December 18, 2014

Micheals Beading Challenge with a Twist Blog Hop Reveal


Welcome to the Micheals Beading Challenge with a Twist! The twist was to support your local bead shop, small bead business or beadmaker with your creations using the above beads from Micheals. I know it's a crazy busy time, so I hope a few of you have decided to join me and play along! I teamed up with my friend Lorelei again for this challenge so head over to her blog and see what she has created! 

So without further ado here are my creations for the challenge. 

First up I created a necklace with one of my bezel pendants of willow branches. It has such a wintry feel and matched the colors of the challenge beads perfectly. I wanted to keep my techniques simple for these projects and what could be simpler than stringing - it's always fun to puzzle out a pleasing design. 

I used a component from Green Girl Studios as my clasp for my twist piece for the necklace. I borrowed a little branch toggle from another GG clasp. One tip: attach your toggle bar with chain or 2-3 jump rings so that your clasp will lay flat and not bunch up on top of your beads. 

At first I thought it was a waste to use such a great clasp in the back, but then I thought "um J-Lo would agree that having some assets in the back can be the best thing in the world!" So I went with the fancy clasp that maybe only the wearer will see, but it makes the necklace! (Does that date me that I thought of J-Lo instead of Kim Kardashian? Perhaps!)


I went with two stands of beading wire to have the double stand of round beads to beef up the design and mimic the roundness of the pendant. I also added a little etched jump ring to the pendant, I thought it needed just a touch of texture there. 


My next design is a bracelet that uses just a few of the beads from the challenge and my "Twist" beads are a lovely set of ceramic beads from White Clover Kiln and a two of my polymer clay beads. 

I love how the crackle effect of both of the Michaels beads add an icy feel. If you saw my wintry inspiration that inspired the challenge, I think you'd agree that this piece best captures the feeling of that inspiration photo. Again, super easy design with simple loops of steel wire to link the beads together. 




And my last piece, doesn't really fit with the challenge since I just used one bead, but what the hey. It's my party so I will break the rules. The earrings feature lampwork beads from Gardanne and my polymer clay disks. I made some tiny tassels from brass chain. 

So that's what I created, I can't wait to see what other bloggers have created. Add you link with the InLinkz tool below. 



14 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

Hi Heather! Just wanted to start by saying thank you so much for asking me to co-host this again with you! It's always such a blast to be inspired by beads- I love what you made, as usual! The color palette was so fresh and wintery. It ended up being very easy to find other beads to use with the set of Michaels beads. I hope you can stop by my blog to see my pieces. I did a necklace, bracelet and earrings too!

Firefly Design Studio said...

I love everything you designed, Heather! It's hard to pick my favorite - but the bracelet is extra yummy!

Bijoux Gems Joy said...

Hi Heather

Thanks to you and Lorelei for hosting this blog challenge. I loved the colour combinations you picked - and my daughter even commented on how fantastic they looked together.

Your necklace looks fabulous. I love how it keeps changing from a single strand section to a double section and back again. Great detail that adds interest. And you extended the use into the bracelet too!

As always I love your handmade beads. Can't wait to get some (just waiting for the Christmas season to be over so I can take my time picking)

Mona
Bijoux Gems Joy

Steph L. said...

Your designs are beautiful! Love the beads you picked out!

Shai Williams said...

Great designs! And as someone who has always been challenged in the 'rear' department, I do have to say that I love that fancy clasp. It definitely makes the necklace sing.

Unknown said...

Wow heather grwat designs! Your beads are beautiful and really complete the set, ill definatly need to stock up on some before the next challenge lol thanks for hosting!

Anonymous said...

Such pretty jewelry! I really like the bracelet and the contrast between the ceramic beads and the faceted ones. And the last pair of earrings is so pretty! I love what you did with these beads. Thanks for hosting along with Lorelei!

TesoriTrovati said...

You never cease to amaze, inspire and delight me, my friend. I would never miss a challenge you posted. Any excuse to play along with you! I do so love that wintry pendant you made. Enjoy the day! Erin

Anonymous said...

Also for what it's worth, I updated my post to include 2 other pieces I'd made but wasn't thrilled with so I originally left them out. But I added them since I decided it was silly not to. Thanks again for hosting this challenge and looking forward to the next one!

Unknown said...

Beautiful pieces. I especially love the bracelet.

Unknown said...

Beautiful pieces. I especially love the bracelet.

lamplight crafts said...

I found out about this challenge about 2 days before the reveal. But I love the pieces you made because the handmade focals really make the jewelry unique. Love them all, especially that last pair of earrings.

baymoondesign said...

Your necklace design is awesome. i love the double strand of wire and the flexibility that gives to the design.

Becky Pancake said...

Hi Heather, Your designs are wonderful. Your resin pendant is awesome. You really captured the wintery feel well and the colors are yummy.