Monday, September 16, 2013

Polymer Clay Wonky Bead Blog Hop Challenge

Recently Kristi Bowman-Gruel at DreamSome Designs issued a challenge for all artists using her new Polymer Clay Wonky Beads. I love them, they are so rustic and earthy looking and feeling to me. So I couldn't resist the call.  And as usual, I forgot to take a before picture of the beads I received.  When I got them I immediately knew I wanted to do something with macramé with the beads.  I recently started getting back into macramé. I used to do it back in the 70's when it was popular and have been falling in love with it all over again. I also knew I wanted to do something very rustic and earthy/country feeling.  I went back and forth between a bracelet or necklace. The necklace finally won out.  I finally found some hemp cord in the color I wanted while on our epic 1900 mile road trip, bringing our new Honda Goldwing back from Virginia. (But that's another post, and video of the Tail of the Dragon ride!) LOL  I also knew I wanted to use all the larger beads in the macramé part of the necklace and the smaller one as part of the clasp.  And since I love copper and felt it lent the right rustic feel to the piece I found a copper washer I had, hammered/textured it and used it as the other half of the clasp.  So the smaller bead is the toggle bar and the washer is the clasp.  I love the magenta, purple and brown of these beads, so I went with the natural hemp and the magenta hemp cord.  I also added some seed beads in the same colors to add a little bling.  Then I had to decide how to lengthen the necklace as I only wanted the macramé part for the beads.  I first braided this fluffy yarn I had to add to it, but didn't like the look with the macramé and earthy beads, so I had to come up with another idea. Since I was using the copper washer for the clasp, I thought I should use a copper chain.  But I couldn't find a chain I liked that I felt went along with the rustic look I wanted, so I decided to make my own.  I created these 'Figure 8' links, then hammered and textured them.  I also made my jump rings to attach each link.  I knew I would macramé the one end of the necklace back over itself from the end of one of the 'Figure 8' links.  But I had to figure out how to attach the small 'toggle bar bead' to the other end.  I finally decided to take some of the natural hemp, wrap it through the bead, back up over the end of one of the links and then wire-wrap it to the link with copper wire.  I really like the look, although I know some may feel it is too 'eclectic'.  But I think it all went together well.  Be sure to check out all the other 'hoppers' and see what they created with Kristi's Polymer Clay Wonky beads.  And please leave me a comment on what you like or don't like about my piece.  Thanks. This shows a close-up of the beads I was sent.

KayzKreationz Wonky Beads Necklace
Wonky Beads
 
Next is the bead I used as the clasp for the necklace.

KayzKreationz Wonky Beads Necklace
Wonky Bead clasp
Finally, here is the whole necklace with the Kristi's Wonky Beads, my Macramé and my Hammered Copper wire links and clasp.  Hope you like it.

KayzKreationz Wonky Beads Necklace
Wonky Beads Macramé Hammered Copper Necklace
And if you're looking for some of my other Wire-wrapped, beaded Jewelry or Stained Glass, Mosaic and Fused Glass pieces for your Home and Garden, check out my shop, KayzKreationz.

14 comments:

KristiBowmanDesign said...

Wow love it!! So much going on, I had to go back and forth a few times to try to catch it all. Love the Macramé and that you used one for the clasp!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun Kay!!

Alice said...

A very unique design! I love the clasp, and the macrame gives some nice texture.

Unknown said...

Oh, I do like!! So cool to see how different macrame can look. And what a great idea to use one of the beads for the clasp!

Tanya said...

Your necklace is beautiful. I love the copper and the fuschia colors together. I also love how you used macrame (something I really wish I could do).

I thought about using the small bead in my strand as a toggle, but couldn't make it work like I had in mind. I love that you were able to.

SueBeads said...

Very pretty necklace Kay! Love the colors you picked!

Dolores Raml said...

Love how this turned out, you did a great job with the beads.

Dolores Raml said...

Love how this turned out, you did a great job with the beads.

Unknown said...

You hope we like it...Yes I do!I like the way you designed the necklace and the way you worked it all out! Beautiful beads in a beautiful necklace!

Anonymous said...

It's fabulous! You really made great use of the differently shaped beads!

:-) MaryLou said...

I love the way you incorporated so many other handmade items into the piece. Macrame is almost a lost art, but you're keeping it alive and well. :-)

Anonymous said...

Super cool necklace, Kay! Love the hammered links and the macrame!

Karen Mitchell said...

Wow! I love the two colours of cord. The magenta gives your piece a rich look.

Anonymous said...

Your clasp is fantastic! I love it!
~Kelsy
http://looseendscraftblog.com

Sharyl said...

Just love what you made! So creative and fun! The "bead as clasp" idea works wonderfully with this necklace, and I'm oh-so-fond of the color combination and how you used your beads! Delightful job!