Seed Bead and Metal Blog Hop

Sharyl, from Sharyl's Jewelry and Shirley Moore, from Beads and Bread teamed up to offer a special blog hop.

Sharyl specializes in metal components, while Shirley does wonders with seed beads.  These ladies combined their pieces into a kit and invited their readers to play along.

Of course, I didn't think to take pictures when I received my components.

The beaded component I received was the "d" shaped one in the top left of Sharyl's photo.

The metal components I received were the dark copper circles in the top left of Sharyl's photo.

Sharyl also sent a clasp component that I'll show you below.

I'll be honest.  I had no idea what to do with these components.  I knew I wanted to use them all in one piece, but wasn't sure where to even start.

The copper circles were slightly domed.  I put them back to back and wondered if I could attach them somehow.  Then it hit me -- I could bezel them.

I chose colors that complimented Shirley's component.

The pendant is reversible.  Unfortunately, I didn't take full advantange and use different colors on the front and back.  I will next time, though. :)

After a while of staring at the pendant, I came up with the idea to connect it to Shirley's component.

The beads I used don't quite match, but it's hard to tell.

I *loved* the completed pendant and really wanted to showcase it, so I made a simple chain of half persian 4 in 1 to complete the necklace.

You may not be able to tell, but I changed the way the chain attaches.  In the close up above, the chain attached at the sides of the pendant.  In the photo above, it attaches at the middle.  I like the second way better.

I used the other of Sharyl's components as part of the clasp.  I created the hook on the right side and was able to slide it into the middle of Sharyl's component on the left.

I love the way this turned out and will be calling on Sharyl for more of her domed circles.  I can see several of these in the future.

Sharyl and Shirley, thank you so much for the components and the challenge.  I had fun and am so happy with how it turned out!

Please take some time to visit the rest of the participants.

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson -- Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections (*Co-Host)

Shirley Moore -- Beads and Bread (*Co-Host) 

Candy Wham -- (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog) 

Angi Mullis -- (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog) 

Laren Dee Barton -- Laren Dee Designs

Beti Horvath -- Stringing Fool

Tanya Goodwin -- A Work in Progress - you are here

Marybeth Rich -- Forest of Jewels

Amy Severino -- AmyBeads

Carolyn's Creations -- Carolyn's Creations

Toltec Jewels -- Jewel School Friends

Sale over at Sharyl's Jewelry

My friend Sharyl, from Sharyl's Jewelry, is a wonderful jewelry designer, wireworker, metal smith and more.

She creates fun and unique pieces using artbeads from her favorite artists.

She also participates in the monthly Art Bead Scene challenges.  This piece, titled Sleeping Beauty in Snow is from the December 2012 challenge.

The necklace, for sale in Sharyl's artfire store, features beads from Natalie Pappas.  (You can find more of Natalie's beads in her etsy shop.)

You can see Sharyl's most recent challenge piece here on her blog.  Because I love it so much, though, I will give you a sneak peek.  This features beads from Natalie and from Serena Thomas.

Because I can't resist, I will also show you these Jellyfish Teal Glass earrings, also in Sharyl's shop.

These earrings build on lampwork beads from Russ Powers of Javabead.

In addition to jewelry, Sharyl also sells handmade (by her) components in her shop.

I love these copper dangles.

Sharyl added a patina to these copper circles which gives them an "earthy" feel.

I saved the best news for last.  Sharyl is having a sale in her artfire store.  Hop over and receive 20% off with the code SCHOOL20.  I know you will find a few things you can't live without.

If you would like to see more of Sharyl's work, you can follow her blog or like her on facebook.