Trash to Treasure

Stitch over bezels capture Sea Glass

Easter weekend saw me stitching my first free form cuff - using netting stitch as a base. Shells from Tynemouth were a creative addition to break up the design.  The closure was created from two recycled mother of pearl shirt buttons.

Captive Sea Glass Cuff

The sea glass was collected from the beach at Seaham (East Durham Coast, UK) when my mum and sister visited.  The glass is smooth like a pebble - making wire or peyote stitch wrapping not an option.  

Sea Glass was captured using stitch over bezels. Initially used peyote stitch to secure - but this dominated and took over from the beauty of the Sea Glass.  Instead a spiders web style approach was taken - the shape of the sea glass influenced how this was shaped.

The design was created for the annual Trash to Treasure contest of Happy Mango Beads

Spring Fever Design Challenge - Reveal

Time for the Spring Fever Design Challenge - Reveal!  Designs were photographed in the evening sun - in the hills of County Durham, UK.  There was a great mix of components in my challenge pack - a mix of purple, blue and indigo - these themes were built on in the design process.

The ceramic focal by Lesley of THEA Elements had the perfect curve to combine with a brass cuff blank.  The focal was complemented with hand stitched Swarovski crystal bicones, nylon soutache cords in lilac and navy, navy ultrasuede and purple lined aqua size 15 seed beads.

Purple Rose Soutache Cuff

The handmade ceramic purple and indigo spring bird set from Caroline of blueberribeads - features in two designs.  The cream hand painted bird and leaf were the perfect complement to the indigo sari strip from Smitten Beads.  An 8 warp kumihimo braid was created using the single sari strip - with the join reinforced.  Bronze wire was used to create a central bail using the mini WagsWicone - the wider coil sat comfortably on a finer braid - thanks for the challenge Pru!  The maxi Wags Wicone was used to create the end caps - simple hand made wire work clasp created a closure.

Spring bird meets sari braid

The smaller purple ceramic bird made an adorable charm on a shaggy loop bracelet - using blue and purple 4 mm rings and purple lined topaz drop beads.

Shaggy loop bracelet with bird charm

Finally the purple and blue ceramic rounds -THEA Elements. Created a simple statement pair of earrings!  A goddess bracelet was created using czech size 5 seed beads, purple cord and silver jump rings.

Shaggy loop drop earrings

Goddess Bracelet

Check out other participants creations

Lesley Watt - http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk

Caroline Dewison - http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk 

Emma Quinn - http://jewellerybyemmaquinn.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/spring-fever-design-challenge.html

Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.co.uk 

Vicky Roberts - http://thebeadshopliverpool.blogspot.co.uk

Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.co.uk/

Leigh Thow - http://jewellrleigh.blogspot.co.uk

Ailsa Jackson - http://katzjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/

Steph L - http://stringaholic.blogspot.co.uk/

Kristi Harrison - http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.co.uk/

Merja - http://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi

Lucy Haslam - http://faerystone.blogspot.co.uk/

Penny Neville - http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Linda - http://earth-shinedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Kristen Stewart - http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.co.uk/

Erin Prais – Hintz – http://treasures-found.blogspot.co.uk/

Klassy Joolz - http://klassyjoolz.blogspot.co.uk/

Jenny Argyle - http://keithagnestutorialsdesigns.blogspot.co.uk

Shaiha - http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Claire Lockwood - http://www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com/

Patti Gasparino - http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/

Suhana Hart - http://www.buttonedupbeads.blogspot.co.uk

Toltec Jewels - JewelSchoolFriends.com 

Aztec Flower

'Aztec Flower' is my latest design motivated by the OTTBS monthly challenge for March 2014.  I love pattern and prints - so immediately drew inspiration from Aztec Civilisation - their jewelry uses the mediums of Copper and Turquoise.  As in most creative processes - this design started out as a multidimensional circular inspired geometric art focal - except the beads had other plans!  It blossomed into this beautiful design ..........and perhaps more symbolically made links with the religious sacrifices of the Aztec Flower war.

Beading groups are a great source of inspiration.  As a member of the online Operation Tackle that Bead Stash group my creativity has evolved/mutated and I have made valued friendships within the group.  I already have plans for this months Challenge.  However, I am currently beavering away on designs for the blog hop reveal next week.

Saturday will often see me at a local bead group.  The North East Beading Buddies are scheduled to meet this Saturday, 2pm to 5pm, at Knotty Hill golf club in Sedgefield.  Meets are relaxed - Vera will be doing a demo this time - but you are welcome to bring your own project.