October Reader's Challenge REVEAL...

Today is a special day!  It marks the reveal of the fourth Reader's Challenge on my blog!  A design kit was created with artisan pieces made by Sue Kennedy, Keith O'Connor, and RareEarth beads.  It also featured a mix of Swarovski crystals and pearls, carved stones and a Luxury Bead Blend.  The kit also included a special mystery component from my family – a fine pewter skull bead from Green Girl Studios.  Originally I had planned for some natural brass peanut chain to be added, but it was confiscated by TSA... so I added a ball chain instead.

Participants were asked to create a piece (or pieces) using as much or as little of the kit as they were inspired to.

Challengers who wanted to share their creations and don't have blogs were allowed to send their pieces in or send photographs of their work to be revealed here.  Below is a fine example by Christina Porter:

The above piece was created by Christina Porter.  Here's what she had to say:

The Kit items reminded me of eclectic items I would collect as a kid and put in my jewelry box, especially the blue swirled ceramic bead from Keith O'Connor and deep blue round tiger's eye carved bead.  I used the items in the luxury mix to make the necklace and a gunmetal padlock from my treasures as the pendant/clasp.  


I attached more charm/ treasures dangling from the lock.  I also made a pair of semi-matching earrings from items in the luxury bead blend - I love the cobalt blue glass seed beads. They remind me of vintage blue glass!


Aren't the pieces that she created lovely?  I love the mix of textures and how she's got a funky vintage feel.


The below pictures are my own contributions to this month's challenge:

For the necklace, I made a real departure from my normal style.  I think I've got the bones of an interesting idea.  It needs a bit of tweaking and a few edits, but it's a good start.  I created a bib-style piece with textured layers from the Luxury Bead Blend.  The holes of the recycled glass beads, created from cassava stems, are large enough to pass nicely over the ball chain.

I reworked the necklace several times, trying to put in all of the different artisan components.  But I think the necklace demands a more simple approach.  So with the leftovers, too good to pass up, I made a bracelet.  It's not too terribly designed... just a bit of Memory Wire, but I was pleased with how everything seemed to just work on the bracelet.

It was such a pleasure to see what everyone made.  So many different design ideas!  Everyone's pieces turned out so unique!  For more fun, check out what the other participants made on their blogs:

Shay Williams

Michelle Hardy

Rosemarie Cowit

Cilla Watkins

Christina Porter

Collette Collins

Mary Govaars

Cindy Cima Edwards

Jessica Nelson

Tara Linda

Alice Peterson

Lisa Lodge

Cece Cormier

Karin Slaton

Sandi Volpe

Kate Richbourg

Sue Kennedy

Michelle Mach