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AJE Component of the Month with Lesley Watt!

Over at Art Jewelry Elements, we have a Component of the Month Challenge each month. The members of AJE can play along, and a few people are selected from comments!  This month, Lesley Watt  is the host of the CoM challenge!  She has the most wonderful things in her Thea Too shop, you really do need to check it out.  I have several items of hers that I have not used because, well, I'm a bead hoarder just like you!


This is the focal she sent us - a beautiful bronze snowflake!  I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with it.  Since I wanted to add a bail, and it would be permanent, I did not want to be hasty.  I used E6000 and glued the bail on!  There, that wasn't so hard, was it? 


This is not exactly the color scheme I had in mind.  Nor the amount of strands I wanted to use.  I was thinking of an earth-toned color scheme, and it was going to be a six-strand necklace all with small seed beads.  However, this month being the shortest month in history (ha ha, I know not really, but that's what it feels like) I did not have time to make that happen.  After I left the doctors office (having waited an HOUR for my daughter to see the doctor) I jetted to JoAnn Fabric because I knew knew knew they had to have a better selection of seed beads than my local Michaels.  Wrong.  They had a worse selection, if you can believe it.  I did not have time to run to a small bead store, and as beggars can't be choosers, I went with what I could find from what I had at home!  Yes, Keirstan Giles should be proud!  I purchased this mixed bead set (from China, I know, I'm cringing even as I type it) and used bronze colored seeds and purple colored seeds that I had on hand.


While it's not what was in my head when I set out to make it, I do like it.  It's long, as is the style right now.  I do like the colors, but I may eventually take it apart and complete my dream!  Thank you Lesley for sending us such a great piece to work with.  You can see what every else made by following the links below:



Comments

Love Lesley's components as much as I love your beads! I had to laugh at your China comment - I am a label reader, and it is so hard NOT to find "Made in China" EVERYWHERE! This may not be your vision, but it is still gorgeous!
adlinah said…
I think the necklace turned out just fine. Pretty and absolutely wearable. I'm all for improvising on the spot :-)
I like it very much Sue, we were on a similar wavelink with the color scheme. I can totally see it with more strands, but even if you don't add them it's a beautiful piece just as it is!
Lesley said…
Sue I adore this - I love it's earthyness and understated beauty and it's exactly the type of thing I would wear myself, elegant and simple. And who knew you could glue a bail like that - I will have to investgate. Thanks for taking on the challenge.
koko said…
So pretty Sue! I know it wasn't your vision, but I think the mixture of beads really complement each other and the focal!
Unknown said…
Oh, I just love your post! I've been in those shoes, running around, positive you'll find what you need here, and frustrated. I don't have a JoAnn's anymore, so AC Moore or Michaels are it, unless my LBS is open. I do think the colors worked well, but I know what you mean when the end result is not like what you had in your head. It's still a very pretty piece!
Jean A. Wells said…
My goodness, you are a genius. I struggled with connections on this piece - it never once, not even in an idea I could not remember, to glue on a bail. What a great idea and it looks beautiful that way. Those beads, by the way, are beautiful too so you can stop cringing. Great job!
Unknown said…
I love it Sue!! Even if it isn't what you were thinking it is gorgeous!!!
Diana P. said…
I didn't even think to add a bail like that...I just kept staring at the hole in the middle, lol! Nice job Sue!
Jenny said…
Ooh I love a multistrand! How long is it? The purple is a fun surprise, I like what you have done!
Marie Cramp said…
That's awesome! A bail! I would not have thought of that :) Great necklace!
I love it! I actually love the color combo and especially that you worked with what you had. I wouldn't change it, but that's me. Great solution with the bail!

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