When Jen Cameron of Art Elements posted this months Bead of the Month, and it was one of her glass sugar skulls, you know I commented on that blog in hopes to win one.
I mean, looks at how fun these are!
Each month, one of their artists make a bead, and each member, plus a couple lucky readers, get one of the beads, and then they create something with them.
I haven't really had a chance to do that in awhile (to create with something that I did not purchase), and you know what, once in awhile I need that push.
Now, I buy and use a lot of different components. But when I am making and / or hand picking my components, they are all very much my style, and something I can see right away in my jewelry. Once in awhile, I like to have something given to me, something that challenges me to think a little more about the design.
It's no secret I love sugar skulls- and Jen sent me a delightful one. It is however, bright. Like sugar skulls usually are. And I didn't really want a bright finished piece. So it took me some time to figure out how to maintain the color pops, but tone it down, so it still looks like something I'd make- old and a bit gritty.
I love a good challenge and push now and again.
I began to pick beads that matched the colors in the skull, but were earthy. At first the layout had some polymer beads in it, but it quickly changed to all / mostly gemstones.
I began to pick beads that matched the colors in the skull, but were earthy. At first the layout had some polymer beads in it, but it quickly changed to all / mostly gemstones.
I decided to wrap the skull in wire. Putting antiqued copper wire around something bright immediately tones down the brightness. So I started there.
Since the hole is vertical, I could not do one of my chunky classic chokers. So, it needed to be the dangle, or part of a dangle. I kinda saw that would have to be the layout from the start.
Well, after much fiddling and doing and un-doing, I am so freakin happy with how it turned out. I honestly didn't think I'd love it. As I added elements, I wasn't sure they would work (like those seed beads).........but they did. It all came together quite nicely. It is heavy with all those large gemstones and heavy wire (16-18g) and the extra chain, but it lays perfect and is oh so comfy to wear.
I think I need to make some more like this, one one art bead shown off among many large gemstones.
I am so thankful I got to be a part of this challenge. I needed that little push. Something a little different and fun came out of it- and that is what it is all about.
Now hop over to these other blogs and see what everyone else made with their pieces!
