Sunday, May 15, 2016

2016 Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop Reveal!

Reveal day!  We joined Linda Anderson's 2016 Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop this past January, and now we're ready for the epic conclusion!  In this Swap N' Hop, entrants swap bead mixes, create sparkly creations with those beads and reveal them.  We were partnered with Christina Hickman of Vintage Treasure Jewelry, and after we received our bead swap mix, we got our creative wheels turning!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/beadPeeps/


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
 
SEEDERS 
Palak (aka Pallavi Asher)http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/ 
 


Monday, May 2, 2016

Dry Gulch May 2016 Color Design Challenge

 
Design with color and inspire your creativity!

Welcome to the
Dry Gulch Color Design Challenge!

Every month Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry will be hosting a challenge for creative artisans everywhere.  Be inspired and unleash your creative talents!  What will you create?


Vintage Poppies

Use our colors to inspire your creativity!  Post your project using the color palette above.  Your design will be eligible to win either a $50 gift certificate or a $25 gift certificate to Dry Gulch Beads.
 
Anything can be created for this challenge, including;  finished jewelry pieces, headbands, wearable pendants/pins, handmade cards, lampwork beads, seed-bead art, sewing design, metal-smithing/art, paper crafting, clothing/fiber art, leather work, painting, even your favorite culinary delights (like cupcakes), etc.  Your project must be created newly and specifically for our current monthly challenge.  Your project must include all the colors shown in the palette. The project may have other colors in it, but the official palette should be the main focus.  The sky is the limit!  Show us how creative you are with our color palette.
 
For this challenge, Dry Gulch is offering a $50 gift certificate to the Winner and a $25 gift certificate prize to the Runner-up.  The judges will be looking for adherence to the color palette, creativity of the project’s design and effort.  You may purchase and use Dry Gulch components in your project, but that is not a requirement to win.
 
Your judges (4 judges) will be the 3 generations of women who create at Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry.  The judges may create and post their own visions of the monthly color palette also, but for inspiration and presentation only.


We’ll publish each created work on Facebook and on our challenge page Add your photo in the comments on our Color Design Challenge Facebook Event or email us your photo to custserv@drygulch.com.  When uploading, you may add a description of your work.  If also Facebooking and/or blogging your Dry Gulch Color Design project, please add a link to the Challenge on your page.  You may also use our official Color Challenge blog badge, which can be found on the right side of our blog.

 
Entries for the Dry Gulch Color Design Challenge may be turned in from now until midnight CST, Tuesday, May 31st, 2016.