November ABS Challenge-All Things Pretty-Hummingbirds, Flowers and Pearls

 

Hummingbird Necklace by BayMoonDesign is available for purchase HERE

 November's ABS Challenge piece is Cattleya Orchid and Three Hummingbirds by Martin Johnson Heade.   Out of all of the challenge palettes we've had this year, this one might be the one with the most colors.  To avoid feeling overwhelmed, I selected 2 colors from the bulk of the shades-- yellow and green.  I also selected shades of gray and purple.  

Cattleya Orchid and Three Hummingbirds by Martin Johnson Heade

I was inspired to use a focal by BayMoonDesign for this challenge.  I created this focal by embossing a floral pattern on a natural brass round disk and applying patinas to create the gold, green, and lavender shades on it.  I then put it on top of a silver filigree disk to bring out the gray shades in the piece. I punched a hole at the bottom of the disk to add a hummingbird charm to it since the picture has a gorgeous hummingbird among flowers.  In addition to using the focal by BayMoonDesign , I used a sterling silver connector created for the focal and a handmade sterling clasps that I made.   

Gorgeous Pearls used in the Piece are from House of Gems

I used some gorgeous multicolor freshwater biwa pearls in shades of green, gold, and silver that I got from House of Gems.  The colors are perfect for this necklace.  I liked their large size --6mm wide and 25 mm long.  I love pearls because they are from nature.  I haven't used pearls in my jewelry for awhile because I like to see the pearls before purchasing.  I have gotten burnt a few times when buying pearls on the Internet.  I live in a small town without a bead store so I have to purchase beads on the Internet most of the time.  The photo of these pearls on the House of Gems website made these biwa pearls look so beautiful I couldn't resist taking a chance on them.  In fact, I have never purchased anything from the House of Gems before.  I did read on their website that their pearls are gleaned and sourced directly from the world's largest fresh water pearl producers.  I wasn't disappointed by these pearls.  They looked just like the photo and are high quality pearls.  I feel that the  price is very reasonable for these beauties.  I bought one strand for this necklace and I have some left over.  I plan to buy some more of these biwa pearls for a future piece.

Does this hummingbird necklace reminds you of a special place or person?