Beads and Bread: Bead challenge

Showing posts with label Bead challenge. Show all posts

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

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets...Reveal time baby!

Ok, this was such a fun challenge!
The awesome Rita (Toltec Jewels) put out a request for artists interested in playing with some of Sue Kennedy's new bead design, chicklets.
If you've ever had the pleasure of designing with Sue's beads, you will totally understand why it was a joy to create with this bead!

I received the top bead on the last row. Yes, that yummy orangey pinkey color. Sooo gorgeous!!!
This is a small bead, so you would think I would choose to create a bracelet, right?
Nope.
I wanted to make a necklace, so I could feature this baby front and center.
Wanna see? Course you do, that's why you came. Insert dramatic cloak swishing....TADA!!!!!!!

I created a double rope with kumihimo and 3 bead spiral peyote.

Here is a close up of the kumihimo. I looped the end, and added some jump rings to the loop for a fun texture. This has 8 elements, with a chocolate bamboo yarn creating grounding for the sparkle yarns in burgundy, yellow, and orange.

The peyote spiral picks up the darker tones in the bead, along with a softer shade of the oranges. The spiral has two size 8's, and 1 size 11 seed bead. This is a quick spiral that packs a lot of visual punch.

I created a butterfly bail to suspend the bead from the ropes,

and added some simple fringe to the bottom. The butterfly bail gives such a nice contrast to the ropes, and the darker beads just point straight to that fabulous chicklet!!

I may go back and add more fringe, it's driving me crazy the way it keeps separating to either side!

Here are the rest of the lucky participants!

Thanks Rita, for another super fun challenge!

ARTISTS:

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist: Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs: SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog

Art Jewelry Elements

Sue Kennedy's website SueBeads

SueBeads Art Beads SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Thanks for joining me in celebrating this challenge. Blessings, Shirley

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Freeform Peyote Challenge

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

Friday, February 1, 2013

AJE-Component of the Month Reveal

Today is the day!And I actually have TWO reveals today! If you are looking for the Seam Binding Challenge, go here.
I was so very stoked when I got the email from Karen Totten, of Starry Road Studios, telling me I had won a component. The very talented folks over at Art Jewelry Elements hold a challenge each month, and a couple of lucky commenters get to play along. Here are the components for this month's challenge:

(photo courtesy of AJE blog)

I got one of the caramel orangey ones. And no, I didn't think to take a pic of it when I ~~ripped~~ gently opened the package! I adore ceramics, and have spent many happy hours painting figures in a friend's pottery shop.

So, I know Karen calls these pie beads, but I didn't immediately think 'pie' when I saw it. The first thing that struck me was the beautiful color. The next was the wonderful swirley design she stamped on it, with her own handmade stamps.
As when I participated in the challenge before with Diana Ptaszynski's component, I knew I wanted that baby front and center on a bracelet.
I have had a love affair with CRAW for quite a while now, and I have some gorgeous matte beads from Brightling Beads that just seemed perfect for this project.
I did run into some hiccups along the way. I tried to bezel the ceramic bead. And, while it looked pretty, it wasn't the concept I was going for....so...I ripped it out. Yep. First time for me to do that much work, and just rip it out with no hesitation!
Here's the bezel:

And because the bezel made the piece so large, I needed two ropes of CRAW on either side....

So then, when I ripped out the bezel, I had these ropes that I need to tie into the focal somehow, without overwhelming it....

Now, you see those cute little beaded beads in the center of the ropes? Those were from the amazing Liz Reed of Crimson Moon. She provided a free tutorial on them, and I just love how they brought the two sides of the rope together. Thus they became my solution.

They mimic the shape of the ceramic bead, and the swirl of color.

The swirl pattern on the CRAW came about from a conversation with Heather Collin, and further playing with the pattern.

Close up of the clasp, also done in CRAW.I love the contrast of the matte and shiny, and the raku color with the dreamsicle orange.

Thanks Karen and AJE for letting me play along this month. It has been such a joy!

Blessings, Shirley

Monday, May 21, 2012

Bead Packet Design Challenge

So, are you starting to see a pattern here? Yes, I admit it. I am addicted to challenges! Besides having a load of fun, it helps me to stretch and grow as a jewelry designer. This challenge was no different. I'm a beadweaver. What was I sent to play with? A packet of gemstones! Right up my alley!!!
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson of Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections decided it would be fun to see what everyone could make with the same packet of beads.

Now, I'm sorry to say, I don't have a clue as to what all these beauties are, but they are gorgeous!!

I immediately fell in love with the round stone with the hints of pink. I've been on a bezeling spree lately, so I bezeled it up, and quickly settled on a design. Diane Fitzgerald's Shaped Beadwork is one of my 'go to' books. I chose a couple of shapes, and got to work. Here is the result:

I used those pretty little green stones to connect the bezeled component to the triangles.

Then I added open diamonds to the end, and created a double toggle to slip through them both. This is a technique I learned from Beth Stone.

I had lots of opportunity to embellish in this bracelet, and I had a blast! From the pink pearls around the bezel, to the tiny size 15 seed beads on the strap of the toggle.

This is how it loops through the diamonds.

I used a combination of rainbow grey beads, a rose gold, and honey gold throughout the bracelet to keep the color palette soft, and flowing.

I really enjoyed putting all the different elements together in this bracelet. It is a striking design, and shows off those pretty stones so well!

I also wanted to make something with those green briolettes, and ran just a bit short on time.

But I think you get the picture! :) It will only take about another hour to finish the other earring, but I needed to get this post written up, so I'll finish it later. I went to Diane Fitzgerald again, and created a teardrop shaped beadwork behind the briolette. I used the same colors from the bracelet.

It's a very pretty earring style, and I can't wait to wear them! Hope you enjoyed the show, and please visit the rest of the designers to see what they did with this great challenge! Blessings, Shirley