Bead Peeps Swap N Hop
What a great bunch of ladies in my Facebook group, Bead Peeps! Linda Anderson, organized a bead swap and blog hop for this month. We each got a partner and swapped some beads then had to get busy and design some pieces with what we received. This is what I sent my partner, Shaiha Williams.
She sent me a bunch of really cool beads. You can read about them here.
My muse took a break and left me after the Build a Line Challenge and I was worried I would never get done! But, it’s finally time and here’s what I finished!
The first pieces I made were from the gorgeous goddess pieces she sent me.
I turned this into two necklaces. I made a short choker type with just that little blue square. The center hanger is sterling silver and I can reverse this piece and wear it plain. That focal came from Clay Impressions.
This longer piece can be worn with the above. I used that awesome little goddess charm and painted her blue and purple sky colors with lumiere paints. and put her on a charm holder with a tiny spellbook, a candle I made from bone and beadcaps and one of my own bronze charms that says Blessed Be. The blue glass pony beads have silver bead caps and smokey amethyst faceted crystals. Silver infinity chain links are handmade by me. These pieces are mine!
Shaiha sent me some little lampwork bows made by Mandrel 2. Now, the first thing I thought of when I saw those bows was how many “bad hair days” I have. The least bit of humidity and my head looks like a dandelion gone to seed. No lie! So, I made a little polymer lady with “bad hair” as my focal. I wanted to keep the bead level simple and focus on the bows so only used a few beads, some hunmetal links and chain that Shaiha sent. I”m not totally happy with the lady’s face. . It does not seem to be defined enough. I got to figure this out. But she is ready enough to show here.
I had a totally different idea when I started this piece. Shaiha sent me beautiful magnesite beads and some gorgeous blue butterflies that she painted herself. I love the colors. I also love butterflies flying around the flowers in the summer. I wanted to make a resin piece. So, using a picture frame bezel I got from B’Sue Boutiques and a picture I got from Graphic Stock, this is what emerged. One butterfly lurking around the flowers and one emerging from his Hill Tribe Siilver cocoon. The darker beads are Swarovski glass pearls and the wire and bead caps are copper. I’m keeping this one too. LOL
Remember when I said this little elephant from Okawa Beads was adorable but I do not do adorable and he would be my biggest challenge? I sure had a time coming up with an idea. I researched the significance of the elephant in African lore and Indian lore and came up with dignity and integrity and some other stuffy and honorable traits. Well, this little guy, with his flowers and happy face was ready to party. He wanted to prance and parade through the town! I wanted beads that would bring out his flower colors so I used some ceramic beads I had and some sari silk for a festive look. I loved the beads Shaiha sent, but these worked better for what I wanted to do. Don’t you think he looks like a happy little guy?
Short side note to Shaiha: I have a toddler grandson who loves to work with me. He was fascinated with this little elephant. Somehow, the tip of that jaunty little hat was broken when I next took it out of the bag That is why there is a bead cap on the tip of his hat. (I expect he might have had a run in with “the Justice League or some Transformers or perhaps a giant anaconda). With a touch of silver Gilder’s Paste on the trim, it almost looks like it belongs there.
Because the beads I used for the elephant were so large, I could not incorporate the little elephant clasp. And he is so cute! So I made some sari silk bangles and still thinking about Africa, I used bright colors. This is a set and he is perfect for a charm. I’m going to put some bells on these bracelets too.
Anyhow, you can see I had a good time. Please stop by Shairha’s blog and see what she made with what I sent to her. Here is a list of the rest of the hoppers. Check them out.
31 Comments »
Leave a comment
Who am I?
I am a lively Aries lady who lives in a house owned by a bunch of wacky animals.
I am the matriarch of a clan of kids, grands and great grands.
I am a solitary Wiccan whose pagan roots are both Native American and Celtic, strongly connected to the earth.
I am a jewelry artisan, addicted to beads, wire, silver, rocks, stones and minerals. I love working with metal clay, wire and natural stones.
I am a teacher. I’ve learned a lot about stones and minerals and folklore: the history behind the stones. I teach special classes for underpriveleged kids. I teach everyone who asks about the ancient uses of rocks and stones.
BALC Alumni Badge
BALC Alumni
Strega Jewellry's Blog 
How brilliant to use the bows with the messy hair – I LOVE it! =) You were SO CREATIVE! I don’t blame you for wanting to keep them – I would, too! =) Great job!
