voting for the February EBW Challenge Nest

There is no EBW Challenge in January.  It feels like it's been a lot longer than two months since the last challenge.  The February EBW Challenge Nest (read more about it here) is up and running.  You can vote on the blog today through February 15.  Voting takes place on the right hand side of the blog.  If you can't see the clickable mosaic near the top of the blog, head over here. Please check out all of the entries and vote for your favorite.

This is my entry.  If you missed my post about it, you can still check it out.

This piece is still for sale.  I have not made any more nests yet, but I would still like to add them to my charm line at some point.

As always, there are many talented entries for this challenge.  Here are just a few of my favorites.

NEST Beadwoven Bracelet in Purple and Green with Black Ribbon EBWC February Challenge Entry by MegansBeadedDesigns

Cocoon - Beadwoven Bracelet EBWC Nest Purple Black Grey by BlissWorksStudio

Cute Bracelet in Yellow, White, and Black Geometric Beadwork: "Honeycomb" by AsteropeBC

Even if you haven't participated in an official challenge (i.e. a team challenge), what have you been working on lately that has challenged you?

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how do you create a nest piece of jewelry?

The February EBW Challenge theme is simply Nest.  You can read more about it here.  Around the time that the challenge was announced, I came across this tutorial via Pintrest.

Source: sarahortega.com via Rose on Pinterest

There are a number of variations of this idea out there, but I decided that this tutorial would work perfectly for a little nest that could be part of a beadwoven piece.

I made the nest first.  I used some pearls that I had left over from an old project.  Wire wrapping is not really something that I enjoy, but this was pretty easy and the result is very satisfying.

I paired the silver nest with brown cube beads, brown and white lamp work beads, and seed beads in earthy tones.

There are so many possibilities for these little nests, but in keeping with my goals for this year, I used my skinny wrapped peyote cuff design as the base for this bracelet.  The nest is so small and delicate that it doesn't need a substantial piece of beadwork paired with it.  It just needs something that fits with its style.

The lamp work glass beads are from Jen of blueseraphim.  I'd never embellished a cuff this skinny with lamp work beads, but it worked very well.  (I used a larger white bead of hers for the clasp, too.)  I have some square beads from her in other colors and may use them for similar bracelets.  Any thoughts on this?

I am not planning to make nests for more beadwoven pieces in the near future.  However, I would like to get some metal charms to pair with them for charm sets.

Do you have a preference?  Are there other bird charms that you like?

This bracelet is available in my Etsy shop right here.  Voting for the EBW challenge will take place February 9-15.  I will post more information about it then.  For now, you can check out the other entries for the challenge by searching "ebwc" on Etsy.

I included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday 1/20/11.