Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Studio Sublime Challenge Blog Hop

 
 
Black and white is one of my favorite combinations to work with, especially since polymer clay presents itself with so MANY possibilities. I have a ton of black and white canes, so when Sally of The Studio Sublime came up with this Challenge Hop, I was ready. LOL, I had the set I present to you done within the week, and have been patiently (NOT) waiting until today!
 
My jewelry loving granddaughter was over one day and helped me put every slice from the myriad of canes on these beads. She was soooo proud when she finished, she even asked to take some home with her. I found out later from mom, she gave everyone in the house one as a gift from her.

 


I had the idea to drill the largest oval both lengthwise and through the center so I could use it as a bail for the dangle I had in mind. After wire wrapping the sterling silver to it and then redoing the messy wraps several times so the beads I attached worked right, a final swirl was added to the center.


Then the stringing started and I realized I needed something to complete the necklace for around the neck, and after hunting through all my stash boxes realized it was time to make more plain black and white swirl beads for it. I finished it off with a cute pewter lock and key toggle.

For the earrings that went with this necklace, I used more of the small black candy swirl tube beads, one of which I used above the focal dangle, attached them to three different silver chains, and added white capped black beads to silver twisted connectors (was fun trying to get the head pins though them).


The design was to imitate the abstract feel of the pattern of the beads used in the necklace. The earrings hang almost three inches, so I added them to long tailed sterling silver ear wires to balance them out.




Here is the complete set.
 
Hope you have had as much fun with this Challenge as I did, and thank Sally Russick for hosting it.
Here are the other participants, and a linkup beneath the list if you want to add your blog post.

Sally Russick < Our Hostess
Marlene Cupo <You are here





Posted by at

20 comments:

  1. steufelJuly 10, 2013 at 3:59 AM

    That is a wonderful necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  2. IslandgirlJuly 10, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    INteresting necklace! What does it look like on?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion)July 10, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    Black and white is just so dramatic no matter what the motif, Marlene... I love your clever bail assembly, and extra points for your design-by-committee approach... wish I had a grand-daughter to help!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bits of LearningJuly 10, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    Marlene! I can see why you were so excited to post for the challenge, BEAUTIFUL work! I can not wrap my mind around how to decorate the beads!The designs make me think of Zentangles! Thank you so much for participating in the challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AliceJuly 10, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    How fun that your granddaughter helped make those wonderful beads. And the result is a very lovely set.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Empty nester at lastJuly 10, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    Great job as usual Marlene! I love how your beads came out, and drilling that one bead in two directions...that is a great concept. I want to try my hand at clay....it looks like it would be great fun. Thanks for sharing.

    Vera
    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/2013/07/black-white-jewelry-challenge.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. ShelJuly 10, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    This is superb Marlene! What talent you have! These beads are gorgeous. What an outstanding set - love it! I also love that your granddaughter helped you and then gifted what she'd helped to create - how cool is that?!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Patti VanderbloemenJuly 10, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    The best part of this story is the aide you received from your granddaughter -I love this! Sally said it best - it looks like Zentangles! Your beads are fantastic...such a beautiful job!

    ReplyDelete
  9. TesoriTrovatiJuly 10, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    Beautiful beads, Miss Marlene! Very graphic. Enjoy the day. Erin

    ReplyDelete
  10. Christine AltmillerJuly 10, 2013 at 2:12 PM

    What beautiful beads! I love the bail bead~fantastic idea!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The Crazy Creative CornerJuly 10, 2013 at 3:42 PM

    Oh, nice! I love that you made your own beads. (I also love the story about your granddaughter! How cute!) I think you did an excellent job on this. Thank you for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Therese's TreasuresJuly 10, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    Marlene, Your necklace and earrings are gorgeous! I must have been a fun day making the beads for this piece with your Granddaughter.
    Therese

    ReplyDelete
  13. Paula, Chief Bead OfficerJuly 10, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Hi Marlene, I hope this isn't a duplicate post - I was having challenges getting online. First, I love your special little logo. And the fact that you made your beads is amazing. I especially like the dangle - it sure has personality. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dee ClarkJuly 11, 2013 at 12:06 AM

    You and your granddaughter do great work. Loved all the pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  15. aneri_masiJuly 11, 2013 at 1:35 AM

    Such fun beads you made!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The Cabby CrafterJuly 11, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    Oh, so pretty! I bet you had a wonderful time with your granddaughter

    ReplyDelete
  17. lynseyJuly 11, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    Really lovely

    ReplyDelete
  18. AdrienneJuly 11, 2013 at 10:48 PM

    Wow, amazing work, I love the earrings!

    ReplyDelete
  19. LizJuly 12, 2013 at 7:23 PM

    Your beads are beautiful! I love the story about your granddaughter too :-) The dangle on your necklace really caught my eye. It reminds me of a lovely curled up monarch butterfly caterpillar (except in strict black and white).

    ReplyDelete
  20. AntiquityTravelersJuly 12, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    amazing! I love how you designs he beads!! and with a special helper ... I bet that was a great afternoon! Love the designs Marlene

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog. I would love to read your comments on this post. Sparkles to you!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)