The lovely Miss Erin challenged us to play with color.  We could pick a color family inside or outside of our comfort zone, and she would assign us a color palette.  I chose gray - because who designs jewelry in gray?  Not me! My work clothes (uniform) are not the most exciting colors, so I tend to avoid faded colors off duty.  All of our palettes came from an awesome site called Design Seeds, and here is mine:


I had some gray, matte tear drop beads that I have had forever that I decided would be the focal of whatever I made. I just so happened to receive my newest order of Parawire last week, which included a new color of copper wire - gunmetal. I also had a selection of pastel suede that I have been using to experiment with wrap bracelets, and wouldn't you know they fit with the palette?  I still wanted to work in some of the pink, plus I felt that I needed a tiny bit of sparkle, otherwise my piece would look dull.  I added some purple-y faceted rounds and some small pink crystal rondelles and I was happy.  I was even happier when I realized that the entire necklace was made without a purchase. Is that luck or a sign that my bead stash is reaching hoard like properties?


It took a couple attempts to be happy with the clasp - my original one looked flimsy, so I decided to use some thicker steel wire.  The next one was too small, but finally the third try was just right.


I had a chance to play with my torch a bit this weekend and played with the colors there too.  The only gray I have is opaque and is a bit too close to the color of my brother's ship, but it was fun to play.


Before you dive into the Color Challenge blog hop, don't forget about the Virtual Craft Fair over at Pretty Things through December 3rd.  Leave a comment at Pretty Things and you'll get a chance for one of the prizes.  The prize drawing will be a couple days after the fair closes.

Shop in the Beads for Busy Gals Store and use the coupon code LORIROCKS and get 20% off with free shipping and gift wrapping!

Leave a comment to any of my posts on this blog between now and December 3rd saying which piece you like best in my shop and you will be entered to win that item INCLUDING MY COLOR CHALLENGE NECKLACE!  No limit - all is fair game - as long as it hasn't sold during the craft fair. I'll issue a $25 gift certificate if your chosen item sells during the fair.  

PHEW!  Now on to the other blogs - there are some fantastic friends and talented designers - I can;t wait to see what everyone made!  Happy hopping!

18 Tari Kahrs ~ Orange ~ Citrus Tones
35 CJ Bauschka ~ Teal ~ Teal Air
41 Jenni Connolly ~ Gray ~ Paw Tones
46 Elisabeth Auld ~ Gray ~ Petaled Tints  <----YOU ARE HERE!


36 Comments

  1. I love it - aren't bead stashes fun!

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  2. This is so beautiful and delicate - I love how you used the colours!

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  3. Great colors and great piece! Love the parawire! Don't you love it when you have everything!

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  4. Gorgeous design! Love the clasp too. I also used beads from my collection rather than purchasing new ones. Not that I don't love to shop for beads but I have a bit of a bead addiction that has resulted in a studio filled with quite the bead collection!

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  5. very pretty, love the design and the soft delicate colours with the pop of teal

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  6. You did a beautiful job with this palette. I also never think "gray" when I think of jewelery - except of course when I'm looking for an accessory to a gray outfit! ;) I love the teal surprise in this piece.

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  7. You really know how to work that leather. Just love those clear beads with the swirl. The clasp is perfect.

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  8. Your necklace is very pretty and femine Elisabeth, I like your final choice of clasp it works well with the necklace. Your lampwork glass beads are very pretty I have always liked the way gray and pink go together. I checked out your shop again and I really like the Turquoies Wood and Silver necklace I marked it as a favorite. I hope that you are getting lots of sales.
    Therese

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  9. oh Miss Elizabeth! I think that it is sweet serendipity that you had all those wonderful pieces just waiting for this color inspiration to strike! I love what you did. The colors do match perfectly and I am so glad that you allowed me to throw you in the deep end of color. You made gray come alive! And of course, this challenge necklace is my favorite in your shop!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  10. Such a beautiful necklace. I love soft colors and the crystal drops. I had to check out your shop. I would be hard pressed to find something I didn't like. If I had to choose, I would say the butterfly necklace is my favorite.

