Every year I try to buy at least one bead from a contemporary beadmaker, and usually someone who works skillfully in glass. This year I was taken by the work of Isis Ray—who is remarkably talented. Among other things, she creates excellent reproductions of Roman Period face canes (work I have done in Fimo, which is itself hard enough).

Although I didn't feel I could afford to buy a face plaque, I was very attracted to this set of lampwork beads, made with the most juicy, luscious fuscia glass you can imagine. Isis created the color by combining gold rubino (a glass that makes a very nice red tone with mineral gold) with a lavender glass. The beads are pretty simple in design—but simple can be good.

I expect this is the beginning of a future necklace.

JDA.