Midnight Magic Blog Hop Challenge

This month's theme for the Blog Hop Challenge is "Midnight Magic." The blog hop is hosted by Andrew Thornton, Creative Director of Allegory Gallery. Each month a new design kit is assembled containing bead mixes and a Mystery Component designed by Andrew. The Midnight Magic kit contained the following items:

After I carefully placed all the goodies on my bead mat...

...okay I admit to being a messy beader!!!

I started with the Mystery Component, the polymer clay star seen in the upper right corner of the above photo. I decided to make a knotted necklace with the waxed Irish linen provided in the kit and some of the metallic beads and amber glass beads. I actually busted out and dusted off my pearl knotter for this piece.

 

 

 

My next design used some black chain and various components from the kit. I chose and asymmetrical lay out and simple loops to attach to the chain. I made it clasp-free so it slips on easily.

 

 

 

After surveying the kit, I decided to make a herringbone-style bracelet with the hex beads, orange fire-polished beads and black charlottes. The Herringbone technique is based on stacks of beads and this variation is a fun way to use similar-sized beads.

 

 



 

 

Next, I made a pair of "Claws and Scales Dragon" earrings from the black claw-shaped beads and scale sequins.

 

 



Finally, I had to use the black porcelain skull, so I made a Freeform Peyote necklace and balanced the skull from the center.

 

 

That is all I have for this Blog Hop Challenge. I will post the other participants shortly, so that you can hop from blog to blog. Enjoy!



 



 







"Royal Feathers" Blog Hop Challenge



Greetings fellow 'Hoppers' and all that have stopped by to check out the designs from Andrew Thornton's Blog Hop Challenge. Andrew is the Creative Director of Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA. He is also a published designer and teaches at workshops. Andrew has set up the Blog Hop Challenge by picking a design theme then creating kits with a variety of beads and components, including a "mystery component" made by Andrew himself, and then offering the limited edition kits to participants. Each person's design(s) are based on what they envisioned after viewing the kit contents. The possibilities are endless, so enjoy "hopping" from blog to blog, viewing, enjoying and commenting on the contributions. To find the other bloggers participating in this hop, scroll down to the end of my blog post and you will find a list of clickable links that will take you on your adventure.

This is my second Blog Hop Challenge that I have participated in this year. I really enjoy the creative kick in the pants that a design challenge offers without the pressure of a competition. For this challenge, I really bounced out of my comfort zone. I am relatively new to Freeform Peyote and am totally new at macramé, but I chose both techniques to represent my creative inspiration from this kit. The colors were deep and truly regal, so without further ado, here are my contributions:

First up is a three-strand, asymmetric boho-chic-style bracelet. I was going to use the beautiful, purple Irish waxed linen, but it went missing from my bead mat (looks sideways at three "innocent-looking" Labrador retrievers). With the cord out of the equation, I used bead stringing wire. I loved the mix of greens, purples, golds and blues. I actually haven't done much basic bead stringing in a while, so it was a refreshing change of pace for me!

 

 

Next, I decided to "go big or go home" when it came to accessorizing with earrings. Each one uses beads from the kit and I used simple loops, wrapped loops or briolette wraps to link the dangles together. I used a couple of leaf-shaped sequins paired with pretty, iridescent Czech glass drops in one design. All coordinate in a mix-'n'-match fashion with the triple-strand bracelet.

 

 

I seriously stepped out of my comfort zone and way out of my bag of tricks for the next design. I actually needed to consult an expert in the field of micro-macramé aka "friendship bracelets": my 12-year old daughter Ariana! She showed me the weave known as Chinese Staircase to make the chains for the necklace design. I used the "mystery component," the polymer clay medallion, as a dangle suspended from the large ring. I added beads along the cords as I especially loved the banana leaf covered bamboo rounds. I really didn't know what to do with all the cord ends so I attached beads to the ends and just left them to dangle either in the front or down the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final pieces were also a bit of a stroll out of my comfort zone, but the more I make with this technique, the more I love it. I used Freeform Peyote to make a dazzling bracelet and coordinating earring set. The bracelet was woven lengthwise and incorporated the bead soup that Andrew put together for this challenge. I used a few sequins to give vertical dimension to the design. The clasp is a loop and Czech glass rondelle closure. It is lacey and airy and as vivid as a peacock display!

