AJE October Component of the Month Reveal ~ Copper Seas

For October's Component of the Month Challenge at AJE Blog, we received a stunning copper bracelet focal handcrafted by Kristi Bowman. Each one is made from copper clay and carefully textured with ammonites. They are stunning!


I've never used copper in my jewelry, so I was really excited to be finally working with it!
Here's what I made:
I continued with the sea theme of the ammonites, choosing colors and textures to echo the roughness of broken rocks, the sparkle of waves, and seashells found on the beach. I call it "Copper Seas".

I started with a loop of pearl seed beads—I wanted something more than just a simple ring attached to the focal and I liked the luster it added. Then I continued around with a mix of my own polymer beads, ceramic beads from Michaels (I love the color and "watery" glaze of those beads), opalite, and one single faceted Czech glass bead.


The faceted beads, I created specifically for this bracelet, mixing pearlesent white and ivory, and forming the fine copper veins with acrylic paint. Sometimes making new beads for a project can prove disasterous and not a match at all, but these happily were perfect. They add a nice touch of roughness to the design. I also put in one lone polymer seashell bead—a leftover from projects years past.

And a pretty copper clasp to finish it off—one of only two I had in my bead stash—I really need to get more copper components!

Finally, at the clasp I made a little collection of charms to dangle.


I hope you enjoyed seeing my process. A big thank you to Kristi for providing us with such gorgeous works of art!!

Be sure to check out what everyone else made!

Guests:
 Kym Hunter Designs
MiShel Designs

AJE Team Members:
Jennifer Cameron Glass Addictions
Lesley Watt Gossiping Goddess
Kristen Stevens My Bead Journey
Caroline Dewison Blueberri Beads
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
Melissa Meman 
Rebekah Payne Tree Wings Studio
Francesca Watson
Sue Kenney SueBeads
Kristi Bowman Design

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15 comments:

  1. Stunning Rebekah!! Every single bead was thought out and placed to perfection. I love it and I'm so happy you joined in this month. Thank you!!

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  2. It's absolutely beautiful! I love the mix of beads you used, especially your polymer ones.

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  3. Stunning!!!!!!! I love your mixes of your beads and Kristi's component!!!!

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  4. Gorgeous bracelet! I love that you added your beads to the piece! The colors are spectacular!

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  5. Really lovely - I especially like the colors you chose and the pretty dangle.

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  6. Beautiful! Love the beads you made for the bracelet!

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  7. Rebekah, this bracelet is amazing. I love the polymer beads you created to go with Kristi's focal - they really are perfect and the colors and textures mixed in here are just super! I would wear this bracelet every chance I got! (oh, and your photos are awesome as well!) :-)

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  8. Love the beads you incorporated in this! Super fun bracelet.

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  9. I love those little ammonite beads, they're perfect. Gorgeous design!

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  10. I think you should use copper more often---this is such a beautiful bracelet. It "speaks of the sea."

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  11. Beautiful Rebekah - a ray of
    autumn sunshine...

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  12. You make some extremely cool beads, lady! The faceted ones had me - I thought they were chunky stone... and the layered mokume gane type bead? way cool. Love the bracelet, and the theme!

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  13. This is SO beautiful! I love your beads - they really compliment the focal!

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  14. What a great bracelet! I just love how your polymer really highlights the bracelet.

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