TOHO Bead challenge

Every year TOHO, one of the Japanese seed bead manufacturers, invites a number of bead people to participate in a challenge. The challenge is to bead a piece using only the beads sent to you with the addition of one focal of  your choice if desired.

Each of the artists is given the same assortment of beads.  That makes it especially fun to view the results which will be in a display case at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee.

The is the first year I participated as I am trying to challenge myself to make time for a little out of the ordinary beading.  Though called a challenge, this is not competitive, the work will be displayed, photographed and then travel to Japan to be on display for a year.

You might imagine my delight with the dark green and raspberry matte metallic beads, with a hint of bronze, some coppery fire polish  and some bright accents of purple thrown in.

I chose as my focal, a wooden finial from a hardwood store in Tucson.  I covered the finial and suspended it from a large mesh rope.  It's a tad large for wearing, for my taste at least, but it would make a great room bauble.  Thanks for asking Rochelle of Bobby Beads, it was fun!

I can't wait to see the other creations.  Two weeks until bead and button 2015!