Beading Challenge

Name That Beadwork: Win a Kit of Beads and Findings From Goody Beads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:23:00 GMT

From Jennifer: Spring is in full swing right now, but summer is just around the corner, and for the June/July 2013 issue of Beadwork magazine, our editors and readers were asked to take this sand and sea-themed kit of glass beads and jewelry-making findings from Goody Beads and make something beautiful. Look what our project editor, Kate Wilson, did!


What would you name this necklace by project editor Kate Wilson?

The material colors and shapes in this kit remind me of photos I've seen from Greece -- the blues, golds, and whites remind me of the fabulous architecture of cities surrounded by brilliant ocean waters. So I created this Grecian-inspired piece with bead-dangle columns and a bead-embroidered Greek key crescent. The chains and leaf clasp add more metallic accents without excessive bling for a bit of old-world charm. I can't wait to wear this piece this summer!


	Leave a comment with a name for the necklace, and you could win this kit of beads and findings from Goody Beads!

What would YOU name this beaded necklace? Come up with a few really great names, and leave each one here as a comment on this blog. You have until July 1, 2013 to Name That Beadwork and have a chance to win a free kit of beads and findings like the one that Kate used to create her necklace! Our editors will look through all the names suggested and choose the one they like the best -- the winner will receive their own kit of glass beads and jewelry-making findings from Goody Beads.

Please note: Due to customs regulations, we can only accept entries from U.S. residents only.

Good luck, and Bead Happy!

Jennifer

Name That Beadwork: Win a Kit of Seed Beads and Brass Findings

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

After a long, cold winter, I always look forward to wearing my bright, colorful spring skirts, and this spring, I think I may have made the perfect beaded necklace to go with them, thanks to this month's Beadwork magazine challenge kit!

I really wanted to challenge myself with this kit, and use as many of the beads and jewelry-making components in it as possible. I was already working on some beaded flowers for another big project, so I made a couple of smaller beaded flowers as practice for this piece, using the seed beads in the kit. I had fun playing around with the arrangement of the Lucite flower beads and the brass findings, and before I knew it, I had a very Marie Antoinette-style bead embroidered necklace on my beading board!

The kit for this project was supplied by Eclectic, Etc., and included a spool of brass jewelry stringing wire, brass crimps, a simple but beautiful brass hook and eye clasp, assorted brass findings and filigree beads, ceramic beads, Lucite flowers, and some lovely seed beads. And you can win your very own kit!

All you have to do is come up with a name for my necklace, and post it here as a comment before April 30, 2013 at 12:00 midnight CST. After that, we'll choose which name we like the best, and the winner will receive a kit of beads as pictured here! (Please note: due to customs regulations, we can only open this contest to residents of the United States.)

What would you name this necklace? Leave a comment (or two or three!) and you might win this beading kit!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Update: The winner chosen for this naming challenge was Lisa Gay, with the name Grape Juice Smile. Congratulations, Lisa!

Name That Beaded Bracelet and Win a Kit of Beads from The Creative Fringe

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:00:00 GMT

It's a brand-new year, and that means it's time for a brand-new challenge in the February/March issue of Beadwork magazine! This time around, editor Melinda Barta took this fun kit of beads from The Creative Fringe and got her punk on with this very cool peyote stitch bracelet! This bead kit included some matte grey Toho seed beads, a few lovely garnet chips, a length of chain, a brass pendant, and an assortment of pressed glass leaves. Fun stuff!

Melinda had this to say about creating her bracelet:

When I couldn't find a way to incorporate the brass pendant as it was, I punched several small circles out of it, dapped the circles into small domes, and punched smaller holes in the center of each dome to form shallow brass charms. You can see these charms, along with garnets, embellishing the tops of the central peyote tubes. Capping the ends of the tubes with small spikes from my stash was fun and transformed the project into something over the top and edgy.

Now that Melinda has created this cool bracelet, you get to choose a name for it! Grab a cup of tea and a cookie, and think about what you would like to name this beautiful beaded bracelet. Leave your name as a comment on this blog, and you might win the kit of beads from The Creative Fringe that Melinda used to create her bracelet!

