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Wednesday, October 1, 2014

A Wheely Fun Jewelry Challenge




Janet from Honey from the Bee asked a handful of us Bead Ladies if we would participate in her Wheely Fun Challenge.  Heck, yeah!  So of course, no before photos from me, as that never crosses my mind.  But I am sure some of the other ladies were on the ball and took a photo of what Janet sent.  It was a wooden mini-wheel...smaller than a real wagon wheel but a bit bigger than a tinker toy wheel.

When it arrived in the mail in a package with some other bead treasures, I saw one thing only...a wheel.  I could not seem to allow my mind to make it into anything else but a wheel.  So, a wheel it stayed.  
                                                              a 
                                              Ghost of the Gold Rush 
                                            wagon wheel, to be precise.  

I went to work on it and used Darn Good Yarn Silk Cloud thread for the center spokes.  For the weathered wooded outer rim of the wheel, I used a grey suede ribbon Cynthia gave me a while back.  I put gold tone hex cut beads on the rusty spokes.  After some back and forth with a buffalo head pin, I opted to use an antique, worn, gold tone pin I found at an antique store near my house.  It didn't detract from the wheel and it lent itself to the theme of my wheel.  







I just realized now how much slack is in the loop with the pin in these photos, but when it hangs, there is no slack...as seen in this photo I took with my phone and sent to Cynthia when I was still pondering a few wheely things : 




Thank you Janet!  This was a lot of fun and a true challenge as to how to present the wheel.  


Please go on over to see what our hostess and the other participants made.  









12 comments:

AntiquityTravelers said...

I love the softness you've woven into this design! and always love to see how your mind works up a pin design - it is fantastic, and boho, and Southwestern and awesome!!!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Christine,
I love your wheel pin! It looks just like an old car wheel from the 1900's. It will make for a conversation when worn.
Therese

CraftyHope said...

You've almost completely disguised the fact that it is/was a wheel. Nicely done! Like Cynthia said, the softness you've given it is lovely. I really like how you worked the beads into the yarn and hung the brooch. I think a brooch was a wonderful idea and am kicking myself for not thinking of that. I think yours works out perfectly as Fall is settling in and winter approaches as there's something so soft, and warm, and comforting about your piece. It's fantastic!

Bits of Learning said...

All the beautiful texture of the silk and suede! It's "wheely" a beauty of a brooch!! The perfect accessory for when you and Dave are cruisin' in the mustang!

Honey from the Bee said...

I agree with Cynthia- the softness of the suede and yarn are really nice to see. Makes it very wearable and since brooches can be bigger - so cool for Fall.

Thank you so much for participating Christine. I didn't realize how tough it was going to be!

Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) said...

WoW! I guess I don't have to mention how much I love fibers, right, Christine LOL. This looks elegant, quirky and even Zen... reminds me of a mandala :)

Shai Williams said...

I am really enjoying seeing what everyone did with their wheel. I would have been utterly stumped. Great hob!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

You ladies are making wearable art from just about anything these days - I still remember the wooden spools! This is fantastic - I have no idea how all you talented ladies come up with these designs!!! Indeed, this would awesome on a jacket lapel when cruising! :)

windrock studio said...

It does have the look of a mandala to me, too, and that's something I really love ... also that you used this soft, grey suede. Such a good design and fun, too.

Alicia said...

Beautiful, Christine! the colours are truly amazing together - in an unexpected, but very charming way. From a simple wooden wheel (now Darius Rucker's "Wagon Wheel" will be stuck to my brain) to this soft, elegant, and lovely pin - just beautiful.

Miss Val's Creations said...

What a unique focal piece to work with! It looks so pretty with the suede accents! Great idea making it into a brooch.

Becky Pancake said...

Hi Christine your wheel pin is wonderful. The colors and materials that you chose go together perfectly.