Hello! It is time once again for a blog hop hosted by Art Jewelry Elements! As you remember, I have done two blog hops with them before. One was in August of 2015, when I got to use a component by Suburban Girl Studios and another in January of 2015, when I won a surprise component by Blueberri Beads.
In this challenge, we’re supposed to pillage our stash for art beads that we have been saving and finally USE them. I decided this would be a perfect challenge for the beginning of the new year and signed up.
My first hope was to use this gorgeous lentil bead from Caroline Dewison of Blueberri Beads. I bought it almost a year ago and loved it so much that I was afraid to use it for anything because I was worried I wouldn’t do it justice.
Then, I realized that I needed to stick to my strengths and do some bead weaving. First, I stitched some flowers and attached these lovely faceted ceramic drops by Gaea.
I was much happier with these and decided to try again with some fancy drops from Elizabeth Girod of Fire and Fibers. I loved the colors in these and tried to compliment them with a beaded bead.
I was very pleased with both my sets of earrings and am sure I will eventually find a way to use that gorgeous lentil bead. I just need to remember that inspiration is wonderful, but it’s important to use your talents and not abandon your strengths.
Thanks for the inspiring challenge, AJE! Now, you should all go through these links to see what everybody else made!
AJE Team:
Wescott Jewelry 
I love the earrings. Your bead weaving is excellent. (And the lentil bead from Caroline Dewison of Blueberri Beads is really gorgeous. Go on with your nice idea …:) )
Visit my blog, I took part, even though I´m not in the list…
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Thanks, Suntsa! I did visit your blog AND added the link to my blog list. Your pieces are so chic and stylish! Amazing!
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I also love to make earrings and your earnings are beautiful. I struggle with necklaces. Great job.
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Thank you, Mary! I am also a HUGE earring person. Gotta practice more on necklaces… but maybe not with my favorite focal beads, haha.
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Love the earrings, especially the second pair, your beaded beads are gorgeous! Sorry you didn’t feel it with the focal, I really like how you’ve captured it with the black beads!
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Thanks, Caroline! I really love your lentil (which is why I have been hoarding it for almost a year now – oops). I just don’t love the braiding I did. I am definitely going to try again, probably with less of a mixed media approach and more beadweaving. Glad you like the bezel! That part will probably stay. :D
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Samantha! Thank you for joining the AJE tema in the stash challenge! It IS a good way to start the year. First I have to say I have a stash of Caroline’s lentils too. And I too – have had fits and starts – wanting to have them be positioned correctly when worn etc. Im sorry you weren’t happy with the first piece – I like the look but see what you mean – like there is a missing link between pendant/beads and fabric? BUT – it is so important to experiment. You never know when the next best idea will pop up from this or that…
OK – that aside – your earrings are freaking drop dead gorgeous. :-D
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Thanks, Jenny! I am always so excited to participate in the fun activities going on at AJE. I definitely need to experiment a bit more with that lentil bead. It’s just too pretty to let sit in my stash any longer. :D
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Your earrings are fabulous, mixing beaded beads and other components is always so much fun! I’m sure you’ll find some great idea for Caroline’s bead too!
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I agree that your beaded beads are gorgeous. The great thing about inspiration is that we can have it over and over again! I like your thought about not abandoning our strengths – our roots.
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Love those earrings! If we’re not happy with a piece it just doesn’t feel right does it? You’ll find the perfect way to showcase that lovely art bead though. Somehow, I can see it happening soon.
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Your earrings are fabulous! Working with those tiny beads are definitely your strength. Be sure to show us what you do with that fabulous focal.
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Thanks, Shaiha! I definitely will!
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I struggle to use fabric in my designs, so I know where you are coming from but oh my your bead work is fab!
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Quite the booty of treasure there! Lovin’ them there earrings!!!
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Excellent work! I love the necklace with the fabric. I too have a time with it, but your’s really came out great! And love the beaded earrings..I so want to get better with my bead weaving!
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I love those earrings with the Gaea drops, the colours are very dreamy and soft!
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Love your earrings Sam especially the second pair – just my colours. I have pieces I’m not quite happy with sitting on my bench as inspiration often strikes while i”m in the middle of doing something else. I’m sure you’ll get there eventually.
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Those earrings are both fabulous and fun! We all have things that we create and then they don’t strike the right cord. Eventually that beautiful bead will tell you just what it needs!
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Necklaces are my kryptonite so I totally understand your struggle. The earrings you made are fantastic! I love the beaded components you created and added to your art bead treasures.
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