Have you heard?  Art Bead Scene {the go-to site for the latest in handmade art beads} has a new feature!  The editors are now offering a monthly Design Team Challenge!  I was invited to participate by Heather Powers this month, along with fellow designers Erin Prais-Hintz, Lori Anderson, Jen Judd, and Lorelei Eurto.  At the time however, I had no idea who else would be participating, and if we were all given the same beads.

I received a gorgeous set of Heather’s polymer clay beads to work with, as it turns out, we were all given the same grouping and set free to create something with our own unique styles.  I was really excited to see Heather’s new hand-painted clay beads in person – and let me tell you the colors are so soft and gorgeous.

I set to work  framing the pendant on an oval copper backdrop that I etched with a willow pattern.  I was so happy to find this willow stamp at my local stamp store just for this project.  I tried a little something new and created a toggle from the same etched metal sheet and with heavy-gauge wire.  I then cut and domed bead caps for the Willow Disk beads.  Oval-shaped ceramic beads that I found at Bead Fest Wire complemented the shape of the focal, and a double strand of pearls were added.  The necklace was oxidized and polished, then finished with a wisp of sari silk ribbon.

sold, thank you

I’m sure looking forward to next month’s challenge – it was so fun to see all of the many wonderful designs that derived from the same set of beads!