You have until 12:00 midnight CST on February 28, 2013 to leave your comments. After that, we'll look through all the names and pick the one we like best to win! Please note: due to customs regulations, this giveaway is only open to those residing in the United States.

Bead Happy!

Jennifer

Update: The winner of this naming challenge was Ellen Leisner, with the name Zenobia's Triumph. Congratulations, Ellen!

Name That Beadwork: Win a Wildly Bohemian Blackberry Bush Kit of Beads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

It's that time again! Time to look at what one of our wonderful editors over at Beadwork magazine has done with the Bead Challenge, come up with a name for that piece, and enter for a chance to win one of the bead kits used to make it!

This time, the kits were from Starman, and contained ten different sizes and varieties of Toho seed beads, plus a lovely assortment of pressed Czech glass beads. Beadwork editor Melinda Barta was up for the challenge, and this is what she created with this kit of beads:

"Cubic right-angle weave, spiral tubular herringbone, tubular peyote, flat peyote, stringing, picot - I may have used as many different stitches as the kit has different types of beads! I dove into this fun kit by starting with beaded beads made of the CzechMates Tiles and a variation of cubic right-angle weave. Once I realized I could link them with sections of tubular peyote, the front of the necklace fell right into place, as did the herringbone and strung straps."

So, what would you name this piece of bead-weaving? Come up with your best name (or names) and leave each one here as a separate comment. We'll leave comments open until December 31, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. CST, and then pick our favorite name. The person who suggested that name will win a free kit of beads like the one used to make Melinda's necklace! (Please note that due to customs regulations, we can only open this contest to those residing in the United States.)

Have fun, and Bead Happy!

Jennifer

Update: The winner of this challenge is Diana Lawless, with the name Beadbunny. Congratulations, Diana!

Name That Beadwork: Win a Kit of Beads from Red Panda Beads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:00:00 GMT


My experiences with a group of traveling Tibetan Buddhist monks inspired me to create this peyote stitch prayer box necklace.

Some of you may remember a blog I wrote earlier this year about the time I got to spend praying and meditating with a group of traveling Tibetan Buddhist monks at my local arts center. My experiences there, including having a pulse reading and being treated with traditional Tibetan medicine, really had a profound affect on both my spirit and my bead-weaving.

Right about this time was when I received this Beadwork magazine challenge kit from Red Panda Beads. The bright oranges and reds of this kit reminded me of the colorful Buddhist tapestries and prayer flags that decorated the arts center during the monks' visit, and while attending evening prayers with my husband, I was inspired to create a necklace with a set of beaded prayer boxes.

Now, these prayer boxes are pretty simple to make. Each one is a piece of tubular peyote stitch, capped with pieces of flay circular peyote stitch. But inside each prayer box is a piece of rolled prayer, on which I wrote a different Buddhist prayer: one for compassion, one for creativity, and one for good health. Because I loved the bright red-orange Czech crystal bicones, I used those to create a framework to support and attach the prayer boxes to each other. (In Buddhist tradition, the color red symbolizes achievement, wisdom, fortune, virtue, and dignity -- an auspicious color!)


	*Leave a comment with your best name for this beaded prayer box necklace, and you might win this very generous kit of beads from Red Panda Beads!*

I finished this beaded prayer box necklace by stitching up one of my favorite twisted herringbone ropes using cylinder beads and Japanese seed beads. As usual, I didn't want the necklace to overpower the prayer box pendant, and the twisted herringbone rope worked perfectly for this one. I was on the fence about adding fringe to this one -- but there's always time for that later, right?

Of course, coming up with a name for this beaded prayer box necklace was a challenge, and that's where YOU come in! Come up with your best name for my beaded prayer box necklace, and you could win this very generous kit from Red Panda beads, including a piece of Ultrasuede, a brass cuff bracelet blank, copper beads and findings, and an amazing assortment of seed beads.

