Challenge No.3 - Gemstone Reveal

Fancy Jasper

I've been really looking forward to working with this gemstone.  They are absolutely beautiful and everyone of them is different with gorgeous markings.

So watch this space ....

Challenge No.2 - Green Magnesite

Challenge No.2 - Green Magnesite

My second challenge is complete and yet again I thoroughly enjoyed it.  As I was working with plain rounds I wanted to make sure I used them in a way that made them look like something special and I really think I achieved that.  Since they are such a lovely bright turquoise I decided early on that I needed to team them with black to make them stand out.  I hope you agree that the contrast between the black and the turquoise is really eye catching. This time I managed to created a staggering 8 pieces, so that's a total of 13 pieces made for this challenge, so far!!

Here they are ......

    

Again, I started with a sketch......

 

The idea was to use black wire coils, made with the coiling gizmo, to separate the green magnesite.  However, I couldn't get them all exactly the same length and being a bit of a perfectionist I just wasn't happy with the finished product. So I dug into my stash of gemstones and found some faceted black agate beads for the job.  

Along with the agate and green magnesite, I also used black coloured copper wire and gunmetal coloured findings.  The gemstones and wire are both from Jewellery Maker.  The findings are from elsewhere, unfortunately, again, I can't remember where.

I also made matching earrings, ring, headband, bangle and bracelet using the same materials.  

After finishing these I only had single figures of the magnesite left so I decided to try out some chainmaille and use the gemstones just to add a touch of colour.  I made a bracelet and matching earrings using gunmetal coloured jump rings.

I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at the results of my challenge.  I apologise it took so long this time.  I've managed to get a bit of teaching work so I've been busy.  Over the weekend I'll reveal the next gemstone and hopefully it won't take me so long to get the pieces finished.  Watch this space ...

Challenge No.2 - Gemstone Reveal

Green Magnesite

Since these are plain rounds they should be much easier to work with.  A round bead is versatile, lending itself well to many different designs. I just have to think up some spectacular designs to really show the best of these beads.