Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Spring Fever Design Challenge


So today is the reveal day for the Spring Fever Design Challenge.  Here are the beads and sari silk I received.



I started with the bracelet, naturally because I make a lot of bracelets (although recently that's changed to a lot of earrings!) so it seemed apt to start with the 'least' challenging piece.  I knew I wanted to make a multi strand, something I have been making a lot of recently so couldn't see beyond multi strands.  I teamed the lovely Blueberribeads bird with a stunning lampwork bead from Cheeky Cherub designs.  The ceramic bead from Lesley completed the 'focal' area of the bracelet.  For the 4 strands (it's pretty difficult to see in the picture but there are actually 4 strands!) I used leaves (a tonne of it) and twisted tooth shaped wooden beads.  I would normally add multiple charms on the closed ring, but decided on one this time, Blueberribeads leaf charm just completes it I think.
Bracelet

 
Waxed Irish linen cord and light green/lime leaves The Curious Bead Shop, dotty lampwork bead Cheeky Cherub Designs, twisted tooth shaped wooden beads SmittenBeads,
 
Next were earrings.  I went for a 'mismatched' yet 'balanced' look, something else I've made a lot of recently. 
 


Ceramic rounds and disc beads Thea Elements, brass connectors Patina Queen
 

Now the necklace....my most challenging piece.  It was screaming out to become something really bright and cheerful but again I toned it down with lots of wooden beads.  I think the teeny blueberribeads birdie looks pretty cosy surrounded by all that wood.  I don't think I've ever made anything without metal in it so off I went looking for a button that wasn't metal to use for my button clasp.  I couldn't find a complementary acrylic button so I raided my artisan ceramic components box.  I came across several Bo Hulley Beads button but only one looked right with the necklace (I hope so anyway).  So here we have the completed necklace.
 


Ceramic pendant Thea Elements, Wooden twisted tooth beads Smitten Beads, ceramic bird Blueberribeads, ceramic button Bo Hulley Beads


Now onto the sari silk. I have wrapped it onto some memory wire coils.........I have no idea how it will end up as I never have a plan for any of my pieces.  That could also be because there is no design space on my bead desk...it's a right beady mess ;).  It will definitely have more beads added, well as many as I can fit onto the wire. So this is very much a WIP shop which will hopefully have the polymer word heart charm added to it along with a few other bits.


Polymer word heart charm Pips, sari silk and peanut seed beads Smitten Beads
Hope you enjoyed my second blog (I'm a proper newbie :D) and my first time participating in a challenge which doesn't look very 'springy' to me (except maybe the WIP piece) now that I look back at all the pieces.  Here are the rest of the links, go see!!

Caroline Dewison - http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk 
Erin Prais – Hintz – http://treasures-found.blogspot.co.uk/
Toltec Jewels - JewelSchoolFriends.com 
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39 comments:

  1. Lesley16 April 2014 at 01:48

    Great designs Suhana! I'm glad you conquered the challenge of my focal because it really was worth the effort for the result and I really love you cluster bracelet so pretty...nut I have to say, there is something utterly charming about those earrings - just adorable! Thanks for taking part int he challenge. :o)

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  2. Caroline16 April 2014 at 01:51

    Beautiful work Suhanna! Love all the pieces especially the necklace, inspired! x

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  3. Suhana Hart16 April 2014 at 01:53

    Awwww thank you Lesley, the earrings are my favourite I think. Thank you soooo much for a great challenge :)

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  4. BeadQueen8716 April 2014 at 01:54

    Stunning Suhana really like the first bracelet :D please pop by my blog see what I did for the challenge http://christinesjewellerybox.blogspot.co.uk
    Christine x

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    1. Suhana Hart16 April 2014 at 01:55

      Thanks Christine, going to have a look now :)

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  5. Claire Lockwood16 April 2014 at 01:59

    You have been busy! You've put my simple pieces to shame! The bracelet is a corker, but they're all lovely.

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  6. Unknown16 April 2014 at 02:16

    Wowzers they are all stunning LOVE the Necklace so original!