Leave a comment with the name you'd give to this necklace, and we'll choose the one we like best. You have until Monday, October 15, 2012, at 12 a.m. MST to get your names in. (Please note: we can only ship this kit to addresses in the United States only.)

Good luck!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Update: The winner chosen for this challenge was Greta Marullo, with the name Three Prayers Pendant. Congratulations, Greta!

Name That Beadwork: Win a Kit of Chain and Bezels

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:00:00 GMT

This month's Beadwork magazine challenge was done by Melinda Barta, and features a kit of metal bezels and chain. This is what Melinda had to say about her design:

"This kit was a real treat because it got me back into designing with resin, a technique that was once used in many of my jewelry designs but had fallen by the wayside. For a more varied chain, I disassembled the links and interspersed sections of oval chain with round chain. The beaded charms were made with peyote-stitched bead caps that cover light pink stone rounds; the pattern for the caps appears in my new book, Mastering Peyote (Interweave, December 2012). Although I didn't find a way to use them in this design, I had fun peyote-stitching flat bands for the metal tube beads."

So now it's your turn to name that beadwork! Take a look at Melinda's beaded necklace creation, and come up with your best name. Post it here as a comment (yes, you can leave more than one comment!) until Friday, August 3, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. MST. At that time, we'll compile a list of all the names and choose the one we like best. The winner will receive their very own kit of metal bezels and chain as pictured here! (Please note: this contest is open only to residents of the U.S. We are unable to ship the prize internationally at this time.)

Naming your beadwork can be the hardest part of creating a piece of beaded jewelry. So help us out, and come up with a name for Melinda's beautiful beaded necklace! Good luck!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Update: The winner chosen for this challenge was Maybeline Perey, with the name Morning Blush. Congratulations, Maybeline!

Name That Beadwork: Win a Kit of Beads and Findings from Artbeads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Tila beads, Magatamas, and dagger beads. Can you tell me what all three of these have in common? They are all glass beads that were included in this month's Beadwork magazine challenge kit from Artbeads!


What would you name this ruffled herringbone stitch necklace?

The first thing I noticed when I opened this kit were the colors. Gorgeous, rich, jewel tones were evident in every bead and component, and I loved the metal chain and end caps. Since I haven't done a lot with Tila beads lately, I decided to make them the base for my necklace design.

After I used ladder stitch to make a chain of Tila beads, I started working herringbone stitch using a combination of seed beads, mostly from the kit, but threw in a handful of my favorite blue iris seed beads for contrast. The richly colored Magatamas were the perfect end to my fan of herringbone stitch, and then to add some structure and support to the beaded necklace, I stitched the whole thing to the mesh chain. A leaf-adorned s-clasp from my stash made good use of the end caps and provided the perfect finish for my necklace!

I have a confession to make: since I received the necklace back from the offices of Beadwork magazine, I've worn it every single day. It's just so comfortable and easy to wear!


	Leave a comment on this blog with your ideas for a name for my herringbone stitch necklace, and you might win this kit of seed beads, glass beads, and jewelry making components from Artbeads!

Now it's your turn for a chance to win this kit of seed beads, chain, and jewelry making components from Artbeads! Come up with your best name for this necklace and leave it as a comment on this blog post. You'll have until Friday, June 8, 2012 to come up with a name and leave a comment. We'll choose the name that we like best, and the winner will receive their very own kit of seed beads, glass beads, and jewelry-making components from Artbeads. (Due to customs regulations, we can only open this giveaway up to residents of the United States.) Please make sure before you leave a comment that your Beading Daily profile is up to date, and includes a current email address so that we can contact you!

So what would you call this ruffled herringbone stitch necklace? We love to see your ideas!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Update: The winner chosen for this challenge was Diane Lyman, with the name Sun's Corona. Congratulations, Diane!

Name That Beadwork: Win a Kit of Kabela Metal Findings!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT

I don't often work with metal beads and components, so this month's challenge kit from Beadwork magazine was a REAL challenge for me!


Give us your best name for this beaded rope necklace! Leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win this month's challenge kit.

