I didn't make it to the Wausau Balloon Rally last weekend. Drats. But a local radio personality named Dave Kallaway is a mighty fine photographer when he is not on the air and he has taken some awesome shots! Check out
this one... and
this one... (I truly hope you can view them...) But in case you can't here is one of the inspiration pictures...
To make this quartet of earrings it was easy to find the beads. Most of my beads look like they would make great hot air balloons! But the ones that stood out to me where the ones with fun simple patterns. To make the baskets I used some beads and decorative headpins. The key is to have a little bit of space between the bottom of the bead and the top of the basket shape. I didn't want these to be too referential so that if someone is just attracted to the bright colors and patterns they don't need to know that they were created with balloons on the brain.
Golem Beads are perfect for this project. The bright colors and graphic patterns really do look like the balloons at a rally. I am always cheered when I look at Vlad's beautiful ceramic beads. How can you not smile when you see these beads or these balloons? They exude happiness.
And then I spotted some polymer clay beads from a seller who no longer makes them (Honey from the Bijoux). The stripes are really playful!
Finally, I decided to go a bit more sophisticated with the lampwork glass from Jenni Connolly. They remind me of Monet's water lilies and were a gift from the Australian artist in a Bead Soup long ago. Pairing them with a wee bit of bling peeking out with the rhinestone rondelle spacers gives them a little added sass. Just a touch.
So there you have my own little beady balloon rally. I can't wait to see what you made!
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