October Art Bead Scene Challenge

 

Ohara Koson's woodblock print chosen by Art Bead Scene for this month's challenge was the perfect October inspiration. I love the way the warm grays give the whole scene a gorgeous glow!

And I had the perfect etched gemstone focal in the print's blacks, whites and grays. I think it suggests a full moon in a star-filled October sky.

Handmade glass disc beads by Susan Kennedy and Kimberly Branch, along with lampwork beads by Juls Beads and April Larson provide the accent beads for the Russian Spiral-stitched rope. The brick-stitched bail, embellished with branch and leaf from Nina Designs, gave me the opportunity to include just a touch of the painting's muted peach and golden yellow.

Now, click over to the Art Bead Scene blog to see some really fantastic designs by this month's challenge participants!

AJE Earring Challenge - First Reveal

I was quick to sign on when the team at Art Jewelry Elements issued their 2013 Earring Challenge because, as many hours as I spend at the bead table, I rarely take the time to design and create a pair of earrings. This is the perfect opportunity to remedy that!

The requirements are simple - just create one pair of earrings a week using a handcrafted artisan component. To make it easy for everyone to participate, the challenge is broken into 13-week segments, with a reveal every other Sunday.

Sweet and simple, my first pair features a hammered copper ring encircling a fine silver textured charm by Leslie Watt of THEAtoo. Sterling silver ear wires. These have not left my ears since I made them!

My second pair combines folk art mini flowers by Susan Barnes of the Fire Goddess with jet Swarovski and fine silver spacer beads. They hang from handmade, 19mm sterling earwires.

Now, click over to AJE and treat yourself to some amazing links!