My partner, Dolores Raml, is a very talented bead artist. She works with a lot of metal, straight from the hardware store, which her husband joyfully hammers and textures and torches for her. I love her pieces.
But I was a a bit apprehensive; those are areas I have yet to explore.
Mostly because my husband is afraid I would burn the house down.
He is probably right.
Dolores was kind. She sent me beads that were challenging...
but ones that did not require a welding torch or hammer.
And in colors I love!
She also sent me some little goodies she made.
Aren't they cool?
I am predominantly a wire-wrapper and, in these Bead Soup challenges,
I have been determined to try new things.
In a recent challenge, sponsored by the lovely Lisa Lodge
I tried crocheting beads with wire and, after a lot
of tangled wire and dropped beads, I found that I liked it.
I used a 28GA wire, and a G hook.
You can take a peek at what I made here.
This time I thought I would experiment with different gauges
of wire, and different sizes of hooks. I tried 30GA, 28 GA, 24 GA, 22 GA.
I tried a variety of hooks.
Guess what I ended u using?
Yep.
28 GA wire and an G hook.
To shake things up a bit, I went for symmetry.
Symmetry is not my best friend.
I never met an Asymmetrical Challenge I didn't like.
I'm a bad counter.
1, 2... oh look! Shiny things!
So I laid out and counted and spaced.
I stayed focused.
George doubted I could pull it off.
But I did.
Another challenge was the focal. While I wire-wrap,
I have never done a briolette where I wrapped down
I have never done a briolette where I wrapped down
the gemstone. So I tried some tutorials online.
George stuck around to help.
Got it on my third try.
I also rely heavily on split rings. Not this time.
I wire wrapped the clasp right onto the necklace.
And a necklace was born.
Ta-dah!!
I was happy with how it turned out. Next time I do wire crochet, I think I'll
use a bigger hook for bigger beads,
and a smaller hook for smaller beads.
and a smaller hook for smaller beads.
It also sparkles when the sunlight catches it,
but I wasn't able to capture that in the photos.
This is my necklace, reclining.
Maybe next time I'll try that flamethrower.
Here is What I sent my partner. You can go to her blog to see what she made!
And here's the hop.
Alicia Marinache
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Amber Dawn Goldish
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Barb Solem
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Bev Breisinger
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Birgitta Lejonklou
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Breana Fry
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Brenda Sue Lansdowne
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Bridget Torres
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Carol Dee Myers
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Carolyn Chenault
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Cassi Paslick
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Cece Cormier
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Cheryl McCloud
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Cindy Wilson
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Crystal Thain
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Cynthia Riggs
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Dana Hickey
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Dana James
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Darlene Fortier
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Deana Hager
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Deanna Cox
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Deb Brooks
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Debra Behrends
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Denielle Hagerman
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http://www.somebeadsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
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Denise McCabe
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Diana Frey
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Diana Welte
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Dini Bruinsma
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DiYana Alcalde
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Dolores Raml
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Donna Millard
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Dot Lewallwn
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Duane Clark
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Dyanne Cantrell
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You are here:
Eleanor Burian-Mohr
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Elisabeth Auld
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Elizabeth Owens Dwy
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Emily Greer
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Enikö Fabian
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Erin Grant
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Eva Kovacs
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Eva Sherman
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Gina Hockett
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Grace Rotenberg
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Gretchen Nation
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Hannah Rosner
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Heather Davis
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Heather Marston
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Heather Powers
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Ingrid McCue
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Jacqueline Marchant
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Jan Petek
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Janeen Sorensen
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Jane-Michael Stallings
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Jasvanti Patel
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Jayashree Paramesh
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Jayne Capps
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Jean Yates
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Jennifer Cameron
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Jennifer LaVite
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Joan Williams
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Jodie Marshall
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Judy Riggs
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Julie Anne Leggett
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Kat Barron Miller
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Kathy Lindemer
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Kim Hora
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Kim Houston
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Kim Sparks
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Krafty Max
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Kris Lanae Binsfeld
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Krista French
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http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/
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Kristen Stevens
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Kristi Harrison
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Kumi Fisher
