Beads and Bread: St. Petersburg stitch

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

It's AJE Reveal Day...and it's a stunner!

I know, I know, it's not polite to brag on yourself....but seriously, I'm just rather impressed at where this piece took me!
If you are not familiar with AJE, you are in for a treat. It's a blog of super talented folks, and each month they create a piece from a component one of them created. They are also nice enough to have a few folks join in each month as well. I've been very privileged to participate in the past.
This month the component is created by the fabulous Kristi Bowman. What that woman can do with clay is awesome!

I grabbed this image from the AJE site. Mine piece is the bottom row, on the right. I just adore the warm, coppery tones in it.
There is also a hint of purple, so that pretty much set the color choices for me.
However.....I hit a major hiccup in my process.
See, there was this gorgeous sexy, double St. Pete in Beadwork a few months ago that I just knew would marry so well with the pendant. I started it with plenty of time to spare...colors were awesome...I knew it would work, even with the modifications I was making to the pattern. But, confidence is great to trip you up at times. I made a major uh-oh in my beadweaving. So, I had to decide very quickly whether I would Ripppit, Ripppit, or start something totally new.

I'm crazy, so I decided to start something completely new. Fingers flying, brain sizzling with ideas, I tried some things I've not tried before; and, well, I love it! I hope you do as well...

I chose some luscious purples, blues, coppers, and metallics to show off the pendant's rich patina.

The chain is a mix of triple spiral, seen here, along with some new peyote beaded beads as well.

Obviously, I need to learn how to photo the entire length of a longer necklace...sigh.

Closeup of the beaded beads I stumbled upon. I'm not going to be prideful enough to say, 'I created'. However, I do love the look, and they are very tactile. The wavy strands move freely upon the bead.

Lampwork toggle from The Beading Room. The soft mottled colors work perfectly with the overall palette.

I was so excited to finally get to use these fabulous disc beads by Lea Avroch. They show off the peyote beaded beads perfectly.

Look how everyone plays so well together!!

I've used this RAW variation several times. I love how easy it is, and the silver lined beads meander like a stream through the matte beads.

So, were you wondering what happened with the original design? Well, I went ahead and took a pic of it for ya, cause I'm nice like that....

See how pretty and feminine? And the pattern was for a double layer St. Pete, so these oranges would have been peeking out through the purples.

You can wear it with the fringes inside our outside. I hope I decide to finish it. But, you just never know....

Thanks for hangin' with me through all those pics. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Kristi's components, and thrilled to create for AJE.

You can check out everyone's work from the links over at AJE.

Blessings, Shirley

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Flap Your Wings Reveal

Today is the reveal day for the Flap Your Wings challenge, hosted by Tania Spivey over at Moobie Grace Designs. This challenge was in honor of Judy Glende, who finished her battle with cancer, and went home to her King. Most of the artists involved in this challenge probably knew Judy better than I did. I had found her blog, and followed, for a year or so. I had made comments, which she always answered. So I was just an online acquaintance, but what an impact she made on me! Her positive attitude, her phenomenal jewelry, and her willingness to give and help in any way. All those things were what I knew of her through just being an online acquaintance. What a blessing she must have been to those close to her.
I'm extremely pleased with the piece that came about as the result of this challenge. I don't sell my jewelry yet, and I knew immediately that I wanted to make this piece for a very special friend. She and Judy don't have anything in common that I know of, but she is also a wonderful and positive "balcony person" in my life.
As with most pieces, this one had some ups and downs. I wanted to use a pendant from a stash I had won from Objects and Elements about a month ago.

I tried several different beading options around the pendant before I finally settled on one.

I created a rectangular frame for it.

I chose St. Petersburg for the straps. I love that stitch, it is so delicate looking. I truly love the colors, golden honey and rasberry red together. I felt uplifted and peaceful throughout this project, and will be always thankful to Judy for the kindness she showed to me.

Here are the other participants in the challenge. Blessings, Shirley

1. Tania Spivey

2. Lori Anderson

3. Kashmira Patel

4. Gail Accinelli

5. Rebecca Anderson

6. Rebekah Payne

7. Amanda Doyle Tibbetts

8. Kim Ballor

9. Rochelle Brisson

10. Sandra McGriff

11. Lana Kinney