Moon Garden Blog Hop Challenge

Greetings Fellow Hoppers and welcome to the "Moon Garden Blog Hop Challenge" hosted by Andrew Thornton. Andrew is the Creative Director of Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA. For the Blog Hop Challenge, Andrew assembles a collection of beads and findings and designates a theme. I was so excited to discover the palette we'd be using for this challenge. It was all pastel pink and white with gray and black accents. I admit that I am not a 'pink' girl, but the finishes on the beads and the allure of the Moon theme really got my creative juices going! Here is my bead mat after sorting out the goodies:

 

Ok, some of the mess is not part of the challenge, it's just how I roll when I bead. Now I had to get down to ideas for designs.

My first piece is part of the "Dusk to Dawn" mix-and-match set. This is the "Dusk" design, a bead and chain pull-over necklace using the smoky shades of gray and silver. The Labradorite bead is the center focal and various components from the kit were used as accents. I happen to love Labradorite with it's gorgeous shimmer and flash. Note: I had a difficult time photographing these pieces as the natural light at this time of year is diffuse and my timing couldn't be worse when I had a chance to shoot photos. If you click on the photo, it does help with some of the resolution/color issues. I'm going to try to take better pictures and swap them out at some point, but this is what I have for the moment.

The next design is the "Dawn" version. A pretty Moonstone is the focal paired with peach and milky translucent accent beads. I used rose gold chain and wire to complement the bead colors. This is also a clasp-less necklace and the two can be worn alone or together.

I also made a coordinating pair of earrings.

The next piece used the Mystery Component that Andrew makes for each kit. It is a polymer clay pendant embossed with a flower and shimmers beautifully. I used the waxed Irish cord to suspend the pendant and knotted some of the accent beads for visual interest. I made a coordinating pair of earrings. The Moon Garden set is also mix and match-able with the above necklaces.

The next design used a really cool Mother of Pearl mosaic bead. I decided to bezel around it. Looking through my seed bead stash, I realized I am not much of a Pink Lady. Most of my bead drawers are packed with blue, red, green and purple beads. I am fairly under-represented in the yellow/orange color group, but pink was just sadly neglected. I did manage to dig out some pretty pink Delicas and some iridescent 15/0s. I am just going to state for the record that the bezeling took 64 delicas around (32 Peyote) and was 13 rows deep with 4 rows of 15/0s. I managed to break the Peyote bezel, not once, but twice. Third time was the charm!  And then I thought it needed petals, so around and around we go!! I do have an amazing stash of pink Czech fire-polish, so voila..."Moonflower" necklace!

Finally, I had to make something in a Freeform Peyote/netted design with the bead soup. So, I went a little crazy...I think the bezel breaking sent me over the edge. I usually Peyote lengthwise, but this time I decided to bead width-wise. Then I decided it needed fringe (my mind works in mysterious ways). The bracelet reminds me of something you'd see under a microscope or deep in the depths of the ocean. I call it my "Fringiform Bracelet":

When you close the clasp, you get something with eye-lashes that reminds me of a primordial Cookie Monster. Bahahaha!!!

That is all for me for this Blog Hop. Stay tuned to the same Bat Channel...there are more hops to follow. To find more participants in this Blog Hop visit Andrew's Blog for a list:

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Or click on the links below:

Alice Peterson

Kari Asbury

Shaiha Williams

Paula

"Good Earth Challenge" Blog Hop hosted by Andrew Thornton

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!

 

 

Carolyn Lawson

 

 

Christy Porter

 

 

Kay Mallery

 

 

Shaiha Williams

 

 

Kari Asbury

 

 

Karin Grosset Grange

 

 

Ann Schroeder

 

 

Marybeth Rich

 

 

Christina Hickman

 



 

The following contributions can be found at Andrew Thornton's blog:

 

 

Alison Herrington

 

 

Laurel Ross

 

 

Kim Griggs

 

 



Deb Floros

Choose Your Own Adventure Freeform Peyote Challenge



 