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Laren Dee Barton
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Laura Bracken
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Laura Demoya
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Laurie Hanna
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Laurie Keefe-Cecere
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Lea Avroch
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Leanne Loftus
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Lee Anne Messerschmidt
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Leslie Schenkel
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Linda Anderson
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Linda Djokic
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Linda Murphy
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Linda Sadler
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Lisa Liddy
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Lisa Suver
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Liz DeLuca
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Liz Engriser
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Lola Surwillo
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Loretta Carstensen
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Lori Anderson
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Lori Bergmann
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Lori Bowring Michaud
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Lori Poppe
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Lori Schneider
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Lyn Foley
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Maddison Langford
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Magdalena Sikora
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Mallory Hoffman
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Marcella Austenfeld
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Marcy Lamberson
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Maria Clark
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Maria Rosa Sharrow
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Marianna Boylan
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Marie Covert
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Marti Conrad
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Mary Ellen Merrigan
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Mary Harding
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Molly Alexander
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Nan Emmett
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Niky Sayers
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Pam Chesbro
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Pam Farren
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Pam Sandy
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Pam Traub
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Pamela Gangler
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Patricia Buchanan
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Patricia Johnson
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Patty Miller
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Paula Hisel
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Peggy Gabrielson
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Perri Jackson
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Rachel Baron
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Rachel Stanley
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Rain Hannah
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Rana Wilson
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Renetha Stanziano
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Robin Reed
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Rochelle Brisson
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Rose Rushbrooke
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Ruth Szapa
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Sally Russick
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Sandi Volpe
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Sandra Pendragon
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Sandy Richardson
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Sarah Small
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Shannon Hicks
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Shari Replogle
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Sheila Daniels
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Sheila Davis
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Shiraz Biggie
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Shirley Moore
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Skylar Bre'z
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Staci Smith
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Stacie Florer
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Stacy Pomerleau
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Stephanie Weiss
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Sumi Rani
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Susan Sheehan
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Suzette Bentley
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Tamera Norris
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Tracy Choy
| |
Tracy Stillman
| |
Valerie Norton
| |
Vicki Holliday
|
Or you can link to the list here. Happy hopping!
My favourite type of blue - looks like azure :) I love it and as a cats admirer I also want to praise your cat. He's really handsome!
ReplyDeleteThanks! He was a big help!
Deletewhat beauty!
ReplyDeleteThank you. :0)
DeleteAmazing work !
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI'm on the 3rd reveal, I'm partecipating for the 3rd time on BSBP, I'm visiting all blogs...
ReplyDeleteoh, I really love your necklace, I can't crocheting, I tried it but I'm really a disaster :(
great work!
ciao dall'Italia
It really helped that, once upon a time, I actually crocheted with yarn. That was a big help.
DeleteSo delicate. Thank you for sharing your process. I love those colors, too. Happy BSBP7. I have to wait for the second reveal.
ReplyDeleteHaving a ball today.
Thanks! Can't wait to see yours!
DeleteYou made a very beautiful necklace! I love the copper with the blue beads.. And the cat is georgeous too :) My cat often tries to 'help' me with my creations!
ReplyDeleteYes, cats are especially "helpful" with the dropped beads. ;0)
Deletewhat a great job you did with your necklace!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :0)
DeleteGreat necklace! I like its lacey feel and colors.
ReplyDeleteI’m in the third reveal. Can’t wait.
http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
kathy
Thank you, Kathy.
DeleteYour necklace has a beautiful design, and copper and turquoise colour go well together. I think you've inspired me to try wire crochet. Happy creations!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad. It was fun. Give it a try... and I'm here when you want to commiserate about uncooperative wire. ;0)
DeleteLove copper and turquoise together! This is one thing I've never had the patience for, just the thought of prestringing the beads.... you have my admiration :)
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that pre-stringing on wire is a whole lot easier than on Beadalon.
