She wanted a set in orange with chunky earrings under a budget. So I offered to make a set for her combining Czech crystals and millefiori beads that I bought at Paris (Marche aux Puche) with Murano components. The red beads and the pendant have millefiori cane slices in them. the orange glass beads have a flower – rose motif in gold on the transparent glass outer layer.
I have combined wire work and knotting to create a structure where the center remains sturdy and the sides on the neck will flow. It also increases the length of the necklace while keeping it lightweight. For the earrings, I used murano studs along with a bead dangle which is detachable. I am planning to make similar necklace in greens and blues as well. Lets hope that I get to them soon.
A Shell full of flowers
Ever since I saw a shell used as a ring dish, I wanted to make one for myself. I found this 9 inches long and beautiful shell at the Mahabalipuram Shell museum shop. The nacre was beautiful and it was so shiny that I was so excited on finding it. I was there with my parents on our way from Chidambaram, Pichavaram and Pondicherry so when my dad saw that I was so excited about the shell, he insisted on buying it for me. It was just Rs.100 but I was giggling as though he bought me a diamond.
My initial idea was to gold edge it. I tried it too but it didn’t work out well. Then I remembered that I had a decoupage napkin of flowers with me. I decoupaged the napkin and varnished the shell until the back was as shiny as the front. It was supposed to be a “Shelf full of flowers pots” but it turned out to be a “shell full of flowers” in the end. It currently sits pretty right in front of my TV.
This month’s Participants
This is a blog hop. Please visit the other participants to see how they have all interpreted flowers.
Guest Artists
Art Elements Team
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