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

It's a Wonky Bead Hop!

Today's the day! I've been so excited to share what I came up with for Kristi Bowman's Wonky clay beads!
She makes the most incredible clay pieces, and has recently expanded into polymer clay.
When I received my beads, I had to take a deep breath, because they are quite a bit bigger than what I normally work with....I'm a seed bead girl, remember?
However, inspiration was pretty quick to strike, because I remembered a great tutorial that I had not had a chance to try yet........from the awesome Sherri Stokey! Do you know where this is headed? No? Well, come on, let me show you!

I knew that Sherri's Multiwrap Macrame Bracelet tutorial would be perfect to showcase these beads.

I used an even bigger bead from the talented Natalie Pappas for the centerpiece. (I'm using this as a necklace, rather than a bracelet). 

 These wooden beads I picked up at a destash event picked up the colors perfectly.

 This knarly, beat-up button follows that organic, timeless look.

 I had to throw in that cool mood bead, it will show off all the colors! And I loved creating some beaded beads to slide on as well.

I'm so very pleased with how the necklace turned out. Huge thanks to Kristi for helping me to see that I can create with larger beads,and to Sherri for the perfect tutorial!

Head on over to Kristi's blog to see what everyone else created! Blessings, Shirley