Handmade CiM lampworked glass beads — Laurie Nessel

This page is dedicated to pieces made using new CiM colors, most recent on top. CiM is an acronym for Creation is Messy, affectionately known as Messy Glass. Based in Portland and manufactured in China, Messy is dedicated to continually expanding the 104 COE palette with high quality glass rod.

The following section uses colors introduced in the spring of 2021.

For more reviews, visit the CIM page for each particular color.

These new colors are generally very easy to work and are gorgeous additions to the CiM transparent palette. Robert E. is actually a richer cobalt than pictured. — These new colors are generally very easy to work and are gorgeous additions to the CiM transparent palette.
Robert E. is actually a richer cobalt than pictured.

Dollhouse Milky 2.34 x 1.28 x .88 inThis is the same color, using Erbium, as CiM Dollhouse Misty, but denser. Though easier to work than Alabastro, it still has a tendency to devit, so keep your flame oxidized and don’t overwork it. — Dollhouse Milky 2.34 x 1.28 x .88 in
This is the same color, using Erbium, as CiM Dollhouse Misty, but denser. Though easier to work than Alabastro, it still has a tendency to devit, so keep your flame oxidized and don’t overwork it.

Coming Up Roses had some air channels in the slightly off-shape rods which could indicate problems with the glass, but the bubbles were easy to pluck out and the glass ended up just fine. The color is gorgeous.

Burnt Sugar is appropriately named since it is a real sweet color. There was a lot of scumming on the surface of the rod so I recommend your level one cleaning regime before use. The scum was able to be burned off or plucked off so the end result is — Burnt Sugar is appropriately named since it is a real sweet color. There was a lot of scumming on the surface of the rod so I recommend your level one cleaning regime before use. The scum was able to be burned off or plucked off so the end result is perfect

Dollhouse Misty

This is the same Erbium formula as CiM Rose Quartz but translucent (Misty). Easy to work and gorgeous. At over $100 a pound, it's a splurge but incomparable! — Dollhouse Misty This is the same Erbium formula as CiM Rose Quartz but translucent (Misty). Easy to work and gorgeous. At over $100 a pound, it's a splurge but incomparable!

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Brown Eyed Girl

Limeade — Limeade

Beeswax Milky Similar to Ghee, this silver striking color attains various depths and densities of amber depending on the time and temperature it is worked. Over time, the torso became opaque while the appendages remained translucent light amber with dark amber cores. — Beeswax Milky Similar to Ghee, this silver striking color attains various depths and densities of amber depending on the time and temperature it is worked. Over time, the torso became opaque while the appendages remained translucent light amber with dark amber cores.

Beeswax MistySimilar to Beeswax Milky but much darker, richer amber hue and more to the transparent end of the spectrum. This silver striking color attains various depths and densities of amber depending on the time and temperature it is worked. Over time, the torso became opaque while the appendages remained translucent light amber with dark amber cores. — Beeswax Misty
Similar to Beeswax Milky but much darker, richer amber hue and more to the transparent end of the spectrum. This silver striking color attains various depths and densities of amber depending on the time and temperature it is worked. Over time, the torso became opaque while the appendages remained translucent light amber with dark amber cores.

Hore hound — Hore hound

Jacaranda is slightly translucent. Use an oxidizing flame to burn off any reducing, or exploit this feature to create splashes of very appealing opaline and silver yellow. It is a truly luscious color. — Jacaranda is slightly translucent. Use an oxidizing flame to burn off any reducing, or exploit this feature to create splashes of very appealing opaline and silver yellow. It is a truly luscious color.

Avalon Milky A luscious translucent jade. Same color as Avalon Misty but denser. Easy to use. — Avalon Milky A luscious translucent jade. Same color as Avalon Misty but denser. Easy to use.

Avalon Misty A beautiful bluish jade. Like Avalon Milky but more diaphanous. Easy to use. — Avalon Misty A beautiful bluish jade. Like Avalon Milky but more diaphanous. Easy to use.

A lush gold-pink transparent with purple highlights. It transforms to a cloudy ruby-caramel in reflected light.

Lumen over Solar StormThe Solar Storm core of this pendant creates a tangle of orange diffused by an encasement of Lumen. — Lumen over Solar Storm
The Solar Storm core of this pendant creates a tangle of orange diffused by an encasement of Lumen.

Orange-zilla(before and after etching)A densely transparent traffic-cone orange with subtle streaking. Easy to work with. — Orange-zilla
(before and after etching)
A densely transparent traffic-cone orange with subtle streaking. Easy to work with.

Kniphofia — Kniphofia

Marmelade — Marmelade

Marmelade — Marmelade

Vampire A very cooperative blood red-similar to Sangre, but richer and darker. It held up to nearly 2 hours of abuse with minimal reducing [seen on the right thigh.] — Vampire A very cooperative blood red-similar to Sangre, but richer and darker. It held up to nearly 2 hours of abuse with minimal reducing [seen on the right thigh.]

