October 27, 2009

Fun with Focals - Day 2


The Inspiration: Cynthia Thornton's Burning Bush necklace from the Fall 2006 issue of Stringing.

My Version: The focal element of this project used ribbon as a bail.  I made a little ribbon from some silk dupioni that I had on hand as the bail for my bird pendant.  I paired up the focal bead with striking red Czech faceted glass, copper spacers, humblebeads branch disk beads, brass jump rings and chain.

The Assignment: Use ribbon, string or leather to create a bail for your focal bead/pendant.

You have until Nov. 6th to add a link to this post with your version of today's challenge.


The grand prize is a $50 gift certificate to Humblebeads.com!

Read the full details for the contest here and a chance to win a year's subscription to Stringing magazine.

15 comments:

SueBeads said...

Very nice Heather! I love the beads and the ribbon! Need to get some!

Alice said...

I picked up the magazine you mentioned and can't seem to put it down! I can see why you were so inspired. And I love your featured pieces!

Your version of the burning bush necklace is gorgeous. I love the red beads, and the pendant has so much character.

Hoping I can find the time to create a piece--but I've never used ribbon before....

Barbara Lewis said...

Oh, Gosh, Heather. Now I'm going to have to dig up those pictures. Fabric was my first love, so I like to incorporate it into my work ... but haven't recently. Hmmm, don't know why. Your necklace is lovely and I'm inspired.

mairedodd said...

would be cool if you set up a flickr group for the submissions - they could be seen by everyone all together! thanks for the great challenges...

TesoriTrovati said...

I'm with MJ... a Flickr account would be awesome! I love a good challenge and I am cooking up ideas for this (plus it will help me make some things to sell for all the holiday galleries I got myself into!) Enjoy the day! Erin

Lorelei Eurto said...

Sooo Fun!
Last night I started out my beading session creating pieces for this contest. I think I should start out every beading session this way. It really gets my fingers warmed up and my creative juices flowing for other projects. Thanks for the opportunity Heather! Do we leave all of our links on one post in particular?

Jen Judd said...

I'm with Lorelei...I love having a challenge to jumpstart the creative process! Mind you, I'm still motivated by not doing homework. :) Here's my piece for today...

http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/2009/10/time-to-renew.html

Enjoy!! Jen

Lorelei Eurto said...

Hi Heather!
Here is my submission for the Second challenge.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorelei1141/4052198957/

Heather Powers said...

Yeah! I'm so glad you guys are jumping in and playing along. I love the idea of the flickr group and will set that up today. Can't wait to see more!

Alice, you could also use leather for the bail. I think I'm going to work up another one today with some leather cord.

mairedodd said...

my submission - too much fun! :0)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mairedodd/4065203882/

Artisan Clay said...

Here we go! Leather--

http://artisanclay.blogspot.com/2009/11/leather-bail-necklace-fun-with-focals.html

Silver Parrot said...

Here's my version:

http://silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/11/humblebeads-fun-with-focals-2.html

Kiwiken said...

An indian inspired necklace with a leather bail and chain:

http://kiwiken.deviantart.com/art/Indian-Spirit-Necklace-142614682

olooriel(at)gmx.de

TesoriTrovati said...

Here's my entry for Fun with Focals - Fiber using leather.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34032256@N03/4080661579/

Enjoy the day!
Erin

Andrew Thornton said...

I showed this to Cynthia, and she loved it! Nicely done as always!