Ceramic beads challenge

Back in July I came across a chance to win some beads and participate in a challenge to use the beads from Shawna Barnes of JSB Arts. When I got the beads a few weeks ago I knew this was going to be a real challenge for me. They were definitely different from the usual beads I incorporate into my work. But I was excited to see what I could do with them. And then life got busy and they got put to the side for a while. The thought of them tumbled around in my head for a while and then came the crunch. With just a few days left before it was to be done and posted I put them on my desk and tried adding different things to see what worked.  I would leave them and come back every once in a while to see how they looked and change it up, trying a different combination. I find this method works well for me. Don't rush it just see what happens in short spurts. Then when the time comes to sit down and really work on the piece it seems to come together without too much struggle.

When I was working on the pendant I thought I had a pretty good idea as to which side was the front. The idea was to have some wire wrapped around the small donut to add some dangles to, but when I was finishing and needed to do something with the wire on the back a swirl began to form so I decided to make swirls with all the wire ends. So now I'm not sure which side I like best. I guess it's a two sided pendant!

What do you think, which would you use for the front?

I'm afraid I forgot to take a picture of the beads before I started. I think you can figure out which are Shawna's. She makes really interesting ceramic beads and components. The ones she send me were very rustic natural looking beads. I added the copper components, seed beads, wiring and dangles.

I hope you like. Check out the other people doing the challenge at JSB Art.

Keep Creating!

Wendy

Wire wrapped chain necklace.

I finished this necklace today. I made the wire wrapped chain a while ago and couldn't decide what I wanted to do with it. So it sat on my desk where I could keep an eye on it or it could keep an eye on me, I'm not sure which. Lately I've had my mind on making multi strand bracelets. Now this chain was too long for that so I thought I'd try a multi-strand necklace without a pendant. Most of my necklaces are all about the pendant and then deciding what to put the pendant on. So this was a change of pace for me. After trying a number of different kinds of strands I didn't end up with as many as I thought I would, but these things happen. After wearing it all day I may just have to keep this for myself.

I noticed that I don't get blogging as much as I'd like to and if you'd like to see more of my day to day happenings and finished work you might want to head over and like my facebook page. I seem to keep up there a little better. Not that I'm going to forget my amazing blogging friends, just more options and I'm all about the options.

Happy Creating.

Wendy

Wire wrapping

I'm back on the jewelry road this week. I had a wonderful time at the Goulbourn Museum show last Sunday. It's so nice to be around other creative minds. It's so inspiring and uplifting. Thank you all who came. I look forward to seeing you there again in the fall.

Now I'm preparing for my next show which is next weekend at the Jack Purcell Community Centre. It's called the Tarts N' Crafts show put on by the Ottawa Ladyfest. This is the first time I'll be doing this show. I'm looking forward to it and am trying out a few new things for it. The Tin Man bought me a large sheet of copper yesterday and I'm anxious to try some new creations with it. Actually I was up a 6 AM this morning with my head spinning creatively(or at least I hope that's what it was doing). I had to hurry and get up to write down my thoughts of what to do with so much wonderful copper. I'm thinking about torching, tumbling, pounding, riveting and so much more...

The piece pictured here is one a did a few weeks ago. I learned how to do the wire wrapping from a wonderful book that I highly recommend by Sharilyn Miller called Contemporary Copper Jewelry. I've tried a number of her ideas out all ready. Her step by step instructions and pictures are the best.

Turning over a new leaf.

As you can see I've been trying some new things lately. I'm working on revamping the blog layout which is always a challenge and a learning experience. So far so good...I think. Let me know how you like it so far and any suggestions would be extremely helpful.

I've also been trying some new techniques in wire wrapping. I made the wire hooks on these earrings and have another project almost finished that I'll show you very soon. It incorporates lots of wire wrapping and bead soup.

Well I'm off to see if I can create this weeks tag challenge!