January Monthly Challenge Recap

I really needed some tropical sized warmth this month with the deep freeze that we are caught in in, and this print just makes me so happy! I imagine that sitting on a settee or gazing at drapes from the 30s with this print would transport you to warmer climes instantly.

Welcome to a new participant, Rozantia, who created this great abstract contemporary necklace featuring the colors of the challenge print. This is a work of art in and of itself! We are glad to welcome you to the challenge and hope you will join in again! See more at Bairozan.

Sometimes we don't know what to do for the challenge until I find the perfect bead. I am so glad that Miss Cate of Fulgorine got her shipment of this special bead. The idea that this is like a seed pod fits in so well with the natural subject matter and I love how she described the 'effervescent' effect of the sari silks that she used. Read more on Fulgorine.

Esfera Jewelry tells us that she shies away from the color orange. But that is the predominant color that popped out at her in this month's challenge. I think that after seeing these two delightful bracelets she should definitely rethink her aversion to this color, because it absolutely sings in her hands! Read more at Esfera Jewelry.

Miss Melissa put together the right ingredients for a fun and flirty necklace that references the big florals in this textile. This is sweet and romantic and makes me long for spring! Read more at Bead Recipes.

Vera is challenging herself to add a new skill - beadweaving - to her repertoire. She chose the bright parti-colored palette to make this bracelet with a big tropical bloom clasp. Are you learning something new this year, too? We look forward to seeing where you new techniques will take you. Read more at Designed by Vera.

Understanding how polymer clay artists create canes is fascinating. It takes a lot of planning, a lot of math, a lot of vision. That is what Jill Palumbo shows us in her completely hand-crafted necklace. She recreated the leaves, the buds, the flowers in clay and made this stunning statement necklace, perfect for that tropical vacation we all long for at this time of year! Read more of her incredible process at Palumbo Jewelry.

Miss Kelly headed to the dark side of the spectrum with this great design. The bead choices and placement nod to the leaves, the veins, the cool of their curves. I love the pop of the bright chartreuse green to freshen it up. Read more about it at Mackin Art.

Miss Sarajo was doubly inspired this month and created two necklaces. This necklace reminds me of hothouse flowers. It is romantic and feminine and I love it! Read more at SJ Designs Jewelry.

While the warm tones are the ones that leap out of this textile, it is the cooler and deeper tones that draw me in. Miss Shaiha used that as her inspiration and made this tassled pendant necklace perfect for the pending holiday. Read more on Shaiha's Ramblings.

Miss Karin has an enviable stash of art beads, but was stuck on what to do for this month. She decided to turn this pretty pendant into a brooch! I love the addition of the tiny flowers that look like a gathering of garden blooms as a perfect touch to your sweater as you dream of spring! Read more at Gingko et Coquelicot.

Miss Oksana made these sweet little earrings that feel like a breath of fresh air. And they also have the Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid, in them!

Miss Martha of Ruby Acorn blended all the colors together in this beautiful necklace. I like how the colors shade from cool to warm with lots of interesting things to look at along the way, like a path through the rainforest.

Miss Kathy reminds us that warm colors can get us through the bleakest winter. This pretty dragonfly reminds me that spring will come again! Read more at BayMoonDesign.

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Thank you for your beautiful submissions for this month! A great way to kick off the new year! Stay tuned for the February challenge (I think you will like it!).