"Beadwork" Challenge

For anyone familiar with the marvelous Beadwork magazine, you may have noticed a regular feature called "The Challenge."  This is where various beading supply companies donate kits to the magazine, which then sends the kits on to four seasoned bead-weavers to see what they come up with.  Did I mention that this is my favorite feature in any beading magazine?  I wait with baited breath for each new issue.  As soon as it arrives, I flip right to "The Challenge" to see what enticing bead kit has been chosen, and what undoubtedly stupendous jewelry has been created from said kit.

Just under a year ago I had the thought, "Why shouldn't Beadaholique donate a kit for 'The Challenge'?"  Why not, indeed?  I quickly got to work, creating four separate color stories for four very different kits.  Each kit included a variety of seed beads, some unique findings, a few lengths of silk ribbon, and at least one focal or interesting clasp.  We realized that perhaps our friends at Beadwork wouldn't want to sift through four kits, but we were able to narrow it down and they graciously accepted two to consider for submission.

I was delighted when they contacted us saying that they had chosen one of our kits for a challenge, and that they had decided upon a delicious looking color combo of electric yellow-green and deepest royal purple, with gunmetal and pewter findings.  I was delighted, but also inspired.  Even though I would not be one of the four artists chosen to take "The Challenge," I decided to challenge myself!

my version of "The Challenge"

I worked obsessively on my project, using some of the larger Swarovskis and Czech glass beads to build lacy seed bead frames around.  I utilized right angle weave and peyote stitch in the round to make these nebulous discs, which I then stitched together in a bib-style centerpiece.  I knew that I needed to include the wonderful silk ribbons, so I came up with a simple braided strap and then embroidered matching seed beads on top of it.  The true challenge for me was how to incorporate the whimsical Green Girl pewter owl bead and owl toggle clasp.  I was very pleased with my solution:  I threaded the owl bead onto the silk ribbon, knotting at each end.  The clasp I glued onto Ultra Suede and then embroidered beads around it.  I stitched the embroidered clasp onto the bib portion of my necklace, where it blended in with the other circular elements of the design.

I finished the necklace right around the same time the brand new June/July 2011 issue of Super Beadwork arrived at Beadaholique.  I swiftly rifled through the mag until I found what I was looking for: "The Challenge," featuring our kit!  I was in awe over the gorgeous and inventive designs the four talented ladies had created.  I loved being able to participate in my favorite magazine feature, and I had so much fun trying it out on my own.  I encourage you to go to your local crafting or book store and pick up the latest issue of Beadwork or Super Beadwork so that you can see our kit used in "The Challenge", and hopefully be inspired to challenge yourself!
 

Look for "The Challenge" in Beadwork's June/July 2011 Issue

Happy Beading!

-Andrea