Sequintastic September

It's here, the reveal for

If you don't know what I'm talking about, lemmie quickly 'splain. Sarah at Saturday Sequins proposed a challenge of sorts. Basically, make something with sequins, share the photos today, and express a little on your thoughts about sequins. She even created a Sequin Inspiration Pintrest Board.

I started thinking about this challenge long before I actually started making anything. I made a list of ideas and pulled out my tub of sequins. Yes, TUB OF SEQUINS!

The pictures above express just a sample of what's in that tub. (It's not really a huge tub, but bigger than someone who doesn't ever use them should have.)

I don't know what it is that draws me to them. The sparkles, the variety of sizes and shapes, the holes that make them rather bead-like. It's a complete mystery to me. Yet I've picked up sequins at thrift stores and yard sales, family and friends have given them to me, I've even gone to the craft store and bought some of them new. It's a problem really.

It was a blessing that Sarah proposed this challenge so that I would actually make something out of these lovely, shiny discs. And boy howdy did I make something, in fact I made a LOT of things. . . (You can click on the pictures for a closer view)

With a baggie of multi-colored sequins, some gold beads, and some gold memory wire; this bracelet came into being rather quickly.

I only know how to do a simple crochet chain stitch and not well at that. However, these two necklaces didn't turn out too shabby. Both of them can also be wrapped several times around the wrist for some really fun bling.

This was the bracelet design I mentioned in a previous post. The tutorial for this Easy Sequin Bracelet is at Quiet Lion Creations. I altered the design some by adding the layer of sequins to the front and back.

Here were have probably my most favorite design in the bunch. . .a Kumihimo sequin and bead bracelet. I really love the confetti-like sequins in this piece. I'm still not sure about the clasp, but I'll work on it later.

These earrings were quickly thrown together. They're just hoops, sequins, and some seed beads to separate the sequins.

These were my last sequin project, but one of the first ones I knew I wanted to try. . .sequins in resin! I even got to try out two products I hadn't used yet: Vintaj Patinas and Magic-Glos. The left charm is patina and no-hole sequins and the right charm is patina with a sequin, rhinestone, and a bit of paper. I'm not sure where there will end up yet.

I'm happy that I was able to come up with so many ideas for the sequins. I know none are super impressive and I didn't really make a dent in the stash, but I cannot wait to see what the other participants come up with.

It's hard to express my feelings about sequins. I've already mentioned that I've been hoarding these for ages and am so pleased that I was able to come up with some projects to use some of them. To me sequins are a craft staple. . .like glitter. It's one of those things that was always stashed in mom's craft supplies. However, there's also something so elegant about sequins. Living just outside the birthplace of Mardi Gras, I see a ton of sequins as the maskers ride on the floats and as the ladies are dressed in their finest. Like confetti or champagne, sequins are usually brought out in times of celebration and revelry. However, the designs I've made above show that sequins can be worn everyday for just a little extra sparkle in your life.

Now, you head off and check out what the other participants of the Sequintastic September Challenge including the hostess Sarah.

Participants!!!!

Hostess: Sarah... http://saturdaysequins.com

Dita... http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Ambra... http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com
Audrey... http://hotpinkquilts.blogspot.com
Stacy... http://iridalsattic.blogspot.co.uk
Karen W...  http://baublicious.blogspot.com

Lori...  http://www.prettythingsblog.com
Lisa... http://lisabinkley.typepad.com
Carmi... http://resincrafts.blogspot.com
Dawn Marie...  http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com
Jeannie... http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Shirlee... http://www.shirleestuff.blogspot.com
Linda... http://www.lilysofthevalleyjewerly.blogspot.com
Corrine... http://www.sparkledaysstudio.com
Gutukas... http://atradimutakeliais.blogspot.com
Shannon... http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com

Mallory... http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com
Cyndi... http://www.beading-arts.com
Maneki... http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com
Maryanne... http://zingalasworkshop.blogspot.com
Ine... http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com

Karen... http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Kepi... http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Jennifer... http://jenniferstumpf.blogspot.com
Misty...  http://thejollyfatelf.blogspot.com
Dot... http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com

You're here ---> Hope... http://craftyhope.blogspot.com
Cynthia... http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
Micheladas... http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Shirley...  http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Karla... http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Eleanor... http://eleanorpigman.blogspot.com
Therese... http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Rita... http://www.toltecjewels.blogspot.com
Robyn... http://rcponders.wordpress.com
Stepha... http://skwds.blogspot.com

Sue... http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Cate... http://fulgorine.wordpress.com
Amy... http://Loraamyjames.com

I appreciate you taking the time to take in my sparkles!

BTW: Earrings, Kumihimo, and Buttons

Yikes, how did it get to be Wednesday already?

Oh right, I remember. I took a Kumihimo class with a friend of mine at my favorite local bead store on Monday and that fun lasted almost all day. Then, I spent yesterday trying to catch up. So here I am today all primed and ready for Bead Table Wednesday!

It rained ALL weekend here, meaning we were stuck in side ALL weekend. The gloomy weather did very little for my motivation, but when we had to unplug all the TVs and computers for fear of lightening strikes, I decided it might be best to get in the craft room and create. With low motivation on my side, earrings seemed like the perfect choice.

Completed earrings just need ear wires added

I've even got a few more beads set aside to make into earrings as well.

You can see the six other pairs of beads that want to be earrings.

As I said, on Monday I took the Kumihimo class. Actually, the class was supposed to be something else, but since it was just my friend and I talking it, the shop owner (who is good friends with MY FRIEND) persuaded us to try Kumihimo. Oh my goodness, look what I made!

My completed kumihimo bracelet

Of course, when I got home I had to make MORE

These are just glimpses of the three patterns I've made. They're still incomplete as I have finished the ends yet.

Perhaps it wasn't just the class that has me trying to catch up. . . .there's something to ponder.

Lastly, yesterday afternoon we visited with my mother-in-law and she mentioned that she was donating a bunch of arts and craft supplies, mostly quilting supplies. She asked if I was interested in any of it. At first I told her no, but then I realized that there might be some buttons. So I asked. Before long, she had pulled out this large tin.

Buttons, button cards, beads, fasteners. . .OH MY!

I still haven't sorted through it. Dang Kumihimo pulling my attention away from the BUTTONS!!

There's more Bead Table Wednesday in the Flickr Group.

Before I head out, here's a heads up that I've got a few more items in the On Sale section of my CraftyHope Etsy Shop.
That's it for me. I've got plenty on my plate to work on. Here's hoping you enjoy your day!