Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pretty Links

Hmmm...now that is such a generic name for a blog post.
I read today that the title of a blog post is very important as that is the first thing a search engine looks at.
Can you guess which has been the most popular post on my blog?
The one with this title: "Cocktail Hour Blog Hop: Manhattan". Ha!

So from now on, I am going to try to make my blog titles more "searchable"

I know, this title doesn't really say much about what I am going to say ;-) Anyhoo...

Today is the reveal day for the Blogging Link Challenge set for 20 of us by Peggy Johnson of the Charm Barn.

She sent me this:


I was to make something with these really amazingly beautiful tortoise shell finish acrylic links. She sent this color to 10 of us and black ones to the other 10. Her only requirement was that we use the links so that they are "visible" when the piece is worn. They need not be the focal point, but they should be an important part.

She is going to put up pictures of everyone's creation and is also hosting a little contest on her blog. You get to choose two of your favorite designs.

I fell in love with these links the minute I saw them. But. Yeah, there's a but. They are BIG! Bigger than anything I have ever used! Each link is at least an inch long. Peggy has made bracelets out of them, so that was definitely something I was not going to make. A single link sat perfectly snug on my finger, and would have made a SUPER ring. But. Yeah, another one. But, I don't know how to make even a simple wire ring. This would certainly be more complicated. I was thinking maybe putting a bead in the center and then using stretchy elastic as the actual band. Oh well, we'll see. I still have some links left to try that idea out.

Are you losing patience here and want me to move on to what I DID make? Alright, alright, I will show you. It is not like anything I have ever made before. And yet, is my mostest, favoritest necklace yet.

See...scroll down a bit, you will agree too!




The links had slight color variations in them, which I absolutely loved! I used everything chunky...a big heart, large split rings and swivel lobster clasps...the kind used in key chains.

Here's a pic on a bust, so you can get an idea of the size.


This has been the most difficult challenge for me, but I enjoyed every bit of it.
If you would like to get some for yourself, here's her store: Willow Branch Beads 

Do visit the other participants to see what they have made. This is such an unusual component, I promise you will see lots of eye candy!

Shelley Graham Turner  -  www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley - http://mirandack.com
Denielle Hagerman  - www.somebeadsandotherthings.com
Janeen Sorensen  -  http://wildvanilladesigns.com/
Audrey BĂ©langer  -  http://esperianterra.blogspot.com/

I hope Peggy's contest is up and running when you read this. If not, do check back later!

44 comments:

  1. It's lovely Kashmira! Isn't it fun to step outside our comfort zones now and again?!

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    1. Thanks, Lori! Yes, it is very gratifying to step out and nail it!

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  2. I love what you did with the links. :)

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  3. Oh I love this necklace! What a fantastic design! so chic :)

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  4. I love how you used the clasps as part of your design :)

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    1. Oh, I loved them too! Was so glad I could finally put them to good use :)

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  5. Lovely chunky style, so different from your usual one! You really challenged yourself, well done!

    Ambra

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    1. Yeah! Totally outside the outer box box for me, lol :-)

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  6. I just love your necklace especially the way you incorporated the heart into it! Great job.

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    1. Thank you, Shaiha! The heart kind of makes the "rough-and-tough" necklace a bit of a, well, heart ;)

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  7. Very nice Kashmira. I like the chunkiness. And the heart focal really seems to fit right in. Plus, I love the clasps all around it. Nice touch.

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    1. Thanks Kay! The clasps are my favorite part :)

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  8. I don't know if my first comment came through. Very nice. I really like the chunkiness of it. And the heart focal just seems to fit right in. Plus I like the clasps all the way around it.

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  9. Like the use of the antique gold lobster claw chain and links with the tortoise Links..great scale and the heart focal is a lovely touch!

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    1. Thank you, Terri! I like yours better though ;-)

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  10. i like the way you used the clasps and the heart together :) its gorgeous

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  11. I am really loving the look of this. Love the brass clasps! Great job!

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  12. Everyone was so shocked when they saw how big the links were LOL!!! The funny thing to me is that those are my smaller links. The next blog challenge I am going to do will be with my large links (stay tuned).
    I absolutely loved reading your post, I really was laughing out loud. You did a great job and I would wear this necklace in a heartbeat. All of my friends say that it is totally a "Peggy necklace." I actually have some of those components and I think I will try to make one for myself. Now if only I could find a huge heart locket!!!!!

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    1. Peggy, bigger than these! Oh my! That would be way too challenging for me ;)

      And please send me your address, I have more of those hearts, would love to send one to you!

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  13. Wonderful design! I love the combination of the brass and the tortoise shell links!

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    1. Thanks Beti! I love the colors mixed up like that too!

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  14. Hi Kashmira,
    Beautiful necklace. I love the boldness of your piece and the heart really sets it off. Job well done.
    Therese

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    1. Thank you, Therese! I do love this necklace a lot :)

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  15. Lovely piece, love the brass with the links and the heart is the perfect touch... definitely one of my favs...

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    1. Thank you, DaMamaShipp :-) Lol, I like your AKA name :-)

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  16. OMG! this is so bold and beautiful. I would have never quessed is was a difficult challenge for you. You ROCKED it Girl!

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    1. Jeannie, thank you! Oh it was wayyyyy outside my little box :) So it was a lotttt more fun than anything else I have done before.

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  17. Kashmira ~ that is AWESOME! I hope you are keeping that one for yourself. :-)

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    1. Ohhh...Tammie...now you are tempting me to keep it ;) I think I will list it (I did promise to help those kids at PWhy out, and this is for them), and if no one buys in a few weeks, I will buy it ;o)

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  18. That is fantastic Kashmira! I love the way you connected the pendant. That makes it totally interchangeable and versatile! LOVE this piece.

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    1. Thanks, Ema! I had wanted to do a design with the clasp in the front for the longest time. And now, well, I guess I have something with clasps all over it, lol :)

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  19. You did such a great job with the links. The way you balanced them with the large links and clasp and heart - excellent job! I love it.

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  20. Great job pulling everything together. I love those chunky lobster clasps. So fun!

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  21. Glad you linked to this as I had missed out last week due to personal issues that limited my online addiction! I continue to be amazed at how beauty can be shown in so many ways, with such a variety of components. I had never considered acrylic. Now I will!

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  22. Thank you so much for the Heart Pendant Kashmira! I just love it and now I am thinking about making a necklace exactly like yours to wear. It was so sweet of you to send me something, so thoughtful. I was just gushing about it at the Bead Shop yesterday.

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    1. You are very very welcome, Peggy! Its the least I could do, you have been so generous and fun :-)

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