July 16, 2014

Michael's Beading Challenge Blog Hop Reveal

So a few weeks ago I teamed up with my beady friend Lorelei Eurto for a Michael's Challenge Blog Hop.  Above are the beads we used for the challenge that I picked up from Michael's. We invited anyone who wanted to join in the fun to play along. Today we are sharing the results. I can't wait to see what everyone made!

This was my inspiration palette for the challenge. I really wanted to make a necklace to match the shirt in this photo.

My dear friend Erin made the pendant for me a few years ago, I have wanted to make myself a necklace with it since but just never made the time. Yeah for the blog hop, finally something crossed off my to-do list! 

I paired Erin's pendant up with the the pink beads knotted on teal waxed linen along with the window glass beads and white turquoise beads. The second strand of beads are looped together on steel wire and mixed with etched brass jump rings. That strand has Czech glass and those boho-inspired inlay beads. A Vintaj Arte Metal chain finishes the design with a simple toggle clasp.

A close up of Erin's pendant - she has the heart of a poet and includes the most beautiful sayings on her designs. You can see more of her work at Tesori Trovati

For the next necklace I pulled back the palette and selected only a few strands of the beads to work with for this design. The wood and ceramic beads from Micheal's Bead Gallery are mixed with a few of my new butterfly wing beads and an etched butterfly pendant. (Those were made for my retreat class projects.)

The necklace is knotted on brown waxed linen. I seem to always underestimate the linen to knot ratio and ended up having to redo one side when I realized I was going to run out of cord before I finished. This happens to me often. 

Both designs capture a great summer bohemian feel that I'm digging right now. I loved using the waxed linen and tried very hard to remember the knots that Erin Siegel showed me on last Bead Cruise. I'm still trying to perfect them! 

If you played along include your link using the InLinkz tool below. 

Have fun visiting the other participants today. 

If you are stopping by early in the morning, 
you might want to check back this afternoon or evening to see more links/blogs. 

Happy Hopping!



19 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

G'Morning!!
Ooooh I love what you made with the beads!! The first necklace is spot on - matches that shirt exactly! I love the Tesori Trovati pendant you used. Love the butterfly necklace and it's earthy color palette. The beads are amazing with that etched copper butterfly pendant!! I definitely have to learn etching. What a pleasure to host this even with you, thank you for contacting me!! My post is up and linked. I did some cute stack bracelets with the beads. :)

Firefly Design Studio said...

Gorgeous necklaces! I had so much fun playing along.

Alice said...

Lovely pieces! I just love your Boho theme. Thanks both of you for hosting this challenge!

baymoondesign said...

I love both necklaces. The butterfly one is very special to me.

K Hutchinson said...

I just love this BOHO theme. That etched butterfly is so fun! I have to learn to knot the waxed linen! Such a great look!

Terri said...

Fabulous pieces. The Tesori Trovati pendant is so special. And the etched pieces are just wonderful. Love how you put it all together.
Thank you so much for inspiring all of us who decided to play along.

sandi m said...

Your design talent never ceases to amaze me. These are beautiful. Everything - Erin's pendant is so perfect with the beads and how you varied them. And love that etched butterfly. Must try using my millions of yards (!) of waxed linen ~ the splash of contrasting color is like frosting on a cake!

Kari Asbury said...

Beautiful designs! When I saw your original post on the challenge I was hoping you would be using that lovely pendant from Erin. She does such gorgeous pendants. Thanks so much for co-hosting this hop. The palette you put together really inspired me!

Tanya said...

Those are both fabulous! I love Erin's pendant and how well the beads work with it. The greens and browns are awesome in the second necklace -- love the butterfly pendant as well. Thank you for hosting the blog hop. I had a great time and worked with some new colors. :)

Elizabeth Bergesen said...

I would wear both of them in a heart beat!

Silver Parrot said...

Thanks so much to you and Lorelei for hosting such a fun hop! I love the beads and color palette you selected and your finished pieces are wonderful. Erin's pendant and the etched butterfly pendant both work wonderfully with the challenge beads. Those pink beads are really amazing - they just GLOW! in everyone's designs!

TesoriTrovati said...

Thank you so much for hosting this fun challenge! I was not sure that I would have the time to devote to playing but as luck would have it I found a few hours to whip up a few things. I absolutely adore what you made with the Simple Truths pendant that I made for you! I am so happy that this will now be something you will wear to treat yourself and to remind you that I am always there in spirit, my friend! That butterfly necklace (and the earrings you made to match for Earrings Everyday) are dynamite. I like pairing down the beads to the bare essentials. I did that a bit myself. Can't wait to see you again! Have someone give you a hug for me! Enjoy the day. Erin

Rosanne said...


This was a great challenge Heather, I loved looking at those beads on your desk. But the inspiration that came out of everyone was amazing. Everyone did a fantastic job. You put Erin piece in a great design. Love it!

Sarajo Wentling said...

Gorgeous pieces, Heather! I love, love, love the one with Erin's lovely pendant. What a special necklace that you will wear often and cherish. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who underestimates the amount of linen (or other cord) that they need! It makes me feel so much better about the times I try to conserve and end up wasting more or changing my design. ;) Sad that I didn't have time to play along on this one!

Alison Adorns said...

Thank you so much for hosting this with Lorelei. Your necklace is perfect for your paisley print top! You will get so many compliments on it I'm sure of it! I love how your second piece is almost 180 degrees different than the first but just as amazing! What fun I had and so honored to be a part of a challenge created by two of my Beading Idols :)

Shai Williams said...

Oh what great designs! That first necklace is absolutely gorgeous. The second necklace has a darker, dreamy tone that I love. And I am glad to know that I am not the only one that underestimates the amount of cord I need.

Andrew Thornton said...

Both of your pieces are great! I love how bright and flirty the first piece is. The second piece is grounded and more earthy. Great job! And thank you so much for hosting this event! We had a wonderful time participating and really enjoyed seeing what everyone else made!

CraftyHope said...

Oh, I loved that palette when you first revealed it and I'm loving it even more in the pieces you created. While they are both exceptionally beautiful, that first one takes center stage for me because of the colors you included in it. Erin's pendant works perfectly into it. I do hope it goes well with your top!

Nuit said...

beautiful