I WON!!!

Not exactly the B&B show, and not FMG contest, but nevertheless I won in a all-summer long beading contest, Gråtyngda dagar, that was arranged by PärlPlatsen. The challenge was to use only gray beads. White, silver and black were allowed as well, but the main weight should be put on gray (that's why I nicknamed this contest "Another Shade Of Pale"). Each contestant could enter with two items. My second necklace took 5th place of 18. I am glad!

Tadaaa - my winning piece, Morning Mist (Morgondimma):

Before the contest, I asked organizers if it was Ok to use beads with AB/RB effect, including labradorites and spectrolites, that are natural color-shifters. And, sure it was! Well, I went for it.

I have developed a strange addiction to labradorites lately. It says that the stone cures depressions. Maybe that's the reason?

As most of my creations, its a freehand bead embroidery. Basically, beads told me how they wanted to be arranged. My inspiration came from early mornings in August, memories that I had from a field courses in botany and zoology back in Latvia. 4 o'clock wake-ups and listening to birds by the lake... That's what this necklace is all about.

The cab is made in (of course) Russia, thanks to Valentina! If it originates from Finland or Norway, I do not know.

Here are some details:



And these are just some pictures of the focal stone under different light conditions:

Special thanks to my office-mate, Su-lin, for modelling.
Many thanks to Zoya and George Gutin for their comments on the design.
(to fringe... or not to fringe...)

Are you ready? Here are some pictures of my second entry - Rainy Summer (Regning Sommar).

Netting, free-form peyote and fringe = grey sky, heavy clouds and rain. Swarovski = sunshine through the clouds.



Many thanks to my second office-mate, Cecilia, for being my model!