Candie Cooper and Cynthia Thornton collaborated on a project. Candie designed a beautiful wing and Cynthia carved and cast it in pewter. (It came with a connector that I will use in another design.) I got a beautiful strand of large and lovely lapis cubes from Dakota Stones recently and was looking for a special pendant to use with them and there was the wing!
I used a clear crystal Candie included with the pewter pieces to make the pendant. I used some vintage half coated crystals as spacers. They have the most wonderful colors. The back of the pendant is beautiful too. It has a tiny heart.
This is a lovely necklace that feels great on. I love knowing two wonderful artists collaborated on the beautiful pendant.
I got this great soldered glass cab – a pink heart – by Denise Peters Galloway of Crystal Emporium. I probably would have just hoarded it for a long time, but in a recent Dakota Stones order, I got some coated rose quartz rondelles and tiny faceted tourmaline. It was all on my table when I was cleaning up, and I thought they would be pretty together.
The rondelles are a little more pink than they show in the picture, but I’ve taken photos on different backgrounds and can’t get the color right (and can’t correct it with software.) I like the coating on the rose quartz because it echoes the sort of metallic pink of the pendant cab. And then the beautiful tourmaline spacers bring in just enough different and darker colors.
Cleaning up has many benefits, including helping creations come to life!
I was cleaning my work surface and there was a jasper pendant. I remembered I also had some mookaite beads that I thought would look good with it. I found those, and instant necklace! I wanted to add one other element. I had been ready to put away a box of polymer clay beads by Erin Prais-Hintz when I knocked them to the floor. One had hidden, so it hadn’t gotten put back, and it was also on my table. I thought it worked well with the stones, so I included that.
I knotted it on grey waxed linen and added chain extenders on each side to make it the right length. I got the stone pendant and beads from Allegory Gallery.
I think the necklace is really pretty. I can’t wait until I feel comfortable wearing jewelry out of the house again.
Today is the reveal for Allegory Gallery Design Challenge Fairy Garden Kit. Click on the link to see the beautiful materials (minus the Mystery Component, which you’ll see later.)
This reveal snuck up on me. I had lots of ideas, but didn’t get them all made. However, I loved the kit and made the idea I liked best first, so there is that!
I recently got some vintage French glass butterfly buttons. Oh, swoon! I just love them and want to use them on everything. This definitely felt Fairy Garden appropriate.
I used a bracelet form and wrapped it with different fibers from an Allegory Gallery mixed fiber card, Stitch Whimsy Market, and a piece of the luscious pink/purple silky strand from the kit. The more peachy pink fiber at the bottom of the bracelet was so soft; it felt like a cloud. I wire wrapped and dangled beads from the kit at the bottom to counter balance the weight of the butterfly and keep that at the top when worn (as much as possible.) I’m pretty in love with this bracelet. A mix of boho and fantasy that I love. I have a scene in my head of the fairies wrapping these fibers around the bracelet like a maypole in a little dance and then their friend the butterfly alighting there.
Next, I used the Mystery Component in a necklace. I wasn’t thrilled with the design, so I was going to live with it for a while and decide. But then I checked the date of the reveal, and I haven’t had time to live with it yet. I can always redesign it later.
Andrew Thornton made the Mystery Component, this pretty floral pendant. I liked that this rosary chain had the same colors and iridescence, but I feel like the design is a bit simple. I do like that I was able to use the lucite flowers and leaves as well as sequins from the kit.
One of the first designs I thought of was ladybugs on leaves. Sweet earrings. Those ladybug beads are so cute. I got a couple in a different color in another Allegory Gallery kit a while ago. Everything in the earrings except the findings are from the kit.
Last but not least, I made another bracelet. I had a rhinestone connector that just screamed fairy dust to me. It matched great with the strand of crystals in the kit.
I thought this butterfly box clasp was perfect not only to balance the connector, but don’t you think a fairy garden would have lots of fluttering butterfly friends?
