Andrew's July Reader's Challenge

Last month, Andrew Thornton announced his very 1^st  Reader’s Challenge.  He offered a limited number of kits in his shop for purchase and challenged us to create a piece with the components in the kit and post it today.I loved the colors and mixture of elements he chose, so I dove in and purchased one the kits...it included a ceramic leaf pendant from Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio, a ceramic tube bead from Keith O'Connor, a lampwork glass bead by Bernadette Fuentes, plus a mix of Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones, vintage glass, brass chain, and a tiny seed beads. To top it off, the kit included a mystery item...one of Andrew's own handmade copper coins carved with a leaf !

To me, the most challenging part was the seed beads!  I never string stuff!  After staring at everything for a couple weeks, I finally got a game plan together, and came up with this quirky, fun necklace!  It is definitely a step in a different direction  from my usual style, without totally losing myself.

I decided I wanted a multi-strand portion, so I used the bead mix to create 1 strand on beading wire, then wire-wrapped selected beads with alternating lengths of the chain that was supplied in the kit, then decided the 3rd strand would be simply chain.

I punched holes in in Andrew's lovely leaf coin and used it as a 3-strand connector on one side, then used a bronze cone from my stash for the other end, to add to the assymetrical quirkiness.

I wanted to make my own clasp to match, but the largest brass wire I had was 18g so I used 16g copper wire, and wrapped it with 22g brass.  The mixed metals really work with this one, I think, so  I also used some copper beads to embellish the big ceramic tube.

Melanie's leaf pendant and a little Czech glass teardrop charm are the perfect embellishment to the clasp side.

I ran out of the chain that was supplied, so I made my own out of more 18g brass wire for the back of the necklace.  Taking the photo with the necklace lying flat doesn't really show it off to it's true glory..the strands drape much more nicely when worn!  This would have been a great time to own a cool mannequin!

Thanks for stopping by! Go and visit the other challenge participants and see the gorgeousness...

Jessica Nelson
Holly Baldwin
Paula Kramer
Karyn Bonfiglio
Sally Russick
Lori Bowring Michaud
Norma Turvey
Anne Dixon
Mary K McGraw
Patty Gasparino
and our host... Andrew Thornton ... Katie James, Sarajo Wentling, and Margriet Schnabel will have pieces here as well.

Thanks Andrew!  It was fun pushing my boundaries!