Muffin Tin Challenge

When Heather Powers of Humblebeads fame decided to host her Muffin Tin Challenge again I thought it was a great way to kick start inspiration for 2017. The muffin tin concept is to take a muffin tin and fill as many cups as you want with everything needed for one project. Have a deadline and complete as many projects as you are able to by that date.

This seemed like an especially inspired way for me to get started. What with a heavy load at my bill paying job, Christmas season at home, preparing and bringing all the goodies for Christmas at my parents and spending several days up there with them taking care of things they needed, I was spent. After we got both kids back to their own places on the 29^th, I did nothing but veg.

I have a muffin tin sitting on my bench from last year, when I tried to use the concept as a kick start for 2016. Well that didn’t go so well. Don’t get me wrong. I did get some projects done but also kept adding more and more unfinished projects to the cups.

Time to start over. I took a mini muffin tin bought last year (and used for my Christmas baking) and filled it with the focal elements for 12 or more projects.

The Starting Point

As is my bad habit, I forgot to take most of the items out of their storage bags. Most cups have the one item or pair that are generally visible. The two hardest to see, middle left and second from left, contain vintaj brass stampings (left cup) and lovely Lampwork beads in multiple colours (2^nd from left). I did not add the remainder of the required items, wire, other beads, cord or chain, ear wires, and so on. I have been known to change my mind and this way I was not as “tied down”. My one goal was to produce 12 finished projects that I was happy with.

 

Finished Products

I met my goal this afternoon, and actually completed 2 pieces from those 2 middle tins. For whatever reason I placed each completed item on the tile from bottom right to top left. Don’t ask me why because I can’t explain. I just do it on a regular basis. Here’s each item, with the photo taken right after finishing it. (Because this is a long post I am only giving details of the elements used in each piece)

Intarsia

 Picasso Jasper & White Jade Intarsia from a destash by Lori McDaniel Anderson, Pink/Brown Moonstone, Sterling Silver

Dogwood Blooms

Mookite Jasper also from a destash by Lori McDaniel Anderson, Pink Opals, 14Kt Gold Filled ear wires and wrapping wires

Shining Through

Glass beads from a destash by Linda Landing, Gunmetal teardrops and filigree leaves upcycled from a damaged piece, Gunmetal ear wires and wrapping

Iced

Glass Rectangles also from a destash by Linda Landig, glass fire polished beads, brass and rhinestone spacers, goldtone ear wires and wrapping wires

Desert Bloom

Textured Copper with patina from Melinda Orr, Lampwork Glass with silver dots from Sue Kennedy, Glass and Copper. The patina on the right earring is better than the photo implies

These 2 Things….

Ceramic discs with individual design by Linda Landig, Ceramic rounds by Gaea Cannaday, Glass seed beads, Copper ear wires and wrapping wires

Singing the Blues

Ceramic discs by Linda Landig, Glass rounds, Sterling Silver

Perfectly Imperfect

Ceramic rectangles from Linda Landig, Ceramic rounds from Cindy Pack, Copper, Waxed Linen

Roll Along

Lampwork glass with silver dots by Susan Kennedy, 14Kt Gold Filled Ear Wires and Wrapping Wires

Jumping Hoops (Sold)

Lampwork glass with silver dots by Susan Kennedy, Glass beads, Sterling Silver beads and hoops

In Bloom

Porcelain flower by Lisa Peters, Swarovski Crystal, Sterling Silver

On Wings

Vintaj Brass with Gilders Paste patina, Bronzite, Antiqued Bronze, Waxed Linen

Earth Song

Lampwork glass with Fine Silver in the colours stoneground, caramel and silver ivory by Robyn Kirkmand, Glass flowers, waxed linen, copper, antiqued bronze

  

All these designs have been added to my Etsy store, except for the large ceramic flower necklace. See what's happening with it in this post.

I’ve already come up with several new designs while working on this challenge and am stoked to continue my year.

Please visit the blog reveal to see what everyone else made

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day