Thursday, September 20, 2012

Beadin' Path Beading Challenge

Toward the end of August, Lorelei announced her Beadin' Path Beading Challenge.  She worked with The Beadin' Path and came up with a sampling of lucite beads, lucite chain, focals and even a few findings.


The colors are fun and the style is funky.  Lorelei told us to "think COLOR .. think CHUNKY .. think FUNKY .. think FUN!"

I wouldn't have put these colors together on my own, but I decided to take the challenge.  I even had a few ideas in my head as I ordered the kit.

Of course, all those ideas flew away when I received the beads.  I took the red beads and started making Infinity Prisms from a pattern by Gwen Fisher and Florence Turnour of Bead Infinitum.


I added a bit of orange and black to the red beads

I had intended to use one of the black lucite flowers, but while scouring my stash, I found these large copper beads.  It was meant to be.


After making all of the red beaded beads, the blue buttons called to me.  I used them as the center of a few flowers.


I made two necklaces using these flowers.  The first combines the blue cylinders, Marsha Neal silk, steel wire and a connector from Staci Louise Artisan Accents.


I *love* the finished piece.


The second uses a few more Staci Louise components.


I wanted to use the blue links, but after a bit of trial and error, I discovered that I liked a few beaded links better.


After some thought, I decided that I *needed* to tackle those lucite fowers.  Those flowers motivated me to join this challenge, so they had to be used.  I tried a few different things and finally settled on something simple.


When I first saw the blue links, I wanted to add a few beaded links of my own to the chain.


The final product, finished with silk from  Marsha Neal:


I'm not so sure about the silver clasp, but I didn't have time to bead something.

Lorelei, thank you so much for the challenge.  I had a great time.  :)

Please take time to visit Lorelei's blog to see what everyone else did with these awesome beads.

18 comments:

  1. Wow! Such gorgeous pieces! The infinity one is super cool!

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  2. I love what you did with the chain. Looks so good! Everything looks good :-)

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  3. NOW see!? that's what I'm talking about! You totally combatted the pesky chain by adding your own links. GENIUS!
    Love those seed bead flowers using the buttons. The first bracelet is awesome too! Great job working with these beads!!!

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  4. I remember seeing Lorelei's challenge with those beads and I wondered what the final designs would look like...I am so impressed with your work! Your beaded beads are fantastic and that bracelet totally rocks! LOVE IT! Your creativity in using these challenging pieces really shines! Everything is just beautiful!

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  5. Oh. My. Goodness! How spectacular, each and every piece! I would never have thought to make beaded beads with those components. Fabulous! I love each piece you've made!

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  6. Your ability to see how to make these beads into a weaving project is astounding!!! You have such great vision and artistry. I love each and every piece and those blue button flowers are so beautiful!

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  7. Great pieces! I love how you totally transformed the vintage pieces with your own beadwork!

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  8. I am blown away by this! These beads totally scared me! When I saw Lorelei's challenge I so wanted to enter one of her hops, but I thought "oh maybe the next one ..." But what you have done with this is nothing short of amazing! I totally love how you wire wrapped those aqua beads - OMG! I just might have to try that!

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  9. OMG, I love what you did with this kit. The seed beads make me swoon (and make me wonder why I didn't go to them, since they are my beads of choice,) Oh well, you did it for me, and I love every single piece you did! LOVELY!

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  10. Wow!! I absolutely love what you did - the mixed media feel with those seed beads is wonderful. Love every single thing you've made! I would love to be able to make those cool beaded bead flowers, they are so beautiful and texturally satisfying.

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  11. Really creative! those came out fantastic!

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  12. LOVE how you brought your beadweaving skills into this challenge - and the necklaces with the button flowers are great!

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  13. Brilliant to create seed bead links for the chain that solves the problem of the links 'falling apart'. And I like how you framed the buttons. Everything turned great!

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  14. Wow! All so gorgeous! Love the orange beaded links!

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  15. Beautiful - and so very different from the other pieces that were created. I love what you did with the red barrel beads. I don't seed bead at all, so i really enjoy seeing super cretive seed bead work. Great job!

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  16. Your pieces are fantastic. So original and so beautiful. I especially love the necklace with the black flower. Wonderful colors, beautifully made. I have just had such a feast visiting your blog today.

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  17. Tanya you knocked yet another challenge way out of the park! I love every piece you made, the bracelet gorgeous, the beaded flower button necklaces are fabulous and the chain link necklace is just down right awesome!
    Therese

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