Here is my completed design for the Michael's Challenge that Lorelei initiated. It was fun and I got to expand my horizons a little by using materials I normally would not have have selected for myself.
I tend not to use coated chain, as I'm quite aggressive in my plier usage. I found it helpful to take a little Scotch tape and cover the tips of the pliers for this project to keep from scratching up the chain too much. I do, however, like the added element of unifying color that the coated chain provides. It ties things together with the white cinnabar bead and the pearls nicely.
I also normally wouldn't have paired the boxy shape of the carved wooden cube beads with the rest of the more softer-edged components. So it was an interesting challenge, changing the profile of the shape by capping the cubes with rounds.
I used a shibuichi toggle from my family and darkly patinated copper headpins to continue the darker hued elements. I think they help draw the eye around the piece. The copper wire is also a nice contrast to the blue tones of the amazonite.
Update: A couple of the comments asked if I had finished this piece before or after my surgery. I finished this after my surgery. Although it's a simple piece and is something that I would normally whip up very quickly, it took considerably longer to make with limited use of my left arm.
Do be sure to check out the other participants:
Hilary of Fryestyle
For My Sweet Daughter
My Life Under the Bus
Kristie of DreamSomeDesigns
Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings
Copper Diem
Andrew Thornton
TyneBodenNecklaces
Raida of HavanaBeads
Erin of Treasuresfound
Molly of BeautifullyBrokenMe
Beading by Malin de Koning
AuntieAnnie
Gr8Findings
Deborah M Purdy
Spirited Earth
Erin Siegel Jewelry
beads by breul
Beads for Busy Gals
Cynths Blog
Nayas Organized Chaos
Crafty Hope
2 catch a hummingbird
Rosebud For the Love of Beads
Jamberry Song
Peacock Fairy
Elysian Studio Art
Designs by Debi
sweet girl design
Silver Rose Designs
Tropic Beads
Imaginative Jewelry
Magnolia Attic
omg Andrew! Did you put this together in the OR? I think you might be making us slouches look bad. Congrats on the necklace and heal well!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you were feeling up to participation after your surgery. I am so glad you did, this is just lovely!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am loving the fact that you felt challenged with the beads I picked out, he he he my evil plan worked! :) just kiddin.
anyway, I am hoping you'll play along next time, I plan on shopping at fusion beads next.
I love you tassel in the font and how you used beads to cap those squares.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that with all those staples you made that!!! Thinking of you today.
Shannon
I had a hard time keeping the white chain unmarred as well. Thanks for sharing the scotch tape tip!!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, yours turned out beautifully!
Beautiful piece! I'm amazed that you were feeling well enough to create--or did you already have it done before the surgery? Either way, its a great piece.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
You are very inspiring. You met this challenge even in spite of life hurling its own challenges at you. It's a beautiful piece and it speaks of peace of mind and heart. <3
ReplyDeleteYes! Part of the reason I thought this was so fun was it was full of items I would never even have thought to put together! It really was a challenge in every sense of the word. I find it fasinating how everyone put these elements together with their own style. I love all the contrasts round square, light/dark, polished/rustic Great piece!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully balanced piece, Andrew! You did such a fantastic job with the white chain. It looks lovely! This would look really nice on. Love the chain tassel focal, too. Hope you are feeling well. We are all thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity of what you did. I hope you are healing well
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip using the tape..
ReplyDeletei messed up a lot of links on that chain..
using the chain as a tassle focal was a great idea as well as the addition of the amazonite for some extra color..
lovely necklace.
Andrew, I think you were the only one that pulled out the use of the chain so extensively.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you can bead while recovering from your stitches!
Lovely piece. Best wishes for your recovery.
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful! I love that lariat style. I'm amazed you could do this, be so creative and productive, with all you're going through. So impressive! Congrats! --SallyA
ReplyDeleteI love the tassel and how you used the chain--I never would have thought of scotch tape! I just avoid coated chain altogether! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteLovely - and thanks for the Scotch tape tip! I also tend towards the heavy handed with my pliers so I'll be using that one. You've made a really elegant piece here, as always.
ReplyDeleteI love how you used so much of the white chain. I think it turned out lovely!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, Andrew! I also wired on some of the pearls. I especially like the way you frames the wooden cubes with the stone. Its a pretty color combination.
ReplyDeleteSending you wishes for health and a speedy recovery!
Andrew your creations are Always Wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteLove your piece Andrew!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and simple design, and thanks for the tip about the scotch tape, that's also a reason that I don't like covered chain.
ReplyDeleteThat white chain was a bit of a challenge for me as well. I love that you take out your aggression with pliers. Me, too! Beautiful work... Enjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteErin
love the dangle in the front!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, this necklace is something I would love to wear! You did a nice job!
ReplyDeleteLove your use of the white chain. I couldn't find it at my local store, so I thankfully didn't have to face that difficulty! Thank you for the inspiration. Feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Andrew, yet another quite different piece using the same beads.
ReplyDeleteI am on day 12 since surgery myself, not as serious as yours but it did add another level to this challenge. I'm glad you could participate and hope you are doing well!
Kristi
Very nice Andrew -I love it! Hope you are well!
ReplyDeleteElegant, beautiful, Andrew like creation. I struggled too with some of the beads. You handled it all like the master beader you are and came up with a wonderful piece. Glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece! (but your work is always amazing!) I am glad that you are on the mend and hope that creating this "feels good" if you know what I mean. You are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteBravo Andrew. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Love your necklace ~ So delicate & beautiful! The scotch tape tip is genius! Hope you're feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteI really love the way you used the dark elements throughout your piece to draw the eye through the design. The contrast of the dark against the white chain is softened by the lovely aqua shade of the jade rounds and the green pearls. I can't believe you were able to put together such a beautiful piece this soon after surgery. I hope you are starting to feel better!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I love your necklace! I'd considered doing the chain dangles on the focal like you did, but decided against it. I do think yours is beautiful! And like others have mentioned, your tip on the scotch tape, *fabulous*. I tend to shy away from coated chains for the same reason, now I won't have to!
ReplyDeleteAnd I do hope you are feeling better - candles lit for you!
Your necklace is absolutely wonderfully simple and all the beauty lies in its simplicity.
ReplyDeleteYou can spin anything into gold!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
Ah, the symmetry! It's music to my soul. I love your deceptively simple design. Lots of movement, which is totally fun, but lots of elegance, too. Gorgeous necklace, Andrew!
ReplyDeleteI love how your necklace turned out, its so elegant! I had some hesitation with the white chain as well. Wishing you a super fast recovery!
ReplyDelete