And with the awesome Sharyl McMillian, no less!
Sharyl is such a talented lady, and I was so thrilled to supply various beadwoven beads to complement her metal components. As an added bonus, we chose to use the colors for Artisan Whimsy's November color palette.
So, if you've read my blog posts in the past, you may have noticed ....I don't really do earrings. Now, I adore earrings, and wear them every day. I just have challenges making them. When I received Sharyl's package for me, I quickly set about creating a bracelet. My latest passion has been kumihimo, and I love how quickly they work up. I was planning on making a cellini spiral for my braid. Hmm....the Daughter quickly and ruthlessly vetoed the bracelet. "Nope, doesn't work" she said. Now this girl has some serious challenges on putting together a coordinating outfit, but she is pretty spot on when it comes to any type of art form. Here is the braid in question:
It is pretty, but it just wasn't working with the palette. 'K, back to the drawing board.....
I thought I could layer the discs on top...FAIL.
Yeah, I was getting a bit desperate here. Things were not coming together. And, well, no pressure or anything, but I am a CO-HOST!!!
Deep breath, how about some cute kumihimo earrings? Yep, I can totally do that!
Here we go!
And of course, as I add this pic to the blog post, the colors totally clash! But I promise, they are NOT like that IRL. They work perfectly with Sharyl's pretty altered cones. Sigh, probably the wood box I used to hang them from, 'cause, you know, I don't DO earrings, so I don't have a cool display for them!
Now, back to the beads....
I still had to make my beaded bead, and use the flat discs from Sharyl. (No, I didn't take a before pic!)
Here are some that didn't make the cut....
I know, I know, shut up already, and show the pics! Well, believe it or not, I ended up making two more pair of EARRINGS!!!!
See??
Just some little jump rings (I did make those, does that count?), and coordinating beads...yes, I know those green beads look like they don't match, but they do! 
An easy, cute beaded bead, jump ring and earwire, call it done!
Now, y'all can just call me lame if you wanna, but I am seriously proud of making THREE pair of earrings!
I can't wait to see what everyone else made!
Here's the list!
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson --
Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections (*Co-Host)
Candy Wham -- (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog)
Angi Mullis -- (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog)
Shirley Moore -- Beads and Bread (*Co-Host) You are here!
Laren Dee Barton -- Laren Dee Designs
Beti Horvath -- Stringing Fool
Marybeth Rich -- Forest of Jewels
Amy Severino -- AmyBeads
Carolyn's Creations -- Carolyn's Creations
Toltec Jewels -- Jewel School Friends
Blessings, Shirley
I don't think you can claim that you don't make earrings anymore, Shirley! :-) Three pairs at once--I'd say you outdid yourself for this challenge in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post, and how even you felt challenged by this blog hop! I know I did too! It seems that seed beads and metals may be a somewhat unusual combination, born out of friendship, but the results from all the designers suggest it's a winning one! Thank you so much for all you did to make this blog hop happen! It's been a pleasure working with you on this! --Sharyl
P.S. Your colors look spot on in the last photo! And those long dangly ones are super cool!
Look at you cranking out all those earrings!!! I love what you did with all your earrings....and am especially enjoying those kumihimo earrings!!!!!! THey are so original looking and I love the colors! Bravo, Shirley!
ReplyDeleteI love all those earrings, especially the kumihimo ones. I do think you are over your fear of earrings. :) I do think that this was a challenging hop, but everyone seemed to rise to the occasion.
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to say, thank you so much for co-hosting. Your component was fun to work with.
ReplyDeleteLove your earrings! See how easy they are? That's why I love to make earrings (and where my own and others') Keep on making them you are a natural. I loved the way you combined the elements!
ReplyDeleteI love those kumihimo earrings!!!
ReplyDeleteI love all three pair of earrings. Consider this a great success.
ReplyDeleteHi Shirley,
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this challenge? Oh yeah maybe because I was MIA for a little while oh well I will catch the next one and you two really should do another one from what I have seen it was a success. Congratulations to you and Sharyl. Now on to your earrings which are all gorgeous, girlfriend, you can no longer say you do not do earrings, because you totally knock the earring making process out of the park. I love all three pairs they are all uniquely different, The last picture does your Kumihimo earrings justice the colors so totally work together.
Therese
Awesome Earrings! As one who struggles with them too, I don't think you are lame in the least~I think you are reaching out of your comfort zone with wonderful results!
ReplyDeleteYOu crack me up girl! It is hard to work with our one pieces in a design challenge and you did great!
ReplyDeleteShirley- I think you did an awesome job on your earrings! I love how each pair is completely different in texture,color and style. I understand the frustration of having the idea bouncing around in your head but not being able to successfully translate it into an actual piece. I think you nailed it!
ReplyDeleteBTW - I have never worked with beaded pieces before, so I was a little intimidated at first. Your design on my twisty focal and the colors are amazing, now I'm totally hooked! Thanks to both you and Sharyl for the opportunity to play along. I had a blast!
Angi Mullis dj2isme@aol.com
I would have never considered kumihimo earrings. Those are very cool. However, the beaded bead earrings are my favorite for sure. There's just so much interest to them. And, I am always amazed by seed beadwork since it's one of those things that I just can't do yet. Your earrings are lovely!!
ReplyDelete