Welcome to the Sequintastic September blog hop!
When Sarah of Saturday Sequins first presented her blog hop I was quick to enter. Rarely using sequins, but still buying a few now and then as they felt inspiring, I had managed to amass a small stash that wanted to be used. It's easy to be seduced by sequins once you find the right shapes and colours (like many I don't love all sequins), but not as easy to use them it turned out. Sequins are fun and lend themselves well to many techniques and having seen sequin jewellery from Sarah and Gail Crosman Moore as well as impressive french sequin embroidery, I wanted this as a challenge to actually start using more of my stash.
We did get a lot of time to prepare for this blog hop, but due to all that has happened with the kittens (Sötis, Vitfluff and Snuttis), I felt low on energy and creative flow so in the end I ended up with just the two simple creations below. But also with a feeling that participating have had positive effects, especially by giving me ideas for creating with sequins in the future and seeing the potential in these humble (and sometimes kitschy) plastic bits. It's not just about tangible results, is it? It's also about getting and sharing that spark of ideas and creativity this theme generated. And that's something I'll take with me from this blog hop.
I hope you enjoy my little contribution to this hop and that it might inspire you in your own creative persuit. (and I hope the photos aren't too bad -- forgot to put in new batteries...)
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My first creation started as an idea of a floral satin ribbon bracelet. Once I started making it I realised two things: 1) the size of the sequins means they won't follow the curve of the bracelet when worn, making it scratchy and wonky-looking and 2) I didn't have enough flower sequins to cover the length of the satin ribbon. If I'd had enough sequins (and time) it'd probably morph into a necklace instead. Not having done much sequin embroidery before, I found I had a very small grasp of how much sequins were needed to cover a bracelet or necklace collar.
Did finish the embroidery, though, and now I'm thinking of ways to use this piece. One idea I've had has been to make a romantic hairband of it. An initial idea was to make it into a bookmark, but it was scrapped after seing how thick it became, especially with the tiny beads holding the sequins in place. But then again, what if the beaded piece is hung on the outside of the book and an unembellished piece of ribbon is placed between the pages?
What do you say? Do you have any other ideas or suggestions?
The second creation is a very simple pair of earrings I made to show of a couple of my large sequins. At first I wanted to make a linked necklace using these sequins, but in the end the earrings probably turned out better than any quickly made necklace. I'm considering adding drops to the bottom to prevent these very lightweight earring dangles from moving about too much (it only takes a gentle wind gust to move them -- which is also the reason for the blurry photo as I took the pics by the open window for the sunlight).
There were a couple of ideas I wanted to try, but didn't manage to make any samples of in time for the blog hop. If I do finish a few tonight (writing this on Friday evening) I'll add pics on Saturday, but most likely it'll be saved for future sequin posts -- because after this there's bound to be more sequins on this blog. E.g. I would've wanted to make something with my matte bronze sequins (the once that garned positive comments in an earlier post) and hope to be able to show something in the near future. If you were hoping to see some sequin waste creations, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. That too will have to wait. Until then you'll have to make do with the two previous posts, Sequin waste patterns and Sequin waste inspiration links.
And so... That's all from me. Now be sure to check out the other Sequintastic September participants too!
Blog hop list
Host: 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 (You're here!)
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
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
Glad to see you managed to mobilizise creative energy for this blog hop.Lovely flower embroidery. In addition to your ideas for use, it could be made into a lovely belt by adding more ribbon to it. It would look wonderful with a simple angora, cashmere or mohair top or sweater in a similar colour or black. I think the earrings look good without drops. As some more weight is needed, I'd glue on one or several tiny flat backs on them in a color that doesn't compete with the shine of the sequins.
ReplyDeleteI love the beaded bracelet.when I saw it I couldn't believe it was sequins. The color is lovely. BTW there are some problems with your server.
ReplyDeleteWow, the bracelet is so beautiful. I can see it was made by Maneki. I'd fasten tiny bead caps or rhe like in the centres of the teal flowers. Of course you could add drops. I just think the hooks and the flowers are perfectly balanced as is.
