Pieces and Parts .. and Hearts

After my last post about finding homes for the pieces and parts that didn't quite work as I had intended, I decided to finally finish something that had be laying around for quite a while.

Do you remember me talking about the piece of chain maille I made (but didn't use) for this necklace?

Well, it finally found a home using a pendant by Nancy Schindler Adams.

The colors in the pendant are amazing and I echoed them in a cellini spiral (which is becoming my favorite way to highlight a pendant).

I'm in love!

Pieces and Parts

It all started when I won a giveaway from Tracee Dock of the Classic Bead.  Tracee was kind enough to send a gorgeous pendant and coordinating leather from her shop.

I wanted to use the dark purple leather Tracee sent and made this.

But, something wasn't quite right.  I didn't like the leather like I thought I would and I didn't like how I wirewrapped the ends.

Instead, I grabbed a piece of chain maille left over from who knows what and made this.

I like this much better.  I used Miss Fickle Media's violet patina on the chain and I like the softer purple.  It works much better with the colors of seed beads I chose.

I still wanted to use the leather, so I paired it with this pendant, also by Tracee.

Again, it didn't work.  I also didn't like the beaded part.  It was way to pink.

It looked perfect with this pendant by Marsha Neal, though.

I also added a few beads from Genea and Sue Beads.

I like the little bit of asymmetry.

But, back to the leather.

I dug out this pendant by Staci Louise.

Of course, the leather was a bit too short for what I wanted to do, so I paired it with another bit of chain maille.

I used the same violet patina on the chain maille portion.  I love the purple color.  I also mixed in a bit of mica powder (also from Miss Fickle Media).

I used a little less patina and a little more mica powder on the swirl.  I love how the tye dye look matches the pendant.

I still have that green pendant on my table, so I will likely find a use for it.  Stay tuned!

What a week!

This week has been fabulous!

First, I hosted my first ever blog hop and was amazed by what the participants created.

If you haven't already, take a few minutes and hop around.  Each lady did something different and absolutely stunning with the ribbon.

If I haven't said it already, I would like to say "THANK YOU" to all the participants.  Thank you for playing with me and for making it so fun to hop around.  Everything was beautiful.

Second, I received my black belt in Okinawan kobudo (weapons).

This test wasn't as nerve wracking as my last test, but I was still a bit worried.  Luckily, I didn't drop my nunchaku or toss my bo into the crowd.

It was also a bit nerve-wracking because my instructor's instructor attended, along with other "big dogs" who have been doing karate longer than I've been alive.

Everyone did a spectacular job, especially our two senior students testing for 4th black in kenpo.  They impressed the hanshis ("big dogs") so much that our senior students moved from 3rd black to 5th black -- an awesome promotion and well deserved.

Shibori Ribbon Blog Hop

Today, I am so excited to host my first ever blog hop!

About a month ago, I gave away several 9 inch portions of shibori ribbon.

Shibori ribbon is made by Glennis Dolce, who uses a traditional technique to dye and create pleats in silk.  The result is a gorgeous ribbon with a ton of uses.

Definitely check out Glennis's bigcartel shop or her etsy shop.  The bigcartel shop also offers downloadable instructions and kits.

In preparing for this hop, I looked at many examples of projects using shibori ribbon.  You can see a sampling on my pinterest board.

I was taken with Glennis's shibori flowers and decided to try my hand at making one.

I paired the shibori flower with the flower part of Lisa Kan's Corsage Cuff, published in the February 2009 issue of Beadwork magazine.

I liked it so much that I made a hair clip.

The kiddo was kind enough to take an "action shot"

I just love the folds in the ribbon and how they move in and out.  I will definitely be playing with this ribbon more in the future.

Please take a few minutes and hop around to the participants.  I know you will love what they made.

Tanya - you are here
Maryanne
Alenka
Monique
Carolyn
Mary
Catherine
Christine
Sharyl
Therese