Sharyl McMillian-Nelson is featuring a Bead Packet design challenge today and I am absolutely thrilled to be participating. She is featuring the handmade beads of Natalie Pappas, a bead artist that has long been one of my favorites. You can go to Sharyl's blog and read more about the challenge at Sharyl's Jewelry.
You can read more about Natalie and her art at Natalie's Blog and see more of her beads in her Etsy Store.
Sharyl and Natalie put together a beautiful selection of handmade and stone beads. Shary's "Rule" was that you had to use at least one of the art beads, but my personal challenge when I participate in these activities is to use all of the beads, but in any event, as many of them as I can. I got to work as soon as I received the beads. This is my necklace. In this case it was easy to use them all.
On the left side you will see a beautiful polymer clay bead by Alison Crenshaw - one of her "Imprint" series.
On the right side you will see a rust bird by Cindy Doleazal. It is sitting on a lampwork "nest" by Joyce O'Shea.
It is joined by a pine cone bead cap on one of Natalie's beads.
The clasp is the "harvest" moon.
Thank you Sharyl for hosting such a fun challenge and for choosing such beautiful beads and Thank You Natalie for being the talented artist behind the beads which made so many beautiful pieces of jewelry possible.
-1. Kashmira Patel (Sudafulee... Always in Bloom) http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
--2. Sonia Smith (posting on Sharyl's blog) Shary's Blog Here
--11. Jean A. Wells (Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry) http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/
And, news about drawings. As with many events like this there is a bounty to be won! In this case, there are 2! Natalie will be drawing a name from among the designers to win a gift from her store and for the rest of you -- go to Sharyl's blog to read about how to win a chance to win a gift certificate to Sharyl's Jewelry. Winner will be announced Monday.
And, news about drawings. As with many events like this there is a bounty to be won! In this case, there are 2! Natalie will be drawing a name from among the designers to win a gift from her store and for the rest of you -- go to Sharyl's blog to read about how to win a chance to win a gift certificate to Sharyl's Jewelry. Winner will be announced Monday.
25 comments:
Wow-ee!
I can't begin to list all the things I love about your necklace, so I'll just include 3: 1) The pendant you created makes a delightful focal point--wonderful bead caps and dangles! 2) The beads you added also add wonderment to your piece--the little bird and imprinted beads caught my eye right off. And the seed bead twist is another eye-catcher! 3) Natalie's beads still take center-stage but are so wonderfully complemented by all the other pieces you've added.
This is a delightfully creative piece! A real treat for the eyes!
So glad you participated, Jean! --Sharyl
Sharyl - thank you for hosting this hop. I had a blast with it. I did the seed bead twist section for the sole purpose of making Shirley Moore jealous!
Girl, you didn't make me jealous, you made my heart sing!!! I just can't tell you how much I love this piece! The flow of colors, and that bird and acorn cap are just perfect! You are my hero! :)
Hi Shirley - I'm tickled that you loved the necklace. I figured for sure you would be jealous of my fancy seed bead work there. As you know, I am a big fan of your bead weaving. Thank you for visiting my blog.
As we used to say out in the country: "Weeeee, doggies! That sure is purdy!" Love the fancy seed beadin' that you got going on.
Wow! I adore this. I am *totally* jealous of your awesome seed beads and of the other gorgeous beads you chose to compliment Natalie's beads. That is just stunning!
What a great piece. I love all the texture in it. I don't work with seed beads much, this is awesome. I like all the color you added, too. Very pretty.
Tanya - Thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoyed having you here.
Kay - Thank you for visiting. I appreciate your comment and I so enjoyed this blog hop.
Oh, my, Jean - this is an art gallery in one piece (I mean it in a good way): just reading about all the fabulous items you've included is a thrilling event. I absolutely love your piece: everything comes together beautifully, it has gorgeous colours and texture. Just love it.
Thank you Alicia. I appreciate you stopping by. Natalie and I have a publication in the Winter 2013 issue of Stringing. It is the elephant necklace. We are both very proud of it and were delighted to be published together. Hopefully, it won't be our last. I appreciate your comment.
Correction - that was the Fall 2013 issue of Stringing.
I really love this design! It isn't symmetrical but it is so balanced! I'm trying to make mis-matched earrings for Diana's next challenge, but I have to say it is so much easier to just match everything evenly! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the bead twist! beautifully done! and flows so perfectly with the focal. Really stunning piece
Oh this is gorgeous!
Just beautiful! It is a work of art! How exciting to be in Stringing Magazine. I will have to look out for it. I think your necklace just sings!!
Gorgeous piece - I love how you worked in the section of seed beads!
That bead twist is so awesome!!!! Love all the different amazing things going on in there :)
Now this is seriously gorgeous, you are incredibly talented and a real inspiration (I think I have said that but so true)
Antiquity - thank you for your comment. I appreciate that you visit my blog.
Whimsical, Sherri, Kashmira, and Kepi - thank you both for your lovely comments. They mean a lot.
Cilla - being published is a great ego boost. It is really special to see something you've made from your heart in print on a big page. I have been published in three issues of Stringing, two issues of Bead Trends and one issue of Step by Step Wire. My first publication was in Fall 2011 and it is quite exciting. (Some of the publications are not out yet). It's not that hard to be accepted (IMO) if you figure out how to work within their themes. Perhaps this would be a good topic for a future blog post.
I can't tell you how much I love this necklace and all the wonderful details you've woven into it. A real treat to read about your design.
BackStory - Thank you so much for visiting my blog. Your comments mean a lot to me.
First off I love the entire necklace, but the little birdie is so so sweet, I would love to have some of these..oh my is all I can say! Amazing how different we see visions and create our wonders! This is the first challenge like this I have done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Awesome seeing all the talent and how the designs differ.
Thank you for your comment Cheri. Yes, it is an amazing thing how we can all start with the same thing and come up with something so different. But, oh the fun it is.
Beautiful design...I love it!
Wow! I absolutely love this necklace. Way to go!
Thank you Suzette and Linda. Your kind comments mean a lot to me.
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