This is a bit of a long post, so grab a beverage of choice and read on...I promise there is a reward at the end :-)
But let's start at the beginning. I have no idea when the most excellent Marcie at La Bella Joya started her Margie and Me challenges, but for the last couple of months I have joined in and have had such a good time. The challenges are based on this book by Margie Deeb (click on the picture to see it on Amazon):
To end the year Marcie is hosting a THROWDOWN with five palettes to play with to end 2010 with a bang. Right away not one but two of the palettes called to me - one that would work with one of the resin pendants I made with Japanese washi paper and one that would work with prayer beads I had been hoping to use.
The first inspiration I focused on was the Lilies Fresco:
The yellows and rusts drew me right away to one of my pendants. On the very edges of the pendant is a little purple that I chose to highlight, and if you squint just right picks up the purples in the flowers in the fresco. The yellow stone and purple glass beads matched perfectly, but I didn't want to "just string" a necklace. I looked through my silk ribbons from Jamn Glass and found a great way to highlight the warm and sunny colors of the fresco.
The other inspiration was called The Lady and the Unicorn, a medieval tapestry.
The palette included some of the greens and blues, but the rich reds and golds again attracted my attention. I had the basic necklace strung - but lacked any kind of focal. I had some orange art glass beads and some orange resin beads but they didn't fit with the red and gold of the prayer beads. I loved the carnelian rondelles, and found some crystals in my Shanghai stash that were the right color, but it still lacked...something. I searched through a couple favorite bead web sites and then tried my luck on Etsy. I found the focal in the The Garden of Beadin shop and it works with the colors perfectly. Middle eastern prayer beads and an Asian focal is kind of an odd mix but I think it works well here:
I didn't have quite enough beads left for a bracelet, so used some red coral rounds to stretch my supply to make earrings, too.
If you are still with me - thank you - and please go check out La Bella Joya for links to all those participating - I always am impressed and amazed! Marcie has set up a "peoples choice" contest through January 2nd so go vote!
And because I have been the beneficiary of lots of great beads lately and it's my
15th ANNIVERSARY today
(wow! how did that happen so fast!) I am having a give away. You need only leave a comment to be entered. Come back tomorrow and I'll post a picture of the goodies you will receive. (UPDATE: Click here) I will draw a name on the night of January 2nd.
Thanks for the shout out Elisabeth and such a great job! I've enjoyed seeing your creations everytime!
ReplyDeleteOh Elizabeth! 2 pieces and they are both stunning! You really grabed both palettes and let them fly. Awesome work as usual!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the throwdown! I love the set you made! It's interesting to see all the different takes on the Lady and the Unicorn challenge.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, It's our anniversary also today but we've been together for 17 years. Boy the time flies by!!
They are lovely pieces, good luck, I've enjoyed following Marcie's throwdown - exciting to finally see what everyone's come up with! Good luck, and congratulations on your anniversary.
ReplyDeleteLaura
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