June 30, 2015

AJE Firefly Challenge

Earlier this month the Art Jewelry Elements posted a challenge for summer inspired by Fireflies. I had to jump on it. I love these night time dancers that entertain us during hot and humid summer nights. The fields around my house light up with their display and I have fond memories of chasing fireflies as a kid growing up in the country. 

My first pendant is a simple design with one of my firefly charms, Czech glass, a feathery Humblebead disk and a brass colored dyed hematite. I worked the chain up with a series of large jump rings juxtaposed by a copper flower clasp.

My next piece is a bracelet that uses similar beads to match my pendant.

My final pendant I pulled out a bead I had been hording for years, years I tell you! Isn't that funny how you can fall in love with a bead but you have to wait until it really speaks to you before you take it out of the bead box. 

This pewter pendant is Mamacita Beadworks. I stacked a series of art beads on top of the pendant to suggest a summer night - a golden disk bead with tree branches wrapped around it. A lampwork bead from Sea of Glass that looks like a starry night. A ceramic bead from Earthenwood Studio that reminds of wood and the forests, along with a little wooden bead. And finally a tiny disk bead with wings wrapped around it. 

The best part of the firefly pendant - those squirmy little legs underneath! It reminds me of a character straight out of Tim Burton's James and Giant Peach.



Visit the other participants and see their firefly inspirations!

Guest Designers:
Melissa Trudinger - https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/aje-firefly-challenge-reveal/
Mary Detray - http://www.brassrabbitstudio.com/blog
Keren Panthaki - https://vasdea.wordpress.com
Tammy Adams - http://www.paisleylizard.com/
Veralynne Malone - www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Terri Del Signore - http://artisticaos.blogspot.com/
Heather Powers - http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com (you're here!)
Susan Delphine Delaney - https://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I love them all Heather! Your always awesome at these challenges. Lol I just watched James and the Giant peach with my kids the other day, those just insects were a bit creepy ha ha!

Jennifer Cameron said...

OMG! I absolutely adore all of them! And your polymer charm with the jar of fireflies...I WANT ONE! I'm thrilled the theme inspired you to participate.

Thanks for reading AJE and participating in our challenge this month

Loralee said...

Heather!!! Wonderful! Oh, your sweet little charms!!! How I love fireflies!! I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that Mamacita pendant! No wonder you were hoarding that...I too hang on to some beads for years until they start whispering in my ear.

Lesley said...

Your firefly charms are perfectly adorable Heather and I love al your finished designs...so fresh and full of fun!

Jenny said...

So glad you could join us on this one! I was HOPING to see your firefly jar... and the Mamacita pewter - I agree, its very cute and yet squirmy at the same time. Love your color palettes, as always!

baymoondesign said...

How creative! I don't know how you do it! Your beads are so great.

Ema Kilroy said...

Beautiful charms Heather! So nicely done. I love the Ball canning jar. So many of us share that wonderful memory.

Bijoux Gems Joy said...

How imaginative Heather! Love both pendants and the bracelet.

Terri Del Signore said...

Oh I love your fireflies in a jar!! I was thinking along the same lines;) That mamacita charm is crazy cool!! All put together perfectly!!!

Shai Williams said...

What gorgeous jewelry! Just in love with the second necklace. I can see why you were hoarding that bead.

Anonymous said...

Just lovely Heather, your fireflies in a jar charm is so cute. I love it when I have just the right bead in my stash for a project, and that Mamacita pendant is perfect for the challenge too.

Caroline said...

Love your charms, love your designs and I love that firefly pendant... I can see why you stashed that one!

Caroline said...

Love your charms, love your designs and I love that firefly pendant... I can see why you stashed that one!

Caroline said...

Love your charms, love your designs and I love that firefly pendant... I can see why you stashed that one!

Empty nester at last said...

Beautiful charms! The definitely capture the challenge. And the pendant...how cool to see those little legs underneath...Excellent job!

Tammy Adams said...

Those little charms are adorable. And I love all the colors in your designs. Wonderful whimsical summer designs. I even like the beetle pendant despite the fact that all those legs would creep me out.

Niky Sayers said...

wow what beautiful pieces you came up with Heather! I utterly adore your little jar of fire flies, you have such a beautiful way with colour and you really have captured their magic!