Art Bead Scene Challenge: February 2015

This month's inspiration for the Art Bead Scene challenge is Amapolas, a lush watercolor illustration by Edward Julius Detmold.  You can read more about the artist and the artwork HERE.  I was really taken by these lovely poppies and the matching butterflies frolicking among them.  I love the look of poppies and have a few different beads that would be perfect for this challenge.  There's so much detail in the painting and so many the shades of red, coral, and pink... it's so yummy and lush!  Just one problem... I was a little short on time this month with the Bead Cruise and other things on my plate.  I was worried, and a little sad, thinking that I would have to sit this challenge out.

Amapolas, 1913

Illustration published in "News of Spring and Other Nature Studies

By Edward Julius Detmold

While taking a brief break from doing what felt like 1,000 loads of post-vacation laundry, I did take some time to gaze at my art beads and contemplate if I could pull something off.  For now, I have to postpone any super elaborate designs but I just couldn't skip this one!

First, I ended up grabbing two of the super cute poppy Humblebeads that Heather Powers made for this month's challenge.  I was lucky to snag these little beauties while on the Bead Cruise.  Erin Prais-Hintz inspired me to use a little Vintaj deco rivet that I had never really noticed before in my design.  She used them in one of her We're All Ears designs last November and you can see her pretties HERE.  I don't know why I never paid this rectangle piece any attention before since I regularly use several other deco rivet designs in my earrings, but that's how it goes sometimes.  Thanks for the great idea, Erin!

Determined to do something more than just a pair of earrings, I grabbed one of my beloved lampwork glass poppies from Tanya McGuire and whipped up this little necklace by wire wrapping it to a Vintaj brass ring.  I added some butterfly charms and a small Czech glass flower dangling from chain to balance things out (I wanted the poppy slightly off center).  I finally used my brand new two hole metal punch to add the holes in the brass ring!  

 
I couldn't end this post without sharing this necklace that I made last year when Erin Prais-Hintz invited me to be her Pretty Palettes partner for the Halcraft blog.  The pendant is by Skye Jewels and is just perfect for this inspiration piece!  You can see more about it HERE if you are interested.