Monday, September 7, 2009

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!



23 comments:

Rachele said...

CONGRATS!! OMG they are both absolutely gorgeous, and the colors are fantastic!! I also love Labradorite, it is one of my favorite stones, maybe because you can look at it 100 times, and see something different everytime.
Cheers,
Rachele

Marsha Wiest-Hines said...

Wow! How lovely to win and how very well-deserved the honor. Your necklaces are both absolutely fanstatic. I am a big fan of labrador/spectra-lite too. Congratulations! -Marsha

Marca said...

Congratulations on you winning!

They are both fabulous, I love the colours, the 'composition': beautiful!

Maybe I like your second entry even better... LOL

~Marca

NAAN POCEN said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
messini design said...

Såklart du vann med din underbart vackra fantasifulla skapelse! Jättegrattis!
Kulan

Patricia said...

I adore labradorites and and can't get enough of them to work with. I love both designs and especially the clasp of the second piece. I like to have something fancy and a counterweight in back too.

Both works are sublime! Congratulations on your win.

--Patricia

Anonymous said...

They are fabulous! It's actually an interesting colour theme.

Enchanted said...

Both pieces are just beautiful! Congratulations on your win! That's just awesome!

Zoya Gutina said...

What a great news, Olga! Our warmest congratulations and wishes for further success! We're so happy for you! WoooHooooooo! :)

Live, Love, Laugh, Write! said...

Both pieces are fantastic! Congrats on the win!

jodi said...

Congratulations. Just beautiful. I just recently picked up some labradorite and am eager to put it to use. Both pieces are just spectacular.

beadsandblooms said...

Both are beautiful, but the one that placed is a real stunner! You've certainly proven that gray often gets a bad rep and is anything but boring!!

Ginja Girl Designs said...

Congratulations. Both necklaces are amazing!

Dawn N said...

Both pieces are stunning. Congratulations! I'm not a bright color person so I love the gray theme.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Congratulations!!! Both Necklaces are 1st place worthy. Your Labradorite is an amazing stone and your bead selection enhances it perfectly!

Alex said...

Поздравляю!!! Так Держать! Вещица конечно клас! Хорошая цветовая гамма! И выглядит не массивно! Супер!!!

Alex said...

Супер! Поздравляю! Класная вещь! Хорошо подобрана цветовая гамма, и выглядит не громоздко! Так держать!
Братан
P.S. Я НЕ ГОЛОСОВАЛ!

Foxan said...

Thank you so much for your kind comments, dear All!
Tack så mycket!
Спасибо большое!

Unknown said...

Congratulations, you deserved it!!

Káli Gopika said...

Beautiful work!

Marlaine said...

Absolutely gorgeous pieces. Love the greys!

Marlaine said...

Absolutely gorgeous pieces. Love the greys!

bani said...

Försenat grattis från mig också! Välförtjänt! :)