Winter Enchantment!

This month Artbeads.com presented a challenge to its design partners and the theme was Winter Enchantment. Living in Florida, I used my imagination to conjure up a picture just like the one below of Maria Grimes' backyard after a snowfall in California! Did you know that this winter, Florida was the only state in the union that did not have snow on the ground? 

I guess I could have worked with a Florida winter theme, but no, I had to have snow... 

Photo Courtesy of Maria Grimes

So picture a white landscape, 

snow on the ground, 

misty morning and black tree trunks... 

and here is my idea of Winter Enchantment!

I consider these challenges as great opportunities to play with materials and supplies that I do not usually work with, in this case Organza Ribbon and the Resin Pendant by Taina Hartman. Artbeads.com carries a wide selection of her whimsical and colorful charms and pendants. 

The necklace is made of three strands, one of gunmetal chain, one of white Keshi Pearls, and one of white Organza Ribbon. I must admit that I had a difficult time with the Organza Ribbon, you can see the results of my rough handling with some thread separation in the ribbon. I need to be more gentle and need more practice...

Along one side the gun metal chain, some Swarovski Crystallized Elements hang, as icicles on a tree branch...brrr! I used Xilion Bicones in Crystal Ab, Crystal Silver Shade and Black Diamond colors. To hang the pendant on the ribbon, I chose a fan-shaped gunmetal-plated Pewter bail and for closure the clasp was a star-shaped gunmetal-plated toggle. With the rising price of precious metal, these base metal clasps make the perfect alternative, both stylish and inexpensive.

I also got myself a length of Silver Organza Ribbon, but decided to save it for another project.. it is a beautiful silver with a hint of pink. I also picked up a strand of some Crystal yarn, but failed miserably in trying to use it in my design. So if anyone has some hints on how I can use this yarn, or tell me of how they have used it, I could certainly use the help.

Silver Organza Ribbon and Cotton Crystal Yarn

Disclosure: Some of the beads described above I have received free of charge from Artbeads.com.

I have been asked to review these beads/supplies and give my honest opinion of them.  I am not being paid by Artbeads.com for my endorsement of any of the products received and reviewed in my blog postings.