So...Miss Sally from The Studio Sublime decided to play with crayons...and she invited us to play with her. But she had a rule...I could only pick one color and that's all I can create with!
I picked black. This was a tough one! Made this a REAL challenge for me. If you have followed my creative journey, you probably noticed...everything I make is spilling and bursting from the seams with color! And lots of different ones too.
So designing with black, and only black was HARD.
I had just finished the Wrapped, Stacked and Layered Challenge and was really inspired by all the bangles I saw there. I did not have the right kind of wire to make my own bangle. So I decided to use memory wire. But I had already made one (yeah, just one so far :D) bracelet with memory wire, so wanted to make it a bit differently. So, here's what I did:
I strung some "ribbed" black beads, gunmetal seed beads and a "mayan" print focal bead on half a length of memory wire. Then I wanted to make something multi-stranded to add some interest to the other half. So I attached a length of gunmetal chain, and strung together gunmetal and clear seed beads for a second strand. Was thinking of adding a strand of plain black seed beads as well, but I think I like it this way.
It looks pretty, but has a technical problem. It is heavy on one side. I wish Lori Anderson had published her post about stringing a bit sooner. I would have thought of balance then while designing this! So, now I have to figure out how to fix this problem.
When I designed this bracelet, I remembered I actually completed a whole set for the very first time! I now have a complete set of necklace, earrings and bracelet! Here are the other two pieces I had made a few months back.
I don't like this picture. Probably because of the background. The necklace looks amazing when worn :-)
And here are the earrings...
I picked black. This was a tough one! Made this a REAL challenge for me. If you have followed my creative journey, you probably noticed...everything I make is spilling and bursting from the seams with color! And lots of different ones too.
So designing with black, and only black was HARD.
I had just finished the Wrapped, Stacked and Layered Challenge and was really inspired by all the bangles I saw there. I did not have the right kind of wire to make my own bangle. So I decided to use memory wire. But I had already made one (yeah, just one so far :D) bracelet with memory wire, so wanted to make it a bit differently. So, here's what I did:
I strung some "ribbed" black beads, gunmetal seed beads and a "mayan" print focal bead on half a length of memory wire. Then I wanted to make something multi-stranded to add some interest to the other half. So I attached a length of gunmetal chain, and strung together gunmetal and clear seed beads for a second strand. Was thinking of adding a strand of plain black seed beads as well, but I think I like it this way.
It looks pretty, but has a technical problem. It is heavy on one side. I wish Lori Anderson had published her post about stringing a bit sooner. I would have thought of balance then while designing this! So, now I have to figure out how to fix this problem.
When I designed this bracelet, I remembered I actually completed a whole set for the very first time! I now have a complete set of necklace, earrings and bracelet! Here are the other two pieces I had made a few months back.
I don't like this picture. Probably because of the background. The necklace looks amazing when worn :-)
And here are the earrings...
These I like :-)
Thank you, Sally for hosting this challenge :-) I wish I could have made more pieces, but am glad I could finish at least one!
Here's the list of other participants in the challenge. Time for some more eye-candy :-)
Hostess
Red
Therese Frank http://theresestreasures59.
Rochelle Brisson http://acreativechelle.
Lisa Lodge http://pineridgetreasures.
Malin de Koning http://beadingbymalindekoning.
Bobbie Rafferty http://beadsong.blogspot.com
Orange
Beth McLarnan http://threetrees-art.
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.
Jean Welles http://jeanawells.blogspot.com
Rebekah Payne http://treewingsstudio.com
Lola Surwillo http://.beadlolabead.blogspot.
Judy Turner http://silver-rains.blogspot.
Yellow
Jennifer Justman http://soulsfiredesigns.
Rose Brisson http://ahteesblog.blogspot.com
Kim Bender http://www.kimmykats.com/
Heather Powers http://humblebeads.blogspot.
Shelly Joyce http://www.aujourlejour-
Blue
Cherie Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.
Rebecca Anderson http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=13909879&msgid=164274&act=HGBU&c=1116577&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fsongbeads.blogspot.com%2F
Hope Smitherman http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=13909879&msgid=164274&act=HGBU&c=1116577&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.craftyhope.blogspot.com%2F
Patti Vanderbloemen http://
Michelle Buettner http://MiShelDesigns.blogspot.
Alicia Marinache http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=13909879&msgid=164274&act=HGBU&c=1116577&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allprettythings.ca%2F
Charissa Sloper http://blog.obsidiansoda.com
Sonya Stille http://dreaminofbeads.
Maria Grimes http://mariagrimes.blogspot.
Nancy Saccoccio http://risingdesigns.blogspot.
Joanne Tinley http://
Catherine Pruitt http://boobeads.blogspot.com
Green
Mary Harding http://
Karin Gilman http://www.qaygee.
Jayne Capps http://mamasgottodoodle.
Lorelei Eurto http://lorelei1141.blogspot.
Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.
Alice Peterson http://alice-dreaming.
Jenny Davies Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com
Cynthia Machata http://antiquitytravelers.
Melissa Essenburg http://chinookdesigns.
Regina Santerre http://reginaswritings.
Lauren Streets http://ornthoughts.wordpress.
Elizabeth Auld http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=13909879&msgid=164274&act=HGBU&c=1116577&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beadsforbusygals.com%2F
Purple
Tracy Mok http://bumblebeadsdesigns.
Jennifer Judd Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.
Marti Conrad http://marticsclay.blogspot.
Donna Bradley http://strandedbeads.blogspot.
Courtney Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.
Linda Younkman http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.
Susan Kennedy http://www.suebeads.blogspot.
