Winter Enchantment

There is an old saying "better late than never" and that certainly applies to my latest piece created as part of the Artbeads Design Partner Blogging Program.

I have to confess that I should have blogged about this at least a month or so ago but life has it's ups and downs which doesn't always allow us to meet our deadlines.

The most recent theme for the Design Partners was "Winter Enchantment" and as previously mentioned I had decided to use a Eucalyptus Ironbark Gum blossom that blooms in Australia during winter, as my inspiration.

Aren't these the most divine blossoms you have ever seen?

I was originally going to be making a necklace constructed of gum blossoms created using Melind Barta's addictive "Sparkly Wheels" but there were a few bumps in that road

so a gum leaf and blossom brooch was born!

The leaf has been embroidered with size 11/0 seed beads and Czech fire polished beads.

The blossom has been stitched using Czech fire polished beads and size 11/0 seed beads and then fringed with size 11/0 and size 15/0 seed beads.

The leaf is life size measuring approximately 6.5 inches (15cm) long and around 1 inch (1.5cm) wide.

My little man, Spencer, actually said "mummy this looks like a real leaf but with sparkly beads''... ahh an honest critic!

Unfortunately I still need to add the brooch backing as the only ones I had included a loop so it could be worn with a necklace but in the mean time it looks great sitting next to my computer!

As my original design idea had not come to fruition I decided to use the left over beads to make a bracelet to kind of match the brooch!

I love this bracelet as it is so colourful and just has such a happy feeling to it...not to mention you could wear it with just about any outfit!

It's just a pity I will be giving it to a friend for her birthday...

...but hey I can always make another!

♥

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Disclosure: I am a reviewer of Artbeads.com products and a participant of its blogging program. I received all the components free of charge. This post reflects my honest opinion and Artbeads.com is not compensating me for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

My Creative Space

I've been working on this piece for a while now (my famous last words!) as part of the Artbeads Design Partner blogging program. 

The theme was "Winter Enchantment" and the inspiration for my piece is a Eucalyptus Ironbark Gum blossom which blooms during the Australian Winter.

Originally I was going to create a necklace made up of several gum blossoms created from the infamous "Sparkly Wheels" design by Melinda Barta.

To this I was going to then add some lampwork gum blossoms and leaves which were being made by my very talented friend, Sally, of Happily Ever Artist. 

But unfortunately the blossoms didn't turn out as planned so it was back to the drawing board...

...when I had a lightbulb moment and decided to make my very first beaded brooch!

Although I had already made several Sparkly Wheels I decided to use just the one...

and add to that a bead embroidered gum leaf...

And of course a beading session over Easter would not be complete without one or two Easter eggs thrown in for good measure...and creative motivation of course!

Hopefully I should have this one finished over the weekend.

The picture posting for this theme was quite a few weeks ago...

I guess as the saying goes.. better late than never...

♥

My Creative Space...It's a Sparkly Wheels invasion!

This week I feel like I have been going around in circles. 

Why? Because I have been making so many of Melinda Barta's "Sparkly Wheels"... 

...get it... wheels... round... round in circles [insert crazy, spinning head here].

I first made these for the last Margie and Me Challenge below.

and well what can I say... these little suckers are 

SO DAMN ADDICTIVE!

This time around I have decided to include my love of cabochons and am adding a gorgeous tigers eye cab as the centre piece.I have already stitched around the cab with some beautiful tigers eye fire polished beads and again I am using 3mm fire polished beads and size 15/0 seed beads.

I am absolutely l♥ving thes tigers eye fire polished beads as well as the Picasso mix fire polished beads.

I cannot wait to get this piece finished. I have been wearing my other bracelet to work this week and have been astounded by all the lovely comments I have received. 

A few people have even hinted they'd like to own one!

Hmmmm me thinks I am going to need to order some more fire polished beads!

♥