It's time to share the fabulous pieces I created with the lovely beads sent to me by Lisa Lodge at Pine Ridge Studios Beads and More for her Autumn Nights Challenge.
(I'm a few hours early. I've got to be at work early tomorrow and just couldn't wait any longer to post!)
First, here is the official Pine Ridge artwork for the event:
There were just oodles and oodles of beads in this Challenge kit. The kit I received was a mixture of amethyst, matte and shiny black, and silvery pearl beads. I dug right in, totally forgetting to take a picture of the beads first! This will give you the gist of things when I realized the 'before' picture is very important:
My first bracelet 'flew' together with this lovely feather clasp Lisa sent along in the kit. I pulled out some silver wire and a pair of sterling silver cones from my stash and wah lah:
Next..obviously on a 'bracelet theme'... I wanted to make a comfy, easy-to-wear stretch bracelet trio that combined several of the bead types. They needed to keep a strong association to each other for a set. The silver bead caps with the fluted design worked very well in the amethyst and basic black bracelets. Years ago, I purchased these star-burst flat disc beads and thought they would be perfect for a Challenge theme that featured nighttime and stars? These discs are super-sparkly in real life, almost too bright for the camera lens. A few of those beautiful pearl beads softened the over-all look. These could be worn in any combination..wear one, two, or all three. Plus, that basic black bracelet would go with any outfit!..my 'go-to' wardrobe-maker. Oh, and I love love those matte black barrels:
I was determined to use all the beads in this kit.
These pieces came next:
Lisa included 2 unusual, flat, softly matte glass rectangles in the kit. What to make?..earrings?..no, wasn't in an 'earring mood' (I get like this..been wearing the same pair of 'basic' earrings to work now for a few weeks now..boring Carol). A pendant?..maybe..but it needed 'sparkle' to go with those sparkling amethyst rondelle beads. Out came the Swarovski flat-backed hot-fix crystals in a purple mix. Using only gentle heat from a common heat gun adhered these hot-fix crystals perfectly..the glass was a perfect conductor. I was amazed! Sterling silver jump rings and a slightly oxidized sterling flower toggle clasp (also from my stash) made this necklace. And, I still had beads remaining to use! My last piece was a toggle bracelet that used the last funky, chunky matte black barrels (did I mention how much I love those??) and the last few sparkly amethyst rondelle beads with this sterling toggle clasp. The very last barrel bead became a perfectly fun dangle with a sterling head pin wrapped-up around it.
I think there are about 3 & 1/2 beads remaining from this great kit (which may become my new pair of work earrings? :)
Please head over to Pine Ridge Studios during October and November to see what everyone created from their own unique Autumn Nights kit. I can't wait to see them all. Mine will be posted there shortly, too!
Carol
