Christina sent a lovely assortment of handmade creations in a forest theme. We received ribbon, handmade pewter bird and acorn charms, rough stones, a custom bead mix, Czech glass, artisan handmade pendants and more. The colors were earthy greens and browns. The Dry Gulch gals consist of 4 ladies, so we each took a handful of beads and handmade components, and began to put our own unique spins on them.
The first batch, a bracelet and necklace duo, was created by Jennifer, who is our resident lampworker. She incorporated Christina's silk ribbon, glass beads and artisan-made pewter bird (painted a spring-time blue!). She used our Ancient Alchemy chain in both the necklace and bracelet, and her own bumpy lampwork creation paired with a handmade porcelain leaf for the necklace's pendant. Jennifer's favorite part was adding the blue to the bird for a pop of color.
The next creation was a necklace made by Catherine. This piece was designed with Christina's custom bead mix, a handmade polymer toggle and an artisan pewter horse button. Cat added Ancient Alchemy components like the filigree and ring, then hand-knotted the chain with turquoise and pearls. The knotting was a challenge, but the final outcome was worth it!
The next set was created by Gianna, and she specializes in seed bead weaving. Using Christina's bead mix and glass beads, Gianna wire-wrapped and seed beaded a bracelet and earrings using brick and peyote stitch. She also added Jennifer's lampwork leaves to the earrings to complete the forest feel. Gianna loved working the bird coins into the earrings!
The final creation was a collaboration between Deborah and Catherine. Taking the handmade "A Forest is in an Acorn" pendant, Deborah worked her collage magic and added tiny handpainted charms and leaves for a forest wreath. Catherine then sawed tiny falling leaves into a sheet of copper metal before riveting the assembled book jewelry to a leather journal. They then added a Jennifer-created lampwork leaf and an artisan pewter acorn as book charms. Deborah is a master at altering and making something what it isn't, she loves to transform!
A big thank you to Christina for sending us such a lovely mix of beads (and the chocolate, which we all fought over because it was so GOOD!). Also, a big thank you to Linda Anderson for putting together this Swap N' Hop. We can't wait to join next year. Be sure to "hop" through all the participating blogs this year by clicking through the list below. Thank y'all for stopping by! #beadpeepsswap #drygulchjewelry
Linda Anderson
- Hostess -
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Shai Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Christina Hickman http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Susan Kelly http://mimismilesdesigns.blogspot.com
Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Marianne Baxter http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Kristina Hahn Eleniak http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
SEEDERS
Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Deborah Apodaca http://deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Tami Norris https://tamisdesigns.wordpress.com
Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Veralynne Malone http://veradesigns.blogspot.com
Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com
Wow ladies these pieces are just gorgeous and I love the book charms too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteWhat a fantastic collaboration of talented ladies! Beautiful piece's one just more stunning than the next amazing work!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Maria!
DeleteWOW - My favorite jewelry has to be Catherines - but that book! That book takes the cake! Fantastic job ladies
ReplyDeleteThank you! We love that book too. :)
DeleteIncredible designs! I love how all your styles are so different yet it would all work together as a set.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shaiha!
DeleteLovely creations and I just love the book :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteWOW! Stunning work ladies!!! Everything is beautiful, I especially love the book cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you, we loved working on the book too!
DeleteLadies, I AM IN AWE!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin! So happy you like!
DeleteYou guys did amazing. The blue pop of color just added so much to the piece Jennifer made My favorite is the earrings made by Gianna. The handmade toggle by Catherine was fabulous and that book well that is just so creative! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Blue is Jennifer' favorite color! The toggle was actually made by Humblebeads, but it added a lovely pop of color to the necklace Catherine made. Thank you so much!
DeleteWonderful job ladies. My favorite is Catherine's. The book is a really close second.
ReplyDeleteThank you Becky!
DeleteLadies you all did an amazing job. I love each and every piece.
ReplyDeleteWow.. what detailed work.. love the book !!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you!
DeleteLadies - What BEAUTIFUL and CREATIVE pieces! I love the journal and the chicken earrings. =) I kinda love quirky. Y'all have such different points of views and strengths and it's awesome to see how y'all coordinated each piece. Great job, ladies!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Thank you Linda!! We can't believe how different we all are, considering we are all family. Thank you again for putting together such a fabulous Swap N' Hop!
DeleteHow fun! All the works are so original, yet flow together like a beautiful collection.
ReplyDeleteRachel
www.mintmonarch.com
Thank you Rachel!
DeleteYou have made such great pieces with fantastic detailing. Please post bigger pictures so we can enjoy them completely
ReplyDeleteI've posted more and bigger photos on our Facebook page here ---> https://www.facebook.com/DryGulchBeadsandJewelry/posts/1186679041356922 Thank you!
DeleteI just love that all 4 of you worked on creations!! I love them all, but the book emelishment...OH MY!! GREAT JOB to all of you!! ~KM http://www.kraftymax.net/bead-peeps-swap-n-hop-2016/
ReplyDeleteThank you!! We love breaking out of the box and working on funky things!
DeleteYou all put the WOW in Wowza! I can't pick a single favorite since they are all so amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin!
DeleteGorgeous pieces! Love the "book jewelry" - so creative!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Mimi!
DeleteWow, you all did awesome work! I love those tiny bird beads and the jewelry book was awesome! I can't even begin to pick a favorite! Excellent work you all!
ReplyDeleteThank you Veralynne! So glad you like. :)
DeleteStunning work ladies! I don't even think I can pick a favorite...all so beautiful and different. I do love the journal...that was just crazy different and so many cool little elements! great work ladies!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kari! We loved working on the journal too, now we need to fill it up with STUFF!
DeleteLove that first set, how you wove the ribbon through the chain pieces.
DeleteThank you! We love to do mixed media in our jewelry!
DeleteAll "forest" creations are so different and beautiful with lots of little details for added texture and interest! So far, the leather journal cover is the first non-jewelry item I've seen in the hop and it's outstanding!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! We loved working on the journal. :)
DeleteYou all are so gifted with such unique vision. It's obvious why you're all so successful in your family adventure, you enhance each other and it's beautiful to see. I'm not just talking about your art, but the beauty of a team working in inspired harmony.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words Teresa.
DeleteThe journal charm was a complete surprise! I never thought to spruce up a journal with beads or charms.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like!
Delete