Cupid's Folly

I recently joined the Facebook group Freeform Peyote Beading. It was a spur of the moment decision because, truth be told, I've completed only one (1) Freeform Peyote design. Ever. What possessed me to join the group? Several things piqued my interest. First, I didn't know much about the technique and what better way to learn than to dive in, gain knowledge from seasoned beaders and be inspired by the vast talent pool? Second, I like to push myself in new directions. Jewelry design encompasses many techniques ranging from bead stringing to metal smithing and all points in between. More than one technique may be combined to fabricate a design and the more techniques that a jewelry artist commands, the broader the horizons for creating innovative works of art. Third, I love the supportive and generous nature of the beading community! It really helps me to know that someone else tried and succeeded at something where I might have tried and failed. Back to the drawing board I go to figure out what I did wrong, correct it and improve my skill set. Last, my poor, neglected Blog is in serious need of resuscitation! Joining an active group of beaders is the perfect way to breathe new life into the dormant chronicles of my beading adventures.

I had barely introduced myself to the group, proudly displayed my one (1) Freeform Peyote design and been overwhelmed by the level of craftsmanship in other member's designs when 'The Challenge' was announced by Adventure Guides Mandi Ainsworth and Karen Williams. It sounded fun! But it sounded challenging. But exciting!! But there was that nagging feeling that it was going to be hard...I mean challenging. Nevertheless, I volunteered, nervously harboring self-doubts about the wisdom of my choice.

Understandably, I needed a spark of inspiration to jump start my project. To get my Freeform Peyote creative juices flowing, I took a shower. All my most brilliantest ideas occur to me while I'm sudsing up. Also, I sing better than Taylor Swift while I'm showering. So, my brilliant idea was to create a Freeform Open Heart Pendant Using Freeform Peyote. Valentine's Day was approaching so that seemed like the perfect plan. Now for the tricky part: How do I create the heart-shaped pendant? I took pencil to paper and sketched out my design.

I know what you're thinking, "Wow! She chose beading over a career as an illustrator? What was she thinking?!" Yes, it was a tough decision, but I can assure you, ultimately everything worked out for the best. I might add, Taylor Swift should count her lucky stars (and millions!) that I never cut a demo.

I began to string my beads and my little heart began to take shape and grow. Kinda like the Grinch's (it grew three sizes that day!) There was even a background chorus of Whos singing in Whoville...

After the heart was fully embellished (and the Who's singing had simmered down), the next embellishment that needed to be worked into the design was the bezeled Swarovski Crystal Rivoli. At first, it appeared that attaching the rivoli might pose a logistical challenge, but I managed to attach it to the heart in a semi-circle fashion. It nestled into the heart lobe perfectly! The operation was a spectacular success and the patient made a complete and speedy recovery.

In the next-to-final phase of the design process, I tackled the Freeform, embellished chain. I worked the chain in 6" sections and linked them together after all were complete. I attached the chain to the heart between the two lobes and completed the toggle loop closure with a string of peyote stitching.

The last motif and the hardest part conceptually for me, was the arrow toggle. I decided to make it using Tubular Peyote and make notches in one end for the arrow tip to fit. The arrow tip was quickly constructed using brick stitch and attached to the Peyote tube shaft. I added cute feathers using bugle beads and voila! A heart-piercing arrow toggle clasp. Finally, I couldn't resist a little macabre blood squirting out of the tip of the heart, so I added a bit of fringe with Miyuki drop beads.

And there you have it! Cupid's Folly is complete.

This Freeform Peyote Beading Challenge was a blast for me from beginning to end. I managed to escape my 'comfort zone' and venture into new territories. That is what a challenge should be, a challenge to the individual to break out of the box, risk getting a little crazy and  create something a little edgy.

Here is a list of the Choose Your Own Adventure bloggers:

Adventure Guides:

Mandi Ainsworth

Karen Williams

Participants:

Bobbie Rafferty

Sarah Meadows

Katherine Gale

Leanne Kirsch

Jean Hutter

Nancy Dale

Judy Riley

Natasha Wiegelman

Pam Chesbro

Stephanie Woods

Romana Tschunko

Mary Harding

Melody Marie Murray

Shirley Moore

Marj

Sally Russick

Therese Frank

Tanya Goodwin

Christine Altmiller

Lea Palickova

Ivonna Suchmannova

Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten

Lori Callahan

Tami Norris

Jane Kettley

SaraBeth Cullinan

Julie Schmidt Bowen

Bette Greenfield

Kay Haynes

Alisa Lehman

Tammi Clapper

Cynthia Machata

Debbie Rasmussen

Now back to your regularly scheduled beading program. 