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Alchemy over Grand Canyon (front and back)Here are two of six new complex opaque canes that CiM released in spring 2021. Four of them-Howlite, Alchemy, Alakazam and Dinosaur Bone- have a Buttermilk matrix and are absolutely perfect for depicting marble. The marbling in Alchemy is from Eel Grass (transparent green) and Eden (dense transparent pine green with aventurine) cane just below the surface of the cane. Another ‘marbleous’ CiM color! — Alchemy over Grand Canyon (front and back)
Here are two of six new complex opaque canes that CiM released in spring 2021. Four of them-Howlite, Alchemy, Alakazam and Dinosaur Bone- have a Buttermilk matrix and are absolutely perfect for depicting marble. The marbling in Alchemy is from Eel Grass (transparent green) and Eden (dense transparent pine green with aventurine) cane just below the surface of the cane. Another ‘marbleous’ CiM color!

Cupcake on Effetre AvacadoCupcake is a silver yellow. The batch I used is a milky ivory with no yellowing, similar to CiM Buttermilk. It is a stable ivory without the color separation (curdling) that distinguishes Effetre Ivory. — Cupcake on Effetre Avacado
Cupcake is a silver yellow. The batch I used is a milky ivory with no yellowing, similar to CiM Buttermilk. It is a stable ivory without the color separation (curdling) that distinguishes Effetre Ivory.

Cupcake on Effetre Avorio Lapis — Cupcake on Effetre Avorio Lapis

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Dinosaur Bone on Jupiter StormDinosaur Bone is a complex opaque cane with Cleopatra (dense purple transparent) and Harvest (opaque orange) cane in a Buttermilk matrix. The CiM Jupiter Storm base bead complements the Harvest highlights. Like Alakazam, Alchemy, and Howlite, Dinosaur Bone is marbleous! — Dinosaur Bone on Jupiter Storm
Dinosaur Bone is a complex opaque cane with Cleopatra (dense purple transparent) and Harvest (opaque orange) cane in a Buttermilk matrix. The CiM Jupiter Storm base bead complements the Harvest highlights. Like Alakazam, Alchemy, and Howlite, Dinosaur Bone is marbleous!

Howlite, Starry Night and Grand CanyonHowlite is one of six new complex opaque canes that CiM released in spring 2021. Four of them-Howlite, Alchemy, Alakazam and Dinosaur Bone- have a Buttermilk matrix and are absolutely perfect for depicting marble. Howlite has Midnight cane inclusions just below the surface. Though it does resemble its namesake, it reminds me of Carrara marble. It is easy to use and readily accepts etching cream. The base bead is made of two other new opaque canes- Starry Night and Grand Canyon, both made of Stone Ground and Cornflower. — Howlite, Starry Night and Grand Canyon
Howlite is one of six new complex opaque canes that CiM released in spring 2021. Four of them-Howlite, Alchemy, Alakazam and Dinosaur Bone- have a Buttermilk matrix and are absolutely perfect for depicting marble. Howlite has Midnight cane inclusions just below the surface. Though it does resemble its namesake, it reminds me of Carrara marble. It is easy to use and readily accepts etching cream. The base bead is made of two other new opaque canes- Starry Night and Grand Canyon, both made of Stone Ground and Cornflower.

Starry Night on the left, Grand Canyon on the right — Starry Night on the left, Grand Canyon on the right

Lake Baikal — Lake Baikal

Scotch Broom over Bird’s Nest and Effetre Antique Green (above and right) — Scotch Broom over Bird’s Nest and Effetre Antique Green
(above and right)

Stonewashed and Carefree over White — Stonewashed and Carefree over White

The following section uses colors introduced in 2020.

For more reviews, visit the CiM page for each particular color.

NymphCanyon de Chelly case, Nymph torso- like butter, no reducing or scumming. Dreamy. — Nymph
Canyon de Chelly case, Nymph torso- like butter, no reducing or scumming. Dreamy.

Sea Glass on White — Sea Glass on White

Persian GreenPersian Green (on black base)- like butter- viscous, resistant to reducing. Beautiful color. — Persian Green
Persian Green (on black base)- like butter- viscous, resistant to reducing. Beautiful color.

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Summer Haze on Effetre Emerald with Double Helix Gaia marblingnice, viscous. I had to pluck out a little reduction but otherwise it’s nice and viscous and works like butter. Love this color! — Summer Haze on Effetre Emerald with Double Helix Gaia marbling
nice, viscous. I had to pluck out a little reduction but otherwise it’s nice and viscous and works like butter. Love this color!

