Thursday, June 9, 2011

Kashmiri Opulence

My work table is awash with Kashmiri beads at the moment. Take a look at these strands of colour! For some reason I can't quite explain, I am really drawn to Kashmiri beads. They are everything I dislike in a bead and yet at the same time I love them: They are big and chunky, but I like small and delicate. They are gaudy, whereas I prefer tasteful and understated. They are imperfect and yet beautiful at the same time. I find them such a contradiction! Like I said, it makes no sense that I would like them so much and yet I couldn't wait to start creating with them. Looking at these beads individually, they are so extravagantly over the top but teamed up with crystals and silver, they look fantastic! In no time I had whipped up a dozen pieces of jewellery. Here's a bit of a peek: No detailed pics yet because they will all be available for purchase exclusively at the Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo this weekend. You'll find them on display at the Stamp Antics stand. But...
Friday, June 3, 2011

Katiedids Design Contest

I got a wonderful surprise email in my inbox this morning from none other than the incredibly talented Katie Hacker. Katie is the designer of Katiedids jewellery components - those fantastic metal bezels designed to simulate the look of channel-set stones. I have loved these bezels since the moment I first saw them and I've even posted about them before so when Katie and Beadalon announced that they would sponsor a design contest featuring Katiedids components, it was only natural that I would have to enter. So back to Katie's email. I got the surprise of my life when she announced that my entry called "Plumescent" had been awarded an honourable mention. I am absolutely thrilled! I hope you'll pop on over to see all the entries on her facebook page . The winning entry, "Sunshine" by Lilian Chen, is a feast for the eyes but all the entries are wonderfully creative! I hope that they inspire you to have a play with these very unique bezels too. 'Ti...