“How often do you take a look at
your bead stash and realize you have a LOT of artist beads, or a ton of pearls,
or every crystal color known to man, but you haven't made a thing with any of
them yet? (Raises hand). Sometimes I'll collect beads knowing full
well I'll never make a thing with them but set them out on display instead, yet
after a while, it can get ridiculous and dusting becomes impossible (ha ha...
as if I dust...)”
This is how Lori Anderson described
her idea of a blog hop based on beads from your stash…use what you’ve had on
hand for a long time and show us what you made. (It's 10:45pm and I've filled in some of the back story of each piece since posting the blog entry this morning.) Without further delay here’s
what I made:
 |
Reign
Bracelet (Sold)
Button Drop Beads with
Brass Charm and Clasp |
The glass button beads for this bracelet have been
hanging around since March…ish time. There were grand visions dancing in my
head when I acquired them. This is nothing like those visions but I really like
it. When I was digging out the button beads I started matching colours, putting
the bright fuchsia and dark purple together, then lay the gold beads beside
them. They worked but needed a calming influence. That’s when I added the matte
silver grey ones, picked all the strands up and wrapped them around one another
and there it was, a perfect balance. The combination reminded me of royalty,
thus sprang the name, Reign. Amethyst coloured beading wire was used to string
everything, finished with a gold plated star toggle that I’ve had for 2+ years.
The antiqued gold heart lock, in my stash for a year and a half, was the
perfect touch.
 |
Spring
Fields Bracelet (Sold)
Malachite
and Moonstone with
Handmade Copper chain and
Clasp |
 |
Spring
Fields Necklace (Sold)
Malachite
and Moonstone with
Handmade Copper chain and
Clasp |
 |
Spring
Fields Earrings (Sold)
Malachite
and Moonstone with
Handmade Copper Ear Wires |
These moonstone beads are some of the first beads I
ever purchased. To this day I love how they seem to have an inner glow. The
malachite was a recent acquisition, from 2 and a half years ago. I’ve had the
copper, used for the handmade clasps and links, for quite a while. It is all
upcycled copper from old wiring, a little harder to work with as there is a lot
of straightening required, but well worth the effort. The beautiful colour
combination reminded me of meadows in the spring, when everything is coming
back to life, before the riot of flowers take over.
I will be at a private party next
week, for my bill paying job, which is fundraising for local charitable
organizations. The above pieces are being donated as draw prizes. I like this
type of fundraising because the tickets are being sold now and none of the
participants know what the prizes are or what they will win. It’s all by chance
and good fun.
Here are some more pieces that will
go in my store over the weekend:
 |
Gift from the Heart Pendant (Sold)
Polymer Clay and Sterling
Silver |
This polymer clay plumeria flower was purchased in the
summer of 2013 along with a bunch in different colours and sizes. I did make
some pieces with the stash last year but kept saving this one. I love the
purity of the colours and would take it out and admire it and others like it,
then proceed to put them away. I finally decided that this challenge was a good
way to start with my favourite. Now to keep the momentum going…
 |
Vivacious Necklace (Sold)
Freshwater Pearls dyed Fuchsia and
Lavender, Sterling Silver |
These pretty and bright freshwater pearls just bring
youthful adventure to mind. I could see
the young woman they would be perfect on. I guess I could see her too well in
my mind’s eye because every time I pictured her that was enough, and I put the
pearls away again. Well now when she comes by my booth at a show, or shops
online, she’ll be able to buy and wear them.
For more pretty things, check out what everyone else did here
Robin Kae Reed http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Regina Wood http://gina-design.blogspot.com/
Lovely designs! I particularly like the button drop bead bracelet! I haven't seen that shape of bead before!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannah
DeleteI got them at BeadFX up here in Toronto Canada (beadfx.com)
Lovely feminine designs. Whoever wins the donated pieces at the auction will be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteI love the treasures you created ! Now everyone can admire those hoarded beads !
ReplyDeleteAll of your pieces are great. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and brilliant designs! Love the color palates too. Hard to pick a favorite! way to go de-stashing!
ReplyDeleteNice spring colors!
ReplyDeleteSomeone will love their prize. That is a double push to use some of that hoard.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thank you for sharing your work with us.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly made some beautiful pieces. I have to admit that Reign is my absolute favorite. I love the jewel tones with the grey. It's terrific.
ReplyDeleteLovely work. But I have to say that the richness in color of those drop beads and the finished bracelet you made with them is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHi Mona, Your designs are beautiful. The malachite and moonstone are my favorite. They do say spring. I have some of the button drops but I never knew what to call them, thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteLovely pieces. My favorite (if I have to pick one) would be the first bracelet. I love those button beads.
ReplyDeleteAll your pieces are gorgeous, absolutely adore the malachite and moonstone set, so so pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt happens to me ALL THE TIME! Every time I open a bead box, I find treasures I'd forgotten about. I LOVE what you made...it's all so beautiful! And I particularly love that they are going to a good cause (wish I had a ticket!).
ReplyDeleteAll very pretty pieces. I especially like your Reign bracelet. I have some beads kind of shaped like that and didn't really know how to use them. You made great use of them.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Button Drops, and you did a marvelous job with them! Your other pieces are elegant and I hope you get a lot of joy from them, and this blog hop inspires you to do even more with your hoarded beads.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for participating, and don't forget to post your pieces in the special Pinterest board, http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/bead-hoarders-blog-hop/
Plus, join the Facebook group (also welcome to your friends) www.BeadSoupCafe.com -- hope to see you at other hops!
Hi Lori
DeleteThanks for the kind comments and invitations. The encouragement and help you give to everyone is fantastic and inspirational!
I would like to add my pins to the group board but it seems like I need to be invited first (?) Is there a different way to do so?
Thanks
Mona
Like that button drop bracelet. I have some of those sitting on my desk (in my hoard pile).
ReplyDeleteHi! How lovely that you got to use one of your first ever bead purchases in your designs. I love moonstone and I love what you've made with it !
ReplyDelete