There were tons of good beads in this kit. A couple strands I haven’t even touched, as well as a pouch of larger beads and yummy bits from the luxury blend. But time is out, so you’ll see more of those things in later designs.
I sure had fun with this kit. Half of the fun was dreaming about it after I ordered it! Thanks for visiting, and check out what other people made on the Allegory Gallery Design Challenge Facebook page.
It’s not always easy for me to work in neutrals or more monochromatic color combinations. I am a pop of color kind of person. But sometimes a design just lends itself to certain beads and certain colors.
This design started with some materials I had laid out for a partial design. None of them ended up in the finished product. But in the process of working with them, I got out some large vintage metal discs. I thought one would work with the other materials. I cleaned one and then added a bit of Vintaj hematite patina to bring out the texture. It did not work, but I thought I could make it work in a similar design with other components.
the discs I didn’t use
I wanted to pair an art component with the disc. In looking, I found some polymer shards by Kimberly Rogers of Numinosity that I thought were perfect.
I used a large round bead that I think is tiger iron, stone ovals, and simple cut blood agate. I love how the pendant turned out especially. It makes a bit of music when worn.
I’ve written about The Great Bead Extravaganza before. It’s a fun group with all different kinds of presentations, sales and giveaways. They have had three events so far. This weekend is the third. Another is planned for June. It is all online, so you can join from anywhere. Some of my favorite artists are there, and I’ve come to love some new ones I’ve been introduced to. They all have many other outlets – shops, Insta, YouTube, their own Facebook pages and VIP groups. Lots to share!
Today the project that took my fancy was a necklace that Kay from Star’s Beads made. She did it “choose your own adventure” style, where she offered choices and let the majority choose in the comments. She gave some fabulous tips, all about using chain. I really loved the easy, boho necklace she made. She is selling chain bundles and bead cone bundles in her group, Star’s Beads Special Stash Group. She also does lives Monday – Thursday on Facebook, and Friday Night Live in the group. I know where I’ll be on Fridays! The Special Stash group is where you can get the bundles and this Friday she will have some fabulous, large lampwork beads like she used in her GBE necklace project.
I loved the project so much, I just couldn’t wait. I knew I had materials that were close enough to what she used that I could go ahead and make a necklace now. (Though this won’t be my last one.) It’s not unlike things I’ve made before, but she had some excellent tips, and the way she did it allowed me to be a little more free. Sometime I get too worried about little things in design.
This necklace features a beautiful lampwork bead by Genea of Third Eye Gypsys. The patina bead cone is from this shop. As Kay did, I used some bits of fiber and chain in the tassel, bits of chain above and below the bead, one link from a chain for a bail and then chain for the rest of the necklace. I have a dress this looks perfect on. I had to try it on right away!
You can watch the video of Kay and the group making this necklace and join The Great Bead Extravaganza if you want to see all the great stuff there, including videos from previous events.
I have been thinking about this necklace for years. I didn’t have the right materials until now. Let me tell you a story.
I learned about art beads late in my bead journey. When I learned about Nancy Adams of Round Rabbit, I was thrilled to see her work. I fell in love with her ceramic beads. Please note, she does not make beads any more, but she does create handmade items, so check out her shop. Anyway, I saw her beads, and fell down the rabbit hole (so to speak) of her blog. And I saw the pod. I remember thinking, “I just missed it, and maybe she’ll never make this design again.” Then, a few years later, she did!
If you are someone who bought from her, you’ll know that her work just disappeared in seconds. So when I saw the photo of the pods on her blog, I picked out the one I loved, a matte glaze. But I just wanted to make sure I got one, and they are all beautiful. So I bought a shiny glaze when I had the chance. Later the one I love came up, and I got it too! Wow. I was in bead heaven.
So they went in my Round Rabbit hoard, and there they sat. I’ll be honest, every once in a while I get the hoard out and enjoy the beads. Once while I was doing that, I thought how beautiful a pod would look on some large link chain. Simple lines with beautiful materials. I tried matching them with a variety of chain (and I have a lot of chain) but it was never quite right.
