Saturday, February 27, 2021

Art Elements Snowflake Challenge


 
                                                         Photo by Naomi Tamar on Unsplash

The theme for the Art Elements Challenge is seasonally appropriate--the snowflake. This turned out to be a perfect theme since the winter of 2021 has included record snowfalls in many areas of the U.S.  There was plenty of inspiration either outside or in the news.

                                                    Snowflake Earrings by BayMoonDesign

The timing was perfect for me also.  I had a pair of beads on my table since December when I planned to make them into earrings.  In January, they were still on my table unmade so  I planned to make them for the Art Elements "Leftovers Challenge".    I didn't get to them in January but finally made them in February for the snowflake challenge.  

I love the porcelain blue and white beads by Joan Miller.  The white design really pops on the deep blue.  At first they reminded me or snowflakes probably because it was Christmas time.  After I made the earrings I admired the white on the blue as a geometric design.  I paired the beads with simple white Czech beads and used sterling silver wire and spacers.  I think the are perfect earrings for year round wear now as either a snowflake or geometric design.  

This theme challenge is open to everyone using any medium. Photos can be uploaded to  Art Elements facebook group to the album for this challenge. Creations can be shared on Instagram with tag @art__elements (2 underscores) and hashtags #AEThemeChallenge #AESnowflake.


                                                        Photo by Marc Newberry on Unsplash







Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Bead Soup Swap and Create Begins


I am participating in the Bead Soup Swap that is sponsored by Lori Anderson. My partner is an artist Bee Kuhlman from Fort Worth, Texas. She says she was made in Oklahoma and lives in Texas. She is a digital artist, traditional painter, and tinkerer. She specializes in creating colorful illustrations as well as jewelry.



I love the colors that Bee used in this illustration.  Green and purple are favorite combinations of mine.
  

Bee's wire wrapping skills are demonstrated in this beautiful pendant that she created for a previous Bead Soup Challenge.




I just received my package of goodies sent with a personal note from Bee.  As soon as a spotted a geode in the bead soup, I knew that would be the focal point in my necklace because I love geodes!  Fortunately for me no wire wrapping skills are required for this geode.   Participants in this challenge are required to use a focal as well as a clasp that were sent along with some of the beads.  There was a brass clasp included that will work well with my planned necklace.  My necklace is already forming in my mind.  

To learn more about Bee check out her social media.