Marsala Valentine Challenge Reveal...

Today is the Reveal for the Marsala Valentine Challenge!  If you're not familiar with the challenges, I put together a Design Kit and offer them on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Challengers claim their kits and then I send them off around the world!  Each participant has about two months to create a piece and at the end of the challenge, everyone shares what they've created!

It's a fun way to challenge your creativity and it's always interesting to see what each participant will make with the nearly identical kits.  It reveals such diversity!

When I put the kits together, I try to visualize an image.  It helps bring all the components together.  For this challenge, I mostly drew upon the Pantone Color of the Year: Marsala. To find out more about what was in the kit and thoughts behind it, CLICK HERE.

Each of the kits also include a Mystery Component!  For this challenge, I included TWO!  They are polymer clay heart charms by me.

And without further ado... here's the REVEAL:

I made this necklace!  I used some of the vintage Czech glass from the kit to create the dangly fringe.  Luckily for me, I have a small stockpile and multiplied the number included in the kit.  I made balled copper headpins because I thought the rosy color would go well with this piece.  I strung the wire-wrapped headpins from antique brass peanut chain.  In a lot of multi-strand designs, it is best to use different lengths, so that everything lays smoothly and flat.... BUT I wanted more texture and used equal lengths to create an elegant chaos.  I hung the chain from two strands of vintage Czech glass and African brass spacers.  I used a copper toggle to pull it all together.  I love the movement of this piece!

Nancy Noyes-Ward made the following four pieces.  Here's what she had to say about them:  "I called this piece, "Going for Baroque".  I love the black chain with the ruby red glass and glint of crystal.  The green crystals were from an antique necklace owned by my Grammie.  The earrings include lampwork glass beads from my own stash."

"These earrings were made from the Mystery Components in the kit.  I used vintage crystals with the lightweight polymer clay.  I have a matching necklace in the works!"

"This charm bracelet was created from a repurposed 1929 necklace.  I've got lots more wire-wrapping to do, but I like the red.  I'm not a huge fan of gold, so this pushes me to step outside of my comfort zone."

"I made a loose luceted piece from the kit sari silk ribbon with sari silk yarn from my own fibers stash.  Lucet weaving is a cord-making/braiding technique that dates back to Viking and Medieval periods.  I love the large focal and the rustic rough stone.  I haven't decided how to finish it yet."

These pieces were made by Donna Hoblit.  Here's what she had to say about them:  "I'm Donna Hoblit from VeraDonna Treasures.  The inspiration for my creations is Marsala, Sicily.  I felt the rich ruby/Marsala tones of the beads reflected the color of the sweet Marsala wine.  The challenge beads are complimented with grape beads skillfully created by the talented Nolly Gelsinger and copper chain and findings."

"Here's another piece I made.  It is a necklace with a fringe created from wire-wrapped dangles.  The focal is another great lampwork glass bead by Nolly!  I think the purple and green really set it off!"

These pieces were made by Cheryl Lee Tucker.  Here's what she had to say about them:  "I loved the carved bead!  It had to be the centerpiece of my necklace.  So I made the focal by incorporating the carved bead with beaded fringe and a herringbone stitched bead.  The sari silk provided a lovely soft touch and also highlighted the Marsala color of the bead.  My earrings use more of the gorgeous glass Marsala beads in a simple dangle with the silk.  I didn't take a photo of them, but I also made dangly earrings wrapped with bronze wire out of the Mystery Components.  I think the bronze accents the gilding perfectly!  I can't wait to wear all my creations!"

This necklace was created by Laurel Ross.  Here's what she said about it: "I know, it's an overly Valentine-y shot, but I couldn't resist it.  What a fun challenge!  Even though this is a Valentine's Day piece, I tried not to get too heart-themed.  So I used two tiny hears at the intersection of the sari silk and the larger bead portion of my necklace.  They just so happen to have the same swirl pattern as the main carved jade focal bead.  I used a multi-colored silk tassel which has hints of the Marsala sari and gives the piece a worldly romantic feel!"

But wait... that's not all!  Please swing by the blogs of the other participants of the Marsala Valentine Challenge!  Check out what they made and comment on their posts!

Alison Herrington
Dolores Raml
Carole Carlson 
Lennis Carrier 
Carolyn Lawson 
Michelle McCarthy 
Ann Schroeder
Kari Asbury 
Shaiha Williams 

On Andrew Thornton's Blog:
Andrew Thornton, Nancy Noyes-Ward, Donna Hoblit, Cheryl Lee Tucker, Laurel Ross

Next up is the Spring Awakening Challenge!  The reveal is set for Thursday, March 19th, 2015!  Stop by and see all the lovely creations made with this bright, springy kit!