Two very awesome ladies, Karen Williams and Mandi Ainsworth, decided it would be fun to host a Freeform Peyote Challenge! I was so very excited to sign up, and today's the reveal day! I have to say, this has been a whirlwind of a project. I started out with something totally different, and it quickly grew out of all proportionate size. It would have been a 3 inch wide cuff if I had kept going. Now, there's nothing wrong with that, but not what I normally wear...so, back to the drawing board. Karen started a great facebook group for Freeform Peyote, and I got such inspiration from seeing all the different interpretations. One in particular stood out for me. It was simply made in two colors. Like a lightbulb, I realized that I could also do that. And my two colors immediately jumped out for me....silver and hot pink!
Now, most freeform pieces go through an....ugly duckling stage. Where you look at it and wonder if it will ever grow up to be beautiful. Not so for this piece. From the moment I started it, I love each and every stage of it. This has been such a wonderful piece for me, and will be a treasure in my collection for many years to come.
I did a few things differently on this one than what I've done in the past. I wanted a bit of structure, so I ladder stitched silver 11's for one end, then strung several types of silver beads until I reached the length I wanted, then did another ladder stitched row for the other end. So I started with a rectangle of silver, which I then filled in with lacy strands of beads.
I think the hardest thing to photograph is a freeform piece. There is so much to look at, so I tried to break it down for you.
The clasp end, silver lined triangle beads, accented with fuschia 15's.
The loop end is a pink and clear dichroic bead, with loops of the seed beads used throughout the bracelet encircling the bead.
It definitely took on it's own shape..I was thrilled when I saw what was happening.
A lovely bridge of silver twisted bugles flows down to a silver pond.
Hard to see, but there is a pink cube bead, an AB clear crystal, and a frosted pink bead in this shot.
Another view of the bridge.
I love the pink and silver mix here, reminds me of cherry blossoms.
Thanks so much Karen and Mandi, for this challenge. It gave me better understanding of myself as a beader, and what I'm capable of creating. And a lovely addition to my jewelry box!
Here's the list of the participants-have fun hopping! Blessings, Shirley
Adventure Guides
Mandi Ainsworth
Karen Williams
Bobbie Rafferty
Sarah Meadows
Katherine Gale
Leanne Kirsch
Jean Hutter
Nancy Dale
Judy Riley
Natasha Wiegelman
Pam Chesbro
Stephanie Woods
Romana Tschunko
Bette Greenfield
Mary Harding
Melody Marie Murray
Shirley Moore You are here!
Marj
Sally Russick
Therese Frank
Tanya Goodwin
Christine Altmiller
Lea Paličková
Ivona Šuchmannová
Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten
Kay Haynes
Tammy Bowman
Alisa Lehman
Lori Callahan
Tami Norris
Jane Kettley
SaraBeth Cullinan
Julie Schmidt Bowen
Mandi Ainsworth
Karen Williams
Bobbie Rafferty
Sarah Meadows
Katherine Gale
Leanne Kirsch
Jean Hutter
Nancy Dale
Judy Riley
Natasha Wiegelman
Pam Chesbro
Stephanie Woods
Romana Tschunko
Bette Greenfield
Mary Harding
Melody Marie Murray
Shirley Moore You are here!
Marj
Sally Russick
Therese Frank
Tanya Goodwin
Christine Altmiller
Lea Paličková
Ivona Šuchmannová
Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten
Kay Haynes
Tammy Bowman
Alisa Lehman
Lori Callahan
Tami Norris
Jane Kettley
SaraBeth Cullinan
Julie Schmidt Bowen
Your color palette is so luscious.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I had only done one freeform peyote but I really loved doing it. I have one in my bead stash that needs to be redo - this gives me the inspiration to get it out and finish it. Love your colors Shirley.
ReplyDeleteYeah Linda! So glad it inspired you!
DeleteWow! I love the colors you chose and the texture you created by filling in with your beads (getting my notebook out to add your technique for future reference!) Your bracelet will get loads of compliments whenever you wear it!! I can tell you really enjoyed every facet (little beady pun there!) of your design process and it shows in your finished piece :D
ReplyDeleteTammy, your pun made my day. :)
DeleteShirley, wow! I'm drooling over the colors you used, and I love all the different shapes and sizes of beads. They create a lot of texture and interest, and they make my eyeballs happy. :)
DeleteWow, Shirley, this is just delicious!!!! I am SO happy that you were pleased all the way through the process... I thought I was the only one!! I felt the same way with my Honeycomb bracelet, it was great start to finish! (The Compass one was a REAL challenge, though, lol!!) I love how it revealed itself to you, no wonder you'll treasure it so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea Shirley! Defining the outlines of your piece in silver beads, and then filling in the center. I've never tried that approach - what an interesting idea for the hopper. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnd so pretty - the pinks and silvers are lovely together.
What a beautiful piece! I love the colors and the feel of your bracelet!! and how one section just flows into the next - stunning!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter started hopping before me and asked "Did you get to the silver and pink one yet? Wow! It is gorgeous!" When I got here, I knew this was the one that grabbed her attention. Beautiful!!! So beautiful. So feminine. Those silver lined twisted bugles are perfect in here.
ReplyDeleteThe pink and silver are awesome together. The bracelet is stunning.
ReplyDeleteVery nice and I love the colors - they would be out of my comfort zone and you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteWow, super elegant freeform! I love that you loved every stage :) Definitely reminds me of cherry blossoms. Beautiful job, Shirley!
ReplyDeleteI love this piece, Shirley. It's so interesting to look at -- bridges and pools and all!!
ReplyDeleteThe pink and silver work really well, I liked you way of making the rectangle, it holds everything together
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is lovely and delicate - and how clever of you to start with the rectangle to fill in with the freeform! I know you'll get great joy from wearing it. You'll rediscover something different every time you put it on!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty pretty bracelet, love the colors so feminine !
ReplyDeleteVery pretty bracelet. As I was looking at each photo, I felt like it could be a walking path in a garden, very lovely!
ReplyDeleteI really like the captive bead!
ReplyDeleteVery lovely indeed. I like seeing the process others take to create free form. The wavy shape really appeals to me as well! Soft calming colors will be a joy to wear.
ReplyDeleteWhy's an elegant and beautiful bracelet. Two colors and ladder stitch are great ideas. I am so glad I stopped by.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Shirley!
ReplyDeleteColors blend together so well. And thank you for taking close-ups of different parts of your piece - it is such a great idea. There is so much to see, so many beautiful details! Very pretty!
Hi Shirley,
ReplyDeleteYour cuff is gorgeous! I am so envious of you and your ability to just let go and go for it, I am still struggling with that. I love the colors you chose and that you only used two, awesome!
Therese
Shirley, I absolutely LOVE that!...and thank you so much for explaining your process, that helped a lot. Your colors are gorgeous, and you've ended up with a beautiful conversation piece.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful, love the color combination! Your idea to build a rectangle and fill it in is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is just stunning! I love your color choices and the brightness that the metallic beads provide! I also really like the subtle ridges of in the beaded fabric, giving the bracelet added depth. One of my favorites so far!
ReplyDeleteLove the texture in this piece
ReplyDeleteNice work, love structure!
ReplyDeleteInteresting way to 'contain' the piece.....I may have to try that...my first attempt got crazy proportions. I love the pink & silver combo.
ReplyDeletePink is not a colour I use, and I am not sure why, because this is a lovely bracelet, and I would be happy to wear it. Thanks for sharing your journey
ReplyDelete