I thought it would be good for us to post about our beads for the bead exchange – the inspiration behind our beads. I like to choose a technique that I am unfamiliar with and use the opportunity to master it by the last bead made.

I wanted to create bright and sparkly beads that were etched in places and left unetched in others – sort of like windows to see the sparkling inclusions beneath. It sounded great in theory but the etch didn’t seem to take on many of them. I had never used etching solution before so etched trial beads made with Effetre. They etched beautifully, but my beads for the bead exchange were made with Bullseye glass and look more scratched than etched.

I don’t have enough time to make 10 more beads so will be sending these in for the exchange. I apologise in advance to those of you who receive a ‘dud’ bead.