Lorelei's Michaels Challenge Reveal

This was indeed a fun and exciting Challenge Lorelei.  Thanks so much for setting it up.  The adventure started on Saturday, Oct. 2 when I went to Michaels' and bought two sets of the beads that Lorelei picked out for the challenge, one for me and one for my new friend in Sweden, Malin de koning.  I sent them out to her the following Monday and she had them in just a few days, which I thought was amazing.

The beads I used

Then I started on the necklace on Columbus Day Holiday and have been working on it since.  It was a challenge in lots of ways, and all of them good and the reason I signed up for this in the first place.  I love to have to stretch my mind and try out new things.  This challenge met those criteria.  It also surprised me in some other ways  It was a challenge to make a necklace that looks like me and stayed within the parameters set for us.  The structure of the  "rules" was difficult at times and I think I learned a lot about the importance of design, color and FOCUS ( It was hard not to add more beads, charms etc.).

According to the "rules" we could add 2 bead types and a pendant and a clasp.
I added my handmade:
Stoneware Wild Grass Pendant
Lime green earthenware clay beads
Teal stoneware beads
Teal stoneware wild grass toggle
Copper HOPE toggle bar

I used a copper Bead Landing chain instead of the white one, not because I couldn't find white, but because I found the white just wouldn't work for me.
The idea of wire wrapping the lime green beads and new jade into the chain I owe to Leslie Rogalski who explains this technique in the Oct./Nov. 2010 issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry, pages 32-33.
About the word HOPE.  I chose this word because it is important to me. I try to impart hope to all I know and meet.  I thought that adding this word to the clasp would make the necklace more personal.

My favorite part of this necklace is the texture.  It is lumpy bumpy which gives it vitality, I think.  I know I will enjoy wearing it.
You can blog hop to  the others who participated in this challenge.   Yesterday I couldn't make the links live.  So I am going to have you link back to  Lorelei's blog.
Mary Harding


Hilary of Fryestyle

For My Sweet Daughter

My Life Under the Bus

Kristie of DreamSomeDesigns

Linda’s Bead Blog & Meanderings

Copper Diem



Andrew Thornton

TyneBodenNecklaces

Raida of HavanaBeads (I need a correct link for this blog!)

Erin of Treasuresfound

Molly of BeautifullyBrokenMe

Beading by Malin de Koning







AuntieAnnie

Gr8Findings

Deborah M Purdy

Spirited Earth



Erin Siegel Jewelry

beads by breul

Beads for Busy Gals

Cynths Blog

Nayas Organized Chaos

Crafty Hope



Rosebud For the Love of Beads

Jamberry Song

Peacock Fairy

Elysian Studio Art

Designs by Debi

sweet girl design