Another Ta Dah!! I have been busy!!

Here is a collage of my piece for Heather Power's new weekly challenge: 

Inspired by Nature: this week Feathers.

I made the polymer clay peacock feather beads and

the dark teal textured and antiqued with black beads.

I already had this beautiful teal silk ribbon which I wove through some very open copper chain

split and tied in bows secured with super glue. 

Dyed fresh water pearls in jewel tones worked beautifully as feather-like dangles 

so I sprinkled them here and there wrapped with bright copper 28 gauge wire. 

I think they added just the right fringy touch dangling below the oval pendant. 

I tried to use jewel tone components through out;

green glass 8mm bicones, goldstone rounds,  

with copper findings to reflect the colors in the peacock feather beads. 

I have more polymer clay beads left 

so you will probably see them in

other creations soon 

or 

after I fall in love with the next thing I make

for sale in my etsy shop- heatherp22.

To join in the fun visit Humblebeads blog.

TA DAH!!

I am so excited to show you my finished "Green Challenge" pieces 

for my local circle- Art Quilts Ect monthly challenge.  

I had my ingredients laid out for Bead Table Wednesday and here are my finished pieces. 

Right now I am in love with this set.  

Not only are the bib necklace and cuff comfortable to wear; light weight and lined with flannel.  

They drape perfectly for a stunning look. 

Here are closer looks at the necklace, 

and the cuff.

You can find out more about my process on Flickr .

I am extremely happy with the color combinations and design.  

This has inspired me to do a collection based on inspiration from nature, 

thanks to Heather Powers at Humble Beads and my art quilt group.  

I have been striving all year long for ways to incorporate my love of fiber with my love of jewelry 

and I think this will be my most unique series.  

I plan on doing seasonal pieces that will all include fiber, my handmade polymer clay components 

and beads ect. from my jewelry stash. 

I am madly working on my "feather" challenge piece too 

and hope to post it tomorrow just in time for the deadline. 

I made two sets of peacock feather beads, here they are:

My first attempt are a little subtle.

I am happiest with this second attempt because the color is more intense. 

This is the back side of the beads,  textured and painted too.
Come back tomorrow to see my Inspired by Nature: Feathers entry.
Swing by Heather Powers Blog to join in the fun.
Have a great day- I am headed for the pool!! 

  

Bead Table Wednesday

I had two sessions today, one with fiber art and one with polymer clay.
I started by laying out ingredients for a bib necklace and cuff set I am making for my Art Quilt Ect Circles monthly challenge- "Green" being the inspiration.

I bought a huge size 16 wool coat a while back at the local Salvation army store for $6.  I felted it in my washing machine and dryer and have been cutting it up into leaves for many items.  I decided to make leaves by hand needle felting some roving onto these wool leaves and then free motion stitching them with a variegated thread that pops just a little.

As I gathered my materials I remembered I had purchased some felted round beads awhile back and got those out. I also pulled out some polyester satin material and made yo you flowers and beaded the felted balls for centers.
I will be posting the finished necklace and cuff on Saturday so come on back to see it.

My second creative adventure is the beginnings of a piece I have to finish by Sunday for Heather Powers challenge: inspired by nature- this week: feathers.

I decided to make some peacock feather pendants.
I conditioned lots of pearl white polymer clay, laid it on a texture sheet, impressed the front with a peacock feather stamp I have and then painted the feathers with alcohol inks.

I googled peacock feathers and used a photo as a reference for the colors.  I ended up using, pitch black, purple twilight, meadow, citrus, lettuce, stream and copper alcohol inks.

After they were spritzed to blend and dried I added little touches of mica powders in blue, green and copper.  This made them look irridescent.  I cut them with my oval cutter and turned them over to paint the backs.

 After they dried again three were pressed gently onto light bulbs so they would dome and curve and the other five were baked flat.  Come back this weekend to see what I do with them.  I am not sure yet what the next step will be.  All in all it was a very fun and productive day!!