Opening up the kit, I was thrilled to see some metal seed beads, a pack of wintry-looking seed beads, and a little stash of Kabela metal components and findings. I was immediately drawn to that beautiful metal twig -- it must have been my outdoorsy side coming out, but I wanted to use that twig! My husband came to the rescue with the perfect drill bit for making a couple of tiny holes in the metal, and I was good to go!

The wintry seed bead mix was very tempting, but I wasn't sure how I was going to use that. Then, just by accident, I happened to notice a couple of strands of aqua terra jasper sitting on my work table. The lovely, earthy browns in the jasper picked up the browns of the metal components, and the dark green seed beads pulled the whole thing together!

Because I was on a beaded rope kick around that time, I decided to put the whole thing together with a simple spiral rope, accented with those amazing metal seed beads. I don't know about anyone else, but just reading the words "metal seed beads" makes me start to do a Homer Simpson: "Mmmm, metal seed beads!"


	You could win this beautiful kit of seed beads and Kabela metal components!

When I tried to dangle all of the metal leaves from the twig using wrapped loops, it was just too busy. And I didn't like the noise that the metal leaves made, clanking into each other all of the time. This was one time when I felt that my jewelry was best seen and not heard! So I dove back into my stash and made a pair of really, really long beaded earrings to complete the set!

Now it's your turn to complete the beading project, and maybe win a kit of seed beads and Kabela components! Think of a name for this necklace and leave it as a comment on this post. We'll take comments until Monday, April 30, 2012 at midnight (12:00 a.m.) EST at which time we'll choose from the names submitted. The one we like the best will win the beading kit pictured here! (Please note: this contest is open to those residing in the U.S. only.)

Good luck, and bead happy!

Jennifer

P.S. We'll contact the winner of the challenge via the email provided in your Beading Daily profile, so make sure everything is up to date!

Update: The winner chosen for this challenge was Lisa Lockhart, with the name Seasonal Serendipity. Congratulations, Lisa!

Name That Beadwork: Win a Kit of Vintage Beads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the new Beading Challenge blog here on Beading Daily! This is where you'll be able to come up with a name for my Challenge pieces in Beadwork magazine - and win a free beading kit!


Come up with a name for this beaded necklace, and you could win a free beading kit!

In the February/March Beadwork, we were supplied with a beautiful kit of vintage beads and components from A Grain of Sand. I've always had a thing for vintage beads, so I was all over this kit. I knew right away that I wanted to do something with the vintage tortoise colored rings, but I didn't know what. At first, I thought maybe I'd connect them with the matte green metal chain that was included in the kit, but couldn't figure out how to do it.

I looked at the seed beads that came with the kit. They were in my favorite colors of mustard yellow and transparent brown. Holding them up against the green and yellow striped seed beads, I had a flash of inspiration and dug out a bag of green cylinder beads that I've been hoarding in my stash. Eureka!


	This beading kit includes vintage aluminum chain, vintage seed beads, a Miriam Haskell brass fan stamping and a beautiful Swarovski crystal clasp!

After I stitched and embellished the peyote stitch bands to connect the rings, I knew I needed a neck strap. For me, this is always the hardest part of designing a necklace. I was totally stumped until I started playing with the corrugated metal beads and the seed beads. What this piece needed was a simple multi-strand neck strap! I finished it with a hammered gold hook and eye clasp from my stash.

Now that I've done the beading, you get to do the naming! Come up with a name for this piece and leave it as a comment on this blog. You'll have until February 29, 2012 at midnight EST to leave your comment. After that, I'll enlist the help of Beadwork magazine editors Melinda Barta and Danielle Fox to choose the name that we like the best. (The winner will be notified by email, so make sure that you have an updated email in your Beading Daily account!)

The winner will receive the beading kit pictured here from A Grain of Sand that I used as the inspiration for this beaded necklace! (Unfortunately, due to customs regulations, we can only send this beading kit to winners who reside in the United States.)

Get your friends together, take a good look at this beaded necklace, and come up with your best names for this piece! You could win a free beading kit from A Grain of Sand!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer