Yippee! It’s here at last! Today is the Big Reveal Day for the 1st annual #BeadPeepsSwap N Hop 2015 !
I’ve been dying to share what became of all of the gorgeous components Debra (of Debra’s Divine Designs) sent to me as part of this challenge … and finally! … I can! (*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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Swap N Hop pieces ~ revealed! 
With so many beautiful bits and beads to work with … came so many ideas. Where to begin was the biggest challenge!
What resulted were not 1, not 2, not 3 … but … 10 different pieces (with still more ideas floating around in my head!) There are necklaces, bracelets and earrings … let’s have a look …
The first few pieces were created using Debra Jeffries‘ wing pendants.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to handle a real butterfly (or moth) wing piece, but once I read on Debra’s blog that “… all Butterfly & Insect wings are attained from cruelty-free farms across the globe through a licensed wholesaler. These farms raise and care for the caterpillars to pupae to butterflies and the butterflies once hatched are allowed to fly in freedom until their natural death. They are raised intentionally in underpriveledged countries and are collected when their lives expire naturally.” and that “These farms play a HUGE role in providing employment, education and conservation of their reared specimens as they release a certain percentage back into the wild to increase the natural population.”, it was made incredibly clear, how beautiful and special the pieces really are.
Madagascar Sunset Moth pendant necklace.
With this necklace, Debra’s pendant is the focal piece, and is surrounded by 3 of the large silver jump rings, pink & orange seed beads and 1 of the silver tube beads she sent. I then added just a few other simple components such as copper jump rings, some brass wire, 2 lampwork glass bead spacers, a strip of leather and some micro-fiber suede cord.
The Great Orange Tip pendant necklace.
This necklace again features Debra’s pendant as the focal and is partnered up with her lovely matte yellow lampwork bead, along with some added sea green new jade and aragonite gemstone beads, brass chain and brass components.
The Morpho Sulkowski wing pendant necklace.
This necklace pendant has a beautiful shimmering purple/blue hue. It incorporates some of the blue farfaille beads Debra sent, along with a hand dyed silk ribbon, some lavender stone gemstone beads and natural brass components from Vintaj.
Now for something completely different … bracelets!
I love multi strand bracelets, and the black moonstone beads and the silver farfaille beads that Debra sent worked in so well with these new designs.
The first bracelet is part of a new series collection I am creating, of interchangeable pieces. They will be individually customizable by allowing choice in leather and/ or bead bracelet sections.
The second bracelet is a take on a simple, classic, black leather wrap bracelet with double strands of gemstone beads.
some more necklaces …
The first necklace here was made using Debra’s gorgeous blue/green glass teardrop beads (wire wrapped into a flower) and a lovely leaf charm (with added patina ink). They are both attached to a copper square tag and hang on a simple copper ball chain.
I liked the teardrop bead flower so much, I just had to make another necklace! This one has the flower attached to one of the hammered silver rings from Debra, and paired up with leather cord, pewter tube beads and natural brass wire & components.
The next piece definitely has a bohemian flair. This one was made using Debra’s sea sediment jasper bead as the focal, along with some turquoise chips, a patina’d feather charm, some leather cord, natural brass components & chain, and a lovely spiral headpin (that I have been hoarding!) from my bead soup partner of last year – Niky of Silver NikNats.
Another Boho Style necklace … with a tassel.
Such beautful colours! I loved the matte yellow lampwork beads Debra sent, and this necklace features the other one! It is matched up with the other silver tube bead and some of Debra’s pink & orange seed beads. Add a lovely purple glass lampwork spacer bead from Lampwork by Julie, a multi-coloured tassel, some leather and some natural brass components and you’re good to go for summer festival season!
And … the last piece made (for now, anyways!) … a simple, dainty pair of circle earrings. Made mostly from Debra’s stash … the only added components were a few twisted brass jump rings.
Can you believe that ALL of these pieces were spawned from this batch of goodies … ?
Thank you so much, Debra, for the wonderful mix of pretty pieces to play with … you made it amazingly easy to get creative – with such talents and generosity and it has all been a joy to work with! I hope you had as much fun! And thank you to Linda Anderson for all of your hard work in pairing up partners and hosting such a grand event!
I can’t wait to see what Debra did with the mix I sent her! Let’s go have a peek at Debra’s blog to find out!
And after that … off to see what everyone else in the swap has created!
To see a full list of the participants … visit Linda Anderson’s From the Bead Board blog, see the list below or click here
Time to grab a cup of coffee, this may take a little while
