Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric: art beads

The Art Bead Scene challenge really spoke to me this month. Typically, I don't make the time or effort to participate but this months inspiration sparked my interest and I love the hues of blue.

source

"Two Acrobats with a dog" by Pablo Picasso, 1905

The painting sparked the nostalgia of my youth. Not that I ever recall seeing any acrobats, but that I, myself considered myself an acrobat. No, I didn't walk any tightropes but I did love gymnastics, still do, and climbed the walls...literally!

For my piece, entitled Circus Life, I pulled all the elements from the painting that I love...the geometric, diamond pattern, a splash of rosy orange, sand, and lots of different colors from the blue family.

Circus Life - Sterling Silver Lampwork Wire Wrapped Bracelet

available in my Etsy shop

Lots of art beads at work here, lampwork beads by Blue Seraphim, Happy Skull, Catherine Ondrey (who is no longer making lampwork beads), a ceramic bead by Spirited Earth, and I created the diamond clasp connector.

I'm thrilled with this piece, not to mention that it'll wear with lots in my wardrobe...or yours, and I'm totally digging the diamond connector.

Be sure to check out all the entries from this month's challenge on Flickr.

Also, this month ABS is encouraging subscribers to donate a blue bracelet to the 7000 Bracelets Project. This program offers awareness and support for caregivers of children with rare genetic diseases.

Shelby

I know you've heard me say it a hundred times before...but I love earrings! They complete me! Anyhow, a couple weeks Diana of Suburban Girl Studio issued a call. She was hosting an Art Bead Earring Swap and was searching for participants who love earrings (me) and art beads (me).

This swap was loads of fun and I'm excited to have a couple pair of new earrings, in a style different from my own. But the best part of the swap for me was that I get to actually see, touch, and wear beads by artist that I'm familiar with but who's beads I've never purchased. Not that I don't purchase art beads, I do! But it's kinda like going to a restaurant, you're thinking you might want to try something different and you like the description and/or the looks but in the end you just get the same ole' thing because you know that you'll like it...that's me! You could say I get stuck in a rut, I like same ole', same ole'. I am so glad that I was able to participate and paired with such great partners!

I was pair with Diane Hawkey, who's beads I've never purchased but have admired via my computer screen and in magazines, and Lori of Artfully Ornamental. I was super excited to make earrings for both of these ladies, and what can I say...I couldn't wait to see what they made for me!

Diane came through with two pair of fabulous earrings! And in my favorite colors, blue (ok, really aqua) and green! I was absolutely thrilled! Just look at those gorgeous art beads she made!

I wore one pair one day, and the second pair the next day.

Next in my mail box were earrings from Lori. She used only art beads in the earrings she made, ceramic round beads by Keith O'Connor, once again who I've only stalked, and a briolette style drop with an image coated with resin that Lori made herself. Check out Lori's blog to find out how she made her bead.