DeleteI like how you made the wire crochet.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was fun.
DeleteLovely colours. It looks light to wear. I admire your wire crochet, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, It really is light.
Deletecrocheted wire- very inventive!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was fun.
DeleteFirst, I'd like to thank you for asking people to remove the Captcha off their blogs. It seems I was after you on many comments and it was a pleasure not having to deal with that. Second, I totally love your work. It's full of life and creativity. Beautiful job~
ReplyDeleteThanks, April. Trying to banish CAPTCHA one comment at a time!
DeleteYour blog is so cute. Love your necklace.
ReplyDeleteGreat necklace! I've never tried wire crochet before. Yours turned out lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by my blog today for the reveal! I appreciate the feedback :-)
Thanks for your lovely comment!
DeleteGeorge is such an handsome fellow... Even if skeptical :) You pulled it off, and amazingly if I might add !
ReplyDeleteGeorge never thought I would. He even hid some of the beads.
DeleteLove the focal and how you conquered the wire with your hook!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gretchen.
DeleteI enjoyed reading how it all came together- and what a cutie George is!
ReplyDeleteGeorge and I thank you.
DeleteWire crocheting is something that I admire, never have done it intimidates me but your piece turned out so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Give it a try! At the worst you'll end up with a crumpled pile of wire! ;0)
DeleteGreat necklace. I've tried crocheting with wire...it was not pretty. LOL. You're it great.
ReplyDeleteI tell everyone my earlier experiments were free-form. ;0)
Deletethe necklace is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe wire crochet makes it so light and whimsical - I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow so cool!! Beautiful style and colors and that pendant is stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marianna!
DeleteThe colors match perfectly, beautiful design!Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteFirst time I see crocheted wire, so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI love the piece, and you are right the colors are wonderful. I especially enjoyed your blog! Love your writing style.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dee!
DeleteI absolutely lov what you did with your great soup. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGorgeous necklace! How does wire move with the wearer?
ReplyDeleteIt's so light that the pendant kind of sways with a mind of its own. Thanks, Candace!
DeleteI'll introduce George to Tommy who is not allowed near anything bead-oriented. What a wonderful necklace for summer - so light and airy. Keep the torch handy, tho. Could be fun for next time.
ReplyDeleteI think my husband hid it. ;0)
DeleteThanks!
Flamethrower or not, your creation is AMAZING!!! GREAT JOB!! I just love it. It looks so light and 'airy'!! ~KM http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/2013/03/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-reveal-33113.html
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful sweetness to your design. It's feminine yet little bits of bold peek through in the stones. Great work!
ReplyDeleteEmily
Thank you for your lovely thoughtful comment, Emily.
DeleteI was getting towards the end, working my way through all the Soup blogs, then I stumbled on yours. You woke me up! You thrilled me! W000000 H0000000 YA! Great blog entry, and an even better necklace. I'd wear that necklace in a heartbeat. Gorgeous. When I have a little more time I'm definitely coming back to explore every nook and cranny of your site.
ReplyDeleteThen I did my job! Thanks, Liz!
DeleteYour necklace is so light and airy! Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karin!
DeleteLove the crochet necklace!
ReplyDeleteThanks! ♥❤♥
Deletelovely piece ... and I love the way you wrote your blog ... I too am feaful of burning the house down trying to make things lol ;)
ReplyDeleteWe could probably go to a Flamethrwers Anonymous meeting together. ;0)
DeleteGreat job with the wire crochet! I'm in awe of your talent. when I tried it all I got was a pile of knots!
ReplyDeleteLove your design and your fabulous wire wrapping. Yummy blue soup.
Beautiful necklace, great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you! ♥❤♥
DeleteI'm with you, I'd love to work with a torch, but the hubs says no! I like how soft and airy this looks. Great job with the wire wrapping on the focal!
