Wonky Bead Blog Hop

Kristi Bowman creates beautiful clay and metal clay components.  Her style is earthy, fun and unique.  She achieves these awesome textures and shapes in her beads that I could never imagine.

About a month ago, Kristi decided to host a wonky bead blog hop.  She created different shapes and sizes of beads sets and invited her readers to create something amazing with them.

I ordered the red set of beads.

This is Kristi's photo.  I forgot to take a picture of my beads when they arrived because I was so excited to play with them.  My strand is the 3rd from the left (the one with the red disc and the blue cylinder bead).

I knew right away that I wanted to use the black beads in earrings.  I wasn't sure how, though.  After sifting through my beads, I found the perfect match -- a few clay beads from Staci Louise and two head pins from Nancy Schindler.

I thought the green and black needed a lighter color, so I added spacer beads from Genea.

These earrings are not for the faint of heart, but I adore them!  Along with Kristi, the ladies represented are some of my favorite artists.  Check out their shops: Staci's shop, Nancy's shop and Genea's shop.

I wanted to use the other beads in a bracelet.  I paired Kristi's beads with a beaded bead from Malin de Koning and a beaded bead I made from this pattern by Heather Collin.

Malin's beaded beads are perfect in so many ways.  I love how the shape and texture of Malin's bead works with the clay beads.  Take a few minutes to visit Malin's store to see all of her beaded beads and her jewelry.

I know you've heard me talk about Heather's patterns before, but I'll say it again, I love Heather's designs.  You can find more in her shop.

I've been on a chain maille kick lately, thanks to Rebeca Mojica of Blue Buddha Boutique.  To finish my bracelet, I used Rebeca's "On the Edge" bracelet pattern, featured in the Spring 2013 issue of Wirework.  (This pattern is also sold on Blue Buddha's site as "Zeela.")

I added an ammonia patina to the larger rings.  The patina just happened to match both my beaded bead and Kristi's clay bead.

I strung the beads on a bit of leather and knotted between them.  A handmade s clasp rounds out the bracelet.

I really had fun with these beads.  The blue cylinder bead is still sitting on my desk, staring at me, a little sad to be left out.  I'll find a home for him, though.

Kristi, thank you for such a fun blog hop.  If you want to buy some wonky beads of your own, check out Kristi's store.

Please visit Krist's blog to see what the other participants did with their wonky beads.  Or you can check out the links below.