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  11. Love the bracelet! Who would have thought grey could be so pretty? Great job!
    {Hugs!}

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  12. You made beads for the pallette as well! Wow! Just creating one piece took almost all my energy, I stand in awe. I especially love the wee sparkle on your revised clasp, it's the tiny touches that make things really special.

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  13. A beautiful necklace in soft, evocative colors. Nice job!

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  14. Yummy - I love this palette too! The soft colors of the suede look so pretty with the pink - lovely!

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  15. I love all the pastel beads. The addition of the gray wire keeps the beads from being too soft. Lovely piece!

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  16. Elisabeth! You nailed the muted color palette beautifully!! Love it!

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  17. Wow, first, your necklace for the challenge is fabulous. I love those gray drops.
    Second, you give away is so generous! I just peeked at your shop and I must say I like all your bottle caps, but the piece that really grabbed me was "Butterfly Porcelain Focal Necklace in Patina Green and Rich Brown". It is just stunning!!

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  18. Elisabeth, you did a fabulous job of interpreting your palette. I LOVE your design, and would wear this piece all the time! Beautiful! :)

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  19. What a beautiful soft palette you got. Love your use of leather in your design and the matte tear drop beads.

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  20. I love the soft colors in your palette. The differents shades of suede are great with it. Your clasp is wonderful and all the dangles just make it so feminine. Your beads you made are gorgeous, too.
    And I love that Vintage French Necklace and Earrings set with the Pink Swirl art glass in your shop.

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  21. You matched your colour palette so well...and to think NO purchases! I am impressed! Love your wire working on the drops and clasp and the suede is really pretty. Beautiful job.
    Jenni

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  22. Oh clasp woes! I know them well. You've done beautifully though. Such a peaceful palette, and your piece compliments the scheme perfectly :)

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  23. Oooh, FINALLY made it to your blog! Elisabeth, I... I love it. I have been anxiously waiting to see what you'd do with this palette and WOW! You GO girl!

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  24. what a lovely color palette! and I love your necklace its gorgeous!

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  25. Hi friend! Your blog is looking faaaaaabulous! I love the header. I think of you and "élan" when I torch so gray doesn't surprise me! Haaaaaaaa congrats on finishing this whole gorgeous piece with no new goods. I know how hard it can be! Love you!

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  26. What a great color palette! So not what I think of when I think of gray! This is a beautiful necklace, and I can't believe you are sweet enough to host it in a giveaway! I just adore the clasp, the colors, the suede, the drops,...oh, I guess that's everything. I like it all!

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  27. Wow! I would have been totally stumped by that gorgeous palette, but you were able to create your piece without shopping -- can I play in your stash??

    Fantastic!

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  28. Very pretty necklace! The matte beads and soft cords really enhance the softness in that palette. The clasp is very nice, I like the little extra touch you got from adding a bead to it. Great job!

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  29. Hello fellow Grey Palette picker! I love the softness of your design, it really does reflect the palette. I happen to love designing in grey!

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  30. Awesome necklace! The soft cords really go well with the gentle, soft color palette! My favorite item in your shop (it was difficult because everything is so pretty) would be the butterfly focal necklace!

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  31. I love how you took such quiet colors and turned them into a lovely, interesting necklace - it's so pretty! And I think my favorite thing(s) in your shop are any of the washi paper bottle cap pendants. The colors are so great! So happy to have found your work through this challenge!

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  32. WOW all that wire work! What a unique creation! I love your new look on the blog too!

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  33. That's awesome that you had everything you needed in your stash!! This piece is really neat. I like that it's almost elegant with a touch of whimsy. That clasp is really great too. I like that you kept trying until you got it perfect!! Well done!

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  34. Making the right clasp can be very tough sometimes, and it's always a relieve when we finally get what we want.
    Great job!
    Ambra

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  35. I'm just getting around to commenting on all the pieces! I LOVE yours! It's beautiful with the leather, and the clasp is so amazing!

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