I finally managed to snag one of Andrew Thornton's monthly challenge kits! The idea is that every designer gets the same set of beads and we all make something different with them.
The Kit
I took a quick "before" photo of the kit. Here's the description of the kit contents from Andrew's website:
A ceramic bead
from Keith O'Connor, a terra cotta bead from RareEarth Beads, a lampwork
glass headpin from SueBeads, a carved blue tiger's eye round bead,
natural brass peanut chain, Swarovski crystals and pearls, glass
ancient bead replicas, and a Luxury Bead Blend. The Luxury Bead Blends
consists of Japanese Toho seed beads, Miyuki seed beads, freshwater
pearls, blue aventurine, sodalite rounds, lapis lazuli rounds and other
semi-precious stones, vintage sequins, German glass, and Czech glass.
Each kit also includes as special MYSTERY component!
My Project
I really meant to create a necklace or bracelet with this kit, but I
ended up having just one evening to work on it. I could
only think of earring designs because I'm in "Eek! Egad! Earrings!" Mode.
If you're selling your work at craft shows this year, you might understand. Earrings are great sellers and a good way to fill up your booth in a short period of time. I just learned I'll be selling some jewelry at the Northern Colorado Writers Holiday Mart right after Thanksgiving, so that's all I can think about!
I'm eager to use the other beads in the kit in future projects, including one fun idea that involves bead embroidery.
Designing with My Favorite Color
Andrew asked me if it was harder or easier to design with my favorite color. It was easier in that it felt familiar and comforting working with a blue palette, but it also felt like I was in danger of repeating myself. I kept thinking of designs such as a bracelet with blue dangles that I'd already created. It probably would have helped to throw in some color I rarely use such as yellow or orange in order to force myself to think of fresh ideas.
Visit the Other Designers
Shay Williams
Michelle Hardy
Rosemarie Cowit
Cilla Watkins
Christina Porter
Collette Collins
Mary Govaars
Cindy Cima Edwards
Jessica Nelson
Tara Linda
Alice Peterson
Lisa Lodge
Cece Cormier
Karin Slaton
Sandi Volpe
Kate Richbourg
Sue Kennedy
Michelle Mach - YOU ARE HERE
Andrew Thornton
More Challenges
Speaking of challenges, are you signed up for my free newsletter yet? (If you are, thank you!) I'm going to send my first newsletter this month and I'll announce the date of my next challenge. I'm so excited about this one, especially since for the first time ever, I ordered enough materials so that I could have my own kit!