Then within the last few years at the Bead & Button Show, there was a competition with multiple designers, and one of the things they were using was the Now That’s a Jig! One of the designers made chain, and I was absolutely in love with it. I wish I could remember who it was or find the video (I watched online; I wasn’t at the show.) I knew that chain would be great for the pod. That’s when I decided to get a Now That’s a Jig! And just about the time I was set to buy one, they went on sabbatical.
So, the pods went back in the box. And then I found the chain. The Whole Bead Show has been having online sales due to the pandemic. I have tried to take advantage of online bead shows and such as much as possible. It’s a great way to support small businesses and a great way to access materials I otherwise couldn’t.
The chain is plated brass but looks like steel, a look I love. I used steel wire to make the pod into a pendant. I tried to make it look organic to match the chain. When I was ready to clasp it, I thought I had a black iron clasp from Creating Unkamen, but I didn’t. So I decided to make a clasp from steel wire. I had a tutorial from that shop, but haven’t practiced. I might remake one later, but it turned out okay. I’m glad I decided to do that than use an artisan sterling clasp I considered. While beautiful, it was not the look I had in mind.
So here is the necklace. I just love it. Waiting for the right materials allowed my vision to come to life.
It has been a little while since I’ve done an Allegory Gallery Design Challenge reveal. But I was extremely inspired by the Dark Rainbow kit. Once I got it, I started to work with it right away. My favorite things were the matte beads, and I designed and laid out a necklace using those first. Then before I finished it (I had to work on sizing it a bit) I made two other necklaces, finished the first one and then made even more.
The first necklace is a mash up of the Dark Rainbow kit and a Vintaj inspiration kit. This Vintaj star and blue bead were on my table. I had been trying some beads from my stash in the Vintaj design, and they weren’t working. It occurred to me that the blue bead looked like it belonged with the Dark Rainbow kit, so I chose some beads from the design kit and they were perfect! I wanted some great chain to finish it off, but didn’t find just the right thing on my chain wall. (I have SO much chain; I’m always surprised when I don’t think I have the right thing.) But then I had an aha moment. In a great mixed box of supplies I got from Lennis Carrier, there was a necklace to repurpose.
Each section had two types of chain. I chose the one with interlocking ovals, and I think that looks perfect in my mash up necklace!
Next I used the Mystery Component. That is the only thing you didn’t see if you clicked on the link to the photos of the kit. It is a surprise until you get your kit or it is publicly revealed. It is handmade by Andrew Thornton. It is perfect for the kit’s theme and also has a 70s vibe. If you know me, you know I love a 70s vibe!
With it, I used one of the organic grey/rainbow beads and the lentil drops from the kit along with some metallic rondelles and spacers and grey vintage glass from my stash.
Then I finished the first thing I designed. I used many of the matte beads (so gorgeous!) with a dichroic glass connector I have had for 20 years or more. I also had little rounds that looked very similar to the connector, so I added some of those in and jet rondelles to bring out the black frame in the connector.
I was thinking of how the multicolor metallic coating of the kit beads reminded me of AB crystals. I thought of a black circle studded with AB rhinestones I had. I thought the crystal would work well with the kit, and the circle would give something it hang the other large grey organic bead from. I love those! I also used some other beads from the kit and had a nice black chain that reminded me of the material of the circle.
From the time I saw the kit, I loved the multicolor chain that was included and knew I’d use it for something. It is a fine chain, so it lent itself to a delicate necklace. I was putting away some more destash treasures and really wanted to use some beautiful purple pearls. I didn’t have an idea, except the purple was perfect with the kit! So I used a swirly blue rondelle from the kit, a rhinestone spacer that was on my table for a pair of earrings I was making and one of the pearls. Pretty pendant on the chain! This picture doesn’t show the lovely colors of the chain that well, but it’s really gorgeous.