ReplyDeleteFlamethrowers Anonymous, here we come!
DeleteGreat crocheting, photographs and necklace!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dini.
DeleteI admire your craft immensely . You are a very talented wire crocheter. I Crochet with yarn but I know one thing I could never do the wire thing. I think it takes a special person to be able to manipulate that wire just right. You have got it. Ty for sharing your talent with us all bye for now and Happy beading
ReplyDeleteWire is just more resistant than yarn. And you really don't want to wrap that loop around yur index finger. Yowie!
DeleteI like how the beads look like they are floating - very pretty!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great description. Thanks!
DeleteYour necklace is very beautiful. I learned wire crochet a couple of months ago at my bead group. The teacher there recommended 24 gauge. She said that thinner than 24 breaks too easily. Even though it is a little stiffer to work with the results are more sturdy. I also used a G hook. I too enjoyed learning it.
ReplyDeleteI think she's right about the breaking. I am a bit concerned about the pendant hanging there. It, btw, is wrapped with a 22 GA.
DeleteYour necklace is gorgeous! I love the blues with the copper crochet. As always, your post is very entertaining too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kimmie!
DeleteLove your commentary! George looks like he is pretty tough to impress! And I love the necklace you came up with--so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI loved reading your entertaining blog!! I'm betting George is a great helper! Your jewelry is stunning!
ReplyDeleteGeorge likes to think all the best ideas are his. ;0)
DeleteWhat a besutiful necklace. Airy for summer but perfect in winter with a swester. Lovely crochet work! Your cat is so handsome. ~diana
ReplyDeleteI thank you... and George thanks you.
DeleteVery pretty and delicate even with that large focal. I love the colors. Really nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia.
DeleteI just have to say-fire is fun! Your wire work is awesome. I tried to crochet with wire once-just once. You are a very talented artist.
ReplyDeleteI think fire is fun, too. That's why my husband worries. ;0)
DeleteYou created a gorgeous necklace, I tried crocheting with wire once and had lots of breakage so gave up really fast. Guess I like hammering better. LOL George does a wonderful job of keeping track of everything I bet and he's so handsome yet besides.
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't gotten to your blog earlier but had a busy weekend.
Love what you created with your soup. & while I know you said it was challenging to wire wrap the focal, you rose to the occasion! Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea to display your focal on a crocheted chain.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I like it! George was wrong to ever doubt you. I enjoyed following the creative process, I enjoy your sense of humor, and I'm right there with you as a danger with open flame. Nice to have discovered you here!
ReplyDeleteLOVED your blog post - and your beautiful necklace. I can totally relate to the briolette wrapping challenge !! You've inspired me to try wire crochet :)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! You have a skillful way with wires! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit late in my hopping, but I am so glad i stopped by to see your creation. Absolutely lovely! (And there's always next year for the flamethrower... ;) Heehee.)
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, though, fantastic work! :D
You did an excellent job with the crochet. I have been crocheting for 30 odd years, and while it is easy with yarn, it can be challenging with wire! Great Job!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun to read! I have torches and I'm still terrified of them. And I LOVE the expression on George's face!
ReplyDeleteYou did a stunning job. You should be proud!
What a lovely necklace! And I just love your studio helper. They tend to be rather critical don't they.
ReplyDeleteThat focal is great! Your work is exquisite and these are certainly exceptional. Thanks for sharing these special pieces.
ReplyDeleteGreat colours and technique. The crochet wire is really unique and complements the necklace.
ReplyDeletePretty, sweet, feminine, really like this!!! Love the colors! Have a Blessed Day!
ReplyDeleteLove your necklace and cat!
ReplyDeleteI love your necklace, crocheting with wire is something I can never manage (the "nails and chalkboard" sensation I think). It was the perfect technique for such a gorgeous focal!
ReplyDelete