Lisa Liddy http://Lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Tracy Stillman http://www.
Dawn Doucette http://designsbydawnmarie.
Brown
Diana Ptaszynski http://suburbangirlstudio.com
Shannon Chomanczuk http://formysweetdaughter.
Janice Everett http://JLynnJewels.blogspot.
Karen Williams http://Baublicious.blogspot.
Black
Kashmira Patel http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=13909879&msgid=164274&act=HGBU&c=1116577&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fsadafulee.blogspot.com%2F
Heidi Post http://expostfactojewelry.
Birgitta Lejonklou http://lejonklou.blogspot.com/
Holly Westfall http://silverrosedesigns.
I like your bracelet. I wish it didn't have the balance problem -- that's long been the bane of my bracelet creations!
ReplyDeleteTurned out really pretty
ReplyDeleteHehe, thanks for telling me the first version was boring ;-)
DeleteKashmira, I love the pieces you created, the bracelet completes the set beautifully!! You did a fantastic job creating in the color black... I found it a tough color to work with too.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to join in and participate in the hop!! Thank you!!
I think you did a great job with the black. Those ribbed beads are great and the focal is really cool.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beads, especially the focal! I actually considered choosing black, but I was intent on using beads in my stash and strangly, black is a color in which I have few beads! Beautiful set!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Patty!
DeleteI totally know what you mean by wanting to use your stash. I actually ONLY use my stash as far as possible...have set that limit for myself and it has been working well so far :)
The whole set is wonderful! I love the design on the necklace :) I hope you find a solution to the un-balanced bracelet, it is a lovely set!
ReplyDeleteYou conquered that challenge! Your pieces are wonderful and that necklace, luscious!
ReplyDeleteI've always been a fan of black. Your pieces are gorgeous--all of them. But I think my favorite is the necklace....something about the unique design really pulls me in.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and romantic Kashmira! What if you added one more length of chain to the other two for balance?
ReplyDeleteim loving that bracelet!
ReplyDeleteI love your set! The bracelet is so pretty and the necklace design w/those earrings are very nice! I know what you mean about bracelet designs -but it does look fabulous in the photo!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shel! My excuse is I am still very new to making bracelets. Have received some tips on how to fix it...so hopefully I can make this one work out well!
DeleteVery Creative!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pam!
DeleteI understand your pain! My color for this challenge was brown when this time of year I like to work lots and lots of color. :)
ReplyDeleteBut you definitely stepped up to the plate and met the challenge head on! I especially like the middle necklace - very simple and elegant and something I would totally wear.
That is a REALLY creative necklace design! Well done!
ReplyDeleteI really like the beads you chose. The bracelet is beautiful. The necklace and earrings are amazing also. I like how you encased the beads in the chain.
ReplyDeleteGreat a great set. I love the necklace and the way the chain hangs in strands connected by the beads. Love the earrings and bracelet too. I can see me wearing this set. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jean! The necklace does look a LOT better in person :-)
DeleteHi Kashmira,
ReplyDeletePretty name! I really like your bracelet and it will go well with the necklace and earrings you had already made. It would not be hard to put a counter weight on the back of the bracelet it is just deciding what you want to use.
Therese
I think you did a great job with the black. That would be a hard one for me too. I actually had the same problem you did with the memory wire, but I also cut it a bit too short, so the bracelet I made with it keeps flying off my arm at odd moments! :)
ReplyDeletewow, oh wow! that bracelet is gorgeous, and then I moved on to the necklace and just stopped. I LOVE it! it is amazing, creative and just, well fantastic! for someone who doesn't really use black you hit it out of the park. I personally wear a lot of it, and would LOVE to wear these.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! Am so glad you liked it so much :)
DeleteI don't have a shop yet, but this is definitely for sale, so let me know if you are interested ;-)
great job!! i love the set... i have used the focal bead on your bracelet before... are you keeping the set? i would!
ReplyDeleteshelly
Love what you came up with. Black and shades of it are among my favorite color palette.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa :-)
DeleteYou did a wonderful job with the challenge - that necklace is so striking!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather! That necklace just happened....I had made another one originaly with a big focal. SOmeone wanted that focal in something else, so I had to break it apart and redo it. And this is what it turned into! I do like this one much better :)
DeleteGreat bracelet Kashmira. I am so intrigued by your technique of using memory wire with the chain. It came out really well. Hard to see that it is not balanced.
ReplyDeleteSimple yet striking design, you've done well with the colour black.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy! I had fun with the bracelet :)
DeleteGood job on working outside your normal comfort zone -- isn't that the most fun about these challenges?
ReplyDeleteI love the focal on the bracelet - it makes a great looking piece if you can balance it. Well done!
ReplyDeleteVery nice pieces! I have a weakness for dangly earrings, those are great!
ReplyDeleteLove the bracelet, but I am loving the unique design of the necklace even more. Great job.
ReplyDeleteI love the black ribbed beads you used ... your pieces have a lot of depth and interest. Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteWow! The necklace design is really interesting!
ReplyDeleteI really like your IDEA for the bracelet and I bet you could find a way to make it balance more.
ReplyDeleteAs for that set, awesome. I bet that necklace is stunning when worn. I can see it dressed up or down. Wonderful job!
oops! I accidentally deleted this comment by Jenny:
ReplyDelete"I love that you tried something new to you, and wanted to engineer a new piece. Thanks for sharing the process and the successes and challenges. Looking good! "
Thanks Jenny! I did have fun making all of them!
Black is one of my favorite colors and your desings are very pretty!
ReplyDelete