Today is the reveal date for Lisa Lodge ‘s Lampwork and Clay Blog Hop. Lisa’s challenges always start with a kit, carefully put together by her to reflect the theme of the hop. And for this one, Lisa sent me some beautiful lampwork beads made by Marcia Seever of ShaZazz Creations of Glass, in shades of red and orange with a subtle swirl of dark teal through the largest bead. A challenge indeed—I rarely work with these colours, perhaps because I rarely wear them myself! I have to admit that I did need to purchase a few glass beads in coordinating shades of red, to augment my stash for this challenge.
The second challenging part of this hop lay in the shape of the beads—one of Marcia’s beautiful focal beads is an unusual “vase” shape. The obvious thing would be to use it as a dangling pendant, stacked with the other beads, but I didn’t necessarily want to do the obvious thing. I played around with various layouts until I came up with one I thought would work, using some translucent teal Czech glass beads to pull out the teal in the focal, as well as Czech beads in various shades of red and orange with a golden lustre and brass beads and findings. The only bead from the set that I couldn’t work into the design was the spiky one, but I’m sure it will be used in another design down the road.
Thank you for setting up such a fun challenge Lisa! I enjoyed working with Marcia’s beads immensely.
Please take some time to visit the other participants in this blog hop:
Alice Craddick, Alice’s Beads and Baubles
beadrecipes 
Dear Lissy, I loved what you did with the beads. Before scrolling down, I thought what on earth would one do???? You are brilliant! XXX Sue
Awesome job, Melissa! I knew these beads would pose a challenge because of the shape. (I like to challenge people)! Your design is lovely! Thanks again for participating in the hop.
Love the asymmetry of the design. Great way to meet the challenge of the beads!
Very nice design. What fun colors to wear.
Well, looks to me like you had no problem whatsoever. What a gorgeous, striking design! I do love how you positioned the focal bead, and your purchased ones set off the lampwork perfectly.
I agree with Shirley….you did a great job! Thanks for posting!
Oh, clever you for NOT using that vase-shaped bead as a dangle, as I know I would have done. I so love what you did with it and those colors are magnificent together! I don’t use that reddish-orange color much either, but what a feast for the eyes it is with teal and brass! It’s all so very “rich” looking! Goodness, I love this!
I think the blue really showcases the red, and I agree… not using the vase shape as a dangle was thinking out of the (bead) box in a very good way.
Nice balance and colors. Looks good enough to eat:)
Love the color combinations, really lovely piece
Great job Melissa! You met your challenge well 🙂
Wonderful colors and design!
What a great necklace. What a unique way to use that wonderful focal bead. Hope to see the spiky bead in one of your designs soon.
This is gorgeous! Your coordinating blue beads have the most beautiful color-love the way you designed this necklace! Great job!
A great fire and water necklace.