Sunday, April 29, 2012

Beading Babes project 4

This time around, our Beading Babes group had a whopping three projects.  How exciting is that?

The first one was Paisley Drops, designed by Jane Lock.  The pattern for these earrings was published in the August/September 2010 issue of Beadwork Magazine.

These earrings were so simple that I decided to do two colorways.  I'm usually all about crystals, but I went against the grain.  I chose the new Red Coral Swarovski pearls for this pair


and dark green pearls for this pair


These worked up very quickly and were fun to do.  Making a pair of these earrings would be a great way to use up left over delica beads.  One of these would also make a great pendant.  I will be making more of these.

Our second project was the Ruffled Chain Bracelet by Laina Goodman.  It was published in the February/March 2011 issue of Beadwork.

This was a project I might have passed up.  The colors of the examples in Beadwork didn't thrill me.  I also shy away from projects with multiple components.  I'd rather bead continuously than bead several small components and stitch them together.

As it usually turns out, however, I am really glad I did the bracelet.  I just love it.  The small components were easy to bead and the end result is striking.




I extended the motif on the bracelet with a beaded toggle.


As in our first project, these motifs can be used on other ways.  I think a single motif would make a great earring.


This is a color combination I wouldn't usually try, but I'm so glad I did.   Another score for Beading Babes moving me out of my comfort zone.  :)

Our final project was a special one.  Nancy Dale was kind enough to provide us with one of her patterns.  We all made a version of her Trellis Necklace.

I found some wonderful African metal beads and wanted to showcase them with Nancy's necklace.


I drew inspiration from this bead in the African Slave Beads section of ezakwantu.com.


The colors are similar to those I used in the second project above, but the African metal makes a big difference.


I love the trellis pattern of the necklace.  The red base is visible though the black overlay, but the color is really subtle.


I love the little flower embellishments and the way the rope just naturally graduates into the larger accent beads.

Originally, I wanted to bead a clasp.  Actually, I did bead one, but it didn't look quite right.  After some thought, I opted for a simple clasp that I made myself.


I can see that the soldering isn't perfect, but I'm happy with it for a first try.

This was a wonderful necklace to bead.  I can see so many possibilities for this pattern.


I am so in love with this necklace.  It is one my favorite things I've beaded.  I owe a big "thank you" to Nancy Dale for her generosity in allowing the use of her pattern.  Check out Nancy's etsy store for more wonderful patterns.

If you would like to see other versions of these projects, visit Karyn's blog, Releases by Rufydoof.  You can also find more information on our Beading Babes group on her blog.

12 comments:

  1. I am so in love with your version of trellis, Tanya - just incredible! I love seeing how different Trellis can be in another artist's hands, and I feel that you really made this your own. BEAUTIful job, aesthetically and technically! Thank you very much for your wonderful comments on the pattern, and linking my shop for me, too. :D

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  2. Terrific job on all three! I love the pearls in the earrings and the clasp on the bracelet.. and I agree with your choice to use the metal toggle on the necklace, it fits so much nicer with the overall look of the piece! Great colors too!!

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  3. I absolutely LOVE what you did with all of the projects, Tanya! The Trellis necklace is fabulous! It looks so different! I love the colors you picked and the pearls in the earrings. Just a fantastic job!

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  4. You really rocked all these pieces. I am so happy to be a part of this group to see your lovely work!

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  5. Tanya,
    I'm bowing down to you and saying I'm not worthy! You did a fantastic job on all three pieces and made them better then the oringinals. I felt the same way about the bracelet when I first saw it in the magazine and felt like it was something that I would not do, but now that I have it is beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else has done. Beading Babes reveal days are like Christmas to me I get excite to see everyone's creations.
    Therese

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  6. Tanya, what unique creations you have beaded. The African beads are amazing in you creation. Love it! I like the pearls in the earrings...you all are making me more and more interested in beading!

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  7. I absolutely love your Trellis Necklace. Those focals work in beautiful with the other beads you chose. I also love your Ruffled Chain Braceler and am so glad you gave it a go. The colours are so striking. I have to admit I really loved this pattern - I think it comes together beautifully.

    Thanks again for taking part in Beading Babes. I look forward to seeing you for Project 5!

    Karyn

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  8. GORGEOUS! those piece are stunning and the colors are amazing

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  9. Those earrings are fantastic! Great color and sway. And the Trellis is beautiful with so many wonderful elements added to it. That Bracelet---Oh My!!! I love the color combo and the whole vibe of the piece...what a statement! definitely make a pair of earrings!!!

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  10. The earrings and the bracelet are pretty, but that necklace is really something special -- it caught my eye in the Beading Babes reveal, and I loved it again when I saw it here. Terrific job!

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  11. Tanya I love what you have done with the Trellis necklace! And your clasp is perfect...it really draws the metal and the beads together into one cohesive piece! And the African Slave beads as your inspiration...wow, you translated that perfectly!

    Excellent choice to substitute pearls for crystals in the Russian Leaf Earrings...that green pair is stunning! And the colors you have chosen for all the pieces are amazing, I love how well the bracelet and Trellis necklace go together!

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  12. Oh, wow! I was just about to say that the first grouping so didn't look easy to me, but the pieces are really interesting. I really like how that bracelet turned out...and your photos of it are interesting too!

    Then I got to the African beads and the necklace you made to go with them, and that piece just knocked my socks off! I always admire your work, but I'm especially loving that one!

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