Wednesday 31 July 2013

Brit Pack Beaders challenge 3 - The Reveal

Despite the beautiful beads and colour inspiration of this challenge it has proved a remarkably tricky one for me. Unfortunately I have been without mojo for quite a while now, whether my creative energy has all be used up running Smitten or I'm just not in the making mood I'm not sure. I had one idea and one only so rather than try to force the creativity I've gone with it. No rocket science in this one just reusing some techniques picked up over the last year. Now I know that all sounds a bit gloomy so I should point out that I have really enjoyed the making, I'm sure I've said before that I rarely get the chance to sit down and create. And never fear - I am on the hunt for the elusive mojo, I'm searching all over the place for inspiration even in music. My husband recently found an ap? for millions of internet radio stations and I'm on a bit of a mission to find the best ones to work to....today's radio adventure is - Alternative Rock stations!... I'm searching the waves, writing this blog and finishing my design all at the same time so I wonder if there will be an edgy feel to my finished piece? The radio station I am currently listening to has just asked me if I would like to find out how to get waisted while at work with no one else finding out?!... Shocked?... I was!...I wonder if neurophen for a frozen shoulder counts ;)

Here's the link to the component reveal blog..Artwork and component reveal, a reminder of our inspiration, a group shot of the beads we each sent/recieved and an image of my initial design mock up



So that was yesterday and this is today..another day another radio station (something a little more ambient and chilled today).

Et voila, the finished piece a bracelet and a pair of earrings (almost there). I've split up Bo's clasp and will be using the beautiful ceramic part another day. The bracelet has been designed around Pippa's lovely flower and the metal part of the clasp. I've introduced some terracotta peanut beads and two Vintaj copper leaves but other than that everything else was part of the challenge. The stringing material is the waxed cord sent by Rebecca and all the other beads were from Joanne.





The earrings are a work in progress, I've used some more of the Irish waxed linen cord the two bronze pmc rigs made by Lesley, some more of those peanuts, finished of with two of the Czech glass fire polished gemstone donuts sent by Joanne. 



Lastly I'm planning a brooch with Bo's lovely ceramic piece, one of the bronze drops 
and a crystal wrapped ring. 


So there we go. Thank you to Lesley, Bo, Joanne & Rebecca for the gorgeous beads sent and to Pippa for making my contribution. I hope you like my makes. I'm off to continue my radio search and pack more beads to send out to my customers, see you in a couple of months for the next challenge.

Please pop over to see what the other ladies have created...




18 comments:

  1. Just one word - alright, 2 - amazing and inventive! Love it all, what a great idea to make a brooch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bo but I have a feeling it was you who put the idea into my head! They are just about my fav thing to make though. I have hods of brooch designs in my wee bonse just need the time to make them xx

      Delete
  2. Love love love the bracelet.The first try is nice but the second finish piece is soooo pretty. As well as the earrings. And the brooche. You should stick to that radio station :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love love love the bracelet.The first try is nice but the second finish piece is soooo pretty. As well as the earrings. And the brooche. You should stick to that radio station :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Janine, The radio station was a bit to edgy, think I need something a bit more mellow at my time of life ;)xx

      Delete
  4. As I've said before - we ought to see more jewellery designs from you Claire. You always come up with something beautiful and original and these are no exception.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The bracelet is beautiful. I just love the little peanut beads. And you earrings are darling. Looks like a great design going on with the brooch as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alice :)....better get that brooch finished then! x

      Delete
  6. A brooch! Fantastic - I'm looking forward to seeing that! I love the bracelet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jo, loved your bracelet too, especially the plating. I really wanted to incorporate fabric into mine but it just wasn't happening!

      Delete
  7. These are beautiful, Claire! The bracelet is stunning and I can't wait to see this brooch! You have to make it now - we'll hold you to it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darn it! I've gone and commited myself now haven't I!...thank you Claire xx

      Delete
  8. Thank you Ailsa, I actually wanted the peanuts to dangle from invisible wire/thread! an idea on hold to experiment with another day ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow. Claire, sometimes I think you should just give up Smitten and be a jewellery designer - you are so bloody talented! I absolutely LOVE everything here, in particular the bracelet, and of course - to cap it all - your photography is too lovely for words. (Please don't give up Smitten though!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, thank you Rebecca.... to be honest - been there done that in my B&M shop for 7 years. I'm much happier packing beads these days. designing hurts my poor little brain too much. ;) x

      Delete