Artisan Whimsy :: 5 x 5 Test Team

Artisan Whimsy, a community of jewelry artisans, has started a monthly group for testing products by using a grouping of components to design with. This month the component provider is ZnetShows and the packet I received is to your left. 

My task was to use these elements to create designs and post them by the end of the month. Well, alrighty then. Let's get started!

I'm not one to use all the components in one piece, or even two. So I'm going to show you several different designs. 

I thought I'd start with the ones on the top. ZnetShows calls them "fish bones." I did two pieces with these beads, starting with the pairing I did with New Zealand paua shells. These are shells that are collected along the shores of New Zealand that have been somewhat bashed about. So they end up as bits and pieces. But I just loved them. I bought them from a local bead store in Auckland where they drill holes for beaders. I created a fringe with the shells along the edges of a pretty ribbon. Then I bead embroidered the fish bones along the band. I finished the bracelet with adjustable buttons for alternating sizes. I really love how this one turned out. And as an added bonus, it makes the best sound when you're wearing it! The jingling sound of shells.

I used most of the smaller pieces for the bracelet, but with the larger ones I did beaded caps and nestled them into a netting to create a choker. I included a few of the Chinese crystals I had left from an earlier Znetshows stash, and then finished off the necklace with blue leather and a silver hammered closure. 

With the individual pieces of sea glass in the middle, I made a series of earrings. I was again creating my own earwires. I'm kind of liking making my own these days! First up are the larger rectangular glass that I paired with a silver wave charm. This pair light weight and has a nice swing to them.

Next are the smaller rectangular glass in a fainter sea foam green. Boy I love this color of glass! I did a slightly 'mismated' pair with a hammered charm on just one of the earrings, and then a silver etched flower bead I picked up at a bead show. 

Next are another pair of conch shell earrings. I've been loving these baby conch shell beads; they are so fun to create with! I did a few last week that you can see here. This pair I kept somewhat simple adding only a few Chinese crystals to them. They match up nicely to the netted choker above.

The last pair I made use a pretty little pair of antique silver connectors. These were part of the last set of sea glass along the bottom. I added a little MOP (mother of pearl) charm to the bottom to keep that beachy feel to them.

Ok, you all still with me? I know this is a long post. Longer than I normally do, but the rules are to post all my projects together in just one link so I can connect to the linky on the Artisan Whimsy site. Don't forget to check out everyone else's designs. 

I've got just one last piece. It is a green velvet choker with a zig zag beaded trim to it. My friend Christine showed me this stitch the last time we met up. I think it just might be my 'summer fling' stitch! I asked my daughter to model it for you all in a dress I picked up at a Renaissance Faire many moons ago. I love how the choker looks with this dress.

So that's all of it. Phew! Thanks for sticking with me on this long post! Now on to everyone else's projects ....