Butterfly Haven Bracelet designed for Blissful Garden Bead Challenge

Butterfly Haven

FEATURED in the December 2011 Bead Trends Magazine

This was my design entry for Blissful Garden Bead Challenge (voting begins tonight on Heathers website - link below).  Heather (the very talented lady who creates these beautiful beads), periodically does bead challenges.  I've always wanted to participate, but for one reason or another, never get my name on the list - but this time I did, and I have to say it was a LOT of fun!

The beads I received (which were a complete surprise to me as I didn't know colors or design)...have a pretty periwinkle blue base with Cream and Pink raised florals with leaves.  I knew I wanted to do something a tad more elaborate and also decided that I would add a quad-color scheme (versus just accenting with one or two colors).  So here's a little show & tell of how I got from the planning stages to the final design...

It all started with the beads...and pairing up a selection of Swarovski crystals.  I chose Rosaline, Khaki, Light Colorado Topaz, Silk and Light Sapphire Swarovski Crystals.  Originally I was going to create this Bracelet in Sterling Silver but opted for the warm and antiqued shades of Vintaj Natural Brass.  Adding interest and lots of details is one of "my things" - so choosing the chain was just as important as choosing the colors.  Two variety of Vintaj chains, along with my hand-made connector chain using flattened blossom bead caps, Swarovski Crystals, and wire.

Close-up of the Blossom Bead Connectors - stacked crystals wire wrapped and ready for the next links (these can be completed with jump rings...but I encourage you to practice your wire wrap loops)

Planning quickly goes to full out design...below...

Once strands are connected, it's time to start adding the little details with dangles, wrapped blossom bead caps on tiny Riverstone teardrops, creating dangle charms using more flattend Blossom bead caps and a variety of sizes and colors of Crystal dangles.

Close-up of the triple strand Bracelet (this would make an awesome necklace as well) that needed just ONE little additional detail...

A beautiful Vintaj Butterfly :)

Simply gorgeous...I haven't decided whether this will remain with me, be given as a gift or sold to one of lovely fans.  But wherever it goes - it will be well loved because of the relaxing color combination, and happy thoughts and good vibes eminating from it.  It's so much lovelier in person as I've buffed some of the brass to reveal some of the golden hues that lay underneath.

Happy Summer thoughts to all of you - please feel free to share my Blog link and if you want - visit Heather's website and vote for your favorite Bead challlenge Bracelet at http://www.blissfulgardenbeads.com/ - I sure hope you pick mine, but then again there are a lot of other gorgeous designs - so my wish for you is to simply enjoy them viewing all of them and vote for the one that tugs on your heart string...or makes you go "ohhhhhhh" :)

Be inspired!

~J-Lynn