Etched Iris Beads I make these sculptural blossoms in a graphic, stylized form, like the classic Fleur de Lis. I often build these iconic blossoms around the circumference of tall, slender bicone beads, a form reminiscent of art nouveau perfume bottles. I sometimes form the blossoms on a broader tablet style bead, which gives me a wider canvas to show the blossoms in groups. These beads are usually about 5 cm tall and 12 mm in circumference (bicones) or 25 mm wide (tablets). Click on images to enlarge.
Sculptural deep violet irises on a slender alexandrite glass bicone bead.	Sculptural rubino-oro irises on a crystal glass bicone bead.	Sculptural irises in gothic black on a deep lavender glass bicone bead.	Sculptural rubino-oro irises on a crystal glass tablet bead.	Sculptural deep violet irises on an alexandrite glass tablet bead

Bird of Paradise Beads I make these tropical Bird of Paradise floral beads using strands of glass with complex mixes of colors to mimic natural blended shades of petal and stamen. These beads look nearly alive to me. About 5 cm tall and 12 mm (bicones)  to 25 mm (tablets) wide.  Click images to enlarge.
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Bird of Paradise Tablet Bead With a large single blossom on one side, and a cluster of several blossoms on the reverse.		Bird of Paradise Bicone and Tablet Beads This grouping of beads shows some of  the variation in size, shape, and color.

More Floral Forms I have been experimenting with all kinds of floral forms. Some are impressionistic, others closer to botanical truth, but I try to capture the essential elements of the form and character of each flower in these beads. Taller beads about 5 cm tall and 12 mm to 25 mm wide.  Lentil beads 3 to 4 cm in diameter. Click images to enlarge.
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Protea Flower Bead This large, South African flower has a very unearthly look. I’ve tried to capture its spiky softness. With one large bloom on the front, and several smaller blooms on the reverse.		Orchid Beads Each of these beads is made to favor a real orchid, though I'm still learning the names and don't have proper labels for each of these just yet. Orchid blooms on both sides.

Red Poppy Bead The red poppy is an iconic summer bloom. This bead was inspired by one of Kim Fields' wonderful  beads.	Rose Jasper Plum Blossoms This lentil-form bead has a simple plum blossom motif of translucent white glass, creating a cameo effect	Cherry Blossom Heart This heart-shaped bead has a more abstract, impressionist cherry blossom design.	Blue Jasper Plum Blossoms Another rendition of the  cameo design, reminiscent of Wedgewood Jasperware.	Bamboo Forest  A cameo design of olive green and translucent white. Bamboo is a powerful symbol of resilience.

Etched Creature Beads I make a number of beads with animals of various kinds, real and imagined. Each poses its own challenge to sculpt. The most complex so far has been the Dragon and Phoenix. I like the way that the dragon's spikiness contrasts with the phoenix's smooth flow, echoing the yin and yang that these symbolic creatures represent. Varioius sizes. Click images to enlarge.
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Dragon Beads These beads feature dragons than wrap entirely around the bead. This is one of my newest creature forms. I really enjoy the way that his dangerous, spiky nature comes through, even though melted glass really prefers to be round and soft.		Dragon and Phoenix Bead Deep red dragon and phoenix forms share this glowing amber bead. The pairing of dragon and phoenix symbolizes harmony or happy marriage in the Chinese tradition.

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Blue Seahorses Bead A proud father on one side and his wee brood on the reverse. Yes, the male seahorse carries the babies. Some beads show seaweed or coral too.		Seahorse Beads This group of beads shows some of the variation in color and form in the seahorse beads I've made.

Hidden Dragon A subtly etched dragon wraps the bead. Animated picture.	Olive Frog Bead Treefrog clinging to a bead and looking at you. In many colors.	Flying Egret Bead One of my earliest stencil-etched designs.	Pink Flamingo Pink flamingo on a clear bead, with a lily blossom on the reverse.

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Koi Pond Bead This is my most recent creature bead. Colorful koi appears among lily pads on one face, and two smaller koi swim together as the Pisces symbol on the reverse.

Tree of Life Beads I've been making tree beads for a few years now. Most are an absract and colorful symbol of life, strength, and growth. A few are more realistic, often with spring of fall foliage to echo the change of seasons. Tall trees 3 to 5 cm high, 1 to 3 cm wide. Tablet beads usually about 2.5 to 3 cm across. Click images to enlarge.
Cherry Blossom A slender young tree in bloom, very evocative of spring.	Amber Tree This fall tree in light and dark amber hues glows very warmly.	Gothic Tree Black tree on a deep lavender bead glows darkly.
Red Tree of Life Flaming red tree on a clear base bead flames brilliantly.	Green Tree of Life  This tree has threads of green glass creating natural striations in the bark and leaves.	Olive Tree This is a Czech glass color that I love. It looks wonderfully natural.

More Etched Beads These beads didn't fit so easily into categories, but I wanted to share these pictures anyway! Sizes vary. Click on images to enlarge.
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Red Leaf Hollow Large amber hollow bead with flaming red leaf detail.	Oregon Forest Hollow Bead Graduated hollow bead shades from green to blue.	Flaming Heart Bead Heart-shaped bead has swirling flames that shine.
Black-Amber Geometry Bead Black stringer in geometric pattern cages this glowing amber bead.	Amber Leaf Lentil Bead Leaves and vines in dark amber cover this glowing amber lentil-shaped bead.	Red-Clear Geometry Bead Red stringer in geometric pattern over a clear base bead.
Zebra Bead Slide Stencil-etched zebra on a large-hole bead slide pendant. Images seem to gallop as you spin the bead.	Etched Treefrog Bead Stencil-etched treefrog on a lentil bead with layers of greens.	Galloping Zebra Bead Stencil-etched zebras can seem to gallop as you turn the bead.