Thursday 29 September 2016

Trees! Art Jewelry Elements Autumn Challenge

The Art Jewelry Elements team has issued a new challenge for September, around the beautiful trees of the planet. They invited everyone to participate again this month, and also had a giveaway for 2 participants to use art beads designed just for the challenge. I did not win but that's fine because I have lots of pretty art beads that channel the theme

This image of a cottonwood tree full of fall colours fit both my love of the season and the pieces I made


Cottonwood Tree in Autumn

Digging through my lovely stash of art beads I found myself drawn to pieces that reminded me of the fall season we are living in here. I found several beads that fit and in the end limited myself to 3 designs

First up is this sweet pair of earrings, with ceramic charms by Nancy Adams of Round Rabbit, glass rounds and gold plated wires. The bright orange maple leaves are my favourite fall leaves. The colours of the beads and charms were lined up to give an ombre look, a fading to fall effect. Nancy decided to focus her creative energies in a new direction and is not making art beads anymore. I have a few more of her creations squirreled away for now

Fallin’ Earrings

The next item I made is this pendant with a charm and bead by Heather Powers of HumbleBeads. Heather creates beautiful beads, charms and pendants in polymer clay like the lovely pieces here. I used gold plated wire to link the charm and bead, and attached a gold plated jump ring for the bail. The cord is made up of 3 different colours of waxed linen, picked to match the beads, and closes with a gold plated lobster clasp and ring

Golden Time Pendant

The last piece I made is this sweet pendant with art beads from Lesley Watt of Thea Elements and a large leaf frond from Round Rabbit. The round green apple coloured bead and tiny leaf are ceramic, and both come from Lesley’s talented hands. I thought they paired so well with the large ceramic leaf frond from Round Rabbit. The background of the large leaf matches the colouring of the tiny leaf almost exactly. The round bead has pale shading that coordinates with the lighter foreground colour of Nancy’s leaf. I maintained the earthy aspect of the pendant with twisted vintage bronze wire then couldn’t decide what to string it on. For now it’s hanging from a simple waxed cotton cord.

M’Cintosh Pendant

Please visit all the participants listed below to see what everyone else made

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

AJE Team

Guest Participants
Mona Arnott            (you are here)


24 comments:

  1. Wonderful designs Mona, you've really nailed it with the fall colours, each piece is beautiful! Thank you for joining us in the challenge.

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  2. Fabulous choice of beads, the colors are gorgeous, great work!

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    1. Thanks Karin. I am quite fond of these colours myself.
      Mona

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  3. Great designs Mona I'm particularly taken with the golden time pendent!

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    1. Thanks Niky. That one has lovely colours doesn't it
      Mona

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks Lesley. It is my favourite season and easy to get inspiration from
      Mona

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  5. What a pretty assortment - simple and ready to wear! Thanks for joining us!

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    1. Thanks Jenny. I'm always up for a fun challenge like this
      Mona

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  6. I love Heather's beads and I don't remember ever seeing the won you used. The pendant is pretty and so is you necklace. The other pieces are perfect for this theme and lovely.

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    1. Thank you Kathy. I do love Heather's beads too and remember adding that one to my cart very quickly when it first came out
      Mona

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  7. Oooo the final piece, the golden pendent that is glorious. Beautiful work :)

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  8. Lovely fall colors in your designs. I think the final necklace is my favorite.

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    1. Thank you Tammy. Fall is my favourite time of year as you can see :-)
      Mona

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  9. I see you love that golden Harvest Yellow isn't it just yummy to work with? My favorite piece Golden Time pendant. loved your post.

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  10. Beautiful pendants, lovely design.

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  11. What beautiful designs. You more then did those lovely pendants proud.

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  12. Hi Mona! Great tree inspiration for great jewelry! Love what you made! I participated at the last minute: http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2016/09/aje-theme-challenge-trees.html

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  13. Thanks Sue. They were fun to make.
    I went and checked out your post. I love that tree bead. It is so gorgeous you need to add it to your product lineup
    Mona

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