In long anticipation, the day has finally come! The day that I can share with you the results of the bead peeps swap ‘n hop challenge! (a refresher course for those interested … Robin Kae Reed of Artistry Handcrafted Bead Designs sent me an enormous collection of bits and bobs, gears and glass beads, metal blanks & key bits, gemstones and jewels … the list goes on and on … )
The biggest challenge wasn’t necessarily in what/how to create something out of the mix, but rather … trying to find enough time to create all of the ideas floating around in my head! Even at … 20 … pieces, there is still plenty of inspiration left over to continue on working for weeks to come!
(*warning* this is going to be a long post, so feel free to just peruse the photos, if you feel so inclined!
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And now … on with the show!
#1 & 2 Steampunk Stitched Hearts … using the brass heart focal pieces that Robin embossed, I first domed them a little bit to create some depth, and then stitched a front & back piece together using bronze wire.
#3 – 9 A whole Space Galaxy Collection ~ consisting of 7 different little planets made into choker necklaces … the first two are again using embossed component focal pieces, this time it is the round blanks that I domed and added a textured silver ring and some round brass wire, or flattened pewter wire, to create a semblance of Saturn’s rings.
The next three are made from some of the gears (also domed!) and one of the lovely large jasper pendant stones. I was so sad to find that the beautiful gemstone was chipped on one side, but still hoping to use it because of the colour being so rich and luxurious – I decided to add to the rustic appeal and chip it some more … placing it in a ziplock bag and crushing the stone to be able to create the “space rocks” encaged within the gears for the necklaces in the first image, and to construct the faux druzy pendant for the necklace in the second! While it wasn’t exactly how I meant to treat a stone of that size, it ended up getting a second (and third, and fourth) life!
The last two planets round out the collection and are also made from gears that have been domed, with a few added embellishments from my own stash.
All of the space galaxy planets are secured onto handmade leather chokers with an extender chain at the back clasp and a tiny star charm to unite the whole look.
I have never done a lot of doming before, and I have to say, I’m having fun with the technique!
Here is the entire galaxy all together …
#10 Fairy / Bird House pendant necklace – featuring the fairy door focal pendant Robin sent, which I patina painted and added the vintage bird image inside.
* fun fact … I also used a couple of sweet lampwork headpins made by Faye Wolfenden from a previous bead swap a few years ago with the czech glass trumpet bead flowers to help create the enchanted look.
#11 Red Jasper focal pendant necklace – highlighting the lovely deep red gemstone (which I am only guessing is red jasper?) are some small brass filigree pieces to create a hint of victorian vintage.
#12 Gypsy Bohemian long free spirit necklace with turquoise, copper, brass & lovely lavender gemstone – featuring the copper teardrops and another lovely gemstone from Robin. I’m not sure what type it is … such a soft purple, could it be ametrine? Maybe purple lace agate? Either way … it is paired with leather, natural brass and turquoise seed beads for an earthy, hippie feel.
#13 & 14 Steampunk Victorian Key necklaces – Robin sent a few cool vintage – inspired keys, and these are 2 of them 
… adorned with some steampunk elements and rhinestone & czech glass beads for added glamour.
#15 Amethyst Nugget necklace – among the different gemstones Robin sent, was this beautiful chunk of raw amethyst! I love the different purples in amethyst (and it’s my birthstone, too!). This piece was really out of my scope … pushing the boundries a bit, as I have never tried crochet, nor incorporated a netting around a focal piece before. Still a beginner at getting the knots nice and evenly spaced, but thought I’d include this piece as well.
And finally …
#16 – 20 Floral paperclip bookmarks – the mother of pearl (?) flowers Robin sent were the basis of these pretty almost Victorian-like pagekeepers …
Okay – whew! You made it to the end! (thank you for sticking around!) And … Thank you so much, Robin, for such a wonderful, endless, assortment of goodies and inspiration!
Also … thank you, so much – Linda Anderson, for hosting such a grand event, and for all of your hard work behind the scenes, pairing everyone up! It is an honour to be a part of it all.
Now … I can’t wait to see what Robin came up with, from the mix I sent her! Interested? Let’s go check it out at Artistry Handcrafted Bead Designs
And, after that … do you need more?! Hopefully you aren’t too tuckered out, because there is plenty to see from all of the other gifted participants! A list of links to all of their amazing creations can be found on Linda Anderson’s From the Bead Board blog. See you there!
#BeadPeepsSwap
Linda Anderson – Hostess
Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com/
Marcy Lamberson http://www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu Http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Kristina Peck http://tealeavesandtinyhats.blogspot.com/ Shai Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Catherine La Vite http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/ Christina Hickman http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
gloria allen http://wingsandbeads.blogspot.com Teresa Schurter http://treezstreazurs.com/
Maria Rosa Sharrow http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com Susan Kelly http://mimismilesdesigns.blogspot.com
Jenny Kyrlach http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/ Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Terry Jeanette Carter http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com Lee Koopman http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Laurie Vyselaar https://lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com Marianne Baxter http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Johana Nunez http://www.artincendi.com Kari Asbury http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog
ROBIN REED http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com Kristina Hahn Eleniak http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Robin Lynne Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/ Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Claire Fabian http://saraccino.blogspot.de/ Inge von Roos https://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Rachel Mallis http://mintmonarch.com Sam Waghron http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Lori Schneider http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com Fay Wolfenden http://torchfairy.blogspot.com
SEEDERS
Suse Stelljes http://pearlify.blogspot.de Ginger Bishop http://www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Nelly May http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com Rebecca White http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/
sheila Prosterman http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Palak (aka Pallavi Asher)http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/ Krafty Max http://kraftymax.net
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/ Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Katy Heider http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/ Deborah Apodaca http://deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/ Tami Norris https://tamisdesigns.wordpress.com
Brandy Scozzari http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breeding https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW/ Veralynne Malone http://veradesigns.blogspot.com
Bobbie Rafferty http://beadsong.blogspot.com Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com
