The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “All Wired Up”:“Sorry, Becky...I meant to respond to your question about the waxed linen, too. The coating does wear…” read »
on “Sea Breeze”:“Very cool! I especially love the sun and the silk!…” read »
on “All Wired Up”:“Lynda, thank you, it makes sense to me
…” read »- on “Close to my Heart”:
“I see a family heirloom. What a personal, beautiful expression of motherhood.…” read »
on “Fortunate mistake”:“Mistakes often lead to new and fantastic discoveries. Just look at how goldstone was invented. Hope…” read »
on “My seashore stack bracelets”:“Awesome!…” read »
- on “Fortunate mistake”:
“What a great outcome! Love the effect it had on the ammonite, and those rondelles are…” read »
on “The Uh Ohs!”:“So cute!…” read »
- on “My seashore stack bracelets”:
“Love this!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Very, very nice!…” read »
- on “Fortunate mistake”:
“Me TOOOO!!!! What a cool outcome for a potential disaster!! You need to tell…” read »
on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:“Hi Becky-Yep, those are blue dyed zebra jasper beads.…” read »
- on “My seashore stack bracelets”:
“Very pretty
…” read » - on “Fortunate mistake”:
“I really like the effect
…” read » - on “Close to my Heart”:
“Not only did you save money, but you made something that is so close too your…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Love the idea, gorgeous work, Jess
…” read » - on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Great piece, Coral, loving the asymmetry
…” read » - on “The Uh Ohs!”:
“Fun earrings
…” read » 
on “Nesting Instinct”:“Beautiful!!!…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Beautiful necklace and sentiment, Jess! I love your style!!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Lovely design, Coral!! Are those blue dyed zebras?…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“FAB-YOO-LOUS!!!!! WOW! Fantastic nestwork and SUCH a cute idea!!!! How are the kids?? Baby…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Fabulous design for your mother necklace!…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Beautiful wire work in this, and that nest is so cute. I'm sure she will love…” read »
on “Peridot Pleasure”:“This beautiful Julia as always!…” read »
- on “Lavender and Tarragon in Blooms”:
“Beautiful!…” read »
- on “More the Merrier Re-design”:
“WOW!…” read »
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“Pretty!…” read »
- on “Peacock Tail Feathers”:
“Lovely!…” read »
- on “All Wired Up”:
“Fabulous!…” read »
- on “Ebony & Ivory”:
“Great piece!…” read »
- on “Flowers and Butterflies”:
“Lovely!b…” read »
- on “The Uh Ohs!”:
“These are pretty!…” read »
- on “Nesting Instinct”:
“Gorgeous!==i…” read »
- on “Close to my Heart”:
“Great design!…” read »
- on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
“Lovely!…” read »
- on “Sparkle Shine”:
“Beautiful necklace Coral!…” read »
- on “Maroon Sun”:
“Thank you Old Beaded Lady!!…” read »
on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:“Very pretty...perfect pairing of colors and materials!…” read »
BIG BALL goes retro
About this design:
This is my last big ball. I torched the ball to get the gunmetal color, then curled the segments to the inside. Made a cluster from chartreuse beads and flowers using headpins made by me from 22 gauge copper wire.
Components:
Czech glass rondelles, Czech glass flowers, Fire Agate, Vintaj chain and bead caps and gunmetal spacers.Additional Images:
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 9:11 pm #
Deb Harding says:This is kind of Miriam Haskel inspired. Beautiful! Did you say you tortured this ball?? JK!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 9:17 pm #
Asia says:Yes I definitely did, love torch I must have been a pyrotech. in my previous life
On Dec 13, 2012 at 9:33 pm #
PPR says:Asia: BEAUTIFUL!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 9:38 pm #
puppychick labratbecky says:Asia, just how many toys do you have?? when you were just starting, I never dreamed you would end up such a beading maniac!
I was eying a torch a few days ago. Now I really need to get one to play with!! This is fantastic!!!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 9:38 pm #
Elis Mom says:Another fab-u-lous design!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 9:49 pm #
Asia says:Becky, you definitely need one, I was quite intimidated at first, but when things started working I was in love with it. I only have a few basic tools like pliers, hammers and the torch.I never dreamed too, just love it, only need more time on my hands
On Dec 13, 2012 at 9:59 pm #
OK Jacki says:O, Asia! This is exquisite!! I am going to be way way outclassed – if I can ever bring my concept to reality. This is so stunning. I would wear this ‘big ball’ creation in a heartbeat! Just lovely!!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 10:09 pm #
Asia says:Jacki, of course you will finish and it will be great, my pictures are not the best, I need some daylight which I’ had not seen for quite a few days, I leave home when is dark and get back when it is already dark, in order to finish my pieces I lost a few hours of sleep.
