This week's WWIOFI is a pendant that I dug out from the depths of one of my jewellery boxes. I think I wore it just the once after I'd made it and then it was never heard from again. What did I like about it? I was happy with the polymer clay pendant I made, the swirls of black, white and grey remind me of the milky way and the glitter adds to that effect. I learned a valuable lesson using the coarse glitter which isn't really suitable for clay work, it was originally green but sanding the pendant took the surface off it and I ended up with silver! I also love the Crystal Vitrail Swarovski bicones which are a gorgeous shade.
What I didn't like about it was my wirework (you can't really see it in the photo but believe me, it's rubbish!) and the ribbon, which was too wide. So I've frogged it a little, redoing my dodgy wirework and making a black and silver chain from random lengths connected with jump rings. Now I'm really happy and it's something I'll be bringing out a little more often!
We'd love to see what pieces you dig out and if you alter them or reuse the materials for something else. You can email pictures to ottbs@hotmail.com.uk
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Wednesday's Wear It Or Frog It
Monday 26 July 2010
A Passion For Purple {Monday Moodboard}
This week's Monday Moodboard is a darker, more sophisticated palette of pure purple, black and white. But while you're focusing on the colours, don't forget about the texture. There's also an absolute ton of it in the palette - pinstripe, netting, cross-hatching, feathers and retro circles.
1. ultra violet, 2. Concert flyer, 3. nina_brosh_nina07, 4. Purple
Enough to spark the creativity of any self-respecting beader or jewellery artist. So, what are you waiting for?
And remember, if you do make something inspired by one of our moodboards, do leave us a link in the comments below or e-mail me an image at ottbs@hotmail.co.uk
Sunday 25 July 2010
Purple lilies and let's play with crimps now!
But for some reason it didn't happen at all. though I made a sketch of it and everything! (I've never made sketches of jewellery before this year, art is not my strongest point lol)
Umm ok, not that I have played much with crimps before but I do have a Tigertail bracelet and earrings that I made this year, so maybe now is the time to get brave and make a necklace already! I might even make some earrings to go with it, as I do love making them, and have enough lilies for that.
I'm going to start this next month I think as I am entering a July competition on Making Jewellery forum first. But after that I am planning to give myself 2 weeks for each goal and see how that goes. I think I'd prefer to come up with my own designs for this blog, but I do have a few magazines now so I might mix and match my own ideas with those and online projects, maybe. That way I have a fallback if my creativity has a bad day hehehe!
Well, wish me luck with those rascally little things they call crimps! lol
[Sorry about the really small thumbnail, I don't quite know how to get it bigger. Can someone please advise me? Thanks loads:-) I'm not used to blogs clearly lol]
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Wednesdays Wear It Or Frog It.
Have you dug through the jewellery stash to unearth any lost treasures this week? Please tell us all about them, you can e-mail us at ottbs@hotmail.co.uk .
Monday 19 July 2010
Tickled Pink Reveal {Monday Moodboard}
Here's what the team made -
Sarah took colour inspiration directly from the palette by choosing beads in a pale pink colour with an iridescent finish that shows hints of mauves and purples. The sterling silver rounds also pick up on the shape of the round sweets in the moodboard and add interest and texture to these simple, but beautiful earrings.
Sunday 18 July 2010
New Flickr Group
Please join us and add photo's of your beady goals and projects!
Tuesday 13 July 2010
Wednesday's Wear It Or Frog It.
Monday 12 July 2010
Tickled Pink {Monday Moodboard}
So, in an effort to drag myself away from the 'same old, same old' I've been spending some time putting together some colour combinations and I thought that I'd share some of them with you.
We're starting with a fairly simple palette - a super soft selection of pinks with touches of white, mauve and grey. By using the colours, shapes or mood, you're welcome to use the board to inspire your own creations.
I'll be creating a new Monday Moodboard every other week and inbetween, I'll be posting images of creations inspired by the moodboards. So, if you have any to share, please leave a link in the comments below or send details to me at ottbs@hotmail.co.uk
Sunday 11 July 2010
1st Goal for July Complete! Sarah
It's A Start, Right?
I've been busy concentrating on all of that 'life stuff' that gets in the way. Still, it's given me a lot of time to think and I certainly have a long list of ideas, inspiration and - of course, lots of beads - to start working with.
And, just to prove that things will slowly be returning to normal, here's a cute little pair of earrings that I made this morning. It's a start, right?
Thursday 8 July 2010
The Trials & Tribulations of Goal 8!
First of all, huge apologies for my lack of posting lately. I've been really busy with orders and commissions (although I'm not complaining!) plus other non-beady stuff and have spread myself a little too thin.
Also I came to a total standstill with my last goal. I had planned to use up that gorgeous tube of beads by the end of the week but three weeks later they were still sitting on my desk! Several times I had an idea, tipped the beads onto my bead mat and had a go but everything I tried was a disaster.
I discovered that they're not very good for herringbone, triangle stitch or right-angle weave. I had an idea that because they're triangles, they would look good stitched in rows on a bead embroidered cuff and I visualised a lovely zig-zag texture. No. They wobbled about a bit and it just looked messy, so back into the tube they went.
My last resort was peyote stitch which I had dismissed at first because of their shape. Success! They fit together brilliantly to give an unusual effect. So off I went, merrily making a six bead wide strip to make a bracelet...and ran out of beads three quarters of the way through! Grr. Determined not to buy another tube of these flippin' beads I unpicked it all and started again with four beads. Several hours later and with the addition of some red and gold seed beads I had this bracelet...
Now who was it that said beading was relaxing, lol.
Monday 5 July 2010
July Goals - Sarah
My 1st goal is to complete the necklace that I started in June with the bronze & white beads and bronze wire. I have done quite a bit of it so this should be easily achievable as July promises to be almost as busy as June. A little teaser for you, I have made my own chain for this and it includes love knots which I just learned to do, I love them.
Keep tackling that bead stash!
Sarahx