Friday, January 24, 2014

A Spike In Activity (Bad Pun, Fun Beads)

A while back, the fabulous Cynthia Machata of Antiquity Travelers reached out to some bloggy friends with an offer -- would we be interested in trying to make something with some howlite spikes she'd found at her local bead store? I took her up on the offer so fast, I think my keyboard was smoking...Subtle, I was not.

So here's what arrived in the mail:


Actually, this is only a portion of what was in the package. Cynthia sent both black dyed and natural white howlite. I just forgot to take a picture of the whole pack before jumping in. Bad, bad beady swapper, I know.

I've done several necklaces with a sterling armature that I shape and then use as a framework for freeform peyote (see some of them in posts here and here). It's a fun technique that seemed well suited to these spikes. But these beauties cried out for copper.


To keep the focus on the cool spikes, I decided to keep the accent beads black and white as well. 


A lot more beading could have gone onto this frame, but less was more here.


I have two black spikes left over, lurking on my worktable. I think they're destined to be some bold earrings, but you never know what'll happen.

Want to see what Cynthia made with her spikes?  Go here. And keep your eyes open for gemstone spikes at your local bead store -- they are big fun to work with!

9 comments:

Karin Slaton said...

The copper armature was such a good choice! Cynthia's spikes take your freeform design to a whole new dimension and I love that you reined in the color and let the beads shine!

Therese's Treasures said...

Awesome necklace Bobbie, a freeform wire with freeform beading. I have not made anything with mine yet, but they are up on deck next for me to play with.
Therese

Christine Altmiller said...

Oh Bobbie Bobbie!!! Less IS More and you rocked out on this one! The copper with the black and white is perfect. It helps the piece pop. I love it, you edgy Mama!

Maryanne said...

This is fantastic! I love spike beads and these howlite ones are beautiful! I love freeform and I love making wire armatures for it. I haven't done that in a while so I'll have to get back to it. I agree that less is more here because those beautiful spikes needed to be center stage!

Kepi said...

Oh I love your necklace, perfect balance of design and color! Those spikes are awesome!

AntiquityTravelers said...

oh man this is cool! agree with Christine ... you are an edgy Mama! This piece is AWESOME! The twist and turns suit this piece perfectly, and add such dimension to these spikes! They are a handful to work with, but you totally made this look easy! I was thinking earrings next as well ..... hmmmmm wonder if we're thinking along the same lines? will be fun to see!

CraftyHope said...

What a cool way to use those spikes. I would have been absolutely baffled by them! I like that you went with the copper too. I think the black and white really stands out against it. Totally cool!

Unknown said...

Love those spikes! And the mix of wire work with the beads. So free form. Very cool!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

This is fantastic - love the beading with your wire work! I can honestly tell you - those beads would scare me - but you did such an awesome job that I am rethinking that thought! :)