I was lucky enough to get not one but two partners for this challenge. That meant two sets of beads. Here's a reminder of the first set of beads I received from my partner, Christine Stonefield of Sweet Girl Design.
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| Base metal necklace, antique silver tone (M0535-AS); labradorite oval pendant (PT513-07); base metal coin nugget beads, antique silver (M0278-AS); royal blue freeform cultured sea glass pendant (P37-B33); Chinese crystal rondelle beads, amber glow (zmx-05-01); dark gray glass pearl rice beads (BDS1923-07FIVE); and yellow green aqua terra jasper round beads (BDS1880-02) |
I'll admit that with both of my bead mixes, I had a hard time envisioning all the beads together in a single piece so most of the components were used separately. I started with the labradorite and silver nuggets. I also had some labradorite chips leftover from the Diamonds in the Rough challenge. These all came together beautifully.
Next, I quickly pulled together some simple earrings with links from the chain and terra japer beads. I really love that the chain had two sets of small links on either end of it.
I liked those so much I used the round links and some rose quartz (also leftover from the Diamonds in the Rough) to make these earrings. I really like the contrast between the round links and cube beads.
The gray pearls were next to be tackled. I thought and thought over these and finally decided to try my hand with some memory wire again. This bracelet turned out beautifully, but just not as precise as I wanted. It may be re-worked
Finally, I worked with the sea glass pendant. I added gold foil to it to dress it up a bit then upcycled some gold-tone shell earrings, strung the amber crystal rondelles, and added some recycled sari silk to make up this necklace.
I really love this one!
Thanks go out to Christine for a wonderful selection of beads.
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Next, I moved onto the beads from my other partner, Kelly Patterson of PyxeeStyx~Traveling Sideshow. Kelly sent me an array of beads in a variety of colors.
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| Gunmetal tone chain (M0508-GM), aqua terra jasper light red barrel beads (BDS1881-05), champagne glass pearl beads (BDS1617-39FIVE), dyed green sardonyx twisted oval beads (BDS1650-11), veridian green Chinese crystal flowers (RS186-122L), Globe beads, turquoise with gold lines (BDS1495-19), and cherry red cultured sea glass conchs (S29-B05S) |
To me, the most distinctive beads in this mix were the globes. I just couldn't fathom how to use them. They were the PERFECT challenge for me. I pondered and pondered on those beads and inspiration finally hit when I thought about the globe shape literally.
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| This was harder for me to make than you think. Getting that wire to wrap just perfectly around the bead was a monster of a task. But, I did it! |
The little conchs are just so perfect for earrings and combined just right with the flower links from the gunmetal chain.
I attacked the light red terra jasper next with some turquoise waxed linen cord, shell beads, brown lava beads, and clear glass beads. The natural feel was perfect.
I knew the crystals were absolutely elegant and needed very little to accent them. Some silver-tone chain was all I added to make these fun earrings.
Finally, the champagne pearls and a swirl of the gunmetal link of chain were combined with a thrifted chamdelier crystal drop.
It's my favorite from this mix. Thanks Kelly for sending me some beads that really challenged me and made me think out of the box!
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The title of this post does say GIVEAWAY so I need to tell you that you'll need to visit the ZnetShows blog on Saturday, July 6th to get the details on how to enter to win a mix of beads from them and see the complete list of Design Team participants. Don't forget to visit my partners Christine and Kelly. I personally can't wait to see what they made with the beads I picked out for them!!
Girl! You seriously rock! I so love all your designs. I do have a few faves, such as the necklace in the pkg from Christine, and those green beads with the square links! I love the contrast between the beads and the chain in that last necklace. Awesome work dear!
ReplyDeleteShirley, Thanks you so much. You make me blush. I'm so very pleased you like my pieces. I do feel bad that I wasn't able to combine the beads from my partners more, but am happy with what I came up with. I appreciate you swinging by!!
Deletewow.. you have been busy. Love your pieces. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I want to say is a huge Thanx! for all you did to make this blog hop and challenge happen. All of your pieces are very individual and creative. I really like the memory wire bracelet but I think I would have put more of the pink quartz squares as the center focal. Also from the first set the gold foil on the royal blue pendant is stunning. The globe in the second group is a real winner.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful designs Hope! Love the simple elegance of the necklace with the globe - I can't believe how perfect your wire wrap job was on it!
ReplyDeleteTHese are all really gorgeous designs and great use of your partner's picks!!! Really drooling over that necklace withe the gold seashells! I love all that mixed media!!!
ReplyDeleteHope...Great designs... That globe is so cool. I also like how you added gold foil the large pendant ... Great idea.. THANKS SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS CHALLENGE TOGETHER...
ReplyDeleteChristina, Thank you! I really enjoyed playing with pieces that challenged me somewhat, components I might not have picked for myself. I hope you enjoyed it as well!
DeleteYour designs are all so beautiful! I love the gold leafing you did on your sea glass pendant. That is very clever, and creates such a beautiful contrast against that blue color. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHope, I especially love the simple elegance of the grey pearls with the crystal. I also love the dangle earrings. Thanks for all your hard work on this.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you had the time to create such loveliness...from TWO different sets of beads!...and still took the time to organize this blog hop. Beautiful job on both counts, Hope!
ReplyDeleteHope, your pieces are all so beautiful!! The gold foil on the pendant is inspired and I love your chandelier drop necklace!! Thank you for all of your hard work on this challenge - it was so fun!!
ReplyDeleteGold foil! what a great idea to set off the glass. You did triple duty, with keeping the challenge & hop going, besides doing all this wonderful bead work. Great job and thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the globe necklace so cool! They all came out great!
ReplyDeleteSuzette, Thanks! Like I said, that globe bead worried the heck out me, but I was so relieved when I hit on that idea. It really works doesn't it? I almost think it has a steam-punk feel to it. . .almost. Thank you for stopping in! :)
DeleteThat labradorite necklace is a stunner! What a great job with your beads & thanks for organizing the hop!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hope, for all the work you did on this hop. I can't believe you made so many beautiful pieces with your beads, they are all gorgeous and a great beachy use of them all. Love the last one the best!
ReplyDeleteGina H
Gina, You are too generous with your compliments. I'm not quite sure I got a beachy feel with all of them. I had to get past that to an extent and just try to make sure I brought out the natural beauty of each of the components. I do appreciate your compliments though, they mean so much to me. Thank you for them and for taking the time to participate and hop by!
DeleteGreat minds think alike Hope. The chain really lent it self to earrings. You did a fabulous job creating and running this blog hop. Thanks so much for including me!!!!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, HA! I thought the same thing when I saw your earrings as well. I actually liked yours more than my own. That sparkly blue you used was just yummy! I hope you enjoyed the challenge and the hop! Thanks for hopping by!
Deleteoh man! what a collection! you must have been beading for weeks!!! all stunning designs (as usual)..I'm not sure I could pick a fav, but I am really loving that labradorite necklace! so sorry about my delayed hopping! We're still traveling with no connection!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, No worries about the delayed hopping. As you can see, I'm running a little behind as well in responding to my comments as I'm just about to head out of town myself. I'm so pleased you like my creations. As always, I had some fun playing with the ZnetShows components. Thanks for taking the time to pop in! :)
DeleteWow, 2 partners. You've been busy. I really can't say which is my favorite. I love the way you used the gold foil to dress up the focal in the necklace. And that globe necklace is wonderful, although I do imagine getting that wire around it just right was a job. Lovely pieces.
ReplyDelete