Tangerine Tango Watchband

This March challenge is to use up some leftover beads.  The way my beads are set up I really don't have leftover beads.  Occassionally, someone uses part of a string of beads and pay only for the number used and the rest are put into a bead case of odds and ends.  I have chosen beads from this case.  The next challenge is to use a new beading technique.  The two will be combined in this watchband. 

The beads chosen are carnelian 8mm round beads.  The color couldn't be better for the Pantone color of the year:  Tangerine Tango. 

  The technique is making a watch band with three strands instead of two.  After several attempts is was evident that there is no way to do it without going through one row of beads twice.  Therefore, it would be much easier if the center beads were large holed.  I switched the gold beads for some with extra large holes, however, the carnelian beads would not allow the stretch cord to go through them twice.  I had to go around them so it was lucky that I had orange Power Cord.  It is almost invisible and on a moving watch won't show as much.
   

The first attempt was way too short, so I added more beads.  Now it is too long and I must take it all apart again and remove some beads.  (That is why you will see a little tail of the knotted end here and there.)  I wanted to post this today so I will remedy that and another problem and edit this later. 

Altogether the watch is stunning. Can't wait to wear it.

Tropical Fruit Earring

Wow!  Three days to get this post done!  I had no idea this week would be so busy.

This earring is one I saw on O.com and has been on my mind for a while.  I didn't make it exactly like the one I saw, but modified it to my own taste, but it is similar.  The original was wired together somehow and I didn't do that.  I used a 3" long gold headpin and then slipped wire wrapped beads onto the pin after using a bail type wrap on the bottom turquoise bead. 

The beads I used were turquoise, garnet chips, carnelian pebbles, green aquamarine pebbles (yes, green aquamarine).  It is a fun combination of colors that do look like little fruit bits.  I used gold findings for my color type. 

I credit the idea to the artist that designed it, a Thai girl named Nareerat, as sold on O.com and I do not plan to sell any of these.  I made it for personal use.  Doubt that counts for anything, but I don't want to buy something for $21 that I can make for under $2.  And I have been in love with this earring for over 6 months.  (Besides, mine doesn't look as nice.)

How about tropical fruit against 4" of snow? 

Pix are not the best.  Out of practice.  I hope to get going again soon.

March Challenge

Time to get on with the beading.  Can't wait to get started again after a long drought fraught by illness, holidays, vacations and just general life. 

The challenge is offered by Fusion Beads and I am taking it.  http://www.fusionbeads.com/pdf/march_30_day_challenge.pdf. 

The first challenge:  March First:  Make Earrings.  Easy peasy.  Will post this later after Cub Scout Den Meeting and Roundtable.  It may be late. 

Here we go.  Back on track after a long derailment.  Love it.