I am happy to announce my participation in Andrew Thornton's Blog Hop, "Good Earth Challenge." Before I describe my contribution to the blog hop, I would like to thank Andrew, who is the Creative Director of Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA for providing the bead soup, components and inspirational spark for this challenge. I have to admit that I still haven't overcome my bead soup anxiety, but when someone supplies the components...I am just fine with it. Don't ask! It is part of my "bead therapy!"
The colors and hues for this particular bead soup were right in my color wheelhouse. I am actually more of an Autumn person, but the bead soup color mix reminded me of the transition from Summer into Autumn: vibrant golden tones mixed with mellow ambers and flecked with bursts of green, red and orange. For those reasons, my design is called "Indian Summer."
The necklace is composed of a Peyote base using the supplied 8/0 Hex beads. The large holes of the Hex beads allowed multiple thread passes through them, making the Freeform embellishment phase a relative breeze. I embellished with layers of bead soup in meandering loops, Peyote and brick stitches. I sewed sequins into the design and topped with dichroic glass or pearls to give extra dimension to the piece. The drops acted as anchors for the eye to take in the surrounding embellishment. The neck chains are composed of doubled strands woven through Rondelles like vines. The close-up photo gives a more detailed look at the individual components including their colors, shapes and textures. Some of the Hex bead base is visible and seems to glow under the bead soup landscape.
I am also working on a bracelet and earring set from the following components. I haven't finished them, but when I do I will update this blog post.
This was a fun blog hop in which to participate. I wore my necklace to my daughter's congratulatory dinner for her scholastic performance, so my design has additional significance.
The following designers participated in this blog hop and you can find their contributions by clicking the links. Enjoy discovering how each person was inspired by this challenge!
The following contributions can be found at Andrew Thornton's blog:
I LOVE the free-form embellishment on your necklace, there is such a feeling of end of summer in the abundance of colors.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and what an extra special touch that you got to wear it to your daughter's celebration. I am always in awe of those who bead like you. The colors just came alive in your necklace.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beadwork! I thought "indian summer" when I saw the color palette too! Its just has the transition feel :)
ReplyDeleteYour necklace is so beautiful! I'm always impressed with bead weaving, and this is really wonderful. I also love the dangles in front. The whole thing is great!!
ReplyDeleteIndian Summer is a great name for your necklace! It reminds me of walking down country lanes when the leaves have turned but the weather is warm.
ReplyDeleteIndian Summer is a great name for your necklace! It reminds me of walking down country lanes when the leaves have turned but the weather is warm.
ReplyDeleteYour necklace looks like it was a challenge to make! I admire those who have the patience to weave beads together. I love the texture of the design and I bet it feels amazing on.
ReplyDeleteWow amazing bead weaving! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning! I love the freeform action and the richness of all the layers and interwoven elements! Delicious! Thanks so much for participating!
ReplyDelete