Pirate Pretties March Challenge Reveal

Within the last several months, I discovered the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge from Angela, who manages a Pirate Pretties Facebook group and YouTube Channel of the same name. I'm not sure how long she's had the challenge going on but believe that she facilitated one last year and has it going again this year. I mentioned it in my March Challenges and Inspirations post, but let me refresh you. 

The challenge she has set out is a birthstone challenge. Each month's birthstone is the color for the month. In addition, she offers up a choice of metal type and a project type (necklace, bracelet, earrings, etc.). There is also the option to include a fun element/theme each month. The reveal date is the 15th of each month. You can watch her 2022 Challenge Announcement video to get the full details. 

This month, the color was Aquamarine, the metal either silver or copper, the project type a necklace, and the fun elements either shells or fish. I chose not to work with the fun elements and substituted aquamarine gemstones for glass beads in a similar color. I do love what I created!

Since I discovered this challenge from other jewelry makers on YouTube, I made sure to create a video of my process with this necklace. 

Let me go ahead and tell you, it was more of a struggle than I anticipated. I decided to string the beads onto waxed cord and knot between them. While I did test the size of the holes first, I found (during my recording process) that the hole sizes were inconsistent and some were too small for the cord. GAH!! I adjusted my design a little then and continued on to adding the metal chain with knots and some glue. 

The knots did not hold. 😩😩

Once again, I adjusted my design. And, I ended up creating a necklace that's even more secure than the original design. All of this I recorded in the video. 

I felt it was important to show watchers that sometimes you have to adjust your process and work with the little accidents that happen - that those little accidents can often become design and learning opportunities. And, in the end, I wound up with a beautiful necklace.

In fact, I've already listed this Copper and Aquamarine Necklace on Etsy. 

Thanks go out to Angela for the creative opportunity.

So, how would you have dealt with the hiccups I encountered in this design?

Do you see them as opportunities or disastrous?