Link Challenge Reveal

Today is the big reveal for the link challenge!  As a reminder, here's what I began with:

I'd had many ideas for the links.  My original idea was to string sead beads, wrap each link with the beads, and then connect them to make a bracelet.  After receiving the links, I decided that I may not be able to connect the links if I seed bead wrapped them.  The reason I mention this is that idea led me to thinking about wire wrapping the links.  Now, I've never wire wrapped.  I mainly use fireline and memory wire, so I thought it would be fun to try a new technique.  After I connected some of the links together, here was my first try:

The wrapping didn't turn out how I wanted.  I also discovered that you have to pay attention to how the links are connected, so the connection point is either on the top or the bottom of the links for it to lay correctly.  So, it was back to the drawing board, or the beading board in this case.  ;)

 If you ever work with these, you should know two things.  First, they aren't the easiest to snap together sometimes, so be sure to have the links arranged how you want them before you connect them.  Second, when you try to take them apart, this could happen:



Luckily for me, this was the only link out of the twenty five I received that I broke.  After I started over and got to wrapping, I realized that my idea might look better as a necklace than a bracelet.  I made two separate sections of links, and then looked though my lampwork glass mix that I had from Firemountain Gems.

I decided on beads that matched the wire I used and got some black beads to tie in with the links.  Here's my finished piece:

I got some gold ribbon to finish off the necklace and to make it adjustable.  I also wire wrapped the ends and added black bicones.  What do you think?

I had so much fun doing this!  I just want to thank Peggy for hosting this challenge.  If you would like to see what the other participants made, all of the blog links are below.  After you finish visiting all of the blogs, be sure to go back to The Charm Barn and vote for your favorite!  The blog with the most votes gets a $20 certificate to Peggy's store, WillowBranchBeads.  I would appreciate the vote! :) 

Ilenia Ruzza

Shelley Graham Turner 

Tania Spivey

Ambra Gostoli

Kashmira Patel

Linda Florian

Jami Shipp

Terri Gauthier

Miranda Ackerley

Mischelle Fanucchi

Mary Govaars

Sarah Goode

Paula Hisel

Shai Williams

Kay Thomerson

Denielle Hagerman

Janeen Sorensen

Emma Todd

Audrey Bélanger

Michelle Andrade

My Free Beads for Blogging have arrived!

I was super excited to get my free beads from Tanya at Fusion Muse !  I was really surprised by how fast they arrived.  It took about a week for them to travel from Thailand to South Carolina.  Here are my goodies:

From top left to right:  Brass Wire, 6 Swarovski Rounds, Clear Glass Cab, handmade links with blue and purple beads

From middle left to right: Shell ( I think) butterfly pendant, Very light pink rounds, Handcarved ox bone skulls

From bottom: Light green pearls

I've never worked with ox bone, pearls, or cabs before, so this soup will be a lot of fun.  Tanya, you outdid yourself with this.  You are such a generous person!  Did you make the blue and purple links?

If your interested in getting your own free beads for blogging, click on the pic on the right side of this blog.  It will take you to the Free Beads for Blogging post on Tanya's site.  If any of my readers have participated in this before, please post a comment with a link to your blog.  I would love to see what everyone else received and made with their beads!

I'll post pictures when I'm done with my creations.  I think I will probably make more than one piece with all of my goodies.

My link challenge reveal in on August 17th!  My piece is already done, I just have to take some pictures and send them off to Peggy!

Thanks for reading and now I'm off to run! :)

Beads of Clay Monthly Giveaway

On the first Wednesday of every month, Beads of Clay does a giveaway on their blog full of amazing handmade porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware beads and pendants donated from different artisans.  This month's giveaway happens to be full of my favorite colors, so I'm hoping I win.  :)  If you want to enter, head over to their blog and get all of the details. Good luck!

The Goodies