Friday, May 4, 2012

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/



18 comments:

  1. I like your piece very much. Where did you find that pattern for the rope? It's what ties the whole thing together in my opinion. I can only imagine how frustrating it was with all the different colored seed beads. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I envy anyone who has the patience for bead weaving. *smile* That was an inspired idea for the focal you received. That bead rope is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a stunning creation you came up with.. the rope work looks so difficult and is absolultely gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shirley, you are incredible!!! You made an out-of-this-world piece with your focal already!! I can't even fathom dreaming up something so intricate and time-consuming. The frame, the bail, the beaded rope, the additional stones at the back - are all details that make this such a stunning piece. I have to say this has got to be one of my most favorite creations that I've ever seen you share here on your blog! Well done!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very nice! I love how the blue stones at the back echo the bright blues of the focal - I love those special surprises just for the wearer! I always love seeing what you come up with.

    Hugs! Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, you are such a wonderful cheerleader. Thank you for your kind words. :)

      Delete
  6. this is awesome, Shirley. How clever to think of taking off the bail and doing that bezel around it. I love the whole thing! It beautiful and colorful and so creative!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to confess Sally, it was actually the hubby's idea. And it was a serious patience teacher to bezel that shape!

      Delete
  7. Stunning!!! This is SO very out-of-this-world beautiful!!!!
    I could never have imagined the focal transforming into this! Wow!
    Am even more inspired to learn this now! Wow!!

    And THANK YOU SO MUCH for my focal. I am just finishing up my necklace and will post it soon!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks everyone. This was such a fun challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful focal you had to work with, and what a lovely job you did with it. The necklace rope is really gorgeous (even if it did give you fits to get it done!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have great respect for people who play with seed beads. Beautiful work.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Shirley, Your necklace is beautiful! i love how you adapted the pendant to your style and the rope is great. I would love to learn how you made the pendant you sent Kashmira. Decreasing peyote looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Shirley,
    I love how you designed your piece and how you drew from the colors in the pendant. Is your rope done in RAW? Beautiful absolutely beautiful!
    Therese

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow again all that work - i am so impressed I lose patience with seed beads but adore the way they look - another beautiful job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love both the pieces but I am especially fond of the triangular one!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Shirley, I like this a lot! That's for helping this beadweaver look at a pendant in a different way.

    ReplyDelete

I'm thrilled you stopped by! Thanks for your words of wisdom.