Sonoran Sunrise

I have been eager to finish this beaded tubular netting necklace for quite some time. The tubular netting technique actually works up quite quickly, but I must not be the fastest beader in the West ;D I had chosen the colors, turquoise-colored jasper and orange carnelian, because I was in a Southwest frame of mind for some reason. As it turned out, I wasn't the only one. One of the patrons of my local bead shop came in with her version of a Southwest jewelry design the day I was finishing mine! I happen to love the colors of turquoise and orange nestled in a bed of silver. I also made a pair of beaded bead earrings to coordinate, which for me is a big accomplishment...I always forget to make the earrings :P I have started a bracelet in a combination of Czech glass druks in garnet with the turquoise-colored jasper with silver accents and made a coordinating beaded bead dangle.

Dragon Droppings

Not the most alluring title for a blog post, but it is fitting! I was teaching myself Turkish Round Maille weave and had been fumbling around using a visual diagram that just wasn't clicking in 3-D for me. So, I started and stopped numerous times using rings of various diameters and gauges. Observing the mess of little mistakes on my work table, it reminded me of something a dragon might spit up/excrete after devouring a Knight in Shining Armor. In this case, some very shiny and colorful Niobium armor. I decided to scrap the chain tutorial and search for another that would be compatible with my topographic vision of the weave. Voile! I found a tutorial that allowed me to create a Tapered Turkish Round Maille Necklace in Pastel Niobium! Chew on that Dragon :D

Un-Seasonal

I wanted to make a necklace that didn't scream "Christmas", but still could be worn during the holidays and look festive! So I chose traditional seasonal colors: red, green and gold but I used more saturated tones, such as garnet, a mottled sage pallet and paired them with pearlescent and metallic gold. The technique is a variation on Chevron chain and I'm planning to make a coordinating set of earrings when I replenish my stock of gold Swarovski pearls. I always seem to run out of components at the critical earring phase! This design is a little more delicate than I usually go for, but I love the colors and it looks great dressed-up or -down :D

Embracing My 'Monkdom'

I have a confession to make, as a jewelry designer, I tend toward symmetry when I create. Not that there's anything wrong with balance, even an asymmetrical jewelry piece needs to have balance in some component(s)/property(ies), otherwise one side will be heavier, etc. I guess I shouldn't sound apologetic or feel I have to justify myself or my creations, but I didn't always used to approach beading with such an eye for symmetry. In fact, my first design that I made (and sold!) was a 3-strand, asymmetrical necklace. I used vintage, polymer clay, Czech glass, metal and stone chip beads in a multitude of shapes/colors/finishes/sizes. I really miss that piece, not only because it was my first handcrafted jewelry item, but also because I feel that it represents the entropy that I fight against in my current design 'phase'. That is why I can totally relate to Monk, the OCD TV detective, at least when it comes to beading. My 'Monkdom', as I refer to this-dare I say 'disorder' (kind of an oxymoron dontcha think?)-represents my battle to keep chaos at bay, especially when challenged with a tube of mixed seed beads. By definition, the tube to which I refer is a random assortment of beads. When I decided to make a simple necklace design to offer as my first Blog giveaway, I envisioned creating a necklace composed around a scrabble tile pendant strung randomly with seed beads from 'The Mixture'. Dutifully, I poured out 'The Mixture' into a pile on my bead mat and began to add beads with little regard to the color, shape or size. I managed to get about 3 inches into the chain (which is a long way when you're talking seed beads!) and froze. My gleeful abandon at stringing beads in free form fashion abruptly halted and I yielded to my 'Monkdom'. I proceeded to undo all that had once been spontaneous, but I didn't stop there! Taking it to the next level, as Monk so often does, I began to sort the beads into groups. I took the elementary school "Which one is NOT like the other" class lesson and elevated it into it's own OCD category (top left photo). As with all 'confessions', there comes the wave of relief that the 'genie is out of the bottle' and recovery is now a possibility because the problem has been identified! So, if you would like to win this Symmetrical Seed Bead Necklace with Agave Scrabble tile pendant (see finished piece in top right photo), leave a comment on my blog and I'll select an entry and announce the winner on Aug. 10, 2009. The winning entry will be chosen by placing all the entrants' names in a hat and 'randomly' drawing a name. See I'm letting go already. Baby steps!;o)