Artbeads Ceramic Pendant Necklace

Today was Groundhog day and apparently we're in for an extra six weeks of winter, oh joy. Looking out the window at the gray skies and rain, I guess I'm not really surprised. Meanwhile, although my official Valentine's Day projects are done, I do have one more to share. As one of the Artbeads Blogging for Beads partners, I get the opportunity to choose from a specific set of their beads, use them for review or design purposes.

Artbeads suggested I select from their Valentine's day charms, beads and stoneware pendants. I chose one of the new stoneware pendants with matching beads: Stoneware Large Red with White Flowers Heart Pendant-Offset Hole Right -15% OFF .

I really liked the idea of working with a heart bead that was drilled with an off center hole. I created the necklace in a symmetrical pattern, added a little heart glass dangle bead and a beaded wire bail.

The stoneware beads and pendant are quite lovely. The beads have a handmade feel to them, the pendant, while the design is folksy, looks a little more mass produced, but not to the detriment of the overall look.

The way I made this was to string and finish each side of the necklace using scrimps and at one end looping the beading wire (SoftFlex medium satin silver) through the wire wrapped bail. At the other end I put the clasp findings.

The bail was very easy to make - just wrap the center of a length of wire add a bead to the wire left over at each side, create a wrapped loop and trim after each bead.

If you shop the Artbeads Sweetheart Sale, you'll save 15% on all orders of $60 or more storewide (20% if you're a newsletter subscriber). To receive these savings, enter coupon code SCW15P-SHS at checkout. The Sweetheart Sale ends at 9am (PST) on Thursday, February 4, 2010.

Looking through FB, Twitter and the blog, it doesn't appear that anyone was really interested in the bracelet I offered to give away:

However, there were a couple re-tweets of my Valentine's Day projects last month, and if you think you were entering the drawing with those, or you'd just like a chance so you can have the beads to make into something else, let me know in comments. I'll draw the winner from today's comments. Offer ends at Midnight, Pacific, tomorrow (Feb. 3rd).



FTC notice of material connection: Artbeads has generously provided the stoneware heart and red stoneware beads for review and/or design purposes.