Vocal Focal Reveal

Today is reveal day for a challenge that Bonnie Coursolle of JasperGems set up. I was immediately intrigued when I read her challenge. You can go here to read the original post. Basically, she talked about the importance of a focal piece for your design. I can tell you, I have grown more in my skills by the challenges I have participated in, than any other thing I've done. I've been very uncomfortable a lot of the time, but I have learned something new with each challenge. So, I encourage you to go sign up for one!
 Since I'm a beadweaver, I asked Bonnie if the focal could be a beaded component. She said yes indeed! and matched me up with a wonderful partner.  Kashmira is a very sweet lady, and when I asked her if she would like me to bead something for her, she also was enthusiastic about the idea.

Here is the pendant I sent her.

I love this pattern! It is a decreasing peyote that looks three dimensional when woven.

Kashmira sent me a wonderful pendant by ClayHappy.  Here is a pic of the pendant when I received it.

Totally lovely just the way it is, but I was really thinking hard about the focal idea, so I decided to play with it a bit.  

 I removed the bail it came with, and bezeled it. The bezel is RAW and peyote in a gorgeous lavender size 11 seed beads.

 I created a bail in a diamond pattern, and then folded it over and attached it to the back of the pendant. It picks up some of the darker greens in the pendant.

 This is a fun, carefree design on the pendant, and I wanted the necklace to reflect that feeling. 

 I added these pretty light blue stones on the end, because after all my embellishing of my rope, it ended up a bit short! I like how they also pick up one of the colors in the pendant.

Isn't it cool how the rope looks like it's spiraling?

Here's a close-up.  You would be bored to tears if I told you all the frustrations I had with this silly rope.  In the end, I am so thrilled with how it turned out, and I think I may need to make a few more in different colors!  Thanks so much Bonnie, for a great challenge!

Here is a list of the other participants. Go check 'em out!

Blessings, Shirley

Cindy Wimmer www.sweetbeadstudio.com/
Ginger Bishop www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com

Bonnie Coursolle http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Andra Weber www.andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.ca/

Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Lori Finney http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca

Shirley Moore www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel http://sadafulee.blogspot.com

Maybeline Tay http://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.com
Dee Torcherer Elgie www.cheeysbsidia.blogspot.co.uk

Bonnie Coursolle http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Rhonda Baird http://dixxyinchains.wordpress.com/