Monday, September 16, 2013

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.

14 comments:

  1. Is there any technique in jewelry making that you CANNOT do??? This is fabulous! Your sense of color combinations is spot on! I have used a few of Malin's beaded beads also - I think I have one beauty left, which I am coveting! :) Your chain maille is beautiful - cannot believe the patina you achieved is such a perfect match! And, well, Kristi has outdone herself with her "new line of beads" as well - just beautiful!

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  2. Holy Moly woman! I'm stuttering, I can't even type how much I love this piece! The beaded beads are awesome, I love Malin's beads too, and have several of Heather's patterns. That chain maille is just perfect. I wished I worked better with jump rings, but I don't, so I'll just have to sigh over this beauty....

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  3. What sweet earrings! I love how the black really makes the blues pop. And your bracelet is fabulous. So many techniques used. The beaded beads give some amazing texture. I'm going to have to try that amonia patina.

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  4. You are all making me so proud, every single piece so far has been fabulous and yours are as well. I'm so happy to see a pair of earrings, I knew that it would be a challenge to do and you did it in spades!! And the bracelet I am totally in love with. Thanks so much Tanya!!!

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  5. Hi Tanya,
    I love your pieces! The earrings are beautiful and the other components you used compliment the clay beads perfectly. The bracelet is beautiful I love the fact that you used beaded beads along with Kristi's clay beads and the chain maille is the perfect touch to finish the bracelet off. Fantastic job!
    Therese

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  6. OMG - I love both of your pieces! Really creative and just the perfect setting for Kristi's beads. Awesome job.

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  7. I will be right over to help myself to these!!! Love them!! I really do love your work.

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  8. Tanya, this is fantastic! I love the beaded bead you created, the way you put everything together, and your chainmaille too! And the ammonia patina is perfect!

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  9. I'm Dutch and do not know a lot of beautiful words as I read in so many comments, to describe your great jewellery. in details. But, in simple words: I love what I see and it's stunning!♥♥♥

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  10. This is such a wonderful piece. I love the earrings and the way you paired them. And the chainmaille is gorgeous. I love that bracelet. I've only done one chainmaille piece so far, but I really like that and will have to see if I can find that pattern and try it. What a great job.

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  11. Amazing pieces! I'm in love with the chain maille bracelet, it's gorgeous :)

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  12. Gorgeous pieces, all of them! I love the earrings, and the bracelet is amazing.

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  13. Tanya - I think your pieces are my favorite so far! That bracelet is so beautiful - I would wear it all the time.

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  14. I adore your earrings and bracelet! Love how you added patina to some of the rings as it really works with the beads.

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