National Craft Month Challenge: Day 8

Day 8 Challenge is to gather fellow beaders and have a beading date night. Well, I only know of one serious beader (Sandra) but she's undoubtedly the busiest woman I know. So I stayed home and beaded by myself. I started another Chan Luu wrap bracelet in greens and browns.

National Craft Month Challenge: Day 7

Day 7 Challenge is to make a piece using cord. I made a Chan Luu-inspired three wrap bracelet using 6mm round blue/green resin beads mixed with blue Chinese crystals on sky blue rubber cord.

National Craft Month Challenge: Day 6

Day 6 Challenge is to try a different metal in your jewelry that you don't normally use. I struggled with this one because I use all kinds of metals, so FusionBeads suggested I make something combining different metals. So here's a pair of earrings with silver, gold and hammered copper with a turquoise nugget dangling from one of the washers. The large silver and gold teardrop loops are very matte so it's hard to tell they are different colors.

National Craft Month Challenge: Day 5

Day 5 Challenge is to clean up your stash and use up some bead leftovers. I made a necklace out of magnesite nuggets, a freeform pendant and peruvian turquoise on copper.

National Craft Month Challenge: Day 4

Day 4 Challenge is to learn a need bead weaving stitch using seed beads. Well this particular project took practically the entire day. I may have taken on more than I should for a one-day project. I sure hope the remaining challenges don't take all day like this one did.

I designed these earrings using the circular brick stitch.



By the way, if you are wondering why these isn't a post for the Day 3 Challenge, that particular project is to make some beautiful jewelry to give to a friend. I've made the jewelry, but I haven't had a chance to give it to my friend, so I have to keep this one a secret for now :-)

National Craft Month Challenge: Day 2

Day 2 Challenge is to string up a beautiful bracelet or necklace. I made this 4-strand bracelet with red coral pebbles, red seed beads with sterling bead caps, sterling chain and lobster clasp.

National Craft Month Challenge: Day 1

In celebration of National Craft Month, Fusion Beads is hosting a 30-day Bead Challenge for the month of March to anyone who wants to participate.

Day 1 Challenge is to make a pair of earrings. I made these earrings using African Opal rondelles on gunmetal findings. The beads are suspended in a staggered pattern from gunmetal chain. I especially like using the teardrop finding upside down for a different look and dangling beads from the end (which is actually the top) :-)