Friday, July 5, 2013

ZnetShows Partner Picks Summer Challenge Reveal!

Well, it's been a heck of a few weeks since I signed up for this challenge! I selected some beads to be sent to my partner, Kay of Kayzcreationz, and she sent me a very pretty grouping of beads!

I knew I would be busy with the end of school, but figured once it was out, I could design my heart away...then, I broke my right hand. Yep, I'm right-handed.

This is what can happen when you take on a sidewalk and gravity at the same time, kids.

Before I even really had time to adjust to my new left-handedness, my mother had to be rushed to the hospital and was very ill for a few days with a nasty infection. She's still there, but is supposed to thankfully come home Monday--4 weeks later! So to say that I have been busy with non-jewelry matters is an understatement.

But I'm also stubborn. ;)

While I can't do any great wire work right now, or too much knotting, I can make basic loops and strung pieces with my left hand, using my right as little as possible. Who knew?

So without further delay, here are the pieces that I was able to create for the ZnetShows Challenge. I apologize for the pictures, which I had to take on the fly (like most everything these days!).

I loved the orange sea glass diamonds, and they reminded me of a blazing sunset. Since the theme is built around summer and the beach, I added the blue large hole crystals, and one of my own iridescent clear drops for sparkle. I love how these turned out!



Next, I wanted to use more of the green crackle agate, which I love, love, love! These earrings can be worn any time of year, not just for summer.


My final piece, which took a bit longer than normal, is the necklace built around the focal chosen for me by my partner. When I saw it, I immediately had a vision for it, and I came pretty close! I used the pewter fish and sea-foam green pebbles to accent the focal. For the necklace, I paired some glass rice pearls in a sandy brown with more of the pebbles. I finished it off with some copper chain, because I wanted to keep the brown theme...but now I am wondering how it would look with silver?

Complete necklace
 
Close up of the focal
 I'd like to invite you to see the rest of the designers' reveals on the ZnetShows blog. A special shout out goes to Hope Smithermen, of Crafty Hope, who helped to organize this swap and blog hop!



15 comments:

  1. I hope your mom is doing better. As for the hand.. I would say gravity won. Hope you are not in too much pain.. ouch. Love what you were able to create.

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  2. Very pretty designs - love the necklace!

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  3. What a trooper you are! It's amazing that you were able to complete these designs even with a broken arm. Seriously, I am AMAZED! You really, really ROCK!

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  4. Great job Rachel. I don't think that I could have done as well without my right hand. I remember having my right hand in a cast. That is when my boys learned to do dishes. I wish you & your Mom a speedy recovery. The necklace is great. I do think silver chain would look better on it.

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  5. ACK!!!!! I'm sorry you broke your hand - that is NO FUN at all!!!!! And wishing your mom a nice recovery.
    Wow - I can't believe what you were able to create, broken hand and all. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!

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  6. You did yourself proud using your left hand to do most of your work. Love your creations... Hope you heal up quickly!

    I had to make a trip home too because my mom was hospitalized. A few days later she got a blood clot...good thing we too her back to the hospital... She is doing well..but it is scary when our moms get sick! Hope yours is doing better now...

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  7. Oh goodness! I hope you and your mother heal quickly. Despite that, your design work came out beautifully. Great job!

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  8. Take care, what a bummer. The beads will still be there.

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  9. Ouch! I hope you heal quickly. I am amazed what you did and I'm going to have to get some of those crackle agates, too. Lovely work!

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  10. What amazing pieces you created, especially considering your poor hand! I love what you made.

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  11. Your pieces are beautiful - I love the orange with the blue!! I hope you and your Mom heal quickly!!

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  12. Your perseverance paid off. Your pieces are lovely. I hope your life settles down a bit.

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  13. oh man! beautiful creations with your hand bandaged? what will you create next once the bandage is off and you're full steam ahead! so sorry about my delayed hopping! We're traveling with no connection!

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  14. Wow, glad your mom is doing better. And that you were able to get a few pieces done in spite of your hand. I love them all. I wasn't sure of that focal, but it was so unique, I was hoping you'd like it. And I'm so sorry, I forgot to add your link to your blog on my post when I did it, but it's linked now to your blog, too. (I overheated myself this weekend and have been sick the last couple of days, but finally got it fixed and all the bloghopping done.) Hope you get to play some more with the beads I sent you soon.

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  15. Wow, your determination paid off in some beautifully designed beach jewelry. My favorite is the orange diamond earrings! Hope everything goes a little smoother for you from here on out, and hope your hand gets better quickly! Great job!
    Gina H

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