Art Bead Scene Editors Takes the Challenge

It's that time again, the ABS editors jump in and see what we can create based on the month's challenge. I'm going to share what I made here on the blog today. 

I don't know about you but December is a crazy time of year for me. Between working, selling, promoting, meeting deadlines and then trying to stuff Christmas celebrations in there too I sort of lose my mind. I have two blog hops this week, this one and on Thursday I'm hosting a Michael's Beading Challenge on my blog. (Play along!)

So I mention all this craziness because adding a blog hop or two during this time of year can actually help you out! You'll create new jewelry to either add to your shop, give as a gift or create something to wear to your upcoming festivities. 

Blog hops: helping multi-taskers check off their to-do list! 

So if you haven't seen this month's challenge, check it out here and make plans to enter this month.  I love the quiet, hushed tones of this panting and find the arches make my eyes travel down that corridor - you can almost here the chanting of the choirs. 

For my first piece I picked a focal that whispered of the shapes in the painting and reflected the muted colors used in the palette. I couldn't help but think of Emily Dickinson's poem, while I made this piece.  So my pendant reflects the cathedral that nature creates. I picked beads that had an ethereal feel in color and reflected some of the tiny bits of color in the painting. The gilded leaf and disk beads are Humblebeads and the ceramic bead is from Earthenwood Studio.

SOME keep the Sabbath going to church;
I keep it staying at home,
With a bobolink for a chorister,
And an orchard for a dome.
Some keep the Sabbath in surplice;
I just wear my wings,
And instead of tolling the bell for church,
Our little sexton sings.
God preaches,—a noted clergyman,—
And the sermon is never long;
So instead of getting to heaven at last,
I ’m going all along! -Emily Dickinson

My second piece is a bit more of a literal interpretation with tiny pewter charms that look like the archways in the painting. These little gems are from Mamacita Beadworks. The polymer clay beads are Humblebeads. I kept the design simple with brass jump rings and black steel wire for contrast.

Look what Mary made!
I want you to run over to Mary Hardings' blog now and see the components she created inspired the challenge this month.

Look what Erin made!
Better late than never! Erin creates a new pendant, component or charm in her Simple Truths line each month inspired by the art we choose for the Art Bead Scene Monthly challenge. This month, Erin actually chose the painting we are using and it was the strong architectural lines that drew her to it. She created these Saenedam Doodle pendants with a domed polymer clay base in a very heavy antique silver bezel with a patchwork pattern of doodles in spaces that mimic the arches in the cathedral. Each one is different. These are on their way to the Simple Truths Sampler Club members for December, but there are a few extras of these limited edition pendants available.

And now it's your turn - carve out just a wee bit of time between sipping egg nog and wrapping presents and create something inspired by our challenge! Need some motivation? How about those two $50 art bead prizes? Check out our sponsors.