A Year in the Making, day 142

Today, another post brought to you by the Beaders who Blog program from ArtBeads***!

They’ve put together a special section of Valentine’s Day beads and components. I picked out a piece from the precious metal charms section as a focal piece, and some pale pink button pearls from the pearl section, as well as some sterling and crystal beads from the sterling silver bead section, and a hand/heart charm from the base metal charm section.

The pearls were too pale a color to go well with the silver/crystal beads, so I ended up making two different sets this time, one light, one dark, each perfect for those who have different opinions on the day, yes?

I mixed the pink button pearls with some white rice pearls and silver heishe for a multistrand necklace/bracelet/earring set.





Here's a few close-ups, of the charms and beads:





I especially like the hand charm - I don't normally work with base metal findings in my silver-toned pieces, but it was too cute to pass up. The button pearls had some slight variation in color, as you can see in this picture, but that's part of the charm. They were a lovely shade, and pretty much exactly as depicted in the website picture.

For the silver beads with crystals, I paired them with black glass bicones for contrast. I'd originally planned to put them with some cotton candy pink pearls, but I waited too long to place my order and they sold out! It worked out well, though. I was turned onto the black and pink color combination by the gracious headmistress of the Gothic Charm School several years ago.



How can you not adore this color combo after seeing her?

(p.s. - the photographer, Angel? Check out the rest of her wonderful work at her website here!)

A rather wordy way to get around to posting the next set:





Here's a closeup of one of the beads - love the pink!



I still had some of the button pearls leftover, so they became another set, with my beloved Celtic knots:





Ready, set, love!

***Disclaimer: I have received the products showcased in this post free of charge from ArtBeads, and I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for my endorsement of the products received.