Stash Busting and Worthy Causes

When you have been creating projects for more than 20 years, you tend to accumulate a few things. I spent some of the summer trying to move supplies into my new studio. (Former bedroom of my older daughter. My original work space was invaded, but that’s a story for another occasion.) I still don’t have everything relocated so it may be time to downsize the supplies again. My dream when I started the relocation program was a room that was clean, uncluttered and decorated the way I like it. (Girly, in other words.) When I ran out of the storage space I allotted for stuff I realized it was time to take some action.

Fortunately, my husband and I volunteered to be on a committee for Ducks Unlimited Northwest Prairie Chapter’s annual banquet. Since DU is a non-profit group, donations for the evening’s auctions and raffles make a big difference in the amount of money raised for the organization. Guns, art prints of ducks and Labrador Retrievers, hunting clothing, etc. are all fine things. Many of the ladies attending like those items as well as men. But sometimes a bit of sparkle is appreciated too. There certainly isn’t a better time to remind the hubby that he owes you something for all those mornings he disturbed the household at 2 a.m. while preparing to go duck hunting.

During one of our meetings a request to find more donations was made. Cue my stash. I remembered I had some fresh water pearls and wire-encased crystal beads.  I originally intended to make a bracelet with these items. After I located them, I realized I had enough of the pearls to make a set. Especially if I added some crystal beads in between. Of course, that meant a shopping trip. I found the desired beads, along with the necklace pendant and some dragon balls. They were just the items needed to take the design to another level.

Construction was straight-forward. No fancy bead-weaving. The beads were strung on silver metal wire and secured with matching crimps. I used lobster claw fasteners on the necklace and bracelet because they are more secure. The pendant is a little over an inch across and heavy. It was necessary to make everything sturdy. The most involved part of construction was keeping track of bead count and maintaining the pattern established for the pearls.

The committee members decided to place the set in the live auction, which was definitely an honor I hadn’t been expecting. It was fun to watch the bidding. The set sold for a very respectable amount, and I thank the winning bidder from the bottom of my heart. I hope she receives many years of enjoyment from my small contribution.

There is a second part to the set. If you would like to see what it is and how I made it, please come back for another visit.

The Project Queen