Thursday, May 22, 2014

Diana Ptaszynski's "Waxed Linen Blog Hop!"

Waxed linen

When Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio and Suburban Girl Beads announced she was hosting a "Waxed Linen Blog Hop" I jumped at the chance to join in!  I had been thinking about waxed linen, how I had used it a couple of times last  year, then rather forgotten about it.  
Jellyfish Teal Glass Earrings
Pair from last summer.
"Jelly Fish Teal Glass Earrings"
(They sold right away!)
Lampwork beads by 
Russ Powers of JavaBead.com
Double layer of recycled glass beads from Ghana, West Africa.

I had been thinking I should try designing with it again, and Diana's blog hop fit right in with my plans!  

The only problem was the the reveal date of Saturday, May 24 was during a family event, but I decided to join in the fun and post a little early. Hope you will visit the other participants listed on Diana's blog on May 24th or after!  

So, here is what I created for the blog hop:

My first attempt for the blog hop.
I hardly ever design using pink, but wanted to give it a try.
Terra Jasper stone beads.
Brass earwires.

Second item I made for the blog hop!
Czech beads.
My handmade copper earwires.

After a couple of goes with earrings, I decided I should try a bracelet.  I got this far, but when I attached a ceramic bracelet bar I had planned to use, I realized I had made it too large.  Unable to untie these knots to reduce the size... I assure you I untied many a knot working with the thread... I decided for a different design, and removed the focal bead for another piece.  I'm thinking a button or bead as a clasp might work, but not sure yet.  

A bracelet, in progress.
Light blue lampwork by LampworkByAmy.
Turquoise matte lampwork by PowersArtStudio.


Finally, it was time to tackle a necklace! I wanted something long and elegant. This necklace wraps and wraps!


It makes 2-3 long really strands or 4 medium length ones.


Close-up of some of the beads used in the necklace:
Ivory lampwork spacers by Blue Seraphim
Blue-gray pottery tab beads by NKP Designs, and
Powder blue altered brass component by me. 

And finally, back for more earring fun with these two pair:

Lampwork from GraceBeads.
 
Orange beads are Czech glass.
Sterling silver earwires.

Stones, copper, glass!
My handmade copper earwires.

I enjoyed this so much, you can look forward to finding these items and more in my Sharyl's Jewelry store soon!  

Thank you to Diana for hosting this event and bringing me back to Irish waxed linen thread!  

And a shout-out to Mary Hubbard at WhiteCloverKiln!  I've purchased several batches of the thread from her with another order coming soon! 



Please visit Diana's blog to find the list of other participants beginning May 24!

~Sharyl

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27 comments:

baymoondesign said...

Well done! I especially like your long necklace. It has a great look.

Ann Schroeder said...

All of your pieces are so cute! You are especially on a roll with earrings. It was fun to see a little preview of the hop!

Sharyl said...

To the early birds, thank you Kathy and Ann! This was really a lot of fun! So glad I joined in! Can't wait to see all the other entries! Best wishes! ~Sharyl

Shai Williams said...

I just love what you came up with! For some reason, I got stuck on bracelets and totally forgot to considering decorating other parts of the body.

sandysewin said...

Such pretty pieces. I especially like that last pair of earrings with the copper, blue & green combo. Nicely done!

Jennifer Cameron said...

oooh! The pink pair and the turquoise/red pair of earrings!!! LOVE! I also love the necklace...long, versatile, very pretty!

Honey from the Bee said...

Wow! All of your pieces are wonderful. The color palette on your long necklace is right up my desire alley. :-) Great job on the earrings, too. I need to experiment more with earrings.

Lesley said...

Lots of pretty and fun pieces here - great work.

Shirley said...

Oh Sharyl! I adore your pieces! Really, really love that long necklace, and that last pair of earrings is just me!! You really worked the wax linen well, from elegant to relaxed. Great job!!

Michelle Mach said...

Wow, you were busy! I especially like the necklace--the beads look like they're floating. A perfect look for summer!

Diana P. said...

I love that you created lots of stuff! Waxed linen is just so easy to work with that you end up with tons of jewelry! Thanks for participating!

Becky Pancake said...

Hi Sharyl, Kudos to you for stepping out of your comfort zone and using pink. You made great color choices in your bracelet in progress. Your long necklace is wonderful. When I think of waxed linen I think chunky and bohemian not feminine. Your necklace proves it can be feminine and delicate. Great designs all.

Sarajo Wentling said...

Lots of nice variety in your pieces... you really went for it! I really like what you did with all your earrings and I think your bracelet in progress has lots of potential. Such fun!

Kari Asbury said...

Love all those earrings! the necklace is fantastic and inspires me to get to work with the TONS of Czech glass beads I've been collecting. Also, love the look of the bracelet so far...can't wait to see how you finish it.

Linda Younkman said...

I love all of the earrings that you made for the hop - the jelly fish ones from last year are super. My fav is the long necklace in the soft summer colors. Great job!

KayzKreationz said...

So many great pieces. The bracelet would look great with a button as a clasp. I LOVE your long necklace. Years ago, my grandmother crocheted me a long necklace like that. It could wrap 3-4 time or more for long or longer. I loved that necklace and wore it everywhere. This necklace reminds me of that. I may have to try to reproduce her necklace with the linen and beads like you did. Wonderful.

SueBeads said...

I love your other pieces, but I really really love the earrings you made!

a2susan said...

Wow! You had lots of fun making things, and they are all delightful. You have motivated me to try making some earrings. Enjoy all your pieces!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Sharyl,
I love all of your pieces my favorite is the long necklace perfect for any outfit.
Therese

Erin Siegel said...

I love that you made lots of earrings! They are all so fun. I also like the necklace quite a bit, too. Wonderful job!

Anonymous said...

The necklace is my favorite. Waxed linen is perfect for creating a long, wrapped necklace and I love your choice of the soft color palette. Great work!

KelsyC said...

I love the versatility of the long wrap necklace. It's a really nice color palate as well. My favorite thing you made is the pair of pink jasper earrings. So cute!

Anonymous said...

Great pieces! I especially like all the earrings.

aneri_masi said...

Love them all, but that bracelet has most of my attention :) Love all the different components in there!

aneri_masi said...

Love the bracelet! And have a suggestion for the earrings...
The thread that's showing across most of the large (and very pretty focal beads) is looking a bit too bare too me. I feel you should add some tiny seed beads to it to adorn it a bit more.

Anonymous said...

Just love your waxed linen pieces Sharyl! Especially that lovely long necklace!

Sharyl said...

Thanks to all for your comments! Sorry it took me so long to post. I've been away on vacation, but what fun to return and see all these messages from you! Thank you so very much! I had a great time with this hop!