More Bead Challenges

Since participating in the Bead Soup Blog Party #8, I think I am addicted to challenges now.  In the past I have mainly stuck with stitching other designers work.  I have been a participant of a couple of Annual Challenges with the Bead Society of Greater Kansas City and I have designed a couple of projects on my own, but have lacked the confidence to really 'step outside the box' and do things completely on my own without a pattern in front of me.

I participated in March 2014 in a challenge by Bead Boutique of Kansas City (www.beadboutiquekc.com) owned by Andrea Adams.  Below is a photo of the challenge pieces we received:

Here is the finished piece that I came up with.  

I added a lamp work lentil that I have had in my bead supplies for a couple of years but never found anything that I thought it blended with.  I also added some chips and spiraled some seed beads in earth-tones between the chips and over the provided Jasper beads. 

It was fun to work with these components as they are beads that I normally wouldn't have purchased but so glad I took the opportunity to participate.

Yesterday my mailbox was bulging with beads from Pine Ridge Treasures Owned by Lisa Lodge.  (You can check out her blog by clicking on the link to the upper right of this page labeled "Gemstone and Metal Blog Hop")

Here are the beads that I get to work with this time...I just love the flecks of Gold that are in the beads.  I have several ideas at this time and look forward to the beading time this weekend to be able to get started on the projects.  

I plan on teasing my readers with 'sneak peeks' of the pieces as I progress.  The reveal date will be July 19, 2014.  I will also have a contest during this time for the opportunity to win a completed piece of jewelry.  I haven't decided what it will be just yet, but I don't think anyone will be disappointed.  

Here are a few of the past winners prizes...

Tennis Bracelet made with galvanized silver seed beads and swarovski crystals.  Earrings were stitched by me, designed by Jill Wiseman. (check out her book, "Beautiful Beaded Ropes").

There were 2 other winners but they haven't received their bling yet as they are in the process of moving and have asked that I don't send them until the move is complete.  I don't want to post photos until they have seen the pieces...It's a surprise.  Photos will come at a later time.

I am also participating in a "pearl challenge" in September.  This is REALLY out of the box for me as I haven't used pearls much.  We shall see how that goes also.  Looking forward to that challenge as well. For now, I will concentrate on the Gemstone and Metal challenge. 

Until we Bead Again, don't forget to watch for details of my upcoming contest.

Lisa