The Jenny Monthly Challenge - February Reveal

Well, here is it... the end of February already. 

And that means that it's time for the reveal of my February Challenge! Hurray!

As a reminder, my self-appointed task was to create as many items out of this box of beads as I could:

There are a few more compartments not seen here, but rest assured... it's all the same type of beads.

And here is (most of) what I made!

So many things!

And now, instead of just tantalizing you, here's a look at the individual items. There are 14 of them overall--8 necklaces, and 6 pairs of earrings. And for no real reason, I'm going to present them in the reverse order that I made them. So, first up...


Midnight Lariat

This necklace is made of all of the really dark beads from the box... Mostly black, with occasional dark blue, purple, or grey.

Process shot!

I actually remade this necklace three times. Above, you see me converting it from the second version to the third version; I was having trouble getting it to lay right when worn. (I was trying to do something that was not wire-wrapping, but apparently that wasn't meant to be!)

Here's what the final one looks like, as well as the asymmetrical earrings I made to match it. 

Victorian Rose

For this set, I challenged myself to use the colors that I had originally overlooked: the clears, the whites, and the pinks. The end result is quite lovely! (Although it really doesn't look good on me. I guess it's too close to my skintone... Ah well!)

...Now, the next three sets are almost companion pieces... Each necklace is a different length, meaning that they can be worn together or separate.


Lilac Garden

Ocean Blues

Autumn Fire

Splash of Summer

And now for some color! This was the second set that I made--and it is bright and bold and wonderful. And long enough to be wrapped around my neck three times and still drape well. I actually want to get more of those beads, just so I can make more... so much color can be addicting! 

Crocheted Rainbow

And now, for the first piece that I made... And it's not wire-wrapped!

When I first looked at that box of brightly colored beads, this was actually the first idea that I had: to make a long strand necklace using crochet and a random assortment of beads. And here is the end result!

That focal is a handmade polymer clay bead. I am honestly not sure of the artist.

...I think it would have worked a bit better on different thread with a different size crochet hook, but still! I'm pleased. 


And, once again, here is everything together!

The earrings!

All but the first necklace! Because wire-wrapping is fun. :)

So, ta-da! That is what I made this month, using that box of beads. 

...And now, I want to go get another big colorful glass mix, so that I can make more! Because whenever I try to use up my stash, it always gives me the desire to get more so that I can make more! Such is the plight of the artist, I suppose. ;)

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what I made... I hope everyone has a wonderful end of February!

Coming Soon: Meet My Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop Partner!

So, I recently mentioned that I signed up for another Blog Hop... The Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop, to be precise.

(If you're interested in reading my "getting to know me" post, go here!)

And, excitingly, the partners have been announced!

I am really excited to introduce my partner... However, I'm going to hold off for just a little bit longer. You see, we're still in the process of touching base with each other.

So, thank you for your patience! Be sure to stop by later, when I can give her a proper introduction! 

Hello, February! ...And Hello, February's Monthly Challenge!

It's nine days into this month already? Oi. 

Honestly, I feel like I'm living in some sort of time vortex... time is passing so quickly, but it doesn't feel like it. I suppose I better be careful--if I blink, I might skip ahead to next year!

Ah well. Life continues to be quite lovely. Busy, but lovely. And (as one might guess from the title of this entry), one of the things that has me occupied is my monthly challenge. 

February's challenge described in one word... COLOR!

More specifically, these colors:

Unpacking and organizing my craft room has been quite delightful, because I've been coming across all sorts of treasures that I haven't used in awhile. For example, I came across this box of glass beads, which I have had an exceptionally long time. These beads are bright and colorful and happy, and yet I hardly ever use them.

So, this month, I'd like that to change.

My challenge? To make as many pieces as I can using this box of beads.

I've already made one piece, and I've started on a second... I actually have plans for at least two more, so we'll see what I end up accomplishing. I'm sure that whatever I end up doing, it should be fun! 

The reveal will be Friday, February 27th... stop by then to see what I make! And, until then, I hope you have a wonderful February!

The Jenny Monthly Challenge - January Reveal

If you are looking for my "getting to know me" post for the Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop, go here! Or keep scrolling, since it also happens to be the previous entry. :)

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Well, here it is... January 30th, the last Friday of the month. 

That means that we're already 30 days into 2015--where has the time gone? It also means that it's time for the reveal of this month's challenge! And I'm so excited to share!

As a reminder, here is the kit that I put together...

Handmade lampwork and agate and jade and Chinese crystals, oh my!

And from those extremely promising materials, I made this:

Jupiter Necklace!

As well as these:

Matching Jupiter Earrings!

I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I had making this set.

This was one of those times that I had the idea in my head, and it turned out exactly how I had envisioned--except only better, because it was real and tangible. It was absolutely thrilling to have everything just fall into place.

