Erin's necklace is not only stunning, but is an amazingly versatile piece that can be worn several different ways. I was immediately "wow"ed and started plotting my own version. As it turned out, I didn't have to plot very long.
Erin, that wonderful challenge master, partnered with Michaels for a quick fire challenge. Erin bought several strands of beads from Michaels and created three different color palettes. She sent those sets of beads to a lucky few of us asking that we create our own version of her Toast of the Town necklace.
Erin sent each of us a random set of beads and I was excited to see I had received the brown and copper set -- I am totally an earthtones girl!
As luck would have it, I had a strand of bronze metal beads that worked perfectly with the beads Erin selected. I started stringing .. and stringing .. and stringing. Okay, it didn't take that long, but this necklace does take a ton of beads.
Two long (40 inch) strands of beads comprise Erin's necklace. I was able to complete one strand using the beads Erin sent and even had a few left over.
I really wanted to incorporate bead weaving into this challenge. Erin wanted to show how versatile her necklace pattern can be and I wanted to help her do that.
I looked through my stash and found a strand of 3mm bronze pearls. A quick trip to the bead store yielded a strand of yellow/brown 3mm Chinese crystals. What's a girl to do with those? Make a spiral rope, of course.
I used the few beads I had left to break up sections of the spiral rope.
The spiral ropes compliment Erin's beads.
Erin was also kind enough to send a clasp. It was a bit shiny for these beads, but a bit of gilder's paste helped toned it down.
I made my necklace a bit shorter than Erin's. Even so, I was able to wear it twisted.
I think I prefer it hanging freely. I love how you can adjust the strands to different lengths.
This necklace was so easy to make -- and fun also! If you would like to make your own, you can find the instructions here on the Michaels website.
Erin, thank you for such a great design and a wonderful challenge. I had a blast with these beads!
If you would like to see more awesome variations on the Toast of the Town necklace, please visit Erin's blog or take a look below:
Tanya - A Work In Progress - you are here
Lee - Strega Jewellery
Pam - Re-Maker
Beth - EB Bead & Metal Works
Emma - A Polymer Penchant
Michelada - Micheladas Musings
Penny - Copper Penny Designs
Kay - Kayz Kreationz (Note: Kay had to go out of town. Do check back for her reveal!)
Mallory - For the Love of Beads
I knew that you would add some type of bead weaving - it is stunning! These are my preferable colors, too! The altered clasp is perfection! Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with the beads that Erin sent you and I loved that you added your own and made it yours! Gorgeous piece!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe bead weaving is beautiful and perfectly compliments the chunky coins. It's a delish color palette too!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome variation! I especially love that you added your own touch with the bead weaving. That proves that this is extremely versatile. Thank you for playing along! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome variation! I especially love that you added your own touch with the bead weaving. That proves that this is extremely versatile. Thank you for playing along! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteLove those coppery gold colors - fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Love the use of the bead weaving! Such gorgeous color!
ReplyDeleteTanya, I am and earth tone girl too! I love how you rocked your necklace and added bead weaving it adds another eye catching appeal to this great design!
ReplyDeleteI am quite inspired by your beautiful necklace Tanya. I love the earth tone beads that add weight but the bead weaving gives it a delicate balance. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteTanya, these are my colors too and oh boy do I admire your necklace. I am not quite sure how it works so will have to go look at the directions....I like the twisted!
ReplyDeleteTanya - you are so talented - I love your designs!!! This is so pretty and I love the way the spiral ropes look with the strung beads!
ReplyDeleteTanya, this is a really beautiful combination of color and texture. Your beaded rope is perfect! Just lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with your beads!! It's a great necklace!
ReplyDeleteLovely - that's such a great necklace! I like it both twisted and not :)
ReplyDeleteLove the textures you combined, love the colors. Beautiful necklace. Regards.
ReplyDeleteI love your color palette and the textures you used. I finally got mine done and the blog post up, if you'd like to check it out. Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/2012/11/toast-of-town-michaels-blog-hop.html
Beautiful!! Do you have a tutorial on how to do a spiral rope with diferent sizes of beads combined as you have done? I have made spiral ropes, but this has so much more texture and interest with the different beads you've used! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a tutorial, but I can try to explain. I just worked several inches of spiral rope, then added a few bigger beads onto the thread. Then I started the spiral again. (I did work the thread down and back up again for extra security.) If you play with the concept, I bet you come up with something great!
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