Saturday, April 16, 2011

7000 Bracelets for Hope

Blue Jeans Corsage Bracelet

This week’s bracelet is very special. Earlier this month, I got word through Twitter that Lori Anderson of Pretty Things was hosting a blog hop challenge, inviting beaders and designers to create a bracelet for the Global Genes Project’s 7000 Bracelets for Hope campaign, and I happily got on board.

The purpose of the campaign is to show support for families that are affected by rare disease, and of course to help raise awareness about Global Genes and their efforts. I found it very exciting that Lori’s challenge would fall into my lap while I was doing my own bracelet challenge. It was meant to be.

All I had to do was push back my ideas by one week, and come up with a design using a blue jeans theme. I hadn’t planned on repeating any designs so early in my challenge, but inspiration really took over this time.

Blue Jeans Corsage Bracelet

As I was pondering what to make, and how to recreate the look of denim, I kept seeing hints of copper (buttons and grommets and zippers) on dark blue. I went through my bead stash, and picked out some very denim-like blues - abalone lined crystal and dichroic lined cornflower.

I don’t have any metal beads or components, so I had to come up with another way to add that hint of orangey brown that I kept seeing in my imagination. I was really drawn to the patterned wood rounds that I use to make big brick stitch buttons and flowers. As soon as I put the beads together, I saw a big blue flower bracelet, like my Spring Corsage from week three.

The bracelet turned out so nice, though I sort of wish I had used a third blue for the flower. This time I added more wood beads to the bracelet band, and I love the contrast of color. I’ll be mailing this one out right away, and I hope that it can help its new owner smile.

There are so many talented jewelry bloggers taking part in this campaign. You can see some of the previous contributions on the 7000 Bracelets list, and visit all of the blogs in Lori’s bracelet challenge today, to see what they created. Here are a few of my favorite blogs from the list:

The Bead Dreamer
Brandi Girl
Stefanies Sammelsurium
Staci Louise Originals
Linda’s Bead Blog & Meanderings
Lutka and Co.
Treasures Found
The Impatient Crafter

Stop by Pretty Things to see the complete list of participants in the 7000 Bracelets for Hope Hop - there are over 100 of us! If you missed out on the hop, but you would still like to contribute, visit the Global Genes website to learn more about making and sending your own blue bracelet.

On a side note, I have also completed the jewelry sets that I was making for some fundraisers closer to home. Earlier this week, I shared my first attempt at mixing pink and orange with green and brown. I was able to make it work, and finished the pendant, plus a ring to go with it that almost matches. I ended up adding a new shade of green for the ring band - I don’t think pink would have looked quite right. I also talked about color palettes that don't need any extra help to get along - the second set is one example of those. I do love the sweet and sour combination of green and purple.

English Garden Pendant and Ring SetSpring Flowers Pendant and Ring Set


One of my favorite things about the ability to create, is being able to give my time and energy to causes that matter to me, and know that it will help in some small way. What’s the most amazing or warm and fuzzy thing you‘ve ever done with creativity? I’d love to hear your story!

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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41 comments:

  1. first of all your finished bracelet is breathtaking!! I enjoyed scrolling through your blog, looking at all your other wonderful pieces of work. You do fabulous bead design, it was a pleasure to stop by.

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  2. I absolutely LOVE what you did. Breathtaking. I know that took a lot of time and the recipient of your bracelet is going to be so touched.

    Thanks so much for participating!

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  3. I am always in awe of anyone who does beadwork and patterns, ect.....This is great! It is so bright and happy, someone IS going to love it!

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  4. This is so incredibly lovely - the time it must have taken! Glad to meet you via the blog hop, and thanks for the shout-out!

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  5. Absolutely beautiful...love your work.

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  6. Wow, your stitching is absolutely stunning and what a gorgeous gorgeous design. I love the flower and the band is just striking on its own. It was a pleasure to see your work.

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  7. Great pieces - so cheerful and happy!

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  8. This is SO lovely! Your work is very thoughtful and special!

    xox jean

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  9. Your bracelet is stunning and so is the rest of your jewelry!

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  10. Very pretty - love the delicacy of the flower!

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  11. Wow, what a great bracelet design! Love the color combo, and the style of the bracelet is awesome.

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  12. Absolutley stunning work! I love the contrast of the blue with the yellow and the focal flower is sweet!

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  13. A very beautiful bracelet and so much work that went into this: a true labor of love!
    The recipient of this bracelet will surely appreciate it.

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  14. Gorgeous work! Your recipient is going to love it!!

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  15. I love the way the light shines through it. Someone is going to be happy when they receive it.

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  16. WOW - WOW - WOW!!!I have never been to your blog before - I love all the new Artisans this Blog Hop has introduced me to! ...honored to participate among such talented Artisans...

    Robyn Hawk

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  17. Wow! Your beadweaving is beautiful! Fantastic job!

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  18. Your bracelet is just adorable! What a neat idea to combine glass seed beads and wood - Nice!

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  19. What a fun design! I love how you incorporated all the elements of blue jeans into such a fancy flower!

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  20. Love your design! And love your beadwork! Beautiful bracelet!

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  21. I love all of your new pieces in this post! Perfect for spring. :)

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  22. What a lovely piece! I am sure the recipient will love it!

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  23. what a beautiful corsage!!! the wood and the seed beads together are a great combination!

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  24. Love the flower! This is a labor of love for sure! So pretty!

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  25. Wow, you put so much time effort and thought into this piece, it is beautiful. I'm sure whoever receives this is going to treasure it. What a fantastic cause. On a side note I love your purple and green set too, the colours work so well together. As someone who is just starting with beading and jewellery making seeing your designs was very inspiring. Thanks!

    Emma
    http://butterflyhobbyist.blogspot.com/

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  26. That is a gorgeous bracelet. Very nice work! And it is always nice to hear of good cause that inspires people to be creative!

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  27. I love that blue flower and the bracelet is super sweet. Excellent job!

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  28. Very delicate and pretty!
    Enjoy the day.
    Erin

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  29. Boy! alot of thought and talent went into this gorgeous piece!

    SusanMarie

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  30. It's been absolutely wonderful meeting all the designers in this challenge, and reading the beautiful words of hope and encouragement. What a talented and generous group!

    Thank you so much to everyone for stopping by this weekend!

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  31. What a fun bracelet. It will be treasured.

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  32. Very nice bracelet, and what a lot of time you spent on it! Gorgeous!

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  33. Beautiful and whimsical! This bracelet can't help but bring a smile and a ray of hope to the lucky recipient! Thanks so much for putting in such a tremendous effort for this wonderful cause!

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  34. Wow, that obviously took a lot of time and effort, and it's really paid off - it looks amazing. This is really going to touch the heart of someone!

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  35. Your bracelet is so lacy and lovely. The person who receives this bracelet is going to absolutely love it! I was so touched that I was included in your list of your 8 favorite bracelets. Thank you so much.

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  36. Awe very pretty! I thought of the coral reefs when i furst saw it.

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  37. LOVE LOVE LOVE and you have such a good heart! Your pieces are gorgeous and I know they will be treasured!

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  38. I love it! An absolutely gorgeous creation.

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