From time to time I've participated in a muffin tin challenge or, in this case, a create along. The idea is basically to get those creative juices going by taking a muffin tin or other container, and putting the elements for a jewelry piece in each cup so that you can easily grab and create! Above you'll find my muffin tin the way it looked when I started. I have to admit that in several cases working on one of my legitimate muffin tin projects took me off on tangential projects, but I'm going to keep this post to just what came out of my muffin cups!
As the timing for this was perfect for a holiday gift show that I'm about to do this coming weekend at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, a lot of what I put in my tin have a Christmas-y feel to them... or at least a festive winter theme. (You can find out more about this December Gift Market HERE.) This was great to get a nice chunk of new designs ready to go! If these designs don't find new owners next weekend I'll add them to either Unearthed Arts or the Carver County Arts Consortium gift shop the following week.
This first chunk of designs is clearly all about the upcoming Christmas holiday! The top three pairs all feature upcycled tin discs from my friend Anna Pierson of SagaHus. The red and white striped acrylic beads in several of the designs are so much fun and make me think of peppermint candies... and now I want a candy cane! On the bottom I have some fun holly leaves from Gardanne Beads that I paired with Czech glass "berries." And then there are some holly leaf and berry ceramic charms from Golem Design Studio with red Italian glitter resin and Czech glass. I hope that these help make a holly jolly Christmas for someone!
Next up a fun little pin with a gingerbread man charm by Blue Hare with acrylic and Czech glass dangles. I had two of these little guys so when this first one sold I made a second that I haven't taken a picture of yet... he'll go with me this weekend. The earrings are made with links from a broken bracelet a friend gave me a while back. A fun way to repurpose!
This last set is more of a random assortment of earrings. Half of them had been sitting in my muffin tin since the last time I attempted a muffin tin challenge. Yay for finally getting something made with languishing components! The top left pair are more charms from Blue Hare with luscious Czech glass and moon glow lucite. On the right I've got some lovely moon and star charms from Soul Relica that I paired with faceted labradorite and crystal. On the bottom I've got some ceramic peacock charms with polymer clay discs from Humblebeads, painted brass bead caps, and Czech glass. And last but not least my very favorite pair from the whole inspiration challenge.... fabulous enameled charms from Gardanne paired with some amazing corrugated vintage brass beads.
Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to the last few weeks! If you're local, maybe I'll see you Friday or Saturday at the Arboretuem!
