Yippee! It’s here at last! Today is the Big Reveal Day for the 1st annual #BeadPeepsSwap N Hop 2015 !
I’ve been dying to share what became of all of the gorgeous components Debra (of Debra’s Divine Designs) sent to me as part of this challenge … and finally! … I can! (*warning* this is going to be a long post, so feel free to just peruse the photos, if you feel so inclined! 😉 )
Swap N Hop pieces ~ revealed! With so many beautiful bits and beads to work with … came so many ideas. Where to begin was the biggest challenge!
What resulted were not 1, not 2, not 3 … but … 10 different pieces (with still more ideas floating around in my head!) There are necklaces, bracelets and earrings … let’s have a look …
The first few pieces were created using Debra Jeffries‘ wing pendants.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to handle a real butterfly (or moth) wing piece, but once I read on Debra’s blog that “… all Butterfly & Insect wings are attained from cruelty-free farms across the globe through a licensed wholesaler. These farms raise and care for the caterpillars to pupae to butterflies and the butterflies once hatched are allowed to fly in freedom until their natural death. They are raised intentionally in underpriveledged countries and are collected when their lives expire naturally.” and that “These farms play a HUGE role in providing employment, education and conservation of their reared specimens as they release a certain percentage back into the wild to increase the natural population.”, it was made incredibly clear, how beautiful and special the pieces really are.
Madagascar Sunset Moth pendant necklace.
With this necklace, Debra’s pendant is the focal piece, and is surrounded by 3 of the large silver jump rings, pink & orange seed beads and 1 of the silver tube beads she sent. I then added just a few other simple components such as copper jump rings, some brass wire, 2 lampwork glass bead spacers, a strip of leather and some micro-fiber suede cord.
The Great Orange Tip pendant necklace.
This necklace again features Debra’s pendant as the focal and is partnered up with her lovely matte yellow lampwork bead, along with some added sea green new jade and aragonite gemstone beads, brass chain and brass components.
The Morpho Sulkowski wing pendant necklace.
This necklace pendant has a beautiful shimmering purple/blue hue. It incorporates some of the blue farfaille beads Debra sent, along with a hand dyed silk ribbon, some lavender stone gemstone beads and natural brass components from Vintaj.
Now for something completely different … bracelets!
I love multi strand bracelets, and the black moonstone beads and the silver farfaille beads that Debra sent worked in so well with these new designs.
The first bracelet is part of a new series collection I am creating, of interchangeable pieces. They will be individually customizable by allowing choice in leather and/ or bead bracelet sections.
The second bracelet is a take on a simple, classic, black leather wrap bracelet with double strands of gemstone beads.
some more necklaces …
The first necklace here was made using Debra’s gorgeous blue/green glass teardrop beads (wire wrapped into a flower) and a lovely leaf charm (with added patina ink). They are both attached to a copper square tag and hang on a simple copper ball chain.
I liked the teardrop bead flower so much, I just had to make another necklace! This one has the flower attached to one of the hammered silver rings from Debra, and paired up with leather cord, pewter tube beads and natural brass wire & components.
The next piece definitely has a bohemian flair. This one was made using Debra’s sea sediment jasper bead as the focal, along with some turquoise chips, a patina’d feather charm, some leather cord, natural brass components & chain, and a lovely spiral headpin (that I have been hoarding!) from my bead soup partner of last year – Niky of Silver NikNats.
Another Boho Style necklace … with a tassel.
Such beautful colours! I loved the matte yellow lampwork beads Debra sent, and this necklace features the other one! It is matched up with the other silver tube bead and some of Debra’s pink & orange seed beads. Add a lovely purple glass lampwork spacer bead from Lampwork by Julie, a multi-coloured tassel, some leather and some natural brass components and you’re good to go for summer festival season!
And … the last piece made (for now, anyways!) … a simple, dainty pair of circle earrings. Made mostly from Debra’s stash … the only added components were a few twisted brass jump rings.
Can you believe that ALL of these pieces were spawned from this batch of goodies … ?
Thank you so much, Debra, for the wonderful mix of pretty pieces to play with … you made it amazingly easy to get creative – with such talents and generosity and it has all been a joy to work with! I hope you had as much fun! And thank you to Linda Anderson for all of your hard work in pairing up partners and hosting such a grand event!
I can’t wait to see what Debra did with the mix I sent her! Let’s go have a peek at Debra’s blog to find out!
And after that … off to see what everyone else in the swap has created!
To see a full list of the participants … visit Linda Anderson’s From the Bead Board blog, see the list below or click here
Time to grab a cup of coffee, this may take a little while 😉
WOW! Wonderful job! SO MANY great pieces to be proud of! My favs are the sweet little earrings, the first larger pendant necklace and the first bracelet. So many choices and such great care in choosing the accompanying pieces. Well done!
Linda
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
Thank you so much Linda! And also, thank you so much for hosting such an amazing event!
Oh my goodness! I love all your pieces!!! Just wow!
Thank you so much Natalie 🙂
Gasp!
