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!
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