 

 

 

 

 

The earrings, while embracing the Freeform Peyote technique, are actually fairly mirror-images of each other. I'm just not ready to depart from some sort of beading imperative that calls for balance/symmetry when it comes to earrings.  

 

 

 

 











So, those are my contributions to this month's Royal Feathers Blog Hop Challenge! Use the list below to travel to other participant's blogs and look at their designs:

 

Andrew Thornton

 

 

Kari Asbury

 

 

Ann Schroeder

 

"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

Sequintastic September Blog Hop: Aurora Borealis Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

Welcome to the Sequintastic September Blog Hop hosted by the SeQueen herself, Sarah of Saturday Sequins ! Sarah describes herself as "A jewelry designer and artist obsessed with all things sparkly." She is also a blogger extraordinaire and has graciously extended the invitation to the jewelry designing community at large to participate in this themed challenge. I'm sure that most participants have some degree of experience working with sequins, which if you couldn't tell by the Blog Hop title, that is the featured component of the challenge. Except me. Never worked with sequins before this challenge so I am going to describe the creative process for my entry and hopefully give other would-be 'sequinators' some encouragement to pick up some of these glittery, shiny, iridescent little workhorses and put thread to needle and bead away!

I have to admit...I am not finished with my project (hangs head in shame). It is at the "finishing touches stage." I have a graveyard of projects that just need clasps, earwires or the loose threads woven into the work and trimmed. However, before I launch into an hour-long psychotherapy session on "closure issues," let me get to the meat of the matter. My project and it's creative journey...


First, I would like to thank (Oscar speech time!) Sarah of Saturday Sequins for hosting this event. I would also like to thank Sherry Serafini for inspiring the use of Shibori ribbon in Bead Embroidery. I used the book by Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini, "The Art of Bead Embroidery: Technique, Design & Inspiration" because this is my first bead embroidery project of this magnitude. I also thank Shibori Girl Studios for supplying the Shibori ribbon that launched this project.

And now, without further ado...Aurora Borealis Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet.

Whoa! Hold on...that is not a picture of my project, but it is the creative inspiration for designing the cuff. I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights, the eerily beautiful green aura amid a million twinkling stars. So I decided to recreate a wearable homage to this amazing phenomenon.

To create the illusion of the green aura, I decided to use Shibori ribbon in Mermaid colorway. I wove the ribbon into the foundation. The hand-dyed colorway and the texture of the ribbon achieve a three dimensional and ethereal quality to the design. I then chose my focal points accordingly: Swarovski Rivolis were bezeled and sewn onto the foundation at strategic locations and then loads of seed beads were embroidered to fill in the spaces. Sequins were added for "extra-terrestrial effect." Now all I have to do is: glue the foundation and backing onto cuff blank and lash the backing onto the 'fronting.'

 

On my Sequintastic journey, I learned a lot about sequins during the fabrication process. (1) A few sequins lend a lot of bling-y impact to your beadwork! (2) They are not a tasty addition to your morning cup o' Joe. (3) They get into places that they have noooo business being. My dog came up to me with sequins stuck to his cold, wet nose. I wasn't sure if he was turning into a Vampire dog, so I've had a garlic dog bone hanging around my neck for days. My family, friends and strangers think I'm weird. Apparently our dog turning into Robert Pattinson doesn't concern them as much as it does me!

Thank you for viewing my Blog Hop contribution. Please click on the links below to hop to other participants Sequintastic entries! With Bling-y Regards...

