ponder press

Day 7 of the bead challenge was to design and make something with chain. My bead challenge hack has to redo this bracelet. 

  
When I first made it–a good two or three years ago–I accidentally snipped off the length of leather I needed to make the loop for the button.

  
 The button is too cute to not put it to use, so I’m glad I finally fixed/finished it. 

Today’s challenge was to use two-hole czechmate beads. This is a simple pattern, but I’m charmed by it. I’m eager to make more. Maybe some with five (or more) pieces of memory wire. Please note that I’ve used green in about half of the challenges so far. Such a good color.

  
Tomorrow I’ll make a charm bracelet or bangle. I think that will be good fun and be something to have for sale at the market.

Lastly, my real challenge this week was making this square out of cube beads. 

  
The tricky part was that the instructional photos were a little vague, and the instructions were in Russian. With the help of google translator I learned that some of the necessary materials for making it include “security” and “semiconductors.” One line of instructions read: “… It can ask that he held the form.” Good stuff.

Ok, time to tackle some project that I want to work on just for me. Such a selfish Steph, I know…

First, I’m skipping tomorrow’s Downtown Abbey challenge. But, I’ll be readying some reain pieces for Mom, so it’s not like I won’t be making anything.

Anywho, Thursday’s challenge was to use the flat spiral rope technique. Ta da! I’m crazy about this technique and want to make many of these.

   
 Yesterday’s was to incorporate fire polished beads into a project. I made this basic necklace 

  
to accompany this pendant.

  
Today’s challenge was to play with wire. I don’t have the time to do everything I want, but I kind of like this wire-wrapped piece of glass that I fused last weekend.

  
When is the bead embroidery challenge? I’m itching to try some free form bead embroidery. Maybe I’ll make a hedgehog or squid. I also want to make a cube out of cube beads. I’m sure it can’t be that difficult, but the Russian instructions I’ve found are a little … less than ideal.

Oh, and beyond the challenges, I spent a chunk of time painting all of these yesterday.  Now to put them to use.

Time to iron my dress for tonight’s gala. Oh how I hope Joni Balter is there. If she is, I’m going to be a total fangirl!!

Today’s challenge was to make something using my favorite Swarovski colors. 

While not my favorite colors, these blues and yellows go nicely with the pendant.

  
I’d say yesterday’s pink  and green speak to me more than yellow and blue.

But wait, before packing up my crystals, these cubes said, “Why not make one more pair?” And so I did. And you know what, I really do dig the color brown.

  
Bring on day 3’s challenge!

I’ve finally slipped back into jewelry-making mode. It feels good, and I know I’ll be ready for the market when it rolls around.

I think I can thank Fusion Beads for helping me get back in the groove. Last Saturday I took a class on using the Rick’s Bead Loom. 

My first piece is all kinds of messed up, but I tackled a second one, and I’m feeling much better about using the loom. 

I’m also excited to see what cross stitch patterns I’ve been hanging onto for years that I can incorporate into a loomed bracelet.

Anywho, today marks the first day of National Craft Month. Fusion Beads does a 30-day bead challenge every year, and this is the first time I’ve done any of the challenges.  

  
 These earrings have some flaws, for sure. For starters, some white Fireline would have been a little less obvious than the black.

  I can’t say that I’ll do them all (I’m looking at you, Downton Abbey-inspired piece), but it feels good to have met the challenge.

So, I’ll be trying my best to play and also challenge myself. Check back for my progress. And, wish me luck!