Saturday, October 15, 2016

Grrr....and a Giveaway!


I had the most beautiful artisan-made lampwork focal bead and I cannot for the life of me figure out the maker! I have a bit of OCD when it comes to organization (that would be an understatement), so I am a bit mad at myself for misplacing the artist's card.

I have a hard time designing with this shape bead - too many options! I could easily see it hanging vertically as a necklace focal, with a tassel of beads or chain, or simply strung in a necklace (horizontal) with like beads. But, I was in the mood to make a bracelet.

I dug forever (truly) to find beads that went with the beautiful colors in this focal.  I found the TINIEST faceted Fluorite beads - purchased back in the day when I thought  2 mm was more like 1/2 an inch! :) The beautiful pinks, purples, and greens of the lampwork worked perfectly with these gemstones.

I carefully cut and forged two sizes of bead caps from both plain and etched sterling, soldered together some extender chain jump rings, and tumbled the silver, oxidized, buffed, and tumbled again. I then spent quite some time stringing three strands of these teeny beads (oh my eyes!!) to make a multi strand bracelet. 


The focal bead is complete with "stringers" of clear glass wrapped around the bead added for texture. It was not until I was editing the photos that I saw the problem... and I cried a little. This is where the "Grrr" comes in from my title of this blog post!


Can you see the issue? I cannot see it with my naked eye - I had to put on my Optivisor's, and even then, I could not see it.  But the camera does not lie!


One of those "stringer strands" of glass has chipped. The bead is not sharp anywhere - but it is there, and I cannot sell it knowing there is a flaw. As I have had this focal bead forever, I don't know when it became chipped. The chip on the exterior of the glass does not impede its purpose - it looks fabulous...even on my freckle-filled arm! And, well, I spent hours on this bracelet - I just do not have the heart to take it apart!


So, I am going to give it away!


Statistics:
  • Bracelet measures 8 1/2" in length
  • Adjustable to fit wrist diameter from 6 1/4" to 7 1/4"
  • Genuine faceted Fluorite Gemstone Beads (triple strand)
  • All metals used are sterling silver
  • Handmade bead caps and chain
  • Sterling Silver Lobster Clasp
  • Sterling silver beads and wire guards
How Enter - 2 Chances to Win

1) Leave a comment on this blog - equals 1 entry.

2) Share this blog post on Face book - COME BACK HERE and leave a second comment on this blog post - equals 1 entry.

I am traveling out of town from Monday - Friday of next week and will pick a winner when I return.

I sure hope someone out there wants to give this bracelet some love!! Thanks so very much for stopping by!  

XO
Patti

40 comments:

  1. This is a stunning piece! I love the color and your work! Thank you for the opportunity!

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  2. Shared on Facebook! Good luck all!

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  3. I love fluorite and they match the focal perfectly. Your designs are always so pretty & unusual. Hope you are feeling much better

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  4. This bracelet is incredible! I didn't even notice the chip until you pointed it out.

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  5. The bracelet is beautiful and you couldn't have chosen better gemstones to compliment the lampwork. The chip isn't noticeable. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win it.

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  6. It's gorgeous, your silver work really makes the bead pop!

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  7. I confess - I could not see the flaw?! and if it is on the focal ... well it still looks fabulous! what a beautiful, gorgeous piece!!

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  8. I hate when that happens (and believe me, it HAS--leaving sharp edges even)! Your silver end caps are awesome.

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  9. Manual comment add for FB share...JoAnn Takushi

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  10. Love, love, love this bracelet! maryredman144@gmail.com

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  11. I love this bracelet, and you are very generous to do a give away with it!

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  12. Fanstastic piece. Thanks for the giveaway. I love the colors.
    marlene strait
    mlsjewel@yahoo.com

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  13. posted on Facebook
    marlene strait
    mlsjewel@yahoo.com

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  14. I almost forgot to come back to say I posted to my wall on FB!

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  15. I love the color and the handmade bead caps and chain
    and all your work with this bracelet! I think you are very generous to do a give away with it!
    So: yes, thank you, I would like to give this bracelet some love :)

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  16. And now I have shared the post on FB. I wish you a very wonderful and nice week!
    yh@telia.com

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  17. You continue to amaze me. Seriously, everything you post is an inspiration to me. I don't know how you do it.

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  18. I just love the colors; your handmade bead caps set the focal off perfectly! Sorry the focal has a chip in the stringer :-/

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  19. I understand you're grrr...but this is absolutely beautiful anyway! The colors are fantastic!

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  20. Hmmm...tried to share on Facebook but only could get a message saying this URL was not supported by this app. Sorry, no luck with sharing.

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  21. Absolutely gorgeous. But I totally understand Your ocd-ness.

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  22. Took a peek at your store. Love your creativity! Would love to win this lovely bracelet.
    Karleen Page
    vibrantjewels@yahoo.com

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  23. Shared on FaceBook
    Karleen Page
    vibrantjewels@yahoo.com

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  24. this is a beautiful bracelet, and I would wear it all the time if it were mine

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  25. I have shared this blog post on facebook

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  26. This bracelet is stunning! I am heartbroken for you to find the chip after all of your hard work. But yay for us that you have decided to have this giveaway! Thank you!

    Angi Mullis
    Dj2isme@aol.com

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  27. I shared on Facebook

    Angi Mullis
    Dj2isme@aol.com

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  28. I might be too late to enter, I'm just getting caught up on my blog reading. I love the color palette of the focal bead. It is very romantic feeling.

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