Monday, March 21, 2011

Bead Spotlight: Designer Czech Glass

Have you ever noticed that some beads just feel beadier than others? I realized that one of my favorite things to say about certain pieces, is that they ‘embody everything I love about beads’. While I reserve this compliment for an exclusive bunch, it’s true that some materials just have that go-to factor – a timeless quality that other beads just can’t match.

One bead type that usually trumps all others is Czech glass, particularly the designer shapes, like grooved rectangles and cathedral beads. They have a unique power to take an ordinary design, and make it spectacular.

Assorted Fancy Czech Glass Beads

Pewter Vitrail Peacock Coins, Canyon Dusk Faceted Rondelles,
Jet Black Picasso Teardrops, Transparent Amethyst Large Daggers

Blue Spiral Tabular Squares, Mint Green Picasso Square Windows,
Orange Picasso Coins, Green and Black Turtle with Gold Inlay


Czech glass shapes with fancy finishes like Picasso are incredibly versatile, and they always work and play well with others. They are perfect for stringing, and can usually be worked into beadweaving with ease. They also make beautiful accents for intricate bead embroidery. Alone, they are intriguing enough to just pop onto headpins for a quick and fabulous pair of earrings.

Handmade Jewelry Using Czech Glass Beads

Teal Time Earrings, Stone Harbor Necklace,
Wall Art Bracelet, Autumn Branch Bracelet

Fire Opal Earrings, Wildflowers Bracelet,
Floral Bouquet Necklace, Desert Sun Pendant


What’s your favorite Czech glass shape?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading and Friends
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading


6 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post! I don't use a whole lot of glass in my designs, being a stone lover. But when I do use glass, it's about 99.9% Czech glass. I agree, they do epitomize beadiness with all their shapes and colors and finishes! Thanks you so much for including my "Teal Time" earrings in this blog! Much appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post! I love Czech glass, too. It is SO HARD to pick a favorite shape. Right now, I think that it's a tie between leaves and daggers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely post Mortira! Thanks ever so muchly for using my floral bouquet necklace as an example.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I too love all beads czech! I do especially love the melon shapes right now and of course all things firepolished! Great pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  5. A awesome post with beautiful examples!
    I absolutely love Picasso beads especially the faceted glass with so many unique colors!
    If you can't find something in Czech beads to love you don't love beads :o)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I do love Czech glass beads, but can't choose a favourite!

    ReplyDelete

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Inspiration Topics

accessories amulet Ancient Worlds Modern Beads animals April's Army art ArtFire astrology astronomy autumn awards awareness bangle beach Bead Inspired Bead Shops bead soup bead spotlight bead stash Bead Trays beaded beads beading theory beads belt bezel birthstones black blog spotlight blue boho bone book spotlight bracelet Bracelet A Week branch fringe brick stitch brown bugles buttons cabochon ceramic chain maille challenge charity chevron chain christmas collar Collections color Color Ideas color triads conservation craft shows crafts crochet crystals cuff Culled Beads current events Current Faves daggers Daily Sets daisy chain Delicas Destash drops Dutch spiral earrings Egypt Egyptian Gods embellishing embroidery environment etsy exotic fair trade fantasy fashion Favorite Beads Favorite Techniques feminine fibers film findings fire polish fixtures Flashback Test flickr inspiration flowers food found object free form fringe Geek Jewels geekery gemstones geography giveaway glass gold gray Greece green herringbone hex cuts history holiday home decor insects inspiration tip inspired beader Inspired by... Inspiring Links ivory Jewelry Stash knitting ladder stitch lampwork lariat leaf fringe leather lights literature loomwork macrame magatamas Master Class Medallions metal free metalwork Mini Collar a Week mixed media mixture Mood Board MOP multi-color multi-strand music natural beads nature necklace Necklace a Day Nepal chain netting New Beads ocean ombre orange paint paper patterns pearls pendant peyote photography Picasso finish pink Pinspiration PMC polymer clay poster sketch purple quick inspiration rainbow RAW red resin ring Ring a Day rivoli Rome Russian spiral scarf science seed beads shell silver soutache spiral rope spring square stitch St. Petersburg steampunk stringing stripes summer tagua TBT The Elements thread Tilas Time Capsule tools trade beads triangle weave tribal tropical turquoise tutorial two-hole beads Ugly vintage Wear it Twice weather white winter WIP wire wishlist wood World Beaders yellow
Blog Home * About * Beading Tutorials * Advertise

Learn About Sponsoring Inspirational Beading with Project Wonderful
Affiliated With ShareASale.com and Amazon.com