Collaboration…

When I received an e-mail last October from my amazingly talented friend, Diane Cook, asking if I wanted to participate in a collaboration with her and five other women, I sent her an immediate resounding “YES!”  So the seven of us started a journey called “With One Finding” that I’d like to share with you:

Diane’s idea was to give each of us the same starting point:  the ‘Marianne’ focal piece from Brass Bouquet:

Using this beautiful focal, Diane unleashed our creativity, and it was remarkable to see the unique designs that each of us came up with that really showcased the personality of each designer.

Here is a picture of my design:

In addition to the ‘Marianne’ focal, I also purchased three different brass chains from the Brass Bouquet.  After I decided on the structure of the necklace, I started adding (and adding, and adding, and adding) many different sizes and colors of glass pearls to the main chain, finishing the focal with another length of chain and pearls.

This design process pushed me a lot.  I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated by the caliber of the other women participating, and I wanted to make sure my design could stand up with theirs.  What I discovered was that, instead of worrying about what they were going to do and instead trusting my instincts, I was able to create a necklace that was uniquely my own.

The complete article is featured in the Summer 2011 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry, and I highly recommend you pick it up!  In it you will also see the stunning designs of all of the talented women:  Diane Cook, Marie Dodd, Diana Frey, Julie Pishny, Riki Schumacher and Cindy Wimmer.  Diane also has more pictures posted on her Flickr site.

Thanks so much, Diane, for including me in this fantastic collaboration!

My Secret Santa Recipient

Back in this post, I teased you with pictures of the gorgeous ocean-colored and silver beads that I received from Artbeads.com to play with, as they are featuring glass and silver for the month of December. 

Beads pictured:  5x4mm Deep Ocean Mix Picasso Roundelles, 5x4mm Antique Denim Picasso Roundelles, Elegant Loops Clasp Set, 3mm Bright Sterling Silver Roundel Beads, Czech Fire Polished Bead - Montana Blue (6mm), Fire Polished Bermuda Blue 1/2 Metallic Coated (8mm), Fire Polished Full Coat Lumi Green (8mm)

I decided to incorporate them into the necklace design for my Secret Santa recipient, Riki Schumacher of Riki Jewelry.  On the questionnaire I sent out to all the participants, I asked them some questions about things they like, colors they wear and what makes them smile.  Riki answered that she loves the ocean, bees, and wearing blues and aquas, which worked beautifully with the products I had received from Artbeads.

Here are some pictures of the finished piece I sent to Riki:

“Pacific Northwest Summer”

To create an asymmetrical effect, I added beautiful large labradorite rectangle beads wire-wrapped using copper wire to soldered and hammered copper hoops on one side.  The size of the labradorite beads adds visual weight, allowing the strand to appear balanced with the opposite strands of the necklace.

The other side of the piece is made from two strands of copper wire-wrapped links made from the Czech fire-polished and picasso glass beads and the sterling spacers that I received from Artbeads.

The clasp is hand-made from  14 gauge copper wire, and both sides of the necklace have groupings of tiny glass flower dangles randomly attached to different links.

The focal is made from some of my etched and antiqued copper sheet with a handmade copper bezel soldered to it.  I placed an antiqued silver bee charm in the center of the bezel and filled it with ICE resin.  The focal is finished with another grouping of small flower charms.

Overall I love the how design of this piece came out, and I might have to make a similar one for myself!

I highly recommend visiting Artbeads.com and checking out their unbelievable assortment of glass, silver and Swarovski crystal beads.  While you are there, poke around in their copper section – I just know you’ll find something special!

To entice you even more, here's a coupon code for 10% off your next Artbeads purchase of $50 or more:

SCP10P-THANKS-1209

Expires 1/31/2010

Remember, Artbeads.com offers FREE SHIPING in the USA & $1 Shipping to Canada

Necessary Legal Stuff: I have received the following products free of charge from Artbeads and I am honestly reviewing them. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received: 5x4mm Deep Ocean Mix Picasso Roundelles, 5x4mm Antique Denim Picasso Roundelles, Elegant Loops Clasp Set, 3mm Bright Sterling Silver Roundel Beads, Czech Fire Polished Bead - Montana Blue (6mm), Fire Polished Bermuda Blue 1/2 Metallic Coated (8mm), Fire Polished Full Coat Lumi Green (8mm)

More Secret Santa Gift Reveals…

Hello!

I want to share some more Secret Santa gifts with you:

The first one is a frame made by Riki Schumacher of Riki Jewelry for Diane Cook of Rosa & Josie’s:

“Sisters”

This second set of pictures are of the necklace that Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio made for Carolyn Mallin of Fanciful Expressions:

Ladies, you continue to astound me with your unbelievable artistic talent!   Stay tuned for updates from more Secret Santas!