Back to School - Make your own Pencils! | Author Deanna Chase Back to School - Make your own Pencils! | Author Deanna Chase
Deanna ChaseDeanna ChaseDeanna ChaseDeanna Chase

Back to School - Make your own Pencils!

It’s back to school time. Labor Day always marked the return to school from summer vacation when I was growing up. I was always excited to get back to school, for all the right reasons of course. You know, new school supplies, new clothes, and of course seeing my friends regularly.

So when this months topic for Ornament Thursday was announced to me, Academia, my first thought was freshly sharpened pencils. I know, I’ll make little glass pencils. Wouldn’t they make great teacher gifts?

So I set out to make some and here is my progression:

Of course, I had to choose the colors. I use Bullseye glass, so I picked, regular pink for the eraser, pumpkin for the pencil, and nougat for the tip.

ot5

I first wrapped a bit of pink around the mandrel, for the eraser:

ot1

Then, the pumpkin for the pencil. I rolled it out, smoothing it on the marver:

ot2

Then I added the tip, marvering at a angle to make it pointed:

ot3

Then I added just a bit more pumpkin to the pencil part and rolled it out all nice and smooth again. This is what it looked like right before I put it into the kiln.

ot4

And, this is the finished product, ready for glamor shots.:

081908pen1a 081908pen1c1

Then of course they need a jewelry designer to make them into something. So what did I do? I sent them off to JoolzbyLisa. She has a post on how she transformed these little gems into adorable jewelry. Click here.

ot6

So now you have the tools on how to make pencils and I have just directed you on where to go for info to make them into jewelry gems. But, if you are not a lampworker and want pencils, go here to see some in my etsy store, or contact JoolzbyLisa for pencils made into jewelry.

Check out all the other Ornament Thursday Blogs:

Art Bead Scene & The Golden Rule
The Art Bead Scene editor shares a few words of wisdom for jewelry designers.

Check out the “homework” project from Joolz by Lisa
A collab effort works out great when you plan ahead

BeadStyle goes back to school
Lindsay Haedt’s on her way to the classroom, but not before Linda shares one of her recent designs

Beading Help Web Wires Up Academia
Lynn Kvigne to read! While you can easily use a scrap of paper or an old magazine subscription card for a bookmark, why not whip up a stylish book mark instead?

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy’s learned how to Mail!

Michelle’s Edumacation
Michelle has yet another go at decorating Helen’s workstation, this month, less scary than last but oh, so funky

Swelldesigner goes crazy over school supplies!
Alexa shows you how to turn pencil grips into ultra funky accessories

First Day
Michelle’s School Book – it’s academic!

Where to Buy Deanna's Books

  • Buy on AppleBooks
  • Buy on Amazon
  • Buy on Barnes & Noble
  • Buy at Books-A-Million
  • Buy from Google Play
  • Buy from Kobo
  • Buy from Audible

Deanna’s books are also available at Amazon UK.

Best Wordpress Popup Plugin

Our website uses cookies which may collect information about your visit to improve our website (anonymous analytics), to show you media (video and audio), targeted advertising, and social media feeds. Please see our Cookie Policy page for further details or agree by clicking the 'Accept' button.

Cookie settings

Below you can choose which kind of cookies you allow on this website. Click on the "Save cookie settings" button to apply your choice.

FunctionalOur website uses functional cookies. These cookies are necessary to let our website work.

AnalyticalOur website uses analytical cookies to make it possible to analyze our website and optimize for the purpose of a.o. the usability.

Social mediaOur website places social media cookies to show you 3rd party content like YouTube and FaceBook. These cookies may track your personal data.

AdvertisingOur website places advertising cookies to show you 3rd party advertisements based on your interests. These cookies may track your personal data.

OtherOur website places 3rd party cookies from other 3rd party services which aren't Analytical, Social media or Advertising.