The idea of this last necklace I’m going to show came to me as I was falling asleep. It helps me fall asleep to design jewelry in my head. For some reason, I thought of a pair of earrings I’ve had for over 30 years. I bought them at a thrift shop when I lived in Chicago and wore them with a white shirt with big orange polka dots, which I also got at a thrift store. It was the ’80s; this was a happening, funky ensemble.
Isn’t the prism perfect for the Dark Rainbow kit? So I employed one for a pendant.
I used a gold bead that was sitting on my table, the grey triangle from the kit. I used more of the purple pearls I used in the necklace above, some of the coin beads and small matte spacers from the kit. I liked the idea of the bigger beveled rounds from the kit because the gold tones in those played nicely off the pendant, but i felt like the size overwhelmed the pendant a little, so I went quieter. I added Czech glass beaded chain made of black cathedral beads with a bronze accent to keep up the sparkle in the necklace. This piece has happy memories of the past.
I did made one more piece: earrings! I don’t make a lot of earrings because I find my wire work lacking, but the only way to get better is practice! So I started these and had one on my table. I finally decided to finish a second one.
From the kit, I used two paddle beads and rainbow rounds and added a couple of AB crystals from my stash. I do love the AB crystals with the rainbowy beads from the kit.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing what I made with my kit. If you’d like to see what others have made, visit Allegory Gallery Design Challenges to see all the beauty and creativity!
I had heard of SilverSilk but did not know much about it. After attending The Great Bead Extravaganza, where owner and designer Nealay Patel was a presenter, I started following. I couldn’t resist the kit called Northern Lights. That had to be beautiful, right? And it was. I should have taken a picture of it, but you can see the kit and the beautiful designs Nealay made in his video. I made my first SilverSilk piece based on his lariat style necklace design.
One of the things I like about SilverSilk is it gives a way to wear really pretty or special beads that you want to highlight in a different way than using regular chain (although I often like that as well.) I think it is a lovely design element similar to a beaded rope, which I don’t have the skills for. This style of SilverSilk is called pearlesque. It is knitted rainbow tinsel over ball chain. Then thin wire is knitted in a tube over that. It is very lightweight and supple and comes in various colors. This teal is a limited edition. I was a little nervous to crimp it, but the custom crimps work like a dream and don’t require any glue. I read Nealay’s article with tips and tricks to make sure I had no snags!
Almost everything here is from the kit. Two beads I added are the clear crystal drops. Years ago, before she passed away, my friend Edith gave me some of her jewelry. Those crystal drops are from a pair of earrings. I can’t wear earrings, so I wanted to incorporate them into another piece. This was the perfect chance. I’m so happy I found a special design to use those in. Thanks Nealay and SilverSilk!
If you would like to learn more about SilverSilk, you can check out the links I’ve provided (they are to the shop, the Facebook page and the YouTube channel.) You can also attend the next Great Bead Extravaganza by joining the Facebook group. It is coming up March 19 – 21, 2021. You can watch presenters live or re-watch later if you can’t make it live.
Candie Cooper has what she calls “party kits” in her etsy shop. They are a surprise and then everyone has a party with Candie’s video to do the project together. I bought a kit called the Antique Lover’s Kit. I didn’t know what was in it, but I’m definitely an antiques lover, so I took a chance. I’ve been pretty spot on when I’ve bought kits from Candie. Maybe that means they are all good!
This pendant is the result! I followed her design because it was so lovely. This vintage (possibly antique) German glass heart, a blueish crystal, a bell flower and a little blue three-petal crystal bead cap. It also came with a very pretty bail, but when I decided to use this lovely rosary chain, it seemed better to save the bail for another project.
The heart pendant is amazing. It is an intaglio bead with the flower carved into the back. I haven’t read a lot about the technique, but I’m guessing the flower was painted from the back to show through to the front. There is a metallic coating on the back that provides the beautiful multicolor look on the front. It’s really gorgeous and has a nice heft to it.
I love rosary chain, and I thought this shade looked great with the flower. I wanted to bring in that lighter metallic from the heart, so I used a beautiful clasp from Miss Fickle Media. I am so pleased with this kit and the lovely necklace it became.
