October 30, 2009

Fun with Focals - Day 5


The inspiration: Cynthia Thornton's Seek Wisdom Lariat from the Winter 2007 issue of Stringing.

My Version: This one really had my muse jumping up and down.  I choose to work with findings in an unusual way to create a focal element.  I filled 3 Vintaj bead pod toggle clasps with pearls and wire-wrapped them together to create a modern, sculptural element.  I also used a square toggle clasp as part of the pendant along with a leaf and bird from Vintaj.  I completed the focal with a 3-hole spacer bead in my branch design and finished the necklace with keishi pearls in cream and coffee bean brown. 

The assignment: Use a finding in an usual way to create a focal element.  (Designs with clasps in the front would count!)

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.

I'm looking forward to seeing your creations and hope you have been inspired to play along!

16 comments:

Alice said...

Oh, my heart's going pitter patter over this beautiful focal! You have raised the bar here. I am doing good to get one piece done in a week--not sure if I can find the time to do all of these but I'm gonna try!

ClickNCamera said...

I'm really drawn toward those three bead pod toggles! Awesome pendent combination!

mairedodd said...

raised the bar, indeed! my head is still percolating on some of the other assignments! this is terrific...

Dale said...

omg, these all look really great. You've really done fantastic work on this piece.

Just discovered your challenge here through Art Bead Scene. Quick question.... is the challenge to create all these pieces in the span of 7 days? Wow... hmmm.... that's a lot for a working gal like me.

Michelle said...

I really LOVE this focal. The filled bead pods really sucked me in. I'm going to have to experiment with these. Thanks for the great project.
Michelle

Heather Powers said...

Thanks everyone! Remember it can be any finding used in an different way. The possiblities are endless.

Sharon said...

Your designs are coming at us fast and furious! Love the pearl pods and finding focal. I've got to invoke my muse...

TesoriTrovati said...

EEK! That is my favorite so far. I have those bead pods and keep pulling them out but not knowing what to do with them. Your solution to think outside the box is really clicking with me!
And I love the way your branch spacer is the star. Brilliant! I'm off to be inspired...and to take some decent pictures of the first three on this dreary fall day!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Barbara Lewis said...

Absolutely beautiful. I love the ingenious use of the bead pods! The necklace makes such a statement ... what I called "Rustic Romantic."

Alice said...

Mine's not as complicated as yours, but here it is. I'm hoping the link will work:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38086274@N03/4059348918/

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

Here's my link to my entry for the mixed up finding challenge: There are three pictures altogether. (I don't have photoshop and didn't know how to cut and splice) I'm just sending the link to my Flickr page, because they should all three be at the front right now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marciebeads/

mairedodd said...

my submission -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mairedodd/4072344090/

Katie said...

My shot at this one :o) It was a lot of fun! Four down, one to go...Ribbon bail, here I come!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33792839

Silver Parrot said...

Here's my entry for this one:

http://silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/11/humblebeads-challenge-5-findings.html

Kiwiken said...

Made a lariat using an old earring loop as toggle:
http://kiwiken.deviantart.com/art/Berry-in-the-Snow-Lariat-142466904

olooriel(at)gmx.de

TesoriTrovati said...

Mine is much, much more simple!
Here is my entry for Fun with Focals - Findings using a Vintaj swirl clasp as my focal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34032256@N03/4081420834/

Enjoy the day!
Erin