JustATish Designs: pastels

I love being a blogger for Rings & Things. Dave is fantastic with his support, and encouragement. He is the first person to ever comment on my blog, even before I began to blog with them. He is interested in your opinions about the product, your thought processes and the final design. He seems to be truly waiting in anticipation to see what you make. It makes me giddy.

Now flip that coin. I have guilt. I don't feel I am always up for the challenge. Dave has never once asked me "I sent you a item, and I have never seen you use it, what's up with that?" There is no pressure to 'perform' from him, only that you do your best and be honest with the product.
I want to be fair to Dave. I dont' want to work with the product because it is there. I want to be true to it. Still, it troubles me to see the beads on my work table, or I run across them in my inventory and I feel that pang...I put them out and push them around on the table - and -

nothing.

I had found a mess of beads from last summer that came from one of the Designer Assortments for the blogger challenge. This one was pastels - sea foam greens, pinks and blues. It just didn't speak to me. I worked up a necklace with some of it last year, but there was still so much of it left over. I was stumped, and personally, I was a bit put off with them. There is nothing wrong with the quality of the beads, nor the ABUNDANCE of the pieces you get for the price. It is a fantastic deal, so much so, I bought the black Designer Assortment, and have made many things from it. I think it was mebbe the colors. Bottom line, I was being a bit petty I think, because I didn't like them.

You are getting wordy again Tish - Where are you going with this??? Let me make a left turn and then we'll get back on track, promise.

I went to a party a while back, several people there I didn't know. Met some great people and met some artists that, well - because they were good, they no longer felt they needed to connect. I don't want to be that artist. I don't ever want to be above anyone else's art. I never judge your vision or the destination you chose for your piece. I never 'pity' a beginner due to to many questions or that they 'haven't found their direction yet'. I can't. I can't understand when others do. We were all beginners once. If that is how you have to evolve to be successful, then no sir, I don't want it. It isn't that precious to me to give up reaching out to all artists with encouragement and support.

That woke me up and I re considered the Designer Assortment again. I am in Bead Trends (they are accepting entries till the 28th!) mode so my pieces are very summery right now. These beads were perfect for that challenge. I paired them with copper and amazonite for light and whimsical look for any summer activity!

I did a 'hippie wrap' around a piece of carved MOP with copper wire. Next string four strands to create the bulk of the design.

First strand is amazonite chips, seperated with copper spiral beads and rose quartz. (amazonite is the stone of truth, rose quartz is the stone of passion, perfect for this piece)
Second strand is the beads from the Designer Assortment strung randomly
Third and fourth strand is the seed beads that come in the Designer Assortment as a compliment to the beads. I strung the two strands thru one copper bead.
Random weaving of the strands and connected with a copper S clasp

And here she is.

Close up of the focal

Never feel you are not up for the challenge - don't rush yourself. The creativity will come!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

I have been chomping at the bit to get to this necklace. I knew what I had to do as soon as I saw the Designer bead packet with this months blogger challenge from Rings & Things.

Now find the time -

I didn't think it would take as long as it did to complete, over 5 hours. This was done in several 1 hour or 45 minute sittings as I found time to commit to it. I will admit as I got to the last strand, I felt a bit like this guy -

Now it is done and I am thrilled - *sound of scratching record* well almost. This morning in the shower it hit me (always hits me in the shower, I don't know why) how I can make the charms better. A better way to attach them so they have a bit more swinging freedom. But I'll save that for another day :)

Constructing the necklace -

Designer packet

Cut 10 pieces of hemp ranging between 18 and 21 inches. Knot randomly on each strand the 6/0 seed beads from the Designer Packet. I string the beads ahead of time on the hemp and knot as I go

The knotted beads will serve as the 'bail' for the charms. Cut a wire piece and 'crimp' the end by folding the very end back onto itself and giving it a good mash with your needle nosed pliers

When you make the crimp, slide one of the tiny seed beads from the seperate container onto the wire to be used as a 'stopper' for the bead.

Add your bead - there are so many to choose from!- and by making a wire wrapped loop, you will attach the 'charm' to the bead.

One down - TONS TO GO!

Now all 10 strands are finished. You need to attach them to a jump ring. Attaching all 10 strands to one ring is a big order. I broke it down into 2 strands per ring. This also allows you to wear as many or as few of the strands as you want.

Double them back onto themselves bout an inch and wrap with wire to secure

Pinch the ends to keep them flush and not to scratch the wearer, and do the same to the coil. Give it a slight mash with your needle nosed pliers to help with the grip.