So I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been consumed by the seed beads. Only I’ve missed my shiny, so when the new Step By Step Wire Jewelry came in the mail, I was inspired to try one of the projects.
This is what I came up with.
Of course it’s a little different then the project in the magazine, but whatever. I didn’t stray too far from the original design.
That is until the second and third piece. I’m calling them Medusa’s Nests.
I originally just left the edges alone, but genius Jamie suggested I coil square wire all around the piece. I’m not sure she meant to coil it the way I did, but that’s the only square wire I had on hand.
This piece was done with an earring hoop frame.
The earring hoop is made with a really thin wire, so I decided to make my own frame with a sturdier wire. That’s what I did with the third pendant.
The kitty bead is from Green Girl Studios and was the basic inspiration for the pendant. There’s a bead show rolling into town next weekend and if you wear a piece with one of their beads you get a free bead!
I’m not sure how Andrew from Green Girl will like what I did to their bead, but I used it and I’m gonna wear it.
You see, I’m really ambivalent about my latest creations. I can see they’re not for everyone. I mean, you should have seen my mother’s face when I showed her the purple pendant. She has very classic and simple taste.
So when I wore one to a class at The Bead Gallery and I received compliments, I ended up acting like a fool, asking people “Are you sure it’s not too garish?” or “You don’t think it’s gaudy?”
Yeah. Way to take a compliment!
But since I did indeed receive compliments and I have a lot of fun making these, you’ll probably see them pop up in the shop.
That is if I don’t drown in seed beads.
Happy Thursday, folks!
February 25th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I think they are beautiful!
No, they probably aren’t for everyone. I’m probably a little too conservative to wear them, but I have a lot of friends who would in a flash (ESPECIALLY the purple one).
I love the kitty bead. So cute.
Great job on both pieces. Have fun at the show.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I like the random, exploding but coherent quality they have.
February 26th, 2010 at 4:59 am
Dude, go to Knitvana and look at the link Squish posted in the last few posts of the Happy thread. You are light years from gaudy. They may not be for everyone, but what is? I like them.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Wow!
I think we all like different things and that’s a very good thing.
xo
February 26th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I love those! The purple one especially. =)
February 27th, 2010 at 4:11 am
They’re lovely, opal. Different but lovely. Seed beads. That’s almost like saying zombies, right? :D
February 27th, 2010 at 4:11 am
or brainz.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
I think they are really neat and wild! It seems that by branching out to different things you can get great sparks of inspiration and imagination that will spread to so many different areas. When you take the chances with creations that might not be exactly your style, it can encourage you to greater depth and breadth in areas that are yours.
xo
February 28th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Very different and unusual…don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like them. You are so creative :)You may have just started the newest trend!!
March 1st, 2010 at 6:46 am
I have a dear friend that you remind me of, that would love the purple one. Its right up her alley.
March 1st, 2010 at 6:11 pm
There’s a new ‘Step By Step Wire Jewelry’??!??!? Oo… something to look forward to. Lovely pendants! :) (no drowing in seed beads allowed ;) )
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:25 am
I’m so glad that the tsunami stayed away from you! You are the most creative jewelry maker I have ever seen. I feel blessed to have a wonderful collection of your beautiful markers.
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:34 pm
I love those!
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 am
Your jewelry making skills are crazy, Opal. I tried jewlery making and I just can’t hack it, it makes my hands hurt too much.