I’ve been packaging up the etched and patina metal sets from the most recent batch, and they turned out so well that I had to keep a few things for myself. Electrically etched versions of vintage foreign postage stamps in green, and a lovely brass set in a Renaissance design caught me, and I set them aside for a bit of beading fun. I already had a lunch tray with beads in that soft green, and one in ivories and pearls. When you work in colors you like, things go together, and there are often leftovers from projects. Two or three beads are enough to become part of a brand new design, and a color coordinated display.
I like taking an eclectic group of beads and seeing how they can dance together—that’s more fun for me than one kind of bead repeatedly strung in a row. I’m using metal, polymer clay, shell, glass and crystal, rocks and pearls. Chain lengths made with wire segments are a great way to use up a lot of beads in small groupings. I am using 22ga bronze wire to make this necklace, which will feature an etched central pendant piece with fringe—eventually! I think the stamps will be another necklace, or maybe a charm bracelet…
Of course, there needs to be a pair of earrings; since I started with one of my 3 piece metal earring pendant sets, that makes it easy to get that going too! This project is coming together a little at a time, as I take breaks from the work of the week. Gotta have those creativity breaks, especially when it is hot outside and the computer needs a rest.