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is gorgeous! I love the color on color ... it makes it so rich!
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is so, so pretty! I like the idea of turning it into a hairband -- I think it would be really stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us for the blog hop, in spite of all the stress in your life! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things improve for you soon. Also, thanks for all the sequinspiration you provided! It was so helpful to me. If I host another hop in April, I hope you'll join in!
*Hugs.*
Beautiful beginnings on the ribbon. I was thinking a headband would be very pretty. The earrings are very pretty, maybe if you add a crystal dangle it will give the earrings some weight.
ReplyDeleteTherese
I love the look of the sequins on the ribbon. I would definitely use it as a bookmark. My piece is a very unimpressive display if the versatility of sequins, but I'm so happy I participated, so I could see all the cool ways they can be used. Love the earrings, and can't wait to see what you do with the bronze ones.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love that ribbon. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteThose are some pretty awesome sequins! I've never seen anything at all like them!
ReplyDeleteThe flower band is so lush and gorgeous, like a beautiful spring garden! I think a headband would the the perfect use, and you could wear a little touch of spring whenever you wanted to.
ReplyDeleteFirst I just want to say I have never seen sequin in these shapes before. I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteIs the ribbon long enough for embellished waist tie? It's so beautiful, I would hate to think if it not be seen or worn somehow. The earring are darling.
Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions, everyone! Haven't finally decided on what to do with the ribbon yet, but if and when I do I'll be sure to post about it.
ReplyDeleteUnless something comes inbetween, I thought I'd get some time to play with the rest of the sequin stash today. Perhaps I can even think of a way to incorporate it into my Operation Chip Beads (using all those gemstone and glass chips that never get used, primarily by embroidering them and just saving the more autumnal chips as leaves for jewellery).
You used gorgeous sequins! I like the hairband idea, I think it would be a lovely gift for a little lady.
ReplyDeleteAmbra
Love your bracelet and earrings. The bracelet looks like a bouquet of violets!
ReplyDeleteThe purple flowers are beautiful, I do hope they find a purpose. Perhaps decorating a purse?
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! Such strong vibrant colors :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the purple flowers. The ribbon and the sequins look wonderful together. If you find equally beautiful sequins for leaves, you could finish this with some lush greenery. The earrings are lovely...where ever did you find all these unusual sequins?! At least for me, but they are not the usual sequin seen in shops. I know you have more of that kind of stuff! I hope you'll show us what you are going to create with them. Anna
ReplyDeleteThanks! All the big sequins comes from a mixed bag I bought at a shop that carries products from Panduro and Slöjd-detaljer -- I've seen the sequin mixes in both comapanies' catalogues. Unfortunately, as it's a mix you never know what you get so it's an advantage to be able to buy it in a brick-and-mortar shop where you can hand pick a bag you like.
DeleteThe matte bronze sequins came from a Panduro clearance sale so they're no longer available (and I only bought one package of each!) while the flowers and sequin waste comes from UK online shop simplysequins.co.uk. The orange/green squares in the photo of the stash comes from Canvas (canvasshop.se), by the way.
I'm sure there'll be more sequins -- and other oddities from my ecclectic stash of supplies -- in the coming months. Right now I have an urge to buy glow in the dark sequins, for example, which would be an interesting challenge.
Thanks! I usually shop online but I'll have a look at Panduro's sequins here in Stockholm. They are so pretty. I already have those square sequins from Canvas. Just couldn't resist them without knowing what to do with them. I love those bronze sequins! We really need some glow in the dark things now when the evenings are so dark! I'd love to light some candles, but I'm afraid our cat would love them too much. Anna
ReplyDeleteBoth of your creations are lovely. I too have quite the stash of sequins, but mine are nowhere as awesome as yours are. I'm a bit jealous! Mine are pretty garden variety sequins. I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for more unique options like you have. Thank you for opening my eyes and also for sharing your lovely creations!
ReplyDeleteWauw you used some very speciale sequins! never saw them before, like the pieces you made!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I glad you all like what I made!
ReplyDelete