The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:“I too am a huge fan of annealed steel wire for jewelry projects. After removing…” read »
on “first”:“I'm wondering why this person didnt go back and delete? Being the detail-oriented person I…” read »
on “first”:“I don't think so.because I don't usually have a problem. I know JenniferLynn had the same…” read »
on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:“Funny, Deb Harding, I borrowed the book from the library because of one of your posts…” read »
on “To be,or not to be? Advice needed.”:“I think them! Love the color combination. They would go with everything.…” read »
on “To be,or not to be? Advice needed.”:“Inspiring me about what to do with all my smaller chips, stones, etc! Extra nice design…” read »
on “Bluebells”:“Both the flowers and the earrings are beautiful! Great job capturing the feel of the real…” read »
- on “Country Leaves”:
“Those leaves are gorgeous...this bracelet is a perfect setting for.them.…” read »
- on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:
“I have that same book....its awesome isn't it? You did an excellant job on the leather…” read »
- on “Bluebells”:
“Fantastic job...you definitely captured the look of your flowers. I seriously want your flowers...lol.…” read »
- on “first”:
“Its not just you. This has happened to me twice. There was an upload problem...it took…” read »
on “Bluebells”:“Thank you ladies, so glad you like them
…” read »- on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Thank you all ~ glad you like them !
…” read » - on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:
“You can't beat black with silver and pearls! Great designs!…” read »
on “Raspberry and Cream!”:“love how you're exploring so many beautiful variations with this technique, Julia....they all end up in…” read »
on “Tourmaline Dream”:“This a stunning piece, the heart pendant,WOW!!…” read »
- on “Grampa's old tree”:
“Gorgeous!!…” read »
- on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:
“It is 3 strands of sari silk. The silk is knotted on either side of…” read »
- on “Country Leaves”:
“I agree with Kate. Bright and cheerful! Love it, love it...want it.…” read »
- on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:
“What a nice, clean design. Both are winners. I have been working on jewelry…” read »
on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:“These would definitely cheer me up, love them both! I have some of this sari silk…” read »
- on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:
“Fantastic, I really like it.…” read »
- on “Sonya or 'Earth' earrings”:
“very pretty !…” read »
on “Totally Teal”:“This is lovely work - you should be very proud. And that totally teal bracelet is…” read »
- on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:
“This is wonderful - a really sweet design and I especially love the cute earrings to…” read »
- on “Leather, Silver and a Rainy Day”:
“Love them all!!…” read »
on “Sonya or 'Earth' earrings”:“Love it! still trying to figure out how you did this tricky wire work. …” read »
on “Country Leaves”:“Oh My Goodness!! This is so bright and cheerful! I usually associate maple leaves with Fall…” read »
- on “Cultus Lake Market”:
“Great looking jewelry - enjoyed looking!…” read »
- on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Beautiful necklace and I love the design of your earrings!!…” read »
- on “Copper and 'a green thumb'”:
“Great design!…” read »
- on “Grampa's old tree”:
“Beautiful piece. I love the vintage look, and the cabochon is fabulous.…” read »
- on “Country Leaves”:
“This is a fun and easy bracelet. Lots of options to make matching earrings. …” read »
- on “Country Leaves”:
“I love copper and am crazy about these! Those Czech leaves are gorgeous.…” read »
on “Pearl with a touch of Silver”:“Beautiful classic look. Very nice work!!…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“Can you please tell me if the 14 gauge is Dead Soft? I just started…” read »
- on “A Green Cuff”:
“I really like your bracele, the design is great! Good work.…” read »
on “Grampa's old tree”:“Love the way your design makes the pendant pop. Gorgeous colors! Great design!…” read »
Shades of Sapphire
About this design:
These sapphire blue glass beads from Afganistan have been in my mind for some time. Each one is a slightly different shade of blue, rough cut and varying sizes, (Carol, I know that you'll love the colors in this one!) and the holes in them are HUGE.
They are paired with some Bali beaded bracelets that I knotted and twisted to become part of the focal (when is a bracelet not a bracelet??!), from which some large hill tribe silver links are hung and suspended from the bracelets, and a lampwork focal with three shades of blue/cornflower blue completed the focal pendant with vermeil, hill tribe silver, pearls and calcedony. The glass focal pendant is less 'brown' than the pictures make it look.
The body of the necklace is knotted on black waxed cotton cord (sometimes double knots needed to be tied due to the size of the bead holes) and also includes deep navy blue lampwork glass teardrops, hill tribe silver, vermeil, blue opal heshi, pearls and calcedony.
Components:
See above.Additional Images:
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Mar 13, 2011 at 6:26 pm #
Wemai Coffee Chick says:Another new and very interesting design from you, Shannon! I can see you have been busy this weekend! This is gorgeous! Did you make the “bracelets” yourself?
On Mar 13, 2011 at 6:29 pm #
Bead-itudes says:WOW Shannon this is so unique and creative. Love it.
On Mar 13, 2011 at 7:32 pm #
Crazy Chick Frida says:Ladylike and cool design
On Mar 13, 2011 at 9:01 pm #
amkcreations aka Amanda says:Wow, very cool. Beautiful colors.
On Mar 13, 2011 at 9:05 pm #
Canadian chicky karen says:Stunning!!! Love all the shades of blue!!
On Mar 13, 2011 at 9:11 pm #
Daisy Chick - Dawn says:Lovely necklace and I like the name too!
On Mar 13, 2011 at 9:22 pm #
Lynn g says:Wow the blue glass is so pretty, I love the hand tied cord with the works..
On Mar 13, 2011 at 9:32 pm #
love to bead aka Donna says:Gorgeous piece
On Mar 14, 2011 at 12:05 am #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Love the many shades of blue in this beautiful design, Shannon!
On Mar 14, 2011 at 12:56 am #
Cotopaxi Chickie Sue says:Shannon, you always create such unique pieces! Love those blue glass beads and the lampwork focal. And so innovative to use those bali bracelets for special interest! Very cool, and of course, stunning piece!
On Mar 14, 2011 at 6:12 am #
Eeka Mouse says:All these blues go together so well; the pearls and silver are nice ‘sparks’ amongst the blues.
On Mar 14, 2011 at 12:36 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:Thank you all … I actually didn’t make the Bali bracelets (too many seed beads for me!). SLS
On Mar 14, 2011 at 12:39 pm #
Copper Penny says:So inventive and creative, I really like this and the colors are so rich.
On Mar 14, 2011 at 2:45 pm #
Deb D Grammy Chick says:This is gorgeous, Shannon, and such an interesting design! I would never have thought to use bracelets as part of a design like this, but you used them to perfection!
On Mar 15, 2011 at 9:14 am #
sunny chick says:Beautiful, Shannon!
On Mar 15, 2011 at 8:15 pm #
Purple Chick aka Violet says:Beautiful !!! Very creative !!!