Seam Binding Challenge

Recently over on Artisan Whimsy,  I was selected as one of the participants in Karen Lackey's Hand Dyed Seam Binding Ribbon Giveaway and Challenge.  Karen makes some fantastic hand dyed seam binding and as part of the challenge, she sent 20 lucky people samples of her ribbon.  The challenge was to create a piece of jewelry using this seam binding and share it on our blog.   The ribbon I received was a lovely blue/green, gorgeous!

When I started to work with the ribbon, I was having a little bit of a creative block.  I started looking  thru my bead stash and pulled out some beads and waxed linen cording that I thought would work.  I stumbled upon a ceramic focal bead that I had been given in a bead swap and it worked.  

Here are the pieces that I put together.  The first piece is a wrapped bangle with a large stone focal.  The second is a necklace that I created with the ceramic focal bead and some beads I had in my stash.  I originally was going to use the ribbon loose on the necklace but decided instead to braid it to give the necklace a little more interest.  

Unfortunately the photos do not do the ribbon justice.  The weather and lack of sunshine outside in my neck of the woods makes taking photographs very difficult.  Now head on over to Artisan Whimsy  to read Karen's blog post and to see the other participants.  Thanks Karen for allowing me to participate and for your generous giveaway.  

Hearts, Hearts, Hearts

It's time to dust off the keyboard and get my blog back in gear for the New Year.   I've been a little neglectful of my blog since the holidays.  Now its time to get the dust off and start working on more frequent posts.  All the exciting blog hops, Bead Soup Parties and challenges are back in gear and I need to be ready.  

My first challenge for the year is one by Artisan Whimsy.  Artisan Whimsy put out a challenge to create a piece of jewelry that shows your passion and love for jewelry design. One of my passions is making and wearing charm bracelets.  I love the dangly feeling of wearing a charm bracelet and the sexy way it makes you feel.  Hearts are also a favorite or mine as it the color red.  This bracelet combines both of these into one piece of jewelry.