Saturday, 4 May 2013

...and they're off....


My husband and I often go to the antique market in our neighborhood, to do what we like to call "picking". I am always hunting for pieces of old jewelery, old beads - anything that I could turn into a beautiful creation.  One day I turned down the last isle and there it was - a whole booth full of the most awesome fascinators and delightful little hats. I think I tried everyone on. I left without purchasing one because after all where on earth would I wear it.....that didn't last long. I had to have one even if I just wore it to wash dishes.  Spring forward several weeks and to my delight, there right before my eyes a blog challenge of the most wonderful kind...the "Hats off Challenge"  Jewelery inspired by the Derby - Kentucky that is. Bobbie you are a genius, for me this was meant to be.  I had so much fun designing a piece to go with the hat that I had recently purchase, but I couldn't stop there. Bobbie had posted some pictures of different derby hats for inspiration and I fell so in love with this one. I imagined myself wearing this hat with a lovely piece of jewelery. Oh and to complete both outfits, I bought matching gloves.  Thank you Bobbie for an incredibly fun challenge...I hope this becomes an annual event, just like the Derby.

Bobbie's Inspiration
Derby Blossom
My Inspiration
Black Onyx
Black Onyx close up
Please visit the other participants to see what they have done.



Bobbie Rafferty www.beadsong.blogspot.com

Susan Nelson Bowie www.susanbowie.wordpress.com
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17 comments:

  1. Jean Katherine Baldridge4 May 2013 at 08:04

    Oh my gosh you are something! I LOVE what you designed! You really nailed it and I love the contrast between seeing how you can work with color and then soar with black and white!
    What a treat! Nice to meet you!
    jean yates :)

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  2. Bobbie4 May 2013 at 08:18

    Debbie, these are SPECTACULAR!! I love the Derby bouquet you created for the first piece -- it's a great reflection of the inspiration. And that second piece? I love both the hat and the necklace it inspired! Your skill and imagination really knocked it out of the park. You'd be the hit of Derby in any of these. Thanks for being part of the challenge!

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  3. Christine Altmiller4 May 2013 at 08:46

    You were clearly inspired! Wow~both pieces are stunningly beautiful and very wearable. Derby Blossom is such a happy splash of color but I am fully drawn to Black Onyx~the textures, layers, dimension, black and white theme~what a perfect set! This challenge was meant for you, from your dishwashing hat to the pieces you created. I am so glad I came here :-)

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  4. Liz4 May 2013 at 08:56

    My, my. Both hats are such nice choices! And your necklaces are stunning. To me Derby Blossom celebrats all the best in spring. Fresh and colorful. Just beautiful. Then Black Onyx WOW. The hat is gorgeous, I can see why you picked it. But your necklace is even better! What a fabulous job. Makes me want to buy a pair of elbow length gloves and celebrate some of the style we have lost by wearing jeans almost all the time. I loved seeing your hat choices and the incredible necklaces you made from their inspiration.

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  5. Charis Designs4 May 2013 at 09:06

    Absolutely beautiful!!!! Your creations are a work of art. Christie

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  6. AntiquityTravelers4 May 2013 at 09:32

    OMG! gorgeous! what amazing bead work you do!!! and your inspiration hat .. I can see why you had to get it! it is fantastic! and I love the piece you made to match - such elegance!

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  7. Unknown4 May 2013 at 10:48

    Your work is so elegant. I truly love the pieces.

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  8. Jean A. Wells4 May 2013 at 11:19

    Amazing! You just amaze me. Okay, I think it is all amazing, but in an effort not to overuse the word "amazing" I will just say that it is also an amazing challenge. Wow!

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  9. Unknown4 May 2013 at 12:36

    So much inspiration in your work, it's almost magic! Both necklaces have something special!I love♥ this jewellery.

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  10. Therese's Treasures4 May 2013 at 14:35

    Oh Wow Debbie those are gorgeous, I am blown away! I love, love, love them all!
    Therese

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  11. Jasvanti4 May 2013 at 14:48

    Marvelous necklace, i love the colors.

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  12. aneri_masi4 May 2013 at 15:23

    OMG!!!! These are amazing! The first one is so vibrant, and the second one so delicate! Wow!!!

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  13. Unknown4 May 2013 at 18:09

    WOW!!! So beautiful. Both pieces are lovely.....you do amazing beadwork. Love the hat as well. You have to post when you get all dressed up! I'm sure we'd all love to see the whole outfit.Thanks for sharing. So far you're the winner in my eyes!

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  14. Dry Gulch4 May 2013 at 19:58

    Your "Derby Blossom" & "Black Onyx" pieces are absolutely beautiful! Such wonderful beadwork, you are super talented!

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  15. Dolores Raml4 May 2013 at 22:48

    Wow, your pieces are just awesome. Sure glad I don't have to decide which one I like better but I would love to see you model your hat and jewelry.

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  16. Maryanne5 May 2013 at 07:09

    Both you're necklaces are spectacular!!! I love the Derby and the hats. What a fun challenge!

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  17. Karin Slaton5 May 2013 at 12:25

    You have outdone your inspiration hats! Both necklaces are so beautifully designed and would be the toast of the Derby.

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