Tuesday, September 30, 2014

It's AJE Reveal Day...and it's a stunner!

I know, I know, it's not polite to brag on yourself....but seriously, I'm just rather impressed at where this piece took me!
If you are not familiar with AJE, you are in for a treat. It's a blog of super talented folks, and each month they create a piece from a component one of them created. They are also nice enough to have a few folks join in each month as well. I've been very privileged to participate in the past.
This month the component is created by the fabulous Kristi Bowman. What that woman can do with clay is awesome!

I grabbed this image from the AJE site. Mine piece is the bottom row, on the right.  I just adore the warm, coppery tones in it.
There is also a hint of purple, so that pretty much set the color choices for me.
However.....I hit a major hiccup in my process.
See, there was this gorgeous sexy, double St. Pete in Beadwork a few months ago that I just knew would marry so well with the pendant. I started it with plenty of time to spare...colors were awesome...I knew it would work, even with the modifications I was making to the pattern. But, confidence is great to trip you up at times. I made a major uh-oh in my beadweaving. So, I had to decide very quickly whether I would Ripppit, Ripppit, or start something totally new.

I'm crazy, so I decided to start something completely new. Fingers flying, brain sizzling with ideas, I tried some things I've not tried before; and, well, I love it! I hope you do as well...

I chose some luscious purples, blues, coppers, and metallics to show off the pendant's rich patina.

The chain is a mix of triple spiral, seen here, along with some new peyote beaded beads as well.

Obviously, I need to learn how to photo the entire length of a longer necklace...sigh.







Closeup of the beaded beads I stumbled upon. I'm not going to be prideful enough to say, 'I created'. However, I do love the look, and they are very tactile. The wavy strands move freely upon the bead.



Lampwork toggle from The Beading Room. The soft mottled colors work perfectly with the overall palette.

I was so excited to finally get to use these fabulous disc beads by Lea Avroch. They show off the peyote beaded beads perfectly.

 Look how everyone plays so well together!!

I've used this RAW variation several times. I love how easy it is, and the silver lined beads meander like a stream through the matte beads.


So, were you wondering what happened with the original design? Well, I went ahead and took a pic of it for ya, cause I'm nice like that....





See how pretty and feminine? And the pattern was for a double layer St. Pete, so these oranges would have been peeking out through the purples.

You can wear it with the fringes inside our outside. I hope I decide to finish it. But, you just never know....
Thanks for hangin' with me through all those pics. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Kristi's components, and thrilled to create for AJE.
You can check out everyone's work from the links over at AJE
Blessings, Shirley

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Anchors Aweigh Reveal!!

Today's the day!! I'm so very excited to show you what I've created!!!
I'm thrilled to not only participate in this blog hop by the wonderful Rita (Toltec Jewels), but to get to play with Diana Ptaszynski's beads!!! I just adore Diana's beads, and this is one of my most worn bracelets. That girl knows her stuff!







Here's a pic of the beads I received for this challenge. And you can go here to pick up some of your own!

Stormy Seas Anchor Charm Pair

I love the soft color of these babies. I could have gone in a green direction, or blue, or grey.
I knew what style I wanted for them, I just wasn't sure how to accomplish my idea. So off I went to Pinterest. I love heading over there for  ideas and inspiration. I just typed anchors and sea in the search box, and got lots of ideas!!!

I chose to go with a 'rope' theme. I kept it very simple, because I wanted the rope idea to lead the way.



Sigh, I seriously need to learn some image skills. You really can't see the different colors in the images, but I used a soft grey accented with tiny silver 15's. The other side is a soft, matte white lined in silver.

 A soft and simple interlocking knot.

Perfectly accented with that gorgeous anchor bead!

The colors glow in the sunlight!

 I'm so pleased with this piece, thank you Rita for the challenge, and Diana for the wonderful inspiration!
Please go check out all the challenge participants.


Featured & Honored Artist:        Diana Ptaszynski

Diana's Shop:                           Suburban Girl Beads

Diana's Blogs:                          Suburban Girl Studio
                                                 Art Jewelry Elements

Hostess: TJ                               Jewel School Friends

Bobbie Rafferty                         Beadsong Jewelry

Chris Eisenberg                         Wanderware

Heather Richter                         Desert Jewelry Designs

Michelle McCarthy                    Firefly Design Studio

Kathy Lindemer                         Bay Moon Design

Dini Bruinsma                            Angaza by Changes

Cynthia Machata                       Antiquity Travelers

Kathleen Breeding                     99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Linda Younkman                       Lindy's Designs

Robin Reed                                  Artistry HCBD

Marla Gibson                              Spice Box Designs

Gina Hockett                               Freestyle Elements

Renetha Stanziano                      Lamplight Crafts

Marianne Baxter                          Simply Seablime Jewelry        

Christina Miles                             Wings N Scales

Marybeth Rich                            A Few Words from Within the Pines

Shai Williams                              Shaiha's Ramblings

Cheri Reed                                  Creative Designs by Cheri

Monique Urquhart                      A Half-Baked Notion

Jennifer Reno                             Musings of a Crafty Jenny

Shirley Moore                             Beads and Bread

Tammy Adams                           Paisley Lizard

Melissa Trudinger                       Bead Recipes

Jill Bradley                                  JillyBeads