Fruit Punch (detail) — Fruit Punch (detail)

Ginger and Montezuma on Effetre Aqua and White — Ginger and Montezuma on Effetre Aqua and White

Ginger and Montezuma (detail) — Ginger and Montezuma (detail)

Green ManLimeade on Effetre Copper GreenMy first test rod of Limeade was a bit shocky and tended to scum up. Flame cut using a cool flame or it will scum up almost every time. The flame-cut nib should be gently heated and pressed flush with the piece. Scummy areas can be plucked out. It’s like Goldilocks (or the Opalinos)- the flame can’t be too oxidized or the glass is likely to scum up. It can’t be too reduced or it carbonizes. The cloudy transparents have high viscosity – perfect for sculpting, and low melting temperature. With little heat, the glass is ready to manipulate, yet stiff enough to hold details as long as you don’t over heat it. There is a learning curve but well worth the effort. — Green Man
Limeade on Effetre Copper Green
My first test rod of Limeade was a bit shocky and tended to scum up. Flame cut using a cool flame or it will scum up almost every time. The flame-cut nib should be gently heated and pressed flush with the piece. Scummy areas can be plucked out. It’s like Goldilocks (or the Opalinos)- the flame can’t be too oxidized or the glass is likely to scum up. It can’t be too reduced or it carbonizes. The cloudy transparents have high viscosity – perfect for sculpting, and low melting temperature. With little heat, the glass is ready to manipulate, yet stiff enough to hold details as long as you don’t over heat it. There is a learning curve but well worth the effort.

Green Man (back) Limeade on Effetre Copper Green — Green Man (back)
Limeade on Effetre Copper Green

Witches’ Brew on Khaki & Canyon de Chelly — Witches’ Brew on Khaki & Canyon de Chelly

Lovebirds on a base of stirred Stoneground, Lunar, London Fog and Dried SageStone Ground base with dabs of Lunar, London Fog and Dried Sage stirred in [AWESOME!!]. Torso is Lovebirds-viscous, smooth, great for sculpting, maintains form well.. — Lovebirds on a base of stirred Stoneground, Lunar, London Fog and Dried Sage
Stone Ground base with dabs of Lunar, London Fog and Dried Sage stirred in [AWESOME!!]. Torso is Lovebirds-viscous, smooth, great for sculpting, maintains form well..

Shamrock on a base of stirred Stoneground, Lunar, London Fog and Dried Sage — Shamrock on a base of stirred Stoneground, Lunar, London Fog and Dried Sage

New Poison Apple on Stone Ground, Dried Sage, and Lemon GrassBeautiful, vibrant color. Great workability. — New Poison Apple on Stone Ground, Dried Sage, and Lemon Grass
Beautiful, vibrant color. Great workability.

Lemon Grass on Calico, Dichroic Sea Foam, Lovebirds, Persian Green, Summer Haze.Jeans -Montezuma with Kuglar Iris Gold button. — Lemon Grass on Calico, Dichroic Sea Foam, Lovebirds, Persian Green, Summer Haze.
Jeans -Montezuma with Kuglar Iris Gold button.

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Stonewashed on Effetre Tongue PinkStonewashed was a bit shocky. It needs to be treated with care. The flame needs to be kept off the section being thinned, and the piece needs to be moved away from the torch while flame-cutting. If the thinned section is in the flame or too close to the torch, it will scum up almost 100% of the time. The nib remaining after flame-cutting needs to be lightly heated and pressed into the body of the piece. Scummy areas can be plucked out. It’s like Goldilocks- the flame can’t be too oxidized or the glass is likely to get scummy. But it can’t be too reduced or the glass carbonizes. You need to dial in the perfect flame. The cloudy transparents do have just the right amount of viscosity to be perfect for sculpting. With very little heating, the glass is ready to accept manipulation, yet stiff enough to hold the details as long as you don’t accidentally hit it with the flame too long. There is a short learning curve to get the timing down. — Stonewashed on Effetre Tongue Pink
Stonewashed was shocky and tended to scum up. Flame cut using a cool flame or it will scum up almost every time. The flame-cut nib should be gently heated and pressed flush with the piece. Scummy areas can be plucked out. It’s like Goldilocks (or the Opalinos)- the flame can’t be too oxidized or the glass is likely to scum up. It can’t be too reduced or it carbonizes. The cloudy transparents have high viscosity – perfect for sculpting, and low melting temperature. With little heat, the glass is ready to manipulate, yet stiff enough to hold details as long as you don’t over heat it. There is a learning curve but well worth the effort.

Goddess on Ra & Opal Yellow Goddess is a buttery, viscous, ductile trams;icemt with very little reducing.Ra is like Effetre Opal Yellow but slightly richer yellow. I hope it gets remade. I’ll buy several pounds. — Goddess on Ra & Opal Yellow
Goddess is a buttery, viscous, ductile trams;icemt with very little reducing.
Ra is like Effetre Opal Yellow but slightly richer yellow. I hope it gets remade. I’ll buy several pounds.

Heather on Effetre BlackHeather shows a veiled, streaky look. It scuzzes easily -work with care . — Heather on Effetre Black
Heather shows a veiled, streaky look. It scuzzes easily -work with care .

Heather over Effetre Copper Red — Heather over Effetre Copper Red

Watermelon on BlackWatermelon is layered red glass powder on clear, so it creates a veiled or streaky look. This glass is shocky and needs to be pre-heated. — Watermelon on Black
Watermelon is layered red glass powder on clear, so it creates a veiled or streaky look. This glass is shocky and needs to be pre-heated.