Brit Pack Beaders are Back - Component Reveal

 

Welcome to the second Brit pack Beaders challenge which sees five UK designers create jewellery from an inspiration piece provided by one team member and a bead soup created by the team collectively. If you're not familiar with us you can find out more at our dedicated page.

This round Rebecca was in the driving set and it was her turn to provide the inspiration piece...

(c) The Hunterian, University of Glasgow 2012.

True to her Scottish roots Rebecca chose this piece called 'The Red Rose and the White Rose' by the artist Margaret MacDonald MacIntosh - Charles Rennie MacIntosh's wife. She was part of the Glasgow Four of which MacIntosh was a part too. You can find out more about the artist here and this particular image here. 

I love this painting but it's delicate and ethereal feeling will definitely be a challenge for me.

These are the main colours highlighted by putting the image through a palette generator which as you can see doesn't pick up the pops of red and cobalt that are integral to the image.

Now it was up to each of us to decide on our allotted components and send them of to the rest of the team and once again I am amazed at how cohesive this mix is considering five people put it together with no knowledge of what else would be in it. So here it is then - what do you think...

Bo was very generous and sent two lovely focals - a classic face pendant and a connector with an authentic design from the period in lovely soft tones.

In Claire's accent bead pack there was a pretty selection of beads in different shapes, textures and colours (including those reds and blues) which fit the palette and style of the painting perfectly.

Jo was responsible for embellishments for this round and she sent me these gorgeous silver connector bars and the tiniest most delicate little copper flower charms.

Clasps for this round were down to Rebecca and from her I received this lovely handmade beaded hook clasp, very delicate and very pretty.

Last up it was for me to supply stringing materials for the project which wasn't easy. The painting has very fine lines which very much drew me towards some sort of beading wire, but without knowing what the other components would be I was concerned it may end up useless. So instead I went for silk and linen instead as I was pretty sure everyone would have wire they could add in if they wanted to.

So there you go - all we have to do now is come up with a design befitting the images  so please do come back on the 31st of October when we'll be revealing the completed designs. In the meantime you can see what the rest of the team have to play with by visiting their blogs and Facebook pages at the links blow.

Lesley Watt - THEA jewellery you are here

Rebecca Anderson - Songbeads

Claire Braunbarth - Smitten Beads

Bo Hulley - Bo Hulley Beads

Jo Tinley - Daisy Chain Designs

Lesley