A Chilly Challenge-Revealing What I (Unofficially) Made for Halcraft's January Pretty Palettes Challenge

I decided to make something for the Halcraft's January Pretty Palette challenge just a few days before the reveal date and the project I chose, a 4 1/2" x 5 1/4" wall hanging, was a little too ambitious, so I missed being able to officially participate.

Earlier in January I made 2 necklaces for Art Jewelry Elements "Buried Treasure" challenge and I didn't want to make another piece of jewelry which is why I decided to make a beaded object instead.  And my walls can always use a bit of bling!

The wooden dowel I had cut and painted white has mysteriously disappeared so I had to photograph this flat.  Incidentally, the cat, dogs, husband, and child have all claimed no knowledge of the aforementioned dowel.  Oh well.  As soon as I paint another one the first one will turn up and I'll be ahead of the game.

 Seed beads, glass pearls, Swarovski crystal beads, Czech pressed class, and Bead Gallery 12 mm iridescent acrylic ball beads.

The 22 mm beads that were on the  two strands that I bought were too large for the wall hanging so I decided to combine a few of them with some vintage glass beads that have been in my stash for, well....let's just say...awhile. 

If you would like to see what the other participants made click on the link at the top of this post. 

Art Jewelry Elements "Buried Treasure" Challenge

After nearly a year of doing hardly any bead work I decided to reignite my creativity and love of beading by participating in a few challenges through out the year.

Up first are two delightfully fun and quirky necklaces I made for Art Jewelry Elements annual "Buried Treasure aka Use Your Stash" challenge. 

Sharon Peters lamp work cat bead and spacer beads, seed beads, copper spacer disks, and Swarovski crystals.

Sharon Peters lamp work cat bead, Czech pressed glass, Delicas, gold filled rounds, and Swarovski crystals.

The hardest part of this challenge was holding myself to the idea of using only beads, findings, and components that came from stash and not buying anything.  Later in the year I might challenge myself to another round of beading with my own buried treasure.

New Swarovski Colors & Styles

Calling all Swarovski Bead Fans! Here's a link to a blog that has a preview of the new styles & colors that will be available next month.

I'm just loving this new Cyclamen Opal color.

October suddenly seems a looooong way off. ;-)

Pantone Color Report-Fall 2009

It's almost here! The Pantone Color Report-Fall 2009 will be available on-line from Margie Deeb on Sept. 15th.

I have 3 projects in this report. My 4th, a goddess necklace with lots & lots of sparkly Swarovski crystal beads old & new, is being held in reserve for a future publication.

In the meantime, check out these 3 videos of Margie and some of her wonderful tips on using color in your bead work, or whatever medium you work in.

Complementary Color Schemes
Bead Fest Pennysylvania
Beads, Baubles, & Jewels

Whitby Earring

These earring are my version of Marcia DeCoster's "Whitby" earring from her new book Beaded Opulence and they are also for Margie's upcoming Fall 2009 Color Report.

Fortunately the book came in the mail while I was still casting about for one last project. After I snuggled my daughter into bed for the night, I settled myself down with a cup of lavender chamomile tea and looked through the book.

It was easy enough to choose a project, the criteria being that it had to be quick and not require a copious amount of crystals. Not that I object to all that wonderful Swarovski sparkly goodness. Those of you who know me well know of my obsession with Swarovski. It was my decision that rose pink be the dominant color that put a limit on what I could make.

The choices were quickly narrowed down to either the "Whitby" earrings or the "Quetzal" ring. I decided in favor of the earring because I didn't have enough of the 2mm crystals that are needed for the ring, and most of the pink and/or rose pink seed beads that I have are dyed, so it wouldn't have been a good idea to use them in a ring.

Again, I apologize for the poor quality of the photo. I will replace it with a better one once Margie has photographed it, as well as the other 2 projects for the report.