March/April Challenge - Beads I Will Never Use

[DawninCal]

Our challenge this time is inspired by a comment Cat made at one of the daily threads. It reminded me of an ugly bead challenge we had a long time ago. So, it looks like you all are going to be using those beads you thought you'd never use!

Dig through your stash and make something beautiful out of those ugly, odd, weird beads that you thought you'd never use, but that you still hung onto all this time and let's see what you come up with. I have complete faith in this talented group to blow my socks off.

Post your completed piece to this thread by April 15, but keep in mind that our deadlines aren't set in stone. We're pretty flexible here.

Looking forward to seeing your amazing entries!



Dawn

[caeterle]

I'd like to add that in my case the beads weren't even ugly, odd or weird per se, they just don't fit into my line of making at all which makes them weird for me.

[DawninCal]

Good point, Cat. The beads for this challenge don't have to be ugly; just not something that you'd normally use whether it's because of their color, size, material they're made out of, don't match your style, etc.



Dawn

[Irith-Rita]

Feb 20, 2024 0:29:45 GMT -6 caeterle said:

I'd like to add that in my case the beads weren't even ugly, odd or weird per se, they just don't fit into my line of making at all which makes them weird for me.

My beads are not ugly either. I will see what I can do with those I didn't intend using.

[michelle]

Hmmmm…. Intriguing. I think I’m going to enjoy this one.

[Irith-Rita]

This challenge has finally got me searching through my beads.

I had a friend who had an antique shop just across my work place, when I was still working as a legal secretary in a large oil company. I would go into her shop after the working hours and see what is "new" in her shop. There was a small bowl full of various beads. I chose the yellow ones that looked like ancient Amber beads to me. As they were not too expensive I chose some. When I came home I put them in a plastic box. placed them in one of my drawers and forgot about them.

Now, when Dawn wrote "search for your ugly beads", I went to look for something, and there they were. Of course, after all these years, I decided to be a good girl and follow the challenge.

I checked to see if the Amber beads were authentic .I was told to rub them first against a rough material (my jeans in this case) then take them to a tiny piece of paper and see what happens. If the bead lifts the piece of paper it means that it is authentic. To my surprise, most of the beads lifted the tiny piece of paper, so I know that they are authentic!

Two days ago I made a necklace. I added a few silver beads, a Rolo chain and a hook I made for it and here it is:



I did not blacken the chain. Please let me know if I should.

I looked up the prices they choose for similar beads on Etsy, and was stunned at what I saw!

I decided not to sell it. I will keep it. It will hopefully stay in my family.

[caeterle]

It's bold and beautiful, Irith. I love all the different colors of amber. I used to know a lady (30 years ago) who collected amber and once spent some very pleasant time with her explaining all the varieties to me.
I think the silver is fine this way and would be fine blackened as well. If you are going to keep it, you should go with your gut feeling on that.

[DawninCal]

Beautifully done, Irith! Bold and beautiful is the perfect way to describe it. I usually prefer darkened metal, but in this case I like it shiny. As Cat said, since you are going to be the one wearing it, you should make that call.

I'm so happy those beads are out of their box and into the light. "Ugly beads?" I think not!



Dawn

[Irith-Rita]

Thank you Cat and Dawn.
I agree with you Dawn. I don't think they are ugly at all. But I found them thanks to this assignment

[DawninCal]

The end date for this challenge is rapidly approaching. How is everyone doing with their beads that they will never use?

I've started on mine and hope to finish it today. Of course, I am probably being overly optimistic with my time estimates.



Dawn

[caeterle]

I still stare at them. There is a reason why I never used them, they have the power to make my mind go completely blank!

[DawninCal]

That's why I've challenged you to use them, Cat. Eventually, staring at them is going to give you an idea.



Dawn

[caeterle]

I think it's not even so much having an idea for them, but having an idea that seems executable for me. I'm just not used much to working with bigger beads.

[DawninCal]

I have no doubt that your busy little mind will come up with a fab idea.



Dawn

[caeterle]

Not fab, but I hope I got something now.