It's reveal time for the Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop! I've been working hard on my pieces, and I'm thrilled to be able to share them with everyone.
As a refresher, my wonderful partner is Colleen Foley (her blog is here). She completely spoiled me, because this is what she sent to me...
Handmade lampwork beads! A ceramic focal made by Suburban Girl Studios! Pearls! (Yes, she was the catalyst for my recent pearl obsession. *grin*) African trade beads, vintage lucite, sea urchin spines!
...And I used all of it but the large vintage brass bead.
I actually ended up making three sets for this reveal. Due to the nature of the pieces she sent me (beads in the colors of sand and tropical flowers, along with a sea shell pendant), I decided to go with a beachy/ocean/water type theme for each one.
So, without further ado, here are the pieces that I made!
Tropical Waters
This set is made with the pearls, the vintage moonglow lucite, the vintage sea urchin spines, and the awesome swirly lampwork beads. It makes me think of golden sands and tropical flowers and the sounds of the gently rolling ocean.
Speaking of sounds--I love the sound that the sea urchin spines when they clink against each other. It's like a sea shell wind chime. I was very happy to come up with a necklace design that makes that sound when it's worn!
Alaskan Waters
This second set is cooler and more earthy... Instead of the tropics, it made me think of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest--where there is thick forest and pebbled shores.
For this design, I used the Suburban Girl Studios focal that my partner sent me, and added some things from my own stash--spruce colored pearls paired with ceramic, glass, crystal, and copper.
I have to say, I really love this color combination!
Pirate Waters
This last set was a whim, because I really wanted to use the African trade beads and the last of the pearls.
And so, I thought of pirates and sunken treasure, and this set was born!
Strung on black leather, I also added some crystals and an Aztec-flavored glass focal to achieve the look of old treasure. (I had used the large vintage brass bead from my partner in the original version of this design as well, but it wasn't quite what I was going for).
I am really happy with this set--it has a wonderful weight to it, and looks positively opulent when worn.
So, there you go! Those are the pieces that I made for this blog hop!
Please stop by my partner's blog... As a refresher, this is what I sent to her, and I can't wait to see what she made with it!
And do check out the rest of these awesome artists who are participating in this blog hop... With so much talent in one place, there are sure to be some lovely creations!
Yo ho ho, it's pirate waters for me! Love it! But Alaskan waters is also great. I like the way to stuck to a theme in this challenge.
ReplyDeletewhat lovely purple beads you sent your partner. And, I couldn't tell what they were, are those brown and white swirls sea urchins spines or something else altogether
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! The long brown and white tubes in the first set are the sea urchin spines--I used three for the necklace, and two for the earrings. Sorry if that was unclear! :)
DeleteI love your beach/ocean theme. Your pieces are gorgeous, and a wind chime necklace, how cool.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty colors and designs specially the pieces with the shell .
ReplyDeleteWow! And Wow again! I really liked the first set and then saw the second. Love those colors but the third necklace stole my heart.
ReplyDeleteAlaskan waters is beautiful , oh heck each piece is beautiful and the names work really well with them.
ReplyDeleteAll three sets are truly lovely, but the Alaskan waters are my favorite. Great designs.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am blown away! I love the long earrings from the first set so much! I can imagine wearing them. I have long hair, so long earrings are my fav. The second set is gorgeous too! Those colors... wow! But that focal in the third set.... I stopped short at that. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. Wonderful job!
ReplyDeletePositively DROOLWORTHY! OH my GOODNESS!! Are you kidding?!?!!?!?!? SO FREAKIN' PRETTY! CAN I USE MORE CAPS?! =)
ReplyDeleteNo - really - each piece is just SPECTACULAR! Job done GREAT!
Linda
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
Beautiful work the Alaskan Waterfall is so amazingly pretty.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the Alaskan Waters set. I love the colors and the focal. I have bought that focal several times so no wonder I am drawn to that set. Well done!
ReplyDeleteLovely work!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collections! The second is my favorite being a PNW girl you really captured the feel of it!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw the first piece, it made me think of chimes :) The blue hues of the second set are gorgeous! The third is my favorite - what an inspirational combination of the pearls and crystals in the focal and the African trade beads!
ReplyDeleteoh my! Each piece just kept getting better as I scrolled down......I love that you went oceany theme with all of them.....I really can't pick a favorite because I love them ALL!
ReplyDeleteWonderful designs!!! I like them all but I love the second set, the colors and the different textures and the movement in that set is amazing!!! Be Blessed!
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