On Dec 13, 2012 at 10:13 pm #
OK Jacki says:A girl’s gotta do whadda girls gotta do, right!! Especially if you challenge us with the impossible – it will be possible. Stay up late, awake early, call in ‘sick’? ah, can’t go that far, but love to bead anytime, any how!!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 10:15 pm #
Asia says:I just can’t call sick Jacki even if I want
On Dec 13, 2012 at 10:28 pm #
Julie Shane says:I especially like the asymmetrical colors and sizes but the chain gives them unity. Gonna steal this idea and use it some how, some where, some day… But not with my BB.
On Dec 13, 2012 at 10:41 pm #
Cheryl Swartzleonard says:This is another great piece. Shall we post them on Etsy as the big ball challenge. The creations of the brave.
Hope to see more soon. I am having lots of fun.
Cheryl
On Dec 13, 2012 at 11:05 pm #
NY Bella says:Love this one!
On Dec 13, 2012 at 11:31 pm #
Blooming Ideas says:Love all the work that went in to this…with great results!!!
On Dec 14, 2012 at 7:18 am #
Medieval Momma says:Another winner!
On Dec 14, 2012 at 7:29 am #
Asia says:Thank you so much
On Dec 14, 2012 at 10:12 am #
puppychick labratbecky says:Asia, I have a metalworking book that tells me how you made the head pins but it doesn’t answer this question: do you know if you can melt the balls with treated wire? Will it work with the colored stuff? the antitarnish? I’m sure that something will melt, but do you know what it does?
On Dec 14, 2012 at 10:13 am #
puppychick labratbecky says:And if you are EVER in Minnesota, you had better bring your toys and come and play at my house!!
On Dec 14, 2012 at 11:10 am #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:Another fabulous design! Love the “torch-ered” idea too! Those curled petals are awesome!
Would love to know more abut using a torch. Any preference on brands girls?
I see Lima is carrying one now, but would like to know more details about it…..are there fuel refills available, how do you refill it, what are the directions for use, safety tips, etc……
Becky, thanks for asking your questions about making headpins. Curious minds want to know……..
(May I ask what metal working book are you referring to?)….more curiosity. I want to learn how to do this stuff! 
On Dec 14, 2012 at 2:20 pm #
Crazy Chick Frida says:WOW what in the name of BB have you made with BB
:D
Awesome work! Love your headpins.
On Dec 14, 2012 at 2:21 pm #
Crazy Chick Frida says:Should be a =
after 
On Dec 14, 2012 at 6:26 pm #
puppychick labratbecky says:I will have to dig under my BB project and its attendant MESS to find that book, Mary, but it has a LOT of very good information. I will tell you as soon as I find it. I have a friend here whose husband bought her a butane torch from Home Depot and it works great. There are refills.
On Dec 14, 2012 at 6:31 pm #
foxhill designs vt says:Asia, another amazing design! I love the color combination.
On Dec 14, 2012 at 7:28 pm #
Asia says:Becky, any craft wire will do, they all copper, however to get the same color you need to burn that coating, otherwise you get a copper ball and the rest will have the color of the wire.You will also get a fire scale (almost black color), the books will tell you to use Sparex bath afterwords, I avoid chemicals when I can , instead I put a cup of a vinegar and a tsp. of salt in a small pot heat it up and than put mine done findings in it, for more rustic look one can omit this step and only use the renaissance wax.
On Dec 14, 2012 at 7:39 pm #
Asia says:Mary, I just use a butane torch from Home Depot, that is sufficient for the wire gauge 20 and up, yes, there are butane refills, very easy to use. For anything thicker than 20 gauge I will recommend using a propane torch, you screw that one on the small usually 1 lb. propane bottle, it gives you more heat. Both should be used in a well ventilated area, for me that means an open window at – temperatures.
On Dec 14, 2012 at 7:39 pm #
Asia says:Thanks for all your comments and questions
On Dec 14, 2012 at 8:27 pm #
franny says:i’m so in awe of the techniques you are all describing!…this is gorgeous Asia…i had envisioned that the ‘BB’ segments just recoiled in terror as you approached with the blow torch!…i like the dyed agates with the metal..
On Dec 14, 2012 at 11:39 pm #
Elis Mom says:My next investment is a torch! Thanks, Asia, for all the info!
On Dec 15, 2012 at 2:29 pm #
Little Round Chick says:The versatility of the Big Ball is amazing! Love your combo of chain and beads. They make a great accent for you wonderful focal.
On Dec 15, 2012 at 11:49 pm #
puppychick labratbecky says:Asia, thanks so much for all the info! as soon as I find time (in my next life!) I am venturing into pyromania!
On Dec 16, 2012 at 11:56 am #
Beadlady3 aka Cindy says:Wow I was afraid to take BB this far because I thought it might break. This is fabulous! I bet the torching helped anneal it so you could curl it…?
On Dec 16, 2012 at 12:28 pm #
Asia says:Yes, it did, but I mostly did the curling without torch,then I realised that I started the wrong way, but it’s a learning process
On Dec 16, 2012 at 1:03 pm #
Asia says:Thank you again