Brit Pack Beaders Reveal

So, it's the post you've all been waiting for - the Brit Pack Beaders Inaugural Reveal! If you are wondering who exactly the Brit Pack Beaders are, check out my post here for full details but as a quick reminder, here we all are:

From left to right, Lesley Watt, me, Claire Braunbarth, Jo Tinley and the camera-shy (Little) Bo Hulley

Jo is not able to take part this time around as she is off globe trotting for the summer, but she very kindly sent us all our stringing materials anyway. 

And without further ado, here are my finished pieces.

N.B. My pictures are NOT GOOD. It's been dark and rainy here today - you know, because it's MID AUGUST in Manchester. So if the weather improves tomorrow and our puppy guest will allow, I am going to try and get some more pictures. 

These challenges are just so brilliant - working to a brief, or to a specific inspiration point can really push you in new directions. I would never have worked with this colour scheme off my own bat, and the large patinated ring from MissFickleMedia was something I've had for ages and just never quite figured out what to do with. I love them (that's why I bought them after all!) but couldn't quite figure out what best to do with them. Hence my sending them out for this - I knew if I had to use it, I would! And I am so glad I did - it formed the perfect porthole, or net mouth, for this pendant.


 I had recently been sent a small bag of bead samples (don't you just love that?) with an order of czech glass, all in goldy-greeny-olively glimmering shades and I mixed these in with the lovely little bead soup which Bo had sent. The colours worked perfectly together! I love that Bo had included some pearls in her mix - perfect for the seascape, beachy theme.

Do you see the cool gold/turquoise fabric bead off to one side?
Well, that is actually made by Carolyn Saxby, who took our inspiration picture
I've had a set for a while - and again, couldn't quite figure out what to do with them. But I just knew I wanted to fit one into this project if I possibly could. 

When I finished the necklace, I knew it would be my central creation for this challenge, and I realised I had totally missed out Jo's stringing materials so far. So I took a small piece of silk ribbon and tied it next to carolyn's bead. A little added texture and movement, which I find very pleasing. 


The earrings use the two awesome wrapped rings that Claire sent (love these!), my left over ceramic beads from Bo, and the shell charms, also from Claire. I don't often make asymmetric earrings but I quite like these. What do you think? Do they work for you?

I had really hoped to add a third to the mix today, but after having a slight disaster with an upcoming magazine project, I ended up with a lot more to achieve today that initially planned, and that idea sadly went out the window. I still have some gorgeous bits and pieces from Claire and Jo, one of my focals, and a smattering from Bo, which I WILL turn into something lovely on the same theme.

Thank you to Lesley for organising this first round of the Brit Pack Beaders. It's my turn to organise next so watch this space for our October challenge.

Please check out the other Brit Packers here:

Lesley
Claire
Bo
Jo (not playing this time but still blogging about her Antipodean expolits!)