Michaels Challenge

This the second Micheals Challenge to spring forth from a visit to Michaels craft store with Lorelei, and this time around we had Dani with us to join in the fun (and it looks like about 20+ of you are joining in as well!).

This is what I made.

I knew right away that I wanted to use one of my new large bird pieces. I made a few of these a little while ago and they have become the kind of piece that I only use on special occasions, for special pieces. It's a rather big birdie measuring in at 2 3/8" from beak to tail so he commands a lot of attention whenever he appears. The dark, moody colors of our challenge beads seemed like the perfect companions for his vivid antiqued turquoise glaze.

Instead of making the bird the focal piece of the necklace I chose to offset him with a row of fringe. I used the faceted shell beads and the dark purple pearls from the original challenge beads and then added my own ivory (with just a slight tint of aqua) pearls as dangles.

The rest of the necklace is pretty simply (At least for me it is - believe me if you could see my original design and everything that was going on your head would have probably exploded. As mine did. That's why I toned it down...)
I introduced some large, round lava beads (which thanks to a rather pushy salesman at Bead Fest I know own approximately 7,000 of) and linked them with wire to the black quartz, clear window glass beads and some more of my own pearls. I used links from the chain as spacers in between the beads to lighten the feel of the chain up a bit. Last minute I decided the piece needed one more punch of the turquoise/teal color so I added a chain extender to the simple lobster clasp with a crystal bead. And, done!

As always, this was a blast and I look forward to the next challenge! To see all of the other challenge participants check out this list below. Have fun!

http://Lorelei1141.blogspot.com

http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com

http://blog.elysianstudiosart.com/

http://threeredbeads.blogspot.com/

http://starcitystory.blogspot.com/

http://erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/

http://www.thistlefarmarts.blogspot.com/

http://therabbitmuse.blogspot.com/

http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/

http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/

http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/

http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/

http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/

http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/

http://deborahmpurdy.blogspot.com/

http://beadhappytoday.blogspot.com/

http://pinkicejewels.blogspot.com/

http://craftyhope.blogspot.com/

http://gr8findings.wordpress.com/

http://tropicbeads.blogspot.com/

http://melissaruth.com/blog/

http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/

http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com/