I realize there has been quite a long bout of radio silence. I spend the summer pursuing other hobbies but then things got pretty complicated as fall rolled in. I don,t really want to lay my troubles here when you are all here for shiny things, but I will say that things turned out a lot better than I thought they would turn out at the time.
But I will always do my best to be present for events by the lovely Lori so, here I am agaiu. Doing things. Ot at least pretending I can do things. At this point, qualifying any of my stash as 'hoarding' was not a problem at all, but the problem was, rather, which bit and which piece ?
So I decided to use something I bought right before life decided to throw me a curve.
(I must apologize for the subpar photo here. I, as always, forgot to take a picture before I began working, and this was the only thing I could find !)
I love, love, love, LOVE Moriah Betterly's ceramic work, and when she started doing kits of the months, this was the first, and I knew I had to snatch it up. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to do with half of these amazing, tiny work of art, but I never quite got to execute the concept. They didn't change much in the time I finally set out to do this. I set out to do at least two pieces, and that is what I did.
Again, I must apologize, these photos won't be the best. I had a goalpost in my mind that pretty much consisted of finishing the necklace today (friday) to take pictures saturday to try to catch the scarce canadian light, then post sunday. Ha, ha ha ha... Anyone sees the problem here ? Thank to the amazing Lori for posting a reminder on facebook and therefore saving my ass so I acrually do have SOMETHING to show.
This cuff was literally what I bought the kit for. I went with the butterfly time by including flowers and leaves, as well as some other bits and bobs. Nothing you will see here has been bought, by the way - every single piece came out of my existing stash. I used an assortment of czech glass beads, as well as some agate and impression jasper I had left over from other projects. The cuff base consists of two skinny cuff bases from B'Sue Boutique that I fixed the cuff piece onto with a combination The of glue and apozie sculpt.after wrapping them in sari cloth. Once the apoxie was set, I wire wrapped the cuffs as well as the flowers and beads, gluing in the leaves as a last touch.
But every wrist shiny needs a neck shiny, right ? Well, neither pieces are shiny, per-se. But they are shinies. Trying to think up on how to translate the cuff design into a necklace wasn't suer easy at first, so I settled into using mostly cloth with metal accents and more danglies. The necklace got a little heretic because I ran out of 24g wire at EXACTLY the last cloth wrap. Phew... That was a close one.
I can't claim for sure that both pieces are 100% completely finished. Im not sure if I like the loops on the cuff, right below the butterfly. It looks kind of... odd to me ? I was thinking about cutting those loops off and using a pierced brass stamping to give it a cleaner look, but time got ahead of me. The necklace feels like it is missing something, too, but I can't seem to think up what it could be. So feel free to put your thoughts and ideas in the comments !
Thank you for dropping by ! I hope the dust didn't bother you too badly. Please give everyone else a visit as well !
Robin Kae Reed http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Melissa Trudinger https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
I picked up that same set and have pondered just how to use it. I really like the bracelet that you made. It is so bright & happy with great movement. The necklace completes this great set! I am so glad that you came out of hibernation to share these with us.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh God, those beads are so precious! *steals them all and runs away with them* And, WHAM, the finished pieces have me floored. See, those beads from the hoard are all pastelly, and I probably would have gone and stuck to the theme, with silver, lilac, light blue and gray ... And there you go ahead, and bring out those amazing jeweltones, green, and gold, and purple, and deep blue, and teal – and suddenly it's SPRING! *throws hands into the air* I seriously don't know how you do this, you're simply amazing at thinking outside of the box. Did I mention I like all the spiral-y bits? Now I mentioned it.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Sandra
Hi! I think your pieces look great just as they are. I love the colours you've used, you set off the focals perfectly. :-)
ReplyDeleteI had a similar problem with photos- they of course are an after thought, the making is what it is all about.
ReplyDeleteThe focal is a treasure. The vines with the bits and bobs fits perfectly.
Enjoy wearing your new treasure.
Beautiful pieces. Sounds like life has been changing things up a bit for you. How fitting that you chose butterfly pieces for your hoard hop jewels. Butterflies are all about new life and transformation.
ReplyDeleteEspecially love the bracelet....
