September Reader's Challenge REVEAL (Part 1)...

Not long after I wrote about the problems with September's challenge and the multiple reveal dates, it started to rain.  The skies became an impenetrable gray fortress blocking the gossamer strands of internet signal and effectively putting me and my blogging ways out of commission.

So, I waited until I could finally show the first wave of reveals.

A design kit was created using artisan pieces made by Heather Wynn-Millican of SwoonDimples, Sara Lukkonen of C-Koop Beads, Heather Powers of Humblebeads, and a hand-colored metal clay piece with a floral motif by me.  The kit also included flexible beading wire from Soft Flex Company, vintage Miriam Haskell beads, Swarovski crystal, a dichroic glass bead, and a Luxury Bead Blend.

Participants were asked to create a piece using as much or as little of the kit as they were inspired to do so.

Challengers who wanted to share their creations and don't have blogs were allowed to send pictures of their pieces to be shared here.  Below are a few fine examples:

The above pieces were created by Christina Porter.  She made a necklace and a bracelet.  I think that they look great together.  The colors tie them together and make them a great pair, without being too matchy-matchy.  They both have a beautiful enchanting vibe.  

Here's what she had to say about her pieces and the challenge:

"I was so excited to be able to participate in the September Challenge and even more happy when I received the materials! I designed a necklace around the "grow" connector using a leaf bale with your copper flower pendant and faceted rondelle czech glass charm and opalite charm.  I love the deep purple coral sticks and used them with amethyst oval nuggets for a cohesive look.  I used a gunmetal chain and flower hook clasp.  I loved the C-Koop enameled flowers and put them together to make a charm to go on the bracelet that I designed using the silver chain and periwinkle Swarovski crystals.

Thank you for allowing those of us who don't have a blog to participate in the challenge!  I definitely look forward to participating in another one and seeing everyone else's creations for this one!"

Above is the piece by Darby Lohrding.  It's full of texture and the bits of sari silk are a nice contrast in color to some of the purple elements and really makes the piece pop.

Here's what she had to say about the piece and the process:

"My creation looks simple enough yet every time I wear it I end up changing some aspect, be it the placement or replacement of the recycled silk sari yarn I used to weave through the chain or be it the creation of the bezel which displays your beautiful charm.  First I wove the purple wire through the chain in order to give the chain a slightly knotted appearance, then I wove the recycled silk sari yarn through the chain.  Once I wove the endings together I realized I desired the necklace to hang a little lower so I added an extender.  I love the finished piece yet like I stated earlier it is constantly evolving!"

Above is the piece that I created for the challenge.  I have been really pressed for time, but wanted to take some time to create something special for my birthday month challenge.  I didn't have much time to work on it, but I quite like the end result.

In this piece, I really wanted the focus to be on the artisan components.  I balanced out the polymer clay link by Heather Wynn-Millican with a shibuichi small flower clasp from my family.  I then put the stacked enameled flowers from C-Koop.  I think the rose-hued copper headpin added just enough color to make it pop and continue the color down from the foundation of the necklace into the focal.  I riveted the pendant on some filigree and added a tiny copper flower that I also made.  I hand-colored the focal, so even though it's made of copper, the silver accents played a nice contrast.  From the bottom of the filigree, I added the polymer clay piece by Heather Powers of HumbleBeads.

I wanted to use the Luxury Bead Blend and did so with two strands on the right side of the piece.  I balanced it out with three strands of Soft Flex on the other side.  I didn't want the wire to completely disappear, so I added crystals to it to "float" in the design and continue to carry the eye around the piece.  I quite like the end result.

It was such a pleasure to see what some of the participants made.  So many different approaches.  For more fun, check out what some of the others have made on their blogs:

Lorelei Eurto
Sally Russick
Tara Linda
Paula Kramer
Melinda Orr
Beth Emery

Also keep an eye out on October 12th for even more reveals:
Tracy Stillman
Heather Goldsmith
Lori Bowring Michaud
Rebecca Anderson
Debbie Price
Patty Gasparino

A few more names might appear on the October 12th list.  Be sure to check everyone out, particularly the ones who have already went.  I've tried to include links that directly correspond with their reveals.  I think everyone who went already did a fantastic job!  Can't wait to see what everyone else made too!

Interested in participating in the next round?  Keep an eye out the next few days for the October Reader's Challenge Design Kit!  It's got a luscious blend of blues.