Just a little blurp...I am sorry my page was not put up earlier, I had it set up to post last night at midnight and it did not post the page...ARGH. But here it is...and thanks for stopping by!
Here it is! I was so excited about winning these beautiful Anchor beads created by Diana Ptaszynski. My hubby is a retired sailor, so when Rita from Tolec Jewels put this blog hop together I was all over it, probably the first person to request them! I received my little package of joy within a short time and had to make a pit stop at the bead store almost immediately! LOL These beads got to travel to DC in July when hubby and I went on our vacation and to visit our son in Baltimore (and we made a little pit stop in Germantown and got to meet Lee and Bill from Znetshow...very nice people). Although I didn't have much time to play with the beads, I think they enjoyed the trip! hehehe
So, before I even started putting this all together, my first idea was to make a multiple wrap around bracelet I have been coveting. But as you see, my plans had changed some. I don't remember what I did first, but I put a few fun elements in this piece I think that really make it work!
I enameled this really pretty filigree finding I got at our local bead store. I had the perfect colors of enamel, so it went rather smoothly with that piece. Then I knew I wanted to add the beads at the end..so I put a piece of chain on it and threw on the beads...it was way too plain and simple for me, so I made the AHOY charm from resin clay. I made two pieces which I tried to resembled wood with a little texture on them. Added some metallic rub on silver and gold and those looked great! Then I thought it needed a little more color..so I added the seahorse charm which I patina'd yellow. Now it was starting to look good...
I strung on some beads on both sides and thought I needed something that was going to give this some wow power..then I made the LOVE MY SAILOR resin bar...so I was quite happy at this point...the necklace was looking really good... But I thought it still needed something to break up the colors just a little...and then I remembered I had these beautiful ceramic beads I received from my very first bead soup partner. It is the light pink bead you see on the right side of the picture... That was the perfect bead...I just love this necklace!
Then, last, I made these great bracelets using memory wire. I am now a fan of memory wire. With having 2 of the anchor charms, I didn't want to just make some cute earrings...I wanted MORE...and I think I got more accomplished! I tossed in that cute turtle which was a perfect match with the colors. I have decided that this set is going to be ALL MINE! I wear it frequently and get lots of great compliments.
Without this challenge, I would not have created these, so I really appreciate the awesome anchor charms and generosity from Diana, and opportunity to create with these charms from Toltec Jewels..
Participating Artists
Featured & Honored Artist: Diana Ptaszynski
Diana's Shop: Suburban Girl Beads
Diana's Blogs: Suburban Girl Studio
Hostess: TJ Jewel School Friends
Bobbie Rafferty Beadsong Jewelry
Chris Eisenberg Wanderware
Heather Richter Desert Jewelry Designs
Michelle McCarthy Firefly Design Studio
Kathy Lindemer Bay Moon Design
Dini Bruinsma Angaza by Changes
Cynthia Machata Antiquity Travelers
Kathleen Breeding 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Linda Younkman Lindy's Designs
Robin Reed Artistry HCBD
Marla Gibson Spice Box Designs
Gina Hockett Freestyle Elements
Renetha Stanziano Lamplight Crafts
Marianne Baxter Simply Seablime Jewelry
Christina Miles Wings N Scales
Marybeth Rich A Few Words from Within the Pines
Shai Williams Shaiha's Ramblings
Cheri Reed Creative Designs by Cheri
Monique Urquhart A Half-Baked Notion
Jennifer Reno Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Shirley Moore Beads and Bread
Tammy Adams Paisley Lizard
Melissa Trudinger Bead Recipes
Jill Bradley JillyBeads
