Bead Packet Design Challenge

So, are you starting to see a pattern here? Yes, I admit it. I am addicted to challenges! Besides having a load of fun, it helps me to stretch and grow as a jewelry designer. This challenge was no different. I'm a beadweaver. What was I sent to play with? A packet of gemstones! Right up my alley!!!
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson of Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections decided it would be fun to see what everyone could make with the same packet of beads.

Now, I'm sorry to say, I don't have a clue as to what all these beauties are, but they are gorgeous!!

I immediately fell in love with the round stone with the hints of pink.  I've been on a bezeling spree lately, so I bezeled it up, and quickly settled on a design.  Diane Fitzgerald's Shaped Beadwork is one of my 'go to' books. I chose a couple of shapes, and got to work. Here is the result:

 I used those pretty little green stones to connect the bezeled component to the triangles.

Then I added open diamonds to the end, and created a double toggle to slip through them both.  This is a technique I learned from Beth Stone.

I had lots of opportunity to embellish in this bracelet, and I had a blast! From the pink pearls around the bezel, to the tiny size 15 seed beads on the strap of the toggle.

This is how it loops through the diamonds.

I used a combination of rainbow grey beads, a rose gold, and honey gold throughout the bracelet to keep the color palette soft, and flowing.

 I really enjoyed putting all the different elements together in this bracelet. It is a striking design, and shows off those pretty stones so well!

I also wanted to make something with those green briolettes, and ran just a bit short on time.

But I think you get the picture! :) It will only take about another hour to finish the other earring, but I needed to get this post written up, so I'll finish it later. I went to Diane Fitzgerald again, and created a teardrop shaped beadwork behind the briolette. I used the same colors from the bracelet.

It's a very pretty earring style, and I can't wait to wear them! Hope you enjoyed the show, and please visit the rest of the designers to see what they did with this great challenge!  Blessings, Shirley

Participants:

Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Skye Jewels)

  http://skyejewels.blogspot.com/

Kristi Jaro (Curiosities by K)

  http://curiositiesbyk.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore (Beads and Bread) 

 http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com

Therese Frank (Therese's Treasures) 

  http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Kashmira Patel (Sadafulee)

  http://sadafulee.blogspot.com

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Host 

(Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections)

  http://www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com