Welcome to the reveal of the AJE headpin challenge!
This month we decided to highlight these small, delicate and super versatile elements. I have quite a collection from Jen ( Glass Addictions) Sue ( SueBeads) and Marsha (Marsha Neal Studio)
This collection sits just above my bead table…
I decided to try something I had never heard nor seen done. I wanted to bead embroider the head pins. WITH the wires intact. Could it be done? Hmm. Lets try.
First shapes looked too much like outline of USA, second version works!
So the short answer? IT WORKS!
The headpins sat rather tall on the Stiff Stuff, so I had free rein to bead with abandon and build up some height. As I wasn’t bezeling them, I wanted tall beads around to integrate them into the overall piece. Here is is before backing:
The abalone shell pulled all the colors together…
I stitched the wires down to hold them in place and secure them. the back is a mess, but Ill show you anyway… This isnt for the faint of heart. Nearly every third stitch got looped on a wire and snagged. See the far left int he bottom picture? Many stitched snagged. I didnt even know when that happened to pick them out. So I added a bit of glue there. Gee, guess I will have to keep this one since it has issues.
Beading around the wires proved problematic.
details of Jennifer’s headpins in the piece, and a SueBeads dangle!
Pearls! Pinch beads! Fire polish! Abalone! No rules seed beading ! And I had SO MUCH FUN.
Not sure what to do now? Silk? wire wrap gems? What do you think? Until next time – Ill be off creating with my new headpins created by Thornburg Studios and Bead Fairy!
New beauties from Thornburg Studios and Bead Fairy
Please join the AJE team and our guests on this blog hop! I am sure I speak for the whole team that we have so many guests this month. Enjoy!
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Guests:
AJE Team Members:
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
What a unique use for the art head pins. You really thought outside the box for this one.
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Indeed what a unique use for these headpins but the result is gorgeous. What a great work of art.
I must say when you described the back of the piece I was expecting to see chaos. If that’s messy, your other work must be simply impeccable.
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Amazing!! I love what you did with these gorgeous headpins. You really did something unique with them.
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Oh I love this great idea you had! The finished piece is gorgeous and this is all so inspiring!
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Ooooo I wanted to do bead embroidery with head pins but ran out of time to experiment but now I know it can be done!! Loved your finished piece 🙂
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You certainly went outside the norm for this. Very ambitious plan and it came out very well. Way to go Jenny!
Mona
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Stunning work Jenny! I love how your designs are dripping with gorgeous beads and components… they always make me think of mermaid treasure!
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It’s amazing what you bead embroidery chicks can think of next! Fantastic work, I am so jealous of your talent.
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It’s amazing! What WILL you bead embroidery gals think of next! I am so jealous of your talent, beautiful work!
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When I saw the focal you created I thought “that must be what a mermaid’s garden looks like.” It’s spectacular. I’m no good at “random” pattern designs, which makes me appreciate it all the more when someone can do it as well as you have.
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I’m so annoyed by two things…1, that it never occurred to me to use headpins like this…and 2, I used up my whole stash of artisan headpins on my necklace and can’t try it out! Darn you Jenny for being so creative! I hope you add some to your next goddess!
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WHAT THE WHAT?!?!?! That’s amazing! And a huge surprise!!! Wow…
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I love it! Simple as that!
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What an amazing piece of art! Thanks for sharing your process too~
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Such a clever way to use the headpins! Love the finished piece!
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Amazing piece! I love!
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Amazing! Who would have thought. Great job!
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Love the way you always push the boundaries and do something unexpected and despite the challenges the result is exceptional!
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Good idea. It looks like a lovely tactile piece.
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Wow, I always love what you make, but what a great idea! I love Jen’s headpins with all those different beads! Great idea you had!
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I love what you did with your headpins! Very unique and beautiful pendant.
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