Saturday, December 13, 2014

The "Whoops!" Challenge Reveal



Have you ever ordered something online (or, gasp, horror, from late night tv shopping channels), only to discover, when you rip open the package with wild enthusiasm, that it's not quite what you had envisioned? 

Kind of what I imagine online dating might be like...

Cynthia Machata, the glorious woman behind the creations at Antiquity Travelers, had one of those "whoops!" moments when she ordered some glass pearls from ZNet.com.  When she expected to get some dainty grey beads, she ended up with some bodacious, bold 16mm beauties.  And a conundrum as to how to use them.



So she invited some friends to figure out what to do with these big balls. What does one do with Big Balls? (Now there's a sentence I never imagined I'd write!!) They brought to mind several ideas, which I had to pare down to be able to accomplish them amid the complete lack of free time that my new job leaves.  But I hope I've turned "Whoops!" into "Wow!"

First up, Big Balls become Beach Balls, when you add some equally bodaciously-sized shell beads.


These are wonderfully light beads, with the clasp in front for added fun. It may not be completely visible in the photo, but there's a lovely grey swirl throughout the shell beads that the pearls pick up beautifully. While I may be a beadweaver, I also apparently enjoy rocking some big beads, since these 20mm shell beads came from my stash...

Then, as anyone who came of age in the late 70s might do, I thought of Disco Balls!  So I added some woven beaded beads (made with crystals I had previously gotten from ZNet.com) to channel the glam.  


The sparkle is fairly subdued, balancing the size and subtle glow of the glass pearls, on a delicate sterling chain.  I don't go to the disco anymore, but work often calls for me to be in evening dress, so this necklace is probably going to get worn A LOT.


Thanks a million to Cynthia for the chance to play with these, and for the push to get back to beading and blogging. Go see what wonderful things these other folks have created with these Big Balls -- I know they'll make them from "Whoops" to "Wow!"


10 comments:

AntiquityTravelers said...

Oh Bobbie these are both fantastic as I knew they would be!! I LOVE that you had 'bigger balls' than me! (oh I just had to say that!) And your shells match perfectly ... this challenge was made for you apparently :D

And that second necklace - wow! I bet that will look absolutely fabulous on you through the holiday season this year!! It makes me smile that this crazy challenge is what gave you the little nudge to pull out those gorgeous beads of yours! Thank you for joining!

CraftyHope said...

What fun these are. I love that you were able to use the pearls for a both a day and a night look. While we know I do love the beach, your sparkly blue disco ball necklace takes the cake for me. I adore the combinations of blues you used with the gray. I can definitely see you getting a lot of use out of that necklace. Beautiful job with the 'bodacious' pearls!

Karin Slaton said...

You definitely rocked this challenge, Bobbie!! You wowed me with both designs. The shell beads are an exquisite combination with the pearls, and those beaded crystals - outta sight!

Linda Younkman said...

I love the combination of the grey pearls with the shell beads. Great piece.

Honey from the Bee said...

Love that blue with those pearls! Definitely a home run with day and evening looks. I'd wear the sparkly one in the day too though. That's just the way I roll. :-)

Miss Val's Creations said...

I love what you did with the big balls! Those shell beads are stunning with the silver pearls. That sparkly blue number will be fun to wear out for a night on the town!

Christine Altmiller said...

You never disappoint and I am always eager to see what you have made when we have these challenges. These are beautiful, wearable, visually clean and simple, but eye catching at the same time. Perfect pieces!!! The disco balls are wonderful and fun and have just enough sparkle, and the beach balls ~ I have those same shell beads! I never thought to put them together, but you had that vision and it works beautifully. You certainly did know how to handle the Big Balls.

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Bobbie,
Your two necklaces are beautiful. The one with the large shell beads looks like it would be a nice one to wear with a sleeveless dress for work or T-shirt and jeans. I can see you rocking the more glamorous one and a formal function.
Merry Christmas,
Therese

Becky Pancake said...

Hi Bobbie, I love your disco balls. The blue looks wonderful with the gray pearls.

Sarah Sequins said...

The disco balls are so pretty!

Because I'm mentally a 12-year-old boy, I almost spit my soda all over the monitor when you wrote about big balls. ACDC would be proud of you.

How are you doing? How is the new job?