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    1. Suhana Hart16 April 2014 at 02:57

      Awwww thanks Emma, glad you like the necklace, it was a real challenge...I'm not great with necklaces :)

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  7. Suhana Hart16 April 2014 at 02:56

    Thanks Alisa, they are my favourite too :)

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  8. Unknown16 April 2014 at 05:29

    Love the combination with leaves

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  9. Caroline16 April 2014 at 06:07

    Love the earrings, and the way you've used the peanuts is inspired! Thank you for taking part in our challenge!

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    1. Suhana Hart16 April 2014 at 06:56

      Thanks Caroline! Thanks for letting us take part in such a great challenge too :) xxx

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  10. TesoriTrovati16 April 2014 at 08:03

    I do adore the texture and shape of those wood beads! I quite like them. They tone down the colors to let them pop. That round dottie bead looks like an Easter egg! And that little bird nestled in among the wood is perfect. Thank you for sharing your spring fever! Enjoy the day. Erin

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    1. Suhana Hart16 April 2014 at 13:25

      Thank you Erin. I hadn't thought of the dotty bead that way but I see it now :). Hope you have a lovely day too :)

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  11. baymoondesign16 April 2014 at 11:02

    I am fascinated by your memory wire bracelet. It and your other pieces are very creative. Well done!

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  12. Faerystone 16 April 2014 at 12:45

    You are sooo clever chick those earrings are fabulous and i love the sar silk bracelet in fact i love them all xxx

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    1. Suhana Hart16 April 2014 at 13:26

      Awwwww Lucy thank you lovely lady!! I'm just popping over to see yours now :)

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  13. Lori Anderson16 April 2014 at 14:10

    These are awesome -- the last bracelet really pops!

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  14. kristibasket16 April 2014 at 14:11

    I love those earrings!! Those are my favorite, simple, yet very elegant and a great conversation piece! Beautiful work!

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  15. Lesley Lane16 April 2014 at 15:36

    I like how you have used contrasting materials to help the focal beads stand out in the bracelet and necklace. That necklace is a great design! Lovely earrings too :)

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  16. Shai Williams16 April 2014 at 15:41

    I am so in love with the bracelet! I have been wanting to make one along that style and seeing how gorgeous yours came out just inspires me all the more.

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  17. Ann Schroeder16 April 2014 at 18:51

    All of your pieces have so much movement! They are wonderful.

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  18. My Life Under the Bus16 April 2014 at 19:23

    Love the neutral with the color pop! Really makes you focus on the focal!

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  19. Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends16 April 2014 at 20:20

    The bracelet with Pips "Happy" is wonderful. Such a nice welcome to spring, with pretty peanut beads accenting you silk ribbon so beautifully! Smart design, pretty and boho chic. I love your bird nestled among the woods. Endearing and soft. Nice way to behold the ceramics, and highlight the pretty floral heart focal too. The earrings rock -- love the wrapping & paddles. And your bracelet on top -- stunning! Love the bird you received and the amazing beads you coordinated with it. The clasp (I used the same one too;) and silver beads add just the right splash of light! Amazing bracelet! WoW! Bravo.
    Gracias for sharing your talents! xx Rita

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    1. Suhana Hart17 April 2014 at 13:25

      Awwwwww so many wonderful compliments!! Thank you!! xxxx

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  20. Dolores Raml16 April 2014 at 21:50

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Dolores Raml16 April 2014 at 21:51

    Really neat designs, love the sari ribbon on the memory wire!

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  22. Klassy Joolz16 April 2014 at 23:22

    Lovely spring creations! All your designs are wonderful...Happy Spring!

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  23. Divya N17 April 2014 at 00:47

    love the earrings - they are adorable

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  24. Shee Sews17 April 2014 at 11:24

    Hey you are amazing lass, I always love your designs you never cease to amaze me with your ideas! I also can't believe its only your second blog its like youve been doing it forever!

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    1. Suhana Hart17 April 2014 at 12:24

      Thank Leigh, you lovely woman!!!! I'm never good with words, I was dreading it big time.....glad it's over until my next blog ;)

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