Freeform Winter Necklace

As I have mentioned before, I am honored to be a part of ArtBeads.com Blogging Designer Program for the last few years.   I love designing and creating bead, fiber, and metal jewelry pieces, and appreciate that I was chosen to participate in their program.

The Challenge was to create a piece inspired by “Winter Enchantment.”  I thought about the words and was immediately inspired by snow, winter and to create a freeform necklace and pendant appropriate for a winter bride:

I knew I wanted a pendant, so I searched the Artbeads website and discovered this lovely Swarovski Crystal Snowflake Pendant:

I next ordered a lovely selection of seed beads in various sizes and shades of white, gold, and silver seed beads and delicas.    I also used some lovely pearls, too, to add to the necklace.

To help ground the piece, I used a spiral Cellini Stitch for the necklace strap.  I thought it would a nice juxtaposition to go from chaos in the freeform work to organized in the spiral Cellini strap.

In the end, I love how the piece came out.   I did change colors in the beginning, but that is a part of the creative process- giving yourself the freedom to change directions.

For the Quilters reading this, please be aware that I will be teaching FreeForm Beading for Quilters at International Machine Quilting Showcase in May, 2011.  No experience needed for this class.

Thanks, once again, to ArtBeads.  Please note that I received some of the products free of charge from ArtBeads, but the company gives me complete freedom to review honestly each of the products received.  I have not been paid for any endorsements.

I hope you enjoy seeing this Winter necklace and pendant!  Hugs, Carla Barrett

Design in Progress

Here is what I am up to today:

I received in the mail yesterday my order from ArtBeads, including the enamel on copper sea turtle pendant shown above.

It perfectly matches the beads used in the amulet bag, but instead I feel like doing a new freeform peyote or freeform beading project.  In case anyone is interested, I have a freeform peyote tutorial for beginners here.

Keep watching…  I’ll post the end result as soon as I finish.

Regards, Carla

Crystal Pendant

I made this pendant in yesterday’s class:

I enjoyed this process, and I could see myself making some other items using this technique… and putting a Carla spin on it all.

I also got some ideas for future projects while I was in the bead store…  those go into my journal for future reference.  I like to write things down while they are fresh in my mind, that way I will remember them later.  I know many of you also do this.

I’ve always admired Geninne’s blog site where she shows her journal calendar pages online.  I love her watercolor artwork!  In fact, every day I see her work, I have a poppy print hanging in my studio.

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Guess who went sea glass hunting recently?  Check out this post on the Oreneta Aground blog.  Oreneta is the name of her sailboat.  A few years ago, Oreneta was living in Totonto with her kids, they decided to seize the moment and sail down to the Bahamas for 3 years.  The Oreneta has been aground, the family moved to Spain, and life there is interesting.  Anyway, I admire any woman who is brave enough to follow her dream!

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We leave in a little over a week for Kauai!  I guess I had best finish making my reservations, and take DH to get our new snorkeling gear this weekend.  I am so ready for time spent beach glass hunting, snorkeling, touring and just relaxing!  If I have my way, I will come back with LOTS of beach glass to use in my jewelry art.  And, of course, some new sand to add to my collection.

Any more advice from you Kauai experts out there??  We are going for the helicopter ride, snorkel trip to Lehau Island, Na Pali Coast boat trip, Tubing through the tunnels, hiking, snorkeling, and lots of other sightseeing.  Any restaurant advice??  I’ve been reading like mad at TripAdvisor, but it is nice to get info from people you know.

Enjoy your day!!  Carla