Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

Anna_Gray — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 06:39:16 GMT

I once noted that instead of making a full jewelry set every day (necklace, bracelet, earrings and sometimes a ring) I started to only make necklaces. So, I did my own earrings challenge - I made 12 pairs of earrings for 1 day using different materials, including found objects, for each pair. That seemed to set me back into the full set mode :).

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

Wolf912@2 — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:23:31 GMT

I'd like to say, "Congratulations!", to all those of you who have completed your challenges and "Go get 'em, Girls!", for those of you who are still working on them. I recently completed a year long challenge of making a pair of earrings every day. I started on July 1, 2010 and ended just last week on June 30th.

It certainly was a challenge. I tried not to use the same beads twice, but when you are using what you have (I know what you mean Lori@129) and not buying new, it can be difficult. If you would like to see ALL those earrings, please check them out at my blog zannesbazaar.blogspot.com and click on the Earrings 365 page. It feels very strange not to sit at my bead desk every morning and work with my beads. But, I'll be back to it soon.

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

Linda Whiting — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:04:26 GMT

Two months after I learned the Peyote stitch I decided to combine my artwork with my beading. I painted a hummingbird on the lid of a Juniper Keepsake box and beaded Clematis blossoms and leaves which I stitched to a painted border that framed the hummingbird. The real challenge was entering the box in a beading contest through Fire Mountain Gems & Beads. Being a beginner in beading I didn't think I had a chance against the experienced beaders that entered the contest. I was blown away when I was chosen as one of the finalists. To see an image of the box go to my Facebook page Designs by Linda Art Studio & Gift Shop.

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

Kelley Dufour — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:47:42 GMT

Last winter, I asked my husband to carve some walrus ivory into square beads. ( both of us are part Alaska Native, & we acquired some walrus ivory several years ago ), thinking I would make a bracelet. My beads sat in my crafting storage unit for months because I couldn't come up with a design I liked, until a couple of weeks ago when I decided to think outside of the box. I finally made a choker-necklace using the ivory tile beads, onyx hourglass-shaped beads, seed beads, & home-made leather spacers. I made a toggle clasp closure using onyx leaf beads & 6/0 (?) root beer-colored seed beads in a circular peyote stitch. For the toggle, I used a hairpipe bead, 2 rondel bone beads w/seed beads on each end. I attached it to the necklace using the same seed beads with a right angle weave, then ladder stitch then attached that to home-made leather triangles .

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

candyT2 — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:54:12 GMT

This spring I entered a design challenge at an online beadstore. The idea was to make jewelry from recycled/used jewelry or material. I opted for the recycled category and made a necklace using strips of plastic from fabric softener and bubble-bath bottles. The strips were held over an open flame, heat-stressed to turn them into free-form icicle-like pendants, and attached to a basic necklace of vintage seed beads. Surprise: it won first place in its division ;-)

I had never worked with this particular medium before but the results were so much fun I now have a recycled-plastic stash for future projects.

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

Lori@129 — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:47:56 GMT

I love the earring challenge! Lately I've been challenging myself to only use beads I OWN and not buy anything new and that's been horribly difficult.

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

beadsoup — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:23:49 GMT

Yes!! Several months ago I started a year long project to teach myself to bead. I do a lesson everyday. I'm on day 173 and still going strong! Loving every minute! Www.beadsforbrains.blogspot.com. Come along for the ride!!,

re: Amazing Beaded Earrings and a Creative Challenge

roseytheriveter — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:17:59 GMT

Right now, my self imposed challenge is to work on my jewelry for atleast one hour every day; even if I don't finish a piece, I stick to this and find I am getting many more pieces completed, which is good, because I am hoping to have my first jewelry show this fall!