The mystery piece inspired my entry. I drew a representation of mystery piece in a larger size and clipped out the center. Bead embroidery is my expertise, hence the design. In addition to the supplied beads, I added the cab stones and beaded 2ml sequins down with size 15 seed beads. The butterfly needed a little more to finish the piece so I drew 2 chrysillis, beaded them and completed the project by stringing beads & crystals to represnt a caterpiller. I can't wait to wear it places, I love it so much. Thank you for this challenge.

Butterfly Net was not the piece I imagined but the Muse took me into a netted collar embellished with alternating crystals. I embellished the neckline with the pearls and triangle beads. I used a ruffled peyote border made up of the 11 tohos accented with the burgundy 15’s. The hammered copper ovals created a clasp with the addition of a copper toggle bar. The “net” consisted of the copper heishi with copper wire and the crystal rope is the netting that tries to capture the butterfly muse. I managed to find a place for every element on my Muse quest.

I felt the butterfly muse deserved a flower garden to call home. I have been taking some metal working classes, and I was so excited to challenge myself with using the techniques I’ve been learning. I designed, cut, shaped, and stitched the center daisy. The trio of medium flowers to the side are made with a simple, free-form design. The flowers around the muse are an adaptation of a class I took. I think this butterfly will enjoy his garden.

See my entry from USE THE MUSE II

FAVORITE POLYMER CLAY (we loved the color palette of the delicate silkscreened polymer clay butterflies that were subtle and complementary to our Muse, yet could have just as easily been the Muse themselves)

This summer a butterfly flew through my door. Pale orange like a light irridescent copper color. I love butterflies--you can stay, I said. On my way to Mexico, but I love your holly bush outback. You have a lot to eat there. I'll stay awhile. My holly bush is full of berries that look like carnelian beads, pointy green glassy leaves, tiny pearl drops of sunshine, dark green pearl nuggets and cranberry and pale yellow glass flowers from a wandering vine. As I wove the garland two silkscreened polymer clay friends alighted near him. They've been here ever since.

MOST WEARABLE (the one we all wanted in our jewelry wardrobe)

When I first received the Muse III my first thought was that I wanted to do something different. I frequenly hear about trying to step outside the box when it comes to anything in life. With my beading, I have pretty much stayed on the safe side when it came to color, technique, and design. This time I decided that I would go the distance and do something I had never tried before. This bracelet was not only a challenge but it was a great experience. I had fun, learned some valuable lessons and will actually try beading a bracelet again.

See my entry from USE THE MUSE II

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL (this piece combined advanced techniques with geometry and beautiful materials to form an outright stunning design)

I loved the colors of this kit and was inspired to create something that reflected the beauty and complex simplicity of nature, both in texture and color, to properly compliment the beautiful butterfly of the Muse. I used all the components apart from the Swarovski string. In this piece I used various techniques, from peyote, spirals, Right Angle Weave, leaves and other. It was such a joy to participate!

CieloDesign

See my winning design from USE THE MUSE II

SEED BEAD SIMPLEXITY (a very wearable design utilizing unique but simple weaving techniques)

Use the Muse III is my first contest ever and I truly enjoyed creating with colors I don't normally use. Autumn is my favorite season with all of her magnificent displays of color. My Muse on the Vine is meant to represent that beauty. Thank you, Scarlett, for challenging my imagination.

DESIGN OF DISTINCTION (an amazing study in form, shape, and color - all in such an interesting package, definitely distinct!)

The colors in this kit immediately spoke to me; they embodied the richness of harvest time in the vineyards, here in the wine country. I immediately saw the little butterfly hovering over the grapevines; I used my filigree stitch to set the curves, then used netting and peyote to stitch an autumn fabric reminiscent of the vine-covered central California hillsides that surround my studio. The butterfly-muse is the clasp; she holds everything together. I love the way this bracelet wraps around my wrist and hugs it; wearing it is as sensual as the first taste of a good Cabernet.

CND Jewelry Tales

See my winning design from USE THE MUSE I

EXPRESSIONS IN ELEGANCE (this sophisticated brooch was our pick for high-end market appeal)

As soon as I received the butterfly muse my mind instantly went to my garden. I used heishi pearls to form the flower petals and set off their cool creamy tones by adding bright seed beeds around a sparkling crimson crystal. I brought the many textures of the garden into the piece by constructing intertwining vines filled with pearls, crystals, tubes and dark red seed beads clustered like berries. What butterfly could resist such a temptation?

BEAUTIFUL ARTISTRY (this one stands out with it's radiant design and inspired eclectic feel)

I set out to create a bead embroidered cuff bracelet which represented a flower garden for the muse to rest upon. I thought that this would be a good way to incorporate most of the kit in a harmonious manner. Mununja the butterfly is a traditional aboriginal story.

FREEFORM FAVORITE (our pick for most interesting and well composed freeform creation)

A geometric shape made with delicas and free-form necklace straps - measuring 21". Exquisite one-of-a-kind beauty guaranteed to turn heads!

unique wearable beaded art

See my entry from USE THE MUSE II

BUTTERFLY BELONGS (we felt the Muse seemed most at home in this beaded garden)

Autumn is a happy time to see how Muse flys around all that rich flowers. This is big festival for nature and Muse is very special and proud guest there. Do you hear this music? Do you smell this flavoure of last flowers befor long rest in winter? You are invited to see this dancing flight!

Here is the one cosy home for my creations and thoughts :-)

See my entry from USE THE MUSE II

FASHION FORWARD DESIGN (a chic fashion statement with its monochromatic color scheme and dazzling Swarovski crystal dangles)

The Fall Butterfly has a special gift - she can paint. Wherever she flies, a trail of her own color hangs in the sky; wherever she rests, a plethora of colors burst forth. Today our fluttering friend found a lovely little rock garden where she could leave her gift. Unfortunately, other butterflies had already taken up residence. Luckily, they appear happy to share their special place. Pearls and gemstones represent the rocks. Crystals “paint” the flowers. Originally, I took an impressionistic approach with the flowers. But for clarification’s sake, I went for “obvious” instead of artistic with the final flower.