Welcome, everyone ! For those not familiar with this blog, my name is Audrey, and I got one of Lisa’s blue destash kits. Today is the reveal date for Lisa’s color surprise challenge… which ended up taking me quite far out my comfort zone, actually. It was pretty fun !
For one, I rarely do work with beads like the one I’ve got. I work mostly with gemstone, shell beads… if I use crystal, they’re usually clear. There was a ton of amazing glass in there, and some plastic. I did ponder what to actually do for quite a while… and the project came out a little unusual… for me, at least.
Okay, I can hear you say. Audrey, shut up and get to the point !
Yes, yes… As a reminder, this is what I started with :
And this is what happened…
I MADE A RING.
I know. Minds blown. But I loved this perticular bead… And it was all alone in my kit. It had no twin. Im usually pretty symetric in my designs… But I still wanted to use it.
And I had brought a mandrel not too long ago…
Now, im not seeing it’s flawless. It’s a little loopy. But it is my first ring… I don’t think it can really be helped. It still came out pretty nice~
Well then, I hope you’ve appeciated this post ! Please go see the other blogs below…
LOL JUST KIDDING ! 8D Certainly that can’t be all, you must think, and you would be right. I gave you the entree… so now for the main course !
I saw this whole assortment of lovely, different beads, and saw MEMORY WIRE BRACELET instantaneously. It had been something I was meaning to try, after seeing B’Sue‘s video where she made one. I had gotten some memory wire from one of my blind boxes orders from UnkamenSupplies… I was just missing beads that worked. And I got beads that worked !
Most of the beads on this bracelet are from Lisa’s destash. The exception being two faceted blue agates I got as freebies, the impression jasper circles, the daisy spacers and the big silver and blue lampwork beads. I am quite in love with the tiny purple and blue beads… Need to find out where to get more << Ohoho.
Experienced memory wire workers willl probably go “wait… that doesn’t lay quite right” at this picture. And they would be right. I couldn’t get the big turquoise (or is it impression jasper ? Hmm.) bead to go through the coils, and I kept cutting my wire too short in spite of counting my rings right. So I had two too-short coils of wire, and one giant stone I wanted to poink in the center anyway.
HMMM.
At first I had it glued in… but the glue overrun was horrible. Removing the glue overrun made everything fall apart. So in the end, I just let more wire exposed and stuck each side as far in as they would go. It holds just fine, thanks to the natural curve of the memory wire, just as long as you don’t go juggling with it or something. The wrist supports the weight of the stone as you wear it so it’s solid when worn.
But that’s me… Always finding a way to cheat an end result, LOL !
And no, I did not end up using the focal. Strange twist of fate… But I will find it an home soon. <3 Hope you’ve enjoyed this and be sure to pay everyone else a visit !
Audrey Belanger <<< YOU ARE HERE
19 Responses to “Color Surprise Challenge – REVEAL !”
Love the bracelet! I am still hording a bunch of my other beads for use in a beaded embroidery. *hee hee!* I made one necklace, but I DO have plans for my other beads! Nice job!
Fantastic job on using so many of the great beads from Lisa!
This is quite beautiful: I *love* the ring and the bracelet is such a happy sight 🙂 Can't wait to see what you do with the focal!
Nice job on the ring! Not bad for a first attempt. The bracelet is gorgeous – I can see why you would want to showcase all of them together since they compliment each other so well. Glad you were able to figure out a way to work in the larger turquoise piece.
Audrey – You did a great job using an eclectic mix of beads! I love the bead you chose for the ring. Kudos for venturing into making something completely new for you! I have not tried rings yet. I LOVE the memory wire bracelet. The beads are all so different, yet seem to "go together" like they were made for each other. Thanks again for participating in the hop!
Nice job Audrey, I think you made those blue beads *sing* 🙂
Your bracelet is gorgeous – I love all the blues & greens together. Great job on the ring!
Love the stacked look of these and that ring is awesome! Would totally wear it!
Hahah, I see you there, YOU USED BEAD CAPS. 8D <3
Which means now I can keep the gorgeous copper ones I just ordered to myself.
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KIDDING!
I adore the ring, for some reason. The wire looks like it's a heavier gauge, so it must have been quite a bitch to wrap that. And the bracelet is gorgeous anyway. I never would have dared to use big chunky beads like these for it, kudos! My designs are usually delicate and dangly. I love your use of daisy spacers too – I have some but I never quite seem to know what the heck to do with them so they just keep sitting around.
I'm loving the ring, too. What gauge wire are you using? I want to try one now.
Beautiful use of color in the bracelet. Those wire ends can be rather challenging!
Great job!
I'm loving the ring, too. What gauge wire are you using? I want to try one now.
Beautiful use of color in the bracelet. Those wire ends can be rather challenging!
Great job!
Very nice jewelry. I love the way you combined beads in the bracelet.
I have only tried to make one ring and lets just say I moved on.. LOL But the bracelet is stunning. I just love those colors. Something I would def rock.
love love love the ring…did you use a tutorial for it? if so, would you please send me the link?
http://www.beadaholique.com/t-video-Wrapped-Wire-Bead-Ring.aspx There you go :>
That was 18g, for the ring. For my usual wire-wrapping I use 20g and 24g. The 18g is harder to work with, but not impossible
Perfect use of memory wire! Both pieces are great
Gorgeous bracelet and I think you did a good job on the ring
I really like both of your pieces! I enjoy making and wearing bracelets like this and it really shows off the stones and beads you got so well!