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Post by DawninCal on Apr 20, 2022 14:22:57 GMT -6
It's been a very wet April here, which is good since Jan-March were exceptionally dry. Since April shower bring May flowers, I thought we'd do a flower challenge this time. Your challenge is to incorporate flowers into your design whether those are flower beads, a pendant, a charm or whatever other clever thing you come up with as long as it's flower related. Post your completed challenge piece in this thread by June 15 (knowing that we play rather loosely with our deadlines). Looking forward to seeing lots of flowers from all of you! Dawn
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Post by michelle on Apr 20, 2022 21:30:11 GMT -6
Fun! 😄
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Post by caeterle on May 31, 2022 11:22:51 GMT -6
This is the old glass cabochon I have mentioned. It's an implosion flower cab by one of my favorite (ex-)lampworkers. It has bubbles in it, but it's still beautiful. So hard to photograph, though! This is another cab I had tried to put in a wire crochet bezel before, but it's a very high cab and it kept moving within the wire, also because it is so smooth. Once again bead embroidery came to the rescue. I love the combination of teal and silver. The drop beads for the edging also came from a surprise parcel, I found the color worked nicely with the teal.
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Post by DawninCal on Jun 1, 2022 11:34:17 GMT -6
Perfect for the challenge, Cat! What a pretty bead that is - it looks like a real flower encased in glass. The bezel is awesome; the entire package feels like spring and summer. Love it! Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Jun 1, 2022 13:08:44 GMT -6
Thank you, Dawn!
I keep thinking I must have another of Deronda's implosion flowers, but maybe I turned it into something for myself. I have to admit that I haven't worn jewelry (except my studs) since the beginning of Covid.
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Post by DawninCal on Jun 3, 2022 11:01:00 GMT -6
It's always kind of sad to use up the last of or only one we have. I think that's what turns many of us into bead hoarders! Oddly, all through Covid I still wore wore a pair of earrings and a bracelet every day. They gave me a little pick up. Rings not as often because I do so much work with my hands. Dawn
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Post by michelle on Jun 6, 2022 21:25:26 GMT -6
Oh Cat, I love this piece! The cab is fabulous, and the bead work is fabulous.
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Post by caeterle on Jun 7, 2022 6:28:15 GMT -6
I think I'm getting over that sad feeling, Dawn, at least I'm trying to. What good do they do in my stash? I want to give them at least a chance to get out there. Thank you very much, Michelle! I'm really glad this cab made it out of the trap that is my stash drawer
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Post by DawninCal on Jun 7, 2022 11:52:59 GMT -6
Cat, that's exactly why I've started using stuff like the crystal wine glasses we received as a wedding gift 42 years ago. They are very delicate and fragile, but what good do they do packed away in a box? I'd rather my wine drinking friends and family enjoy them and if one gets broken, oh well. Dawn
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Post by michelle on Jun 8, 2022 17:05:10 GMT -6
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s silly to “save” things. That usually means no one sees them ever. And yes, that realization came to me during the pandemic too. These have been flower projects (among others) for the last 6 weeks:
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Post by DawninCal on Jun 9, 2022 14:05:23 GMT -6
Definitely true, Michelle. I remember a few years ago, a young woman with brain cancer posted about her illness on the Etsy forums (or it may have been Artfire - can't recall for sure). Anyway, she wrote about how she had a couple of special dresses hanging in her closet that she'd been saving for just the right occasion. But, the special occasion never came and then she got cancer and was too sick to wear the dresses. She passed away not long after that so she never once got to wear her pretty dresses. She said she wanted everyone to remember that we need to enjoy our things now and not save them for a day that may never arrive. I know that sounds sad and it is, but she meant it to be a positive message for people to enjoy their lives, families and things now and to live in the moment rather than always waiting for some distant day in the future that might never arrive. Your flower arrangements are gorgeous! I'm guessing the climate at your new home is conducive to growing flowers, just as it is here on the coast. They really like air that has moisture in it and so does our skin. I rarely have to use moisturizer anymore; when we lived in the dry inland of California I was constantly putting lotion on my hands. Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Jun 9, 2022 14:54:47 GMT -6
Beautiful colors, Michelle! I especially like the first one. My garden designing skills are limited to my virtual garden whose plants I exchange every, now and then, lol.
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Post by michelle on Jun 10, 2022 21:31:47 GMT -6
It is a sad story, Dawn, but yes, an important point. The pandemic brought that home to me in no uncertain terms.
And yes, the plants are very happy here! Thanks, Cat! That pot is one of my favorites too. Something about those deep maroon petunias.
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Post by DawninCal on Jun 13, 2022 13:53:28 GMT -6
Just popping in to say that I am working on my challenge piece. I challenged myself to learn how to work with a new material and it's turned out to be more challenging than I expected. I think I had a break through this morning which makes me hopeful that I can finish by the 15th. But, then again, I might not! Dawn
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Post by michelle on Jun 13, 2022 21:32:27 GMT -6
Can’t wait to see!
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