 

 

Sarah

 

Dawn

 

 

Mandi

 

 

Skylar

 

 

Cyndi

 

 

Karen

 

 

Lily

 

 

Eleanor

 

 

Kepi

 

 

Maneki

 

 

Therese

 

 

Liz

 

 

Jasvanti

 

 

Mischelle

 

 

Dee

 

 

Labweorc

 

 

 

Please let me know if any of the above links are not working and I will try to remedy the problem :D

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. 

Netted Bracelet in Turquoise, Garnet and Silver with Beaded Bead Dangle

Well, that's a mouthful for a title, eh?! I had made the beaded bead awhile ago and had envisioned using it for a dangle on a bracelet. After learning the tubular netting technique, I decided the beaded bead was the perfect accent for a coordinating bracelet. I used turquoise crazy lace agate, Czech druks in garnet AB and silver 15/0 seed beads. I added additional coordinating accent beads and a decorative toggle clasp with the beaded bead dangle inserted into the accent beads. Fun to make and wear!

Beaded Helm Weave

After completing the Dragonscale bracelet, I had extra 20g Sterling Silver and Enameled Copper in Red rings left. As luck would have it, I discovered that the simple, but elegant Helm Weave could be made with 20g rings of the exact same inner diameters! What luck!!! So, I set to work on the weave, but I decided to vary the monotony of the pattern by adding Sterling Silver beads to the single, large rings. It gives the necklace a beautiful drape and adds a touch of beauty to an already lovely chain maille design. I'm not the first person to think of adding beads to chain maille, but I think I can make many variations on this theme in the future.

Dragonscale Chain Maille

I've been a busy little beading and mailling bee, finishing up myriad UFOs and plotting new twists on old designs. I finished (after running out of the Sterling Silver jump rings and reordering) my first Dragonscale chain maille bracelet in Sterling Silver and Enameled Copper (EC) in Red with a Sterling Silver tube clasp. It is a pain-staking weave, slow and intricate. However, the resulting piece is lavish and drapes beautifully! I'm working up another using EC in Red and Amber on a double bias. Yes, I like to torture myself :P

Ootheca Cuff Finished!

I have finally completed the Ootheca Cuff in Berry Colorway. The design is from Rachel Nelson-Smith's Seed Bead Fusion book. This was a labor-intensive effort, but the resulting reversible cuff was worth the time. I didn't realize the bracelet was reversible until after I had created both bases in the same color, but I did use two different colors of Swarovski bicones on either side to make it somewhat reversible. I'll no doubt make another, however, it will be one of my go-to projects when I'm between other designs. My next project from her inspirational book will be a pair of earrings that seem to be able to be worked up in a day!

Beading is...Stress Therapy

I made this bracelet while staying in Madeira Beach during our kitchen/family room demolition phase (see my new blog "Age of Destruction at http://ageofdestruction1.blogspot.com/.) I went to the local bead store, Celestial Beads, and bought my supplies and sat down with Anne to make an Autumn-themed bracelet using a pattern by Deborah Farrand. I used Swarovski Pearls in Burgundy, Swarovski crystal bicones in Crystal Copper and a Miyuki seed bead mix in Golden Grains (topaz, brown, beige and cream). The clasp is a sun/moon toggle in antique gold.

I really enjoy beading no matter where I am. I have a plastic portfolio case that I cram with all my latest projects and a travel cosmetic bag crammed with more project components and beading tools. Needless to say, I don't always have what I need to finish a project...jump rings, thread protectors, the 'perfect clasp' or ear wires, but I've got plenty to keep me busy beginning a new project or continuing an existing one. While the house remodel rains chaos and insulation down on my head, I know I'll have a peaceful time in my bead room.

Fandango Bracelets!