The necklace itself is big and bold and extremely fun to wear... the tassel has wonderful movement and weight, and the piece is so long (I'm guessing that the tassel is about 6 inches and the rest is about 30 inches, even though I haven't actually measured it) that it actually makes me feel quite confident and emboldened. 

The earrings, too, are fun to wear... Surprisingly lightweight (I don't like very heavy earrings), they have just the right amount of dangle to accent the necklace but not be overpowering. They can even be worn by themselves as statement pieces--they are definitely lovely enough to stand on their own.

So. much. wire-wrapping.

All in all, this is definitely one of the biggest sets I've ever made (or worn), and not something I'd wear everyday... But good for when the occasion strikes. Especially since I know that I have a skirt that matches it perfectly.

And nothing can match the thrill of saying "why yes, I did make this."

So, thank you for stopping by and seeing what I made with my Jupiter beads! I had a blast! 

...and now, to think about what I want my February challenge to be. 

So, while I do that, have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Getting to Know Me...

Something exciting: I just signed up for a blog hop! 

The Bead Peeps Swap n' Hop, to be precise.

Bead Peeps is a Facebook group that I'm part of--and it's a collection of wonderful, talented people. The hop itself is pretty straight-forward: the participants get paired up, send each other beads (hence the "swap"), make something with said beads, and then post pictures of what they made on the reveal day (May 2nd, for those keeping track).

It was requested that the participants introduce themselves and their work on their blog... and that's what I'm going to do! 

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy my quirky answers to five jewelry-related questions! :)

Bedtime Stories Necklace

1. Why or how did you get started making jewelry?

I have been making jewelry since I can remember. I have memories of being in fourth grade, walking with my mother to the nearby craft store (Frank's Nursery and Crafts), where I always gravitated towards to bead aisle. We also occasionally made special trips to an actual bead store, called Beadazzled (which is still in business, and has a website!). 

So, as a result, I made jewelry all through grade school--even wearing my own pieces for my 8th grade graduation, my junior prom, and my school pictures. Still, it was only after college that I really started to push myself and learn more... and when I realized I was making so much that I had to sell it or be buried by it, because I certainly wasn't going to stop!

Made with beads purchased from Beadazzled!

2. What style(s) of jewelry do you like to make?

I honestly have no idea how to define my style. Eclectic, maybe? I go from making delicate, dainty earrings to making bold, colorful statement necklaces... from making complicated and intricate Victorian-style chokers to making simple and modern hairsticks. I'm always experimenting and learning and pushing myself to learn more, and that comes through what I make. 

That being said, however, I do try to capture a sense of elegance or fun in what I make... And that is why I named this blog Wonder and Whimsy.

These are hairsticks--used for holding up longer hair and keeping it out of one's face.

3. What materials do you prefer to use (and which ones do you avoid)?

I have been known to use everything and anything I can get my hands on. I am just as likely to use handmade lampworked artisan beads (so lovely!) as I am glow-in-the-dark pony beads that I salvaged from a children's basketball net I found in a clearance bin (true story--that happened). Or fossils that I found in a nearby park. Or Roman Glass beads that I splurged and purchased because I wanted to own something that old and beautiful. Or buttons from a coat that I loved but had turned threadbare. Or lace.

Granted, I don't tend to use all of those materials in the same design... but I do think they all have their time and place. So, long answer made short: I honestly love using everything! :)

Made with copper, gemstones, handmade book, and Czech glass.

4. What techniques do you prefer (and are they any you don't like)?

Based on my previous answers, this is probably not a surprise... I am eclectic, and like trying everything. While I tend to lean most on the things like stringing and wire-wrapping (intermediate level?), I have been known to try other things as well. I've dabbled in seedbeadery (I fail at peyote stitch, but have had moderate success at beadweaving and bead embroidery), as well as kumihimo, polymer clay bead making, and even creating things via 3D modeling/printing.

Necklace made for last year's Bead Soup blog hop... wire-wrapped links for the win!

5. What colors do you use most, and which do you run screaming from?

I think it's safe to say that I use jewel tones the most--blues and teals and burgundies and purples are all my favorite. (On a related note, they also make up the majority of my wardrobe.) I have also been known to play around with bright red and sunburst orange and the occasional lime green--and I have even had fun with earth tones (coppers and greens and browns). 

In fact, I would say that the colors that I avoid the most are pastels. I'm not opposed to them, I just look horrible in them... They wash me out and make me look sick. As a result, I own absolutely no pastel clothing, and have no need for pastel jewelry. I also tend to forget that there are people who actually look good in them... I'm just not one of them, so I never think to use them. 

So, there you go!

That's a little bit about me, and my jewelry-making tendencies. I hope you enjoyed! Thank you so much for stopping by, and be sure to stop by later to check on my blog hop progress!