Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Spring Fever Design Challenge



Beads and Silk that Bay Moon Design Received
Welcome to the Spring Fever Design Challenge!  I was so excited when I found that I had made the cut to receive beads and silk for this challenge.  The rules are simple --make as many or as few designs as you like with your pack of silk and beads, and can add anything you like from your own stash. 

I received 3 packs which consisted of a yellow and white flower focal set from Lesley Watt of TheaElements, a  bird bead set from Caroline of  Blueberribeads and a length of red silk from Claire of Smitten Beads.   Each bead is handmade and individual.  Everyone in this challenge has different beads.
Sweet bird necklace by BayMoonDesign

Caroline's sweet set of birds was a huge challenge.  Why?   I really don't know.  The only thing I knew for sure from the get go is that I wouldn't be using the sweet leaf bead by Caroline because in my excitement of opening my package from the UK,  I broke the leaf within the first minutes of getting it out of the package when I dropped it on the ceramic floor of my condo in Florida.  I was really sad about that!  I  applied patina to some natural brass leaves just in case I might want to use a leaf.  I decided I didn't like any of the patina leaves that I made with the ceramic bird.  I then spotted a ceramic leaf headpin that I have been hoarding for years.  I used it to create the focal.  I can't tell you how many times I redid this necklace.  I shorten the chain.   I used all red beads.  I used red and pink beads.   I switched to green beads.  Then I moved to this combination of green and red which I like the best.  I used metal connectors originally to attach to the chain and then I switched to using beads as the connectors to the chain.   Finally, the necklace came together.  It is in my shop for purchase.


Flower Necklace by Bay Moon Design
 Lesley's beads were a challenge also.  They really look me out of my comfort zone.  I prefer working with small beads and Lesley likes large beads.  This necklace did give me an opportunity to use some large chain links and a clasp by Vintaj, large yellow sea glass by ZnetShows, and Irish waxed linen that I had on hand.  I also used a green piece of fabric with hints of yellow and orange.  

I am adding Claire's red sari silk and Caroline's red bird to my stash.  Even though I struggled with creating these 2 pieces, I am happy them.  They put a smile on my face and look like spring!

Please visit all of the participants and see what they received and created.  Once again, a big thanks to Caroline, Lesley, and Claire for making this public.

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

26 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about your leaf! :( You've done a wonderful job without it though. I love both of your designs, but the second the most, you should use big beads more often!

    Thank you for joining us in the challenge!

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  2. Kathy I think both you designs are beautiful and totally evoke the feeling of spring - I'm so glad you overcame the challenges! Thanks you for taking art in the challenge.

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  3. What a beautiful use of colour Kathy. I love the silk going through the chain.

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  4. Lovely designs such zingy and fresh colours!

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  5. Love both designs - great combination!

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  6. I love the use of color and chunkier beads. They are both so pretty.

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  7. I love your use of chunkier beads and the balance of color. Very Pretty.

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  8. The colours in both designs are the perfect choice, Kathy... love your designs :)

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  9. Oh no! What a tragedy to drop the leaf! But what beauty you created! I love the bright pop of yellow. That is a very hard color for me to design with, and I really don't know why. I think it is fun to be beckoned astray from my usual path though so that would be a welcome challenge indeed! Thanks for sharing your spring fever with us. Enjoy the day! Erin

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  10. Love both of your pieces, you really did good with the yellow, that would bea hard one for me too.

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  11. Love the designs you made, the yellow would be a hard color for me to work with too but you did great.

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  12. Beautiful! Love the yellow in the second necklace - really vibrant!

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  13. Loving these Kathy they are so spring like and pretty :)

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  14. Your designs are wonderful! I love how you used all the beads (sorry about the leaf). Such a fun Challenge for all!

    Happy Spring

    Pam

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  15. Love all your designs! I like how you used all the pieces in your creations (sorry about the leaf). What a Fun and Colorful Challenge for us all.

    Happy Spring

    Pam

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  16. Love all your designs! I like how you used all the pieces in your creations (sorry about the leaf). What a Fun and Colorful Challenge for us all.

    Happy Spring

    Pam

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  17. You did a beautiful job with the designs and the challenge! I would have never guessed you were out of your comfort zone with larger pieces! Beautiful!

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  18. You may have been out of your comfort zone Kathy but you knocked it out of the park. This is such a fun happy piece. I love it.

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  19. Your designs rock! Today is a cold, dreary day but looking at your necklace sure brought a smile to my face and the hope of spring.

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  20. You did a great job getting out of your comfort zone. That necklace has sunshine written all over it!

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  21. I love your spring designs - especially the lovely yellow.

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  22. I'm in love with Caroline's birds :) The lovely red bird you received is so pretty! And the cool color blocking you created finally with the red and green beads is powerful and reminds me of a garden. I like how you mirrored the triangle shape created in the flowers with the green triangle beads in your necklace. And I love the whire black & yellow daisy colorway you created in your second necklace! It must be so pretty to wear, and would move easily through spring to summer, even autumn. Lovely, Kathy!

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  23. The yellow is a great touch of spring, a lovely reminder of the sun that we're just starting to see again! I love your necklace especially and the way you've put it together with the chain and yellow beads is amazing.

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  24. Both of your designs are wonderful Kathy. Great job showing spring.

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