Thursday 30 June 2016

AJE Theme Challenge Reveal - Summer


This months AJE design challenge is inspired by the theme of summer - something that is sadly lacking here in the UK as I sit here in a fleece at the end of June! However, my garden is still managing to live up to expectations and that's where I've chosen to draw my inspiration from. I love that time in the garden when most of the hard work is done and you can sit back and enjoy the abundance of your labours...for a couple of months At least.

I decided to go with a beading project this month and since I was short on time I just went with the flow and let the beads take me where they would. I started with one of my own cabochons with a floral motif and created a bead bezel in matching colours. From there I added Czech glass flower and leaf beads and I was thinking at this point it might turn into a brooch. But as the shape developed I started to think more in terms of a pendant so I added some loops to the edging.


This was all feeling a bit heavy and solid so i added some fringing along the bottom edge to give some sense of movement and airiness...much better I think.


As the bead work is so detailed I've kept the necklace part very simple with watercolour chiffon silk ribbon and the final result is this necklace which I've called "Garden Party". Quite a different style for me but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.


Please use the links below to see how our summer themed challenge inspired the other participants.

Lesley