January’s a funny time of the year for me. On one hand, I am usually not working so I should have plenty of time to do things. On the other hand it is the summer school holidays down here in Australia, and the chorus of “Mum I’m bored” from my three kids can be overwhelming. It’s hard to hear the muse amidst the clamour!
Thankfully, Heather Powers from Humblebeads has come to the rescue with a fun creative activity to get things moving — the Muffin Tin Challenge! Basically, a muffin tin is filled with jewellery projects, one per hole. And then, as time permits, the projects can be pulled out and completed.
Now in theory, each muffin hole should contain all of the materials required for the project, but I never manage to be quite that organised. Instead I put in my focal and a few coordinating beads, and when I pull out the project from the tin, I find whatever else I need — findings, chain, extra beads and so on — in my stash.
So for the last two weeks I’ve had a muffin tin full of projects and I’ve been adding bits and pieces as I go. But of course, I’ve left it to the last minute to do anything! Last night I made five pairs of earrings, and this morning I’ve made a quick and easy necklace. I was going to make more than one but … kids! But I will keep going with my muffin tin over the next days and weeks, I hope!
Here’s the tin, with various focals and pendants, as well as some of the beads I picked out to go with the them.
My first pair of earrings will probably be used for next week’s Earrings Everyday challenge, but here’s a picture of them anyway. Enamel charms by Cathleen Zaring, lampwork by Lesley McIver.
Another pair featuring Cathleen’s enamel charms, in sunny blues and yellows (it is summer here after all!).
This pair of earrings showcases Heather’s new style of earring charms – they are very versatile! The pink flowers remind me of eucalyptus blossoms.
My fourth pair matches stunning lampwork spikes by Liz DeLuca with faceted Czech glass.
And last, but definitely not least, these stunning lampwork spikes by Liz DeLuca go beautifully with Rebecca Anderson‘s “end of the day” beaded beads.
The necklace is an homage to Heather’s gorgeous variety of stacked necklaces, with one of her beautiful gilded folk art birds on top of an equally gorgeous Czech glass briar rose bead.
Thank you for the challenge Heather, it did give me the kick up the bum I needed to get started this year! Now to start thinking about the Art Bead Scene challenge for January …
To see what others have made, visit Heather’s post here for the links.
*tries to steal the earrings with the enamel charms* Love the colors and just love glass enamel in general, but everything else is gorgeous too—great job! ♥
All the earrings are gorgeous and thanks for the reminder to finish the earrings for the earrings everyday challenge
Oh, the summer wave was so refreshing! Beautiful elements and happy colors but also great designs!
Really, really beautiful work Melissa – I love all the bright colors you used. Stunning!
All of these pieces are beautiful, especially that last pair of earrings with Rebecca’s end of the day beads. Gorgeous and magical.
Oh Melissa! Beautiful job. What a fun collection of earrings, I love each one. And so glad to see your bird made it into a necklace. I just started using some of that wider leather – do you just tie it on?
For this necklace yes. Still working out the best ways to use it!
Your earrings are wonderful! I am pretty fond of the last necklace too. Well done~
Gorgeous colors, I think I need all of the earrings! Feels like spring!
Such cheerful and happy designs. I’ve decided it’s impossible to pick a favourite.
Aww love the yellow flower earrings and that birdy necklace is gorgeous!
Christine x
I love all of your earrings so much! (you know I’m an earring girl myself!) I kept thinking each one would be my favorite until I saw the next… absolutely drool-worthy! And thank you for letting me know that I’m not the only one who can’t quite get everything needed into her tin… at least we get the main components. 🙂