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...

♥

7000 Bracelets of Hope ~ Blog hop

You will recall that I recently posted details of 7000 bracelets for hope.

Well today is the day for the blog hop where we all reveal our beautiful blue bracelets!

The rules of the blog hope were that each participant had to make an adult sized bracelet in denim blue.

The bracelets will then be sent to The Global Genes Project, a group who raises funds for children suffering from rare diseases. The Global Genes Project will then send the bracelet to one of then 7000 families having children with rare diseases to show them love and support.

So without furtherado here is my bracelet.

The components of the bracelet were created using Melinda Barta's wonderful Sparkly Wheels pattern using Czech 3mm fire polished beads and size 15/0 seed beads as well as 4mm fire polished beads and some blue glass pearls.

I seriously cannot get enough of these sparkly wheels...

...they are so quick and easy not to mention oh so versatile!

Be sure to check out Lori's blog at Pretty Things to see the list of all the other participants in the blog hop. Unfortunately I could not get the links to work...

Also please be sure to check out The Global Genes Project site.

♥

This one's a keeper

Here is a bracelet I have been working on for a few weeks and which I recently shared a preview of in My Creative Space.

It's created using those very addictive Sparkly Wheels by Melinda Barta which you have been seeing a bit of lately.

I absolutely love the versatiliy of these wheels and the way they can look completely different depending on the colour combination you choose.

This time I have used gorgeous Tigers Eye and Picasso mix 3mm fire polished beads and size 15/0 seed beads as well as some round Tigers Eye beads.

I absolutely adore this colour combination and the Tigers Eye and Picasso mix beads have become a firm favourite of mine.

The cabochon is Tiger Iron (however it was sold to me as Tigers Eye) and has been beaded and backed with brown leather.

I normally back my pieces with Ultrasuede but lately I have been enjoying using leather. I think it gives the piece a  more professional look.

The leather I have used however is a bit thick so I had a bit of trouble getting the needle through but got there in the end!

I've just ordered a 1 pound bag of deer leather scraps which should be perfect for backing smaller sized cabochons. I've been told that this leather is super soft so I can't wait to use it.

I have to admit I have been wearing this nearly every day.

I think a necklace to match is in order.

Isn't it nice when you make yourself a piece that you adore.

♥

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!

♥