I am shocked that I haven't posted anything about Bead Crochet. Truth be told, bead crochet is the first beading technique, after basic stringing, that I learned. In fact, it's the first self-taught, bead weaving technique that I mastered. I had a few failed attemps, when I was 9 or 10, at crocheting a scarf that ended up being long enough for a baby doll, so it wasn't like I was a crochet guru to start with. Undaunted by my lack of a solid crochet resume, I remember sitting down with my instruction booklet by Mary Libby Neiman, my crochet hook, some thread and some beads and thinking..."Wow! This is going to be awesome!!" Approximately two weeks into my 'tutorial,' I wanted to pitch the entire knotted mess into the garbage can, set it on fire and do a dance around the bonfire. Oh, but I'm a sucker for the 'impossible challenge' and so I continued to crochet beads into mangled, unrecognizable forms. I eventually referred to my creations as 'cat yak', channelling all the Feng Shui that Bill the Cat had to offer. Then one day (six to eight weeks into my self-imposed, self-respect mutilation), in one of those *insert Angelic Chorus here* moments...I created a perfectly formed bead crochet tube. The rest is history. I could not turn back after the beads fell into perfect harmony. Now, in a total ironic twist, this is my go-to relaxation technique! Here are my latest creations...various colors of three sizes of seed beads generate this spiralling bracelet design using bead crochet techniques. It looks like a complex geometry problem, but it's jewelry!

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.

FEST March Challenge Winner!

FEST stands for Florida Etsy Street Team to which I belong. Each month we have a themed challenge and members are free to submit one entry to be judged by the followers of our fabulous FEST Blog. You can check out all our events, tips and promotions by visiting us here: (http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/). Last month our themes were Aquamarine or Spring. Our winning entry was this beautiful jewelry set by Mandy of TwinkleJewels85. Please visit her Etsy shop to view more of her lovely jewelry designs (http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwinkleJewels85)!

Peridot Wire Wrap Earrings and Bracelet by TwinkleJewels85

Here is a short bio from Mandy: I am originally from North Carolina. I moved to Florida last June and love it !!! I enjoy all types of art ;) I would like to go to an Art school and get out of the field I'm in ;) We shall see...in the meantime I'm just going to enjoy doing this as a hobby...

Congratulations Mandy!! Your Wire Wrapped jewelry set is beautiful! Stay tuned to see what this month's Challenge entrants come up with. The themes are 'Diamond/Crystal' or 'Singin' in the Rain.' It is a fun and creative way to showcase the multidisciplinary talents of our group :D

Ootheca Cuff: Berry Colorway

This project was inspired by Rachel Nelson-Smith's design from her vivacious and inventive book, "Seed Bead Fusion." I chose a colorway with a ripe berry theme, since the 'bumps' reminded me of luscious raspberries and blackberries. This particular design is beautifully conceived, however, the execution is a bit of a challenge. Thousands of seed beads are required to construct this cuff and while the finished piece is well worth the time and effort put forth, let's just say I've been weaving this baby for quite some time now and I've still got a ways to go! In the first stages of the design, two 6x29 unit bases are created in Right Angle Weave (RAW). Then bumps are added to the base at every other unit. The two units are then sewn together (this is where I'm at as I type). My next step is to embellish the cuff with 3mm Swarovski bicones and then add a clasp and safety chain. I'll update as I make progress with these final touches.

I've gotten the two halves sewn together! Now for the embellishing phase...

Freeform Wire Wrapped Paramecium Cuff Bracelet

I have finally taken the plunge and have begun to learn the art of sculpting wire into shaped forms. My first attempt, while primitive, was a blast to make from beginning to end! I used a base of 12 ga aluminum wire and wrapped with various lengths of 22 ga craft wire in silver and red and finished with wire wrapped red coral beads. I really didn't have a master plan when I began my project (not something I'd recommend for a newb). I did have a vague idea of a general shape for the base, so I made a highly detailed sketch of that to help me get started (ok...note to self: in the future, maybe a little more detail).



Then I started bending and wrapping the wire and added the beaded detail when I ran out of space. I think it kind of looks like a unicellular organism or a multi-toed space alien with red nail polish. I'll let you decide :D

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