My "Battle of the Beadsmith" Entry

This beadwork consumed my beading time for a few months, although sadly it was mostly because I couldn't figure out how to do what I wanted to do! I wasted a lot of time sitting and thinking instead of doing, which was a problem considering there was a time limit for getting it done.

This was my entry for the "Battle of the Beadsmith" Facebook competition, and I have to say that my original design was much more elaborate than the finished design. It's one of those necklaces that looks much better on than lying flat.

My piece is named "Helios Wept". I feel that the gold and blue beads and cabochons are reminiscent of a Greek summer, or at least, the photos I have seen of Greek summers! The teardrop shaped fancy stone of course makes one think of tears. The eventual shape of the central pendant makes me think a little of a mask. And Helios was the Greek god of the sun.

Anyway, I had had these heliotrope Swarovski crystals hanging around for several years, awaiting inspiration. I was delighted to have an opportunity to pull them out and make something with them. Confining myself to dull gold and bright blue made for an interesting design process, and I love how they go together. It was very satisfying to use of my stash of beads, although I still have heaps left - more than enough for another blue and gold project! I really love the heliotrope crystals, with their dash of purple. I have a heliotrope bush in my garden and the purple is definitely the same.

What did I learn from this project?

You can't do multi-stranded necklaces without a dress form. I tried using a jewelry bust, but of course it doesn't have shoulders. I won't try anything like this again until I can get a dressmaker's dummy. This was why I couldn't get my original idea to work - I just couldn't get the strands and the other feature jewels to sit properly.

If you're going to enter a competition like this, get your beadwork finished in time to get decent photos done. I was late finishing and had to send in snaps which were taken with my camera phone. Because I don't know how to use photoshop, the photos looked a bit drab and shadowy. Many of the other entrants went to great lengths to have professional photo shoots done. Some even hired models and made elaborate costumes to complement the beadwork. I personally thought it was a bit over the top, especially considering there's no prize money involved, but I suppose if you want to make a name for yourself as a bead artist, this is a good way to do that. My drab little photos attracted no attention, and I was voted out in the first round. Such is life ...