The very clever and creative Lori Anderson, author of Bead Soup Party and blog hop hostess extraordinaire, challenged us to bust our stashes and quit hoarding our beads in her latest blog hop challenge. I have many stashes that are hidden treasures - I looked at them at the beginning of this challenge and chuckled - "No, no sweet ones not yet", I whispered to them with dreams of future book projects dancing in my head. A bead hoarder is not easily reformed!
So I picked some recent additions to my stash from my Bead & Button shopping splurges, trades and a few precious pendants from my very dear friend Erin.
My stash included pewter Green Girl Studios, Tesori Trovati's Simply Truths Pendants and ceramic beads Diane Hawkey.
Oh, look at that - a collection! That's how I design now for items I'm selling. I love working in a series, using a basic formula and changing up the beads just a bit. I wanted to use the wire nest theme to tie the designs together. I added in some of my disk beads to compliment the art bead collection.
First up - Nature's Harmony. I love how the pendants have a totem feel with symbols and meaning to go with each bead. I grabbed the owl and harmony bead to go with the oak leaf pendant - the story this pendant whispers: to find harmony in your life, wisely accept change!
The necklace hangs on a 28" long brass chain and slips over the head for easy wear. I love longer pendants. I think mainly because I like to look at and fondle the beads when I'm wearing them! The pendant is 4" long. My favorite little touch on this piece - the flower crown on top of the owl's head.
A close up of the Oak Leaf Earrings. Steel wire nests, pewter leaves, polymer clay branch disk beads, crystal spacers and brass earwires. Earrings measure 2 1/2" long.
The back of the pendant has a secret message: "bare branches hold the hope of spring". Erin is so poetic!
Next is my Hopes & Dreams Pendant. I absolutely love this Simple Truths willow. The willows are a theme I'm very fond of and Erin captured their beauty and delicate nature perfectly. I'd love this as a painting in my house! (Erin, make that happen!!!) I paired the pendant up with a dream bead and pewter nest - the whole design speaks of the hope and renewal that arrives each year with Spring.
The Hopes & Dreams Pendant measures 5" long and rests on a 28" gunmetal chain.
Little Bird Earrings are handcrafted of pewter and paired with steel wire nests, polymer clay branch disk beads and crystal spacers on brass earwires. These are also 2" long. 
Did you natural brass doesn't have nickel and if you have sensitivity to metals you might be able to wear brass? True story, I haven't worn earrings in years but after I read that I tested some Vintaj brass earwires and it's a miracle - I can wear earrings again!
Now head on over to Lori's blog today for a mega dose of inspiration while you visit the participants of the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop! And then for heaven's sake - go grab some beads that you've been hoarding and make something spectacular..
Did you use Humblebeads in your blog hop project? Leave a link in the comments - I have a special gift for you!
(Hope you don't mind the buy now buttons, thought that might be an easier way to offer these today. If you purchase more than one item I will refund the shipping. All jewelry comes in a gift box and ships by first class mail. US residents only.)
