My Addictions...Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti: 2012-02-19

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Andrew Thorntons Feburary 2012 Design Challenge

I participated in 2 blog hops today! My 7000 Bracelets for Hope blog post can be found by directly below this post!

This is what Andrew Thornton offered as his last Design Challenge Kit....The only hints given were the colors "pink and fuchsia". I said to myself, "what the heck...I like those colors"..and so I challenged myself and bought the kit.

Days later, he posted a picture of the contents (not including the Mystery Components). In his words "The Design Kit, which I think is extremely challenging (I don't work too much with pinks or fuchsia) consists of a Simple Truths piece from Erin Prais-Hintz, a ceramic bead from Keith O'Connor, a polymer clay round from Pam Wynn, lots of dyed jade, vintage plastic, pink opal, rosewater opal glass, fuchsia Swarovski crystals, vintage glass, organza ribbon, irradiated shell, Czech glass, and the Luxury Bead Blend."

This is what I received in the mail - pardon the plastic, but I did not want tiny little beads rolling around my bead table into other piles of beads that will someday become completed projects.

I have to say, I was honestly scared when I opened up the envelope! I had NO CLUE WHATSOEVER what to do with all this pink and fuchsia! Not to mention...lots of tiny beads! My go-to colors are blues....or greens....or browns...never pink and absolutely never fuchsia!

After mulling it around FOR DAYS, I rallied to this challenge, sat down, and made the coolest, multi-strand bracelet that I have ever made!

Erin's Simple Truth's pendant is the obvious focal. I used the Luxury Bead mix, and bits and pieces of the other beads, including the Swarovski crystals, and wrapped them together with sterling silver cones. My 24 year-old niece has already claimed this bracelet as hers!

The Mystery Components were two beautiful enamel beads, made by Andrew I assume, that were begging to become earrings.

I wrapped sterling silver bead caps and connectors, and two small pink opal beads from the challenge kit to make these sweet earrings, which hang from hand formed sterling silver ear wires.

Lastly, I used the polymer clay bead from Pam, to make a focal for the necklace.

I have never used organza ribbon before (I have never used fiber at all, for goodness sakes!), but I had some sterling silver crimp beads with a hook in my stash, and made a loop closure from silver as well.

The focal includes more fuchsia Swarovski crystals, a pewter bead frame, and a sterling silver bead cap.

I am sad that Andrew has decided to end this monthly challenge .... my first! But, I am so glad that I had the chance to participate! Thank you, Andrew!

Please visit the other participants blogs to see their works of art! As always, thank you for stopping by!

Shannon Chomanczuk For My Sweet Daughter

Kari Asburty Hippie Chick Design

Suzette Bentley Ellie's Bijioux

Peg Gyldenege Wild Hair Studio

Therese Frank Therese's Treasures

Patti Vanderbloemen My Addictions Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti You are here!
Kari Wilson Creations by Kari

7000 Bracelets for Hope Blog Hop

What is The Global Genes Project and what are 7000 Bracelets of Hope for?

The Global Genes Project exists to raise awareness and support for the more than 30 million people affected by rare diseases. There are currently over 7,000 rare diseases identified, and 75% of those affected are children. With the 7000 Bracelets Campaign, the Children's Rare Disease Network gives artists and crafters an opportunity to lovingly share their creative gifts with families who have a child suffering with a rare disease.

Erin from Elysian Studios and Christine of One Kiss Creations Beaded Jewelry are hosting this Blog Hop for the 7000 Bracelets of Hope this year. 7000 Bracelets of Hope is run through the Global Genes Project . The bracelets are donated to the mothers and caretakers of these children, as a way to give them a little support and lift their spirits.

The theme is to make a bracelet with hues of blue, and to try to make the bracelet adjustable. I am a bead whore - it is terrible! Because of this self-imposed illness, I made not one, but four bracelets - all blue, and all adjustable.

The first bracelet above features deep blue freshwater pearls, wire wrapped with tiny white freshwater pearls to a bold silver chain. The clasp was hand formed from heavy gauge, sterling silver wire.

The second bracelet features ceramic rounds, which have been wire wrapped with heavy gauge, silver plated wire. The bracelet can be fastened into any of the large, wire wraps, making it adjustable. I placed a small, "believe" pewter charm in the last ring.

The third bracelet features a focal bead by Unicorne Beads - it has beautiful shades of blue throughout, including little dots of dichroic glass. This has been wire wrapped, with heavy gauge sterling silver wire and sweet, powder blue ceramic rounds, and a hand formed clasp. The bracelet terminates with a lovely headpin made by Kelley's Bead Studio.

The last bracelet features varying shapes of turquoise beads and antique brass beads, wire wrapped to a heavy duty, brass chain. I placed a lovely dragonfly charm by LeAnn of Summers Studio on the last link.

It is my hope that whoever ends up with one of these bracelets (ANY of the bracelets in this blog hop as well) gains comfort and a little bit of hope in knowing there are people "out there" who are praying for a cure for their little ones.

Please be sure to visit all of the blog hop participants, and thank you for stopping by my little world!