Omg so many beauties on one page!!! haha I love them all. Such wonderful and original designs.
Not to mention your stellar photography. I wish my photos were half as good as yours! lol
Bravo!
Aw, thank you so much Marica!
Absolutely beautiful pieces.
Thank you, Loretta!
I LOVE love love the butterfly pieces! I can’t wait to look at her site. How beautiful! You did such a good job with the colors. I also love the leather bracelet.
Thank you so much Peggy 🙂 Definitely check out Debra’s site!
WOW! Metal & wire are my favorite! You did great justice with all the different ways you connected your pieces. I love the different ways you added wow to your art!
Wow – thank you so much Kathleen 🙂
What wonderful designs! There is no way I could choose a favorite.
Thanks Shaiha!
Lovely designs! Debra’s butterfly/moth wing pieces are so beautiful and you’ve really taken them to amazing levels!
Thank you so much, Kari!
i totally agree with Kari….whole new level I could learn by!
What a stunning collection of jewelry. Each design is different, yet they all speak with your voice. Beautifully done.
Thank you, Tammy! 🙂
I am just in awe here…between Debra’s stunning focals, and your skills, you have created some gorgeous pieces! Love the yellow and purple necklaces especially, and the delicate circle earrings!!
Thank you so much Shirley!
Oh my god! These are all so gorgeous! Also your photography is wonderful! How do you take such amazing pictures??
Thank you so much Rachel!
Would you believe a light box, and iphone 4s & photoshop?
SERIOUS SWOONING GOING ON HERE……omg….I think I just had to pick myself up off the floor. Amazing use of the pendants (and I love that they were “farmed” naturally). Even though purple is my favorite color, I really love the composition and colors of the pink/orange one. And the bohemian and tassle…..I want them ALL!
haha! Thank you so much Lori! You’re too funny! I’m partial to the pink & orange as well, even though purple is my favourite colour, too! Great minds must think alike … 😉
I actually have a [long term] project using those same colors! (Pink/Orange/black) they’re vintage buttons…..Just one in my long line of things I need to finish!
Cool! I can’t wait to see it Lori! (but I know all too well about long to-do lists!)
goodness gracious they are beautiful!! My favourites are the turquoise bead flowers followed by the butterfly wings
Thank you so much Divya!
I said on my post this is the time for crazy creative people to show off and you bet you are! Well done 🙂
So many lovely pieces that it is really difficult to choose a favourite! But I will, its the tear-drop flower necklace. Outstanding!
Aw – thank you Shalini! You’re so sweet 🙂
Love all of the wonderful pieces you made, love the love bracelet and the bohemian style necklace is an absolute stunner.
Thank you Sam!!
Awesome work on all the pieces! You gave attention to the beautiful focal pieces without too many beads to detract from them. These could be worn with anything. Their simplicity is deceptive. Great job on all!
Thank you so much!!
All of your pieces are great. The colors and designs are wonderful. I can see why you have been published so frequently.
Thank you so much Kathy 🙂
OMG These are all so fabulous and your photography is incredible! I loved what you did with those incredible focals especially they all look so different.
Thanks Marianne!!!
So many fantastic designs! Love the metal and leather, and those lovely dotted soldered pendants are gorgeous all done up!
Thank you so much!!
Wowsers you sure did get a lot of fab pieces.. Love it all
Thanks Fay 🙂
Awesome designs especially the Necklaces so full of color, just awesome
Thank you so much!!
Oh My Goodness!!!!! Kristina!!!! I can’t get over the beauty you created with all my goodies! You are so crazy talented you blow my mind….constantly!!!! I love all the pieces so much. I think my fave is the Morpho Sulkowski Necklace you created. Such a wonderful wonderful job. Thank you for sharing my love and importance of butterfly farming and conservation. It is my heart and passion. Sustainable living both personally and professionally is so important to learn and share. xo Love all of these creations!
Wow – Debra … *insert blush here* … I’m so happy you like what became of it all! I absolutely couldn’t have done it without you 🙂
Awesome collection! Each item is so beautiful and has so many little details that make it extraordinary! Wow (sorry for the lack of words)!
Oh – thank you so much, Rosantia! 🙂
What a super range of pretty pieces! Don’t think I can choose a favourite, but the butterfly wing necklace caught my eye!
Thank you!! 🙂
Great pieces, each set looks well thought out! Great job!
Thank you so much, Marti 🙂
What an AMAZING collection of designs!!! They are all really beautiful and the info on the butterfly wings was wonderful as well!!! Great Job!!! Be Blessed
Thank you, Robin!
Wow! You made a lot of very creative pieces.
Thank you 🙂
Truly love your style! You have done a wonderful job using those gorgeous pendants – love them all.
Hi Kristina, WOW! You did an awesome job using your stash of new beads. Your creations are all lovely. I can’t pick a favorite. The butterfly wings are sooo cool. I really like the teardrop flowers too.
Stellar pieces all around! the butterfly wing pendants were gorgeous – love the story behind them too!