Beadwork-Beaded-Bead-Contest

INSPIRATION MOBILE

Gracebeadz — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:29:27 GMT

This beaded bead project was created using shades of green, bronze, copper and gold. These colors were complimentary to the metallic, variegated size 15 seed beads used in the first bead for this contest. All the rest of the beads were then done to compliment the color palette of bead #1. The contest beads use Swarovski crystals and pearls, glass and metallic seed beads, as well as fire polish beads to complete the design patterns.

There are six #1 beads (each a different color combination within the palette) and one each of the remaining beads. Bead #3 was "stuffed" with one large and two small crystal rondel beads to hold it's shape, giving it a slightly elongated barrel shape. The large copper finding inspired the idea of a mobile. The entire piece was then united with an asymmetrical combination of vintage glass, semi-precious stone beads, crystals, and additional copper findings. The unlikely pairing shows off the beaded beads and provides a unique contrast between "bead weaving" and "stringing" for the finished piece.

Abundance

bdyaeger — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:16:34 GMT

Abundance reflects my love of beading, which has been fueled for these 15 years by the artistry and exuberance of the Beadwork community. I had been wanting to create a cornucopia necklace, and the beaded beads seemed like they would work well. The August September bead really shouted pumpkin to me, so I was on my way!

CORAL DREAMS

JoAnne J — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:15:14 GMT

I love beaded beads. It's like a whole universe in a tiny ball. I was inspired from the very start of the contest, but decided to wait to see what all the beads looked like before I chose my colors. Whoops! My real job got in the way of my beading time, and completing five beads and the necklace in fourteen spare hours was a real challenge. However, the experience was joyous, and I'm pleased with the results. I was amazed to see how some of the colors and shapes were not what I expected, but still beautiful, due to the excellent designs and instructions.

Swarovski Coral pearls are something I've been wanting to use for a while, and the rest of the components came together smoothly, to create a cool dreamy feeling with hints of warm coral. I found that "knitted wire" stringing material worked successfully with the large hole beads.

Golden Renaissance

JeannedeJeanne — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:26:06 GMT

Golden Renaissance is about 21-1/2" long of crocheted metallic gold enamel-plated 26g copper wire surrounding the required beaded beads for this competition. The beads used were bright gold Swarovski crystal pearls (4mm, 8mm, and 12mm), golden shadow Swarovski crystals (2mm, 3mm, and 4mm), Deep Gold Duracoat seed beads (15/0, 11/0, and 8/0), opaque black seed beads (15/0, 11/0, and 8/0), black opaque drops (2.8mm and 3.4mm), black opaque tila beads, and gilt-lined Gold Opal seed beads (11/0 and 8/0). The findings used are a swirled brass toggle, 2 jump rings, and 2-6mm gold-plated brass large-hole beads. It is 2" wide at the front and narrows to about 3/4".

The inspiration for this piece was the brocade trim used on Renaissance clothing. It is the first piece of crocheted jewelry for which I actually made the beads. I generally use 2mm to 8mm crystal, glass or semi-precious stone beads in my work. These beads were actually fun to make once I got the hang of the stitches.

Thanks for offering this competition!

The Ice Queen

lebeadoh — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:52:40 GMT

If you had asked me a couple of months ago if I was interested in making beaded beads, I would have scoffed at the concept

Thanks to Stephanie Dixon, my enabler. I am addicted to beaded beads as well as Bead Embroidery.

Though frustrating at times, this was an awesome process.

I cannot wait to see what I do next.

A REGAL NECKLACE

afancies — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:28:43 GMT

I have included 2 of each beaded bead. There are 4 of the Treasure Trove bead which I made with extremely tight tension causing it to become even more dimensional. The pendant is the oval bead which was also featured in April/May 2012 issue which I love and have made many times. I used a gold magnetic clasp which is covered in clear rhinestones as it complements the rest of the beads beautifully.

Beaded Beads are composed of silver and gold seed beads with rainbow blue accents; Pearls and fire-polished crystals in many sizes, gold iris tila beads and blue metallic rainbow drop beads. The beads are strung on Softflex covered with size 1 gold bugles and size 11 gold seed beads. The tassle uses 5 gold plated headpins with ball ends.

I hope you love viewing it as much as I did making it.

