Some of the folks participating in the challenge are using this as a way to jump into the freeform world. I've done a fair bit of freeform, so while it wasn't new for me, it was a great kick in the creative butt and a wonderful motivation to pick up the needle and play.
I decided to base my piece around a focal I'd had for years -- a beautiful borosilicate glass freeform pendant. It has ruffles and colors and openings and bumps and lots of fun stuff.
Now, in the midst of this challenge, I spent a week out of town while my mom had some surgery (she's recovered beautifully and is doing great). There was not as much downtime to bead during that week as I had imagined there might be. Ah well. Then earlier this week, I had my own little outpatient surgery. All is well, but beading on the gurney was not happening.
So, this piece is perhaps not as elaborate as it might be, but it's fun - I hope you like it!
And some closeups of the focal that started it all, complete with all of its delicious nooks and crannies for attaching bead strands...
Thanks so much for visiting - be sure to visit the other folks participating in the challenge for great doses of beautiful eye candy. And thanks to Mandi and Karen for their fearless leadership!
Adventure Guides
The Happy Adventurers
Bobbie Rafferty (You are here!)
32 comments:
WOW Bobbie! just wow!! you always amaze me with your beadweaving, and your freeform is what I aspire to!! This is such an interesting piece - that focal is so cool and absolutely perfect for freeform!!
Glad to hear your mom is doing well post surgery, and you too!
I love the way you incorporated your focal. Why didn't I think of that? Beautiful piece.
Bobbie! What a stunning focal! You totally complimented it with your necklace. I think a more elaborate necklace would have diminished the beauty of that glass heart.
So glad that you and your mom are doing well after surgery. Have a wonderful weekend!
Bobbie~this is beautiful! The focal is The Perfect piece for a freeform necklace. You really gave it a lot of support while letting it be the star. Hope you are on the mend. Healing thoughts to you :-)
Bobbie, your necklace is beautiful! The focal is the perfect venue for Freeform Peyote beading. I love all the coordinating colors you chose. And I'm happy to read that both your and your mom's surgeries went well and you are both on the mend :D
Oh I LOVE it, Bobbie!!! What a gorgeous focal, and you've set it off terrifically! I hope you are ok, I didn't realize that you had surgery yourself... I hope you're healing well and quickly. :) (((hugs)))
Wow, what a gorgeous piece! I love how your freeform mimics the playfulness of the focal :) Excellent work.
Perfect way to feature that abstract glass!
Bobbie, that is truly a stunning piece. I love the focal and the way you created the freeform to mirror the ripples in the focal is amazing.
Bobbie that's such an intriguing piece of glass and your freeform peyote compliments it perfectly- just calling by on the blog hop :)
Love your necklace and the freeform fits in so well wit the focal great use of color.
Wonderful job on the necklace, Bobbie! I love how you've showcased the focal -- you've given it the perfect, colorful home without overwhelming it.
I'm glad to hear that you and your mom are doing well. Surgery is such a pain, and it's a scary thing even when it's minor. I'll keep you two in my thoughts as you rest and recover. *Hugs.*
Wow! You did a great job, Bobbie.
Sorry you had to experience some down time while working on this.
Are you going to make this more elaborate or leave it as is?
That is beautiful - the beading perfectly complements the boro glass focal.
Life does find a way of messing with our best laid plans doesn't it! I am so glad to hear that both you and your mother are recovering well (don't over do it!).
That said - your piece does not look like you lacked time to work on it! The focal you chose is simply gorgeous, and your beading compliments it beautifully. The whole piece reminds me of flames.
Your necklace is beautiful and would be a really fun necklace to wear. I had a lot of fun making my piece, and learned a lot more about freeform and it's addicting qualities.
Love the necklace you fashioned around that gorgeous focal. Wonderful freeform peyote. A pleasure to visit.
What a lot of work. I love your necklace. I like how you incorporated the pendant
I love your necklace. I like how you incorporated the pendant
I can see why you would use that focal for freeform....wow! It was made for it with all the places to attach. Just a beautiful creation. Good health to both you and your Mom.
What a beautiful focal, you have totally done it complete justice, just stunning.
Well done, love your focal bead and colors too!
It is absolutely gorgeous, Bobbie!
I love this perfect harmony you created of the focal bead and the beadwork to complement it.
Warmest wishes for quick recovery to you and your Mom!
I love this! It's wonderful.
Love the focal, and what you did with it. A great piece x
Hi Bobbie,
OMG! I love your necklace it is gorgeous and that freeform focal piece is amazing! You have a knack for finding the unsual. I love how your freeform peyote just flows right into and out of your focal pieces. Thank you for the words of encouragement to finish my piece I have decided to go for it and see how it will end.
Therese
This is such a joyful piece! I adore the focal - it's totally unique - and the way the beading is a perfect extension of the focal design and colors! I especially like the little batches of bright red, echoing the pendant. The bead color you chose to bring that out is so vibrant!
I love the colour flow into the focal gorgeous
Beautiful necklace with amazing focal
I love how you tied this amazing focal into this fantastic necklace.
Love it! What a great starting place...
That focal becomes a work of art in your hands. Love the contemporary palette and how you've used the full spectrum of reds to unify your design. I've had so much fun looking at every inch of it!
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