We're All Ears - March Challenge

As I have worked on renewing my aquaintance with the bead and jewelry blog-o-sphere after an almost 2 year hiatus, I have discovered a delightful group blog featuring some wonderful artists and focused on my favorite piece of jewelry (both to wear and to make):  earrings!  The site is called "Earrings Everyday" and not only are there amazing designs and ideas for inspiration, but they hold a monthly challenge.

This will be my first time participating. I was a little over-committed on projects in February and was concerned that I wouldn't have enough time.  I'm glad I chose this month's challenge to get in on the fun because the inspiration is this delightful Beatrix Potter scene:

It kind of reminds me of the "House Mouse" series of rubber stamps that I was fond of back when I was doing rubber stamping (before I became bead-obsessed).  However, even though the mice are so cute, the part of the picture that immediately drew my eye is the floral pillow in the background.



I absolutely love this color scheme!  It's not something I would have put together on my own, but since I love all things teal, I will definitely be keeping this in my back pocket for future use.

Here's what it inspired me to create:

I had initially planned to have teal be the predominant color in this design, just like in the inspiration photo, but I also knew I wanted to use my stash of lucite flowers/leaves and I quickly discovered that I didn't have lucite that was the right color.  So, I decided to switch things up.  I have been hoarding these wonderful ruffled lucite leaves for a while now ever since the vendor I used to get them from closed her store.  

I felt like the design needed some sparkle, too, and I was able to get the teal element in via the use of some Swarovski crystal rondelles in "indicolite."  The flower centers are lime green AB Swaros and then I used some green Swaro crystal pearls  on the top half of the earrings as well.  Vintaj brass wire, headpins, jump rings and daisy spacers work well with the color scheme and are reminiscent of the wood in the background of the inspiration picture.

The next thing I noticed in the photo was the needle and thread being held by the mouse in the foreground:

 

I had something already out on my work space from a recent order that couldn't be more perfect for the silver needle if I'd planned it (don't you love when that happens?  I didn't even have to go on a hunt through my stash for "those beads I remember buying that time").  I'd also been wanting a pair of pink earrings to go with a top that I purchased about six months ago that every time I put it on I think "Why don't I have earrings to go with this top?  I MAKE JEWELRY for heaven's sake!  Where are the pink earrings?"  And it isn't like I don't have pink beads...I do!  Lots of 'em.  And I like the color (although I definitely tend toward the stronger, brighter, fuchsia end of the "pink" spectrum because pastels just look washed out on me) so I don't know what the mental block is, but this was a sign that pink's time had finally come LOL!

  

I used deep pink lampwork rondelles and Mykonos ceramic silver spike beads to create these "Needle & Thread" earrings.

The bead caps are Bali silver and the wire and earring hooks are sterling.

I hope you enjoyed my first entry into the "We're All Ears" monthly challenge.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the April version will be!

KJ