Snowflake Bead Challenge Part 2

 I made a second piece for the challenge.  The first piece I made, in the  previous post, was influenced by the winter weather of Michigan, using cool colors.  My second piece was influenced by the warm weather and colors of Arizona.  I unexpectedly spent some time there after my mother fell while hiking and broke her knee cap.  After surgery and a short stay in a skilled care facility, I went to help her transition to home.

This pendant is inspired by a class I took with my friend Barb Klann, based on using mixed metals and a beaded bail.  These colors are probably my favorite, lime green and turquoise.  I incorporated some of the beads in the challenge with additional Czech firepolish and some metal pieces.

A close up of the main section above.

 The beautiful porcelain bead hangs at the bottom of the pendant.



Secret Snowflake Participants
Please visit the blogs of all the jewelry designers who participated!

• Alice (Alice Dreaming)
• Chris (beadjewelry.net)
• Christa (Adventures of One Beady Woman)
• Crystal (Here Bead Dragons)
• Cynthia (Cynth's Blog)
  
• Dawn (Morning Glory Beading)
• Donetta (Simply Gorgeous)
• Erin A.
• Jennifer (JenniferJW)
• Jennifer (Jewelry, Art and Life)
  
• Kari W. - Coming soon!
• Kate (We Can Make That at Home)
• Kay (Palm Coast Art)
• Linda (Lindy's Designs)
• Lisa C. (A Bead a Day)
  
• Lisa (Inspired Adornments)
• Mary (MLH Designs)
• Michelle (Beads & Books) - YOU ARE HERE
• Michelle B. (Reverie & Revival)
• Millie (AMM Jewelry)
  
• Norma (Moonlit Fantasies)
• Pam (The Crazier Sister)
• Pamela - Designs pictured on this page
• Rebecca J. - Designs pictured on this page
• Renetha (Lamplight Crafts)
• Rosemarie (Gem Rose Designs)
  
• Shannon (Falling into the Sky)
• Susan (Bead Inspired)
• Therese (Therese's Treasures)
• Therese (Domestic Goddess Enterprises)

Snowflake Challenge Revealed

The time has come to share the results of the Snowflake Challenge hosted by Michelle Mach.  My project is a necklace.  I used two of the pendant pieces for the focal points.

The ceramic pieces are hung from a peyote triangle bail.

The strap is a 3 unit herringbone.  Since the colors are shiny, it was very hard to photograph.  What I want to show here is that there is an area of alternating colors in a block pattern, separated by a Czech firepolish beads.

And here is the clasp, a simple hook and eye, which I usually prefer for its simplicity and comfort against the neck.

Thank you, Michelle, for hosting this challenge.  I love the ceramic snowflakes (it's snowing out as I write this), and all the fringe beads, which I didn't really take advantage of using. Yet.  I look forward to seeing everyone else's creations on their blogs!

Snowflake Challenge

 I have been thinking about the challenge and what I want to make.  Yesterday I started getting some beads together to see what I like.  I have my bead box all set with my needles and scissors and other tools. 

I love this ceramic pendant.  I think it needs to be the focal point so I am looking at working with subtle colors.  I like the blue and brownish seed beads I chose, but not the white ones or the pearls.  One of my favorite straps is herringbone, but as I was falling asleep last night I had a flash of an idea about a bail, which may determine what I do next. 

Today is a good day to spend a few hours working on the challenge.  It's raining here and doesn't look very inviting to go out.  So the beads and I have a date!

Blog Hop and Challenge

I am participating in a Blog Hop and Secret Snowflake Challenge hosted by Michelle Mach.  I always love challenges, but the bead hop is new.  A certain number of kits were available for the challenge and Michelle will post the final project(s) with the blogs they are on, so you can go blog surfing and see what everyone has created.


I was attracted to the colors of these beads, all the shades of blue, a few white ones, plus the beautiful handmade beads.  What's nice about this challenge is that you can do anything you want!  You can make one project, several projects, not use all the beads, add any beads you want, make jewelry or not.  I have several ideas floating in my mind, we shall see where they go.