The Invitation
As I mentioned in my January post, I participated in a bead swap challenge. In December 2009, Lori Anderson invited beaders and jewelry designers to sign up to swap bead materials and make something. You were required to send a focal, a pretty clasp, and some spacers or additional beads. However, you were only required to use the focal and clasp in your design.
Visit the list of 80+ participants (the full list is also at the bottom of this page) and check out everyone's work!
The Challenge
My materials were from Marcie Abney, a very talented beadweaver and owner of the Etsy jewelry shop, La Bella Joya. She sent me a mix of brown and pink/peach glass beads, brown seed beads, a brass clasp, and a silver metal/brass pendant. I especially liked the little brown glass flower beads.
This kind of challenge is great for exercising your creativity. It's easy to fall into a rut and reach for the same colors and materials every time, rather than trying something new. I liked the materials Marcie sent, but I was a little nervous about using them, since they were not the kind of colors or findings that I normally work with.
Ch-Ch-Chain
The turning point in this design challenge came when I saw this brass chain at Michael's. It fit well with the pendant and clasp. It's unsoldered chain, which is my favorite kind. Basically, you don't have the cut the chain to separate the pieces; you can just open jump rings. This is much more economical, since you don't waste any links.
The chain was only 14 inches long, but by adding beaded links with wrapped loops, I was able to extend the necklace to be a very wearable 18 inches. I used a couple leftover chain links and very large jump rings to create the matching earrings. Notice how I used my favorite brown flower beads in the earrings. They are connected to the brass ring with a jump ring, which gives them extra movement and makes them fun to wear!
My Finished Necklace and Earring Set
Close-ups
The clasp
Earrings | Pendant |
I was pleased with how quickly this design came together and by the color combination. I will definitely use this mix of colors again. Thanks for the inspiration, Marcie!
Be sure to check out Marcie Abney's blog to see what she made with the beads I sent to her! It's absolutely beautiful!
List of Participants
1. Lori, Pretty Things
2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas
4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio
5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
6. Kerry, Kabs Creative Concepts
7. Erin, Treasures Found
8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
10. Nan, Spirit Rattles
11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart
13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks
16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
21. Maria, Garden Path Beads
22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design
23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design
28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals
29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire
37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry
38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle
39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks
44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
46. Kate, Organic Odysseys
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure YOU ARE HERE.
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Janeen 365
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina's Writings
54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook
59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter
60. Juli, Jul's Beads
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too
63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
64. Katie, My Life and My Beads
65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay
66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth
67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design
68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio
69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights
72. Chas, One Woman's Haven
73. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
74. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
75. Maire, Maire Dodd
76. Janet, Singing Woods
77. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
78. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels
79. Joann, Jo's Jewels
80. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
81. Mel, Kookie Designs
82. Erin, Every Heart Crafts
83. Dale, Flights of Fancy
84. Dee, Runako Designs