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Artisan Clay Design Team Reveal

Today's the day! The day for the Artisan Clay Design Team to reveal their creations. Kristie Roeder, of Artisan Clay, put together a design team. She sends a piece that she made each month, and we have a ridiculous amount of time to put together a wonderful creation using her wonderful creation! Of course, I waited until yesterday to actually put mine together. I've had it in my head for weeks. I made the beads I used weeks ago. I've even sold some of the same beads I made to put this little darling together! But as usual, I waited until last minute. Sometimes I think it works better for me that way.So, ta daaaah! Here's my finished piece. I really like it. The connector component was what I picked from Kristie. It's really beautiful! I may have mentioned before that we get about three days of sun here in the 'burgh so it's really hard for me to get good photos. (Unless I get out the light box I have, which I really despise using...). Today the sun cooperated a bit so I took these outside - ignore any little buggies you see in the photos.
I used gunmetal chain - this necklace is long enough to slip over my neck, no need for a clasp. I also used some connectors I had asked Rocki of Rocki's Supplies on etsy to make me a really long time ago.
Closeup of Kristie's connector piece. It has those peacocky-oil slick colors in it and is actually textured on both sides. I chose to use this side because I had the lampwork bead design in my head the minute I received her piece!
I used metallic black glass, which is flashed in the flame, to get the peacock-oil slick colors on these beads. I used my magic wand to created the dents in the beads to match Kristie's connector. I also used some African trade beads I received from The Bead Chest to complement some of the colors, and some old silver trade beads I had laying around that are somewhat oxidized.

I had to mess with the design for quite a while. Sometimes what's in your head just won't translate into a piece of jewelry, no matter how hard you try! It can be worn with all the interest right in front, but I like to wear it asymmetrically, with the three beads in the front and the focal of Kristie's up the side. I'm very happy with this piece, and will definitely wear it! See what all the other participants made by visiting their blogs!

The other Design Team members are:

Marcie Abney

Shannon Chomanczuk

Carol Dean Sharpe

Staci Louise Smith

Jen Velasquez

Comments

Anonymous said…
GREAT necklace!! You know I love those pod beads. It's fun to hear about your process with the beads. And I can really relate to making something just before the deadline!
stacilouise said…
Very nice! The colors are all wonderful together!!!
This is so cool! I love how you balanced Kristie's connector with the other beads. Well done. :)
TesoriTrovati said…
Those ruffly beads are my favorite. And the glaze on them is so great!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Cool piece! I can't believe you made beads to go with it, sweet.
Artisan Clay said…
I love the beads you made!
I am so like you! I got my supplies weeks ago, but I just made my necklace Wednesday night and photographed it Thursday night..... It can be better that way sometimes.

I love what you did!
"Oil slick" is the perfect way to describe the finish. Great job!
Jen Judd said…
Awesome! I love your glass take on the design!
Anonymous said…
Great necklace, Sue!! Love the colors! Beautifully done!!
Holly said…
What a cool necklace this is! I love your accent beads and the cool components that work so nicely with Kristie's beautiful piece!
Unknown said…
Beautiful, I love the addition of the gold African beads.
SueBeads said…
Thank you everyone for the great comments! This was fun - I'm looking forward to the next one!

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