Break From Tradition Challenge

Hi Y'all,

Way back on December 15, 2013 Cynthia Machata asked a few of us beady people if we would like to participate in a little challenge with some large Howlite spikes some are black and some are white. Of course we all said yes and told her what colors we would prefer.  I chose a combination of both black and white.

Well, I received my spikes way back on Dec. 21, 2013 and my mind went blank.  I set them aside and pretty much forgot about them, until I was looking for something and came across them, so I put them out on my bead table and would look at them, and yes you got it, I still did not know what to do with them.

On May 17, 2014 Cynthia asked how we were doing with the spikes and wanted to know if we would prefer a rolling hop or a set date for a hop.  We all pretty much decided a set date, so the date was set to June 22, 2014.  Now I am a person that when is given a deadline I get things done, because I suffer from that syndrome of I do not want to let anyone down.  So I got a few different types of beads out in various colors and shapes and stated playing around.  

This is what I created with the black spikes...

The spikes are large and have two holes drilled through the base.  I chose some two hole Rula's in teal variegated with bronze and size 8 bronze seed beads.  I sewed all the spikes together with the Rula's and seed beads as spacers between the spikes.  Then I had the problem of what kind of clasp did I want to use. I remembered I had some bronze colored silk material, so I ripped off a piece and tied it on to both ends of the bracelet.  My friend Crystie came over one day to bead and I showed her this piece. She tied it around her neck and said "Oh what a cool choker this makes."  I told her it was meant to be a bracelet, but I see now, it can be both.

This is what I created with the white spikes...

I used Cubic Right Angle Weave (CRAW) for the white spikes.  I used size 9 purple seed beads and 3 mm Jonquil bicones and made a rectangle and then I spaced the spikes in the middle.  On the ends I used 4 mm purple cubes and made brick stitched pyramids and added a toggle clasp.  Take my word for it this bracelet looks better worn then it does in these pictures.

Both of these bracelets make quite a statement when worn.  Someone will think twice before grabbing your wrist if you are wearing one of these bracelets.

Thank you Cynthia for inviting me to play with these huge spikes, I had fun creating with them once the inspiration hit.

Thank you to y'all for stopping by, please leave a comment, cause I love hearing what you have to say.

Now go by and visit the other lucky participants and see what they created with their spikes.

Therese

Bobbie

Christine

Janet

Cynthia

Happy beading Y'all,

Therese