Your bracelet has a great design. It is very pretty as are the other pieces. I love Moriah's work also.
ReplyDeleteHi Audrey, Your bracelet is awesome. It is very unique and creative. I like the necklace too.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I really like the bracelet as is. I would do something a little different in the back of the necklace if I absolutely had to change something.
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly ceramics are gorgeous! I love the cuff concept - maybe the loops only one one side are throwing you off - that can sometimes read as an anklet instead of a bracelet. But maybe you aren't a symmetrical person - so maybe just MORE dangles so the loops aren't so noticeable? I have a hard time suggesting changes without seeing something worn! I like the necklace as is!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the beads you have been hoarding and you've done some very creative and fun things with them
ReplyDeleteWow I love those butterfly ceramics. They are gorgeous. I love the cuff and the necklace, you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely.. Those are some of my favorite colors.. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteThey're both awesome. If you feel like the necklace is missing something, maybe it just needs some extra silk to be woven/knotted onto the original strand. And more beads of course lol. The bracelet has a lot of depth to it compared to the necklace, but both of them really are great.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and brilliant designs! Love the color palate too.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd feel like a woodland sprite wearing your pieces. Earthy, reminiscent of spring...just delightful.
ReplyDeleteboth pieces turned out great! The lighter green leaves ended looking just fine with the full piece in the better lighting :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the necklace 'missing something', I don;t know.. my mind keeps wanting to add metal whenever I use just cloth, so maybe your brain is doing the same? Try adding in some sections of chain as an accent beside the ribbon...?
Wonderful pieces, Audrey! I've bought "sets" in the past but never used them together. You nailed this one (I don't think you should remove anything!)
ReplyDeleteLove the ceramic pieces! Great color choices! The pieces just pop!
ReplyDeleteThat set is a lovely breath of spring on a grey and rainy winter's day. It made me feel happy so see it. I know it would feel even better to wear it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pieces - never too much!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pieces, Audrey! I love your mix of colours and textures. Great designs and you really did justice to Moriah's components! I wouldn't change anything on either piece but that's just me. Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteI can see hoarding those ceramics. Like the use of the silk sari ribbon.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderfully created - and butterflies are a wonderful sign of new beginnings! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh out loud at your first sentence! I totally get that! And thank you (darn you!!!!!) for introducing me to a new bead maker (be sure so send her this blog post!) I'm in love with her jellyfirst bead in her shop. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteCompletely in love and in awe of the necklace because for one, it's gorgeous, and for two, I have NO TALENT for that style of jewelry yet I adore it. You really knew what you were doing!!!!! Well done!
Thank you so much for participating, and don't forget to post your pieces in the special Pinterest board, http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/bead-hoarders-blog-hop/, and join the Facebook group (also welcome to your friends) www.BeadSoupCafe.com -- hope to see you at other hops!
Beautiful, so whimsical, love the design!
ReplyDeleteLovely designs, beautiful colors that are just happy! Love!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing with us. I particularly adore the butterflies you were hoarding. The finished work is inspired.
ReplyDeleteI love your choice of colors plus the use of fabric and metal.
ReplyDeleteHi, I like how you used the butterfly focals and included fiber in the designs. They both look fun to wear!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful designs you came up with, I love all the bright colours in that bracelet!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors you used and great design.
ReplyDeleteGreat Shinies , I like how whimsical they are. Also I am not sure if you know that you g+ profile links to your old blog and not this one, do check it
ReplyDeleteWow your color choices are beautiful. That bracelet is a piece of art. Your pieces have just so much to look at, I had to look several times and each time I noticed a little touch that I hadn't noticed before. Fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteThose ceramic butterflies are really great and I really love the bracelet as you made it. I like the chain idea someone else mentioned for the necklace but it could be left as it is too.
ReplyDeleteThese are so pretty, I love the ceramic butterflies, the ribbon really brings all the colour together good choice !
ReplyDeleteJackie
Audrey, I love this. You did an amazing job with it. I love this kit! Have a Blessed day!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful work thanks for sharingl addore the gina-design blogspot.cim
ReplyDeleteI love butterflies, too!!
ReplyDeleteI love the bracelet.
Love the rich imperial colors and the whimsy. Bracelet my fav
ReplyDelete