I have to admit it…I was pretty much on the fence when etched Czech glass beads first started making their way on to the beading scene. I wasn’t sure if they were TOO rough and rustic or not. Today I can say that has changed: I am totally hooked.
Despite my initial hesitance, a few months back, I decided to buy a few etched druk beads, just to give them a try. I needed to see first-hand what all the buzz was about, and you never really know if you’re going to love (or not love) something unless you try it. With my first reaction after playing around with those first etched druks, I wasn’t sure just yet if I loved them, but I definitely did like them.
In fact, I liked them enough to order a much larger selection. And I am so glad I did. When those little gems arrived at my doorstep a few weeks ago…oh. my. goodness. Seeing these beauties piled up in that box, my chin just dropped. They were so incredibly gorgeous in person…so rich in color and texture, unlike any other bead I’d worked with before! I am sold…etched Czech glass beads are officially the coolest new beads on the market…at least in my eyes!
Now I do have to admit that I personally think the etched finish works better on some styles than others. That’s not to say they aren’t all gorgeous, but this is where personal design style and taste comes into play. I love the way beads with a smoother surface (as opposed to a textured surface) work with the etched finish, so I selected a nice sampling of round druk and fire polished beads. (NOTE: My opinion on this is subject to change at a moment’s notice. It wouldn’t be the first time I initially wasn’t feeling the mojo of a bead and then suddenly did a 180. So, don’t be surprised if one day I do decide I adore etched beads that start off with a textured surface, such as melon beads, after all!) The picture below is a nice cross section of what I chose, including a non-etched but oh-so-fabulous 22m hibiscus flower bead!
As soon as I laid my eyes on my latest bead acquisition, new jewelry design ideas just started flooding my head – almost so quickly that my hands couldn’t keep up. Quite honestly, I had been feeling a little stagnant lately as far as new jewelry ideas goes. Well, these stunning new beads changed that in an instant – they really sparked a fire! I love how they are both matte and vibrant at the same time, and how they look like they just rolled up out of the ocean and onto the beach. The etched a finish that lends itself to both refined and casual designs. Not only do etched glass beads work well together, but they also they create amazing contrast when matched with shiny beads and findings. They create a visual feeling like no other beads. Pictured below are a few of the ideas that came to fruition during the creative surge that hit me as soon as I saw these beads:
All of the etched Czech glass beads I currently have are now available in my Etsy shop, under the “Czech Glass Firepolish” and “Czech Glass Druk Beads” sections. If you search on “etched”, all of the options I have will filter out for you. I hope you are as intrigued and inspired by them as I am!