Linda
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it when you tell me I’m brilliant! LOL I had a blast! This was so much fun and I had such a good partner. Thanks Linda for putting it all together!
LikeLike
I think you’re muse returned without a doubt. Even the adorable elephant is wonderful. My favorite , even though I adore e Goddess pendant, is the Blue Butterly necklace.
LikeLike
Oh, Catherine, I am so glad you like the butterfly necklace. I am unsure of it myself. Sometimes, I make something and am not sure it is what I had in mind. Thanks
LikeLike
You can really tell that you had fun with this Lee 🙂
Bad hair day necklace haha I love it! 1) Because of the originality and creativity and 2) because I am the queen of bad hair days! lol
I love all your pieces really. Love elephants so of course I loved your elephant pieces. I especially liked the bracelet because I love fibers.
The goddess necklace is out of this world beautiful.
Was nice seeing you having fun experimenting with different styles than you normally make. Great job!
LikeLike
Marica, I think Bad Hair Day is something a LOT of ladies can relate to.
LikeLike
Wow Lee I am in awe of what you created with the beads I sent you. It was such a pleasure having you as a partner and meeting such a kindred soul.
My favorite has to be the Goddess combo especially with that handmade chain. It is just incredible!
I can definitely see why you are keeping the butterfly necklace. It is so creative and unique that there is NO way I would be able to let it go either.
I will confess that I was really curious what you would do with the bows. They are such striking beads that I had to get them but then I was baffled as to what to do with them. Bad Hair Days is so perfect for them.
Both elephants look like they have a happy home and that bead cap looks like that it was meant to be. Who knows, maybe it was 🙂 The little guy is now dressed in his finery and ready to attend his party. Those bracelets are so rich and exotic!
LikeLike
Thanks Shaiha. I had a blast with these. And how did I know the goddess set would be your fav and mine? LOL
LikeLike
Everyone’s gotta love the bad hairday necklace!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, Kathleen, it IS a bit of craziness, isn’t it?
LikeLike
Cool calm sea, a pretty cottage garden, a classy candle lit dinner and a hot samba party late into the night. These are some of the thoughts going through my mind as I look at these beautiful pieces. Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, now you got me daydreaming
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like your muse returned with a bang! what a gorgeous lot of jewellery you made. Your goddess necklace is sublime and i love how you coloured the focal. The blue butterfly necklace is a stunner too, all in all i love all your pieces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you so much
LikeLike
Beautifully done, Lee. I really love the wire bail on that first necklace. All of your wire work is gorgeous. And congrats on managing to use the cute little elephant in a lovely design. The frizzy hair day necklace is so fun. (I also have “environmental” hair and never knew how frizzy it could be until I moved from AZ to the mid-Atlantic.)
LikeLike
I like that……….environmental hair, LOL.
LikeLike
Wow! Those bangles are gorgeous!
LikeLike
You made so many wonderful pieces for the hop! Each has it’s own personality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
where to start……LOVE the alteration of that goddess charm and I can def see why you’d keep the necklace – it’s gorgeous! So’s the butterfly necklace – great composition. Whether you do cute or not – that little elephant with a hat is adorable! and the bead cap addition is perfect in my book. The earthy tones of the last piece remind me of fall in new england…..they’re just lovely
LikeLike
What unique and wonderful creations! And I just love that cute little elephant 🙂
LikeLike
You’ve made an incredible collection of jewelry for this challenge. I love all the different colours and designs. My favorite is the simple blue one at the beginning. You sure had a lovely stash of beads to work with and did a fabulous result.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Nan.
LikeLike
I love the sheer variety to your pieces–and they are all gorgeous! I honestly don’t think I can pick a favorite… Wonderful work! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you.
LikeLike
So many great pieces but my favorites are the first two. Gorgeous goddess goodies made into stunning pieces! If you ever want to re-home those two you can just send them my way 😉
LikeLike
Kari, I will put you on the “list” LOL
LikeLike
I love elephants! Each piece looks great, good job!
LikeLike
Great assortment of goodies you created! I love the background stories on how/why they came to be! Awesome 🙂
LikeLike
That’s one great eye candy post!!!
I love everything but specially that cute elephant with hat 🙂
Great job!!!!
LikeLike
Love the turquoise necklace with the butterfly,, well done
LikeLike
All your creations have unique designs and stories to tell! The butterfly necklace is my favorite but also your wirework, the bad hair day idea and the colors of the “African” bracelets!
LikeLiked by 1 person