Ruthie Rosenfeld

4826 NW 14th Street

Coconut Creek, FL 33063

954-972-3796

Email: afancies@bellsouth.net

Hematite and Gold Beaded Beads Necklace

krisfoot — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:01:30 GMT

Hematite and gold 3-strand necklace

Patience

The Dixon Chick — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:01:23 GMT

Well, this has certainly been an exercise in patience, hence the name of the piece. This fun challenge allowed me to step way out of my comfort zone of wirework. I love beaded beads and how you can create beautiful components from seedbeads. Some of these beaded beads took me over 4 and half hours to make...this included many rip outs, moments of frustration and perseverance. I learned a lot about myself as I made these. Sometimes when I made a mistake and had to rip it out, I would beat myself up - but realized that if I take it nice and slow - there would be less mistakes. Also, even though I'm a night owl - I need to be fully alert to follow complex patterns. I learned it is also very important to read the entire pattern before starting it, including any artist or editor's notes - very helpful.

I have used a variety of Swarovski Elements in this piece in Denim Blue, Indicolite, Light Azore, Mint Alabaster, Pacific Opal, Montana and Purple Velvet.

As I mentioned, wirework is my go to technique, so I used a variety of gauges and colours to wire wrap a silver rubber necklace tube and attach the beaded beads to the form.

Thanks to BeadWork for hosting such a fun challenge!

Cool Summer

Beaderchin — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:46:22 GMT

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My whimsical beaded bead necklace reminds me a sunny day at the beach, where the colors of the sun and ocean meld into one another. I was excited to hear of Beadwork’s beaded bead contest, as these are one of my favorite components to make. My necklace features each of the anniversary beads combined with my own beaded beads. Strung on lime green C-Lon cord, it is 19” long and includes a variety of seed beads, Czech glass beads, fire polish crystals and Swarovski pearls.

Take Five

Nemeton — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:45:37 GMT

A long pendant with adaptations of all five beaded beads to have five-fold symmetry.

The Dragon's Hoard

cakelady808 — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 08:40:20 GMT

Filled with fantasy and whimsy, this necklace takes the 15th Anniversary of Beadwork magazine to a whole new level. It was Bead Two, by Gwen Fisher which screamed "Pearls!" that inspired the entire necklace. The dragon's body is made of Seeing Stars. This water dragon, representing the year in Chinese Astrology, is finished with a head of the Stargazer Beaded Bead, embellished to give him life. The dragon is chasing down his hoard of jewels; pearls, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, gold and silver, all represented by each of the Beaded Beads of the year. This necklace is sure to capture everyone's imagination!

Purple Mania Anniversary Beaded Bead Necklace

Sharon A Wagner — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:13:35 GMT

Make a statement in purple with this 24" necklace of Beadwork Anniversary Beaded Beads! Pairs of Cluster, Stargazer, Dewdrop and Seeing Stars beaded beads are combined with 2 pairs of Treasure Trove beaded beads which rise from an extra-large version of Gwen Fisher's Cluster Beaded Bead. The necklace is finished with silver chain and as a whimsical touch Gwen Fisher's Infinity Dodecahedron is suspended from the center back. All of the beaded beads are worked in shades of purple and lavender in varying finishes from matte to AB. Truly a necklace for those who are mad about purple!

My Heart Belongs to Beading

alley_m — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:08:30 GMT

This is a fun and casual asymmetrical piece in classic colors – coral and turquoise. It’s long enough to wear with a cowl sweater or turtleneck, and also great with jeans and a tee shirt.

Components used are Swarovski crystal pearls in Coral, Toho seed beads, Czech fire-polished rounds and Patricia Healey copper heart clasp.

Treasures of the sea

LindaGay — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:21:22 GMT

This is a 24 inch necklace composed of the beaded beads, crystals, and size 6 beads, and a marcasite clasp. Two of the designs are used twice, the others once.

Jewelled Opulence

MB Bogatto — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 21:48:06 GMT

An elegant design suitable for any special celebration (such as an Anniversary), this necklace was worked up with a color palette of silver, gold and platinum. Each beaded bead utilized either Swarovski Pearls or Czech fire polished beads along with the other seed beads required for each pattern. The beaded beads are surrounded by Swarovski bicones and pearls. Assembled by linking together with textured links to compliment the textured surface of the beads. Embellished with a gold tassle at the bottom and the smaller of the beaded beads dangles from an extender chain at the back of the necklace.