Beading For A Cure (BFAC) 2011...

For the Love of Layne


(all photos clickable for a larger view)

This is the fifth year I have participated in the Beading For A Cure Project. I look forward to the project each year, always eagerly anticipating the notification in the early part of the year that the kits are ready for purchase. The participants never know what is in the kit, not the colors or the bead types. It is not until the package shows up in our mail that we see what we have to work with over the next couple of months.



Here is what arrived in the kit for this round



I added several of these cabs and vintage sequins in a couple of colors



I sit and look at each of the tubes/packages included, waiting, hoping an idea will quickly come to mind. Each year my goal has been to try something new or different or to do something that takes me outside of my comfort zone. This year was no exception as I attempted my first necklace/collar.



A little background on the project and my inspiration - the annual project was inspired by Layne Shilling, a beloved beader who lost her battle with colorectal cancer in 2002. You can read more about it on the BFAC website. I never had the pleasure of knowing Layne as I found beading a few years after she lost her battle. Fast forward to last year - I was lucky enough to win some prizes for my BFAC piece last year. One of those prizes was a vintage glass parrot flatback previously owned by Layne.



It was immediately apparent that the glass parrot should be used in my next BFAC project. It is not small - I thought a collar/necklace might be perfect. Decision made - now to design it!



I am thankful I have someone in my life who is a whiz with various software programs. It allowed me to sketch up my design for the collar and hand it to him with my notes/preferred dimensions and say "go". Next thing I know - I had a template.



I did not have a specific plan, I know I wanted the parrot in the middle of the heart and I knew I wanted to use some vintage sparkly cabs and vintage sequins in the piece. I sewed/glued down the parrot and off I went.



It did take me quite a bit longer than I anticipated to finish it - I was right up to the last day of the deadline when I finished.



I ended up not using an extra bead, so all beads used were provided by the kit. I did have to order some additional crystals at the last minute for the fringe (thank you Beki!). Other than that, I did not need any additional beads and I have some of each left over. That should give a good indication of the generous amount of beads are included in each kit.



The necklace measures approximately 13 inches from the top of the clasp to the tip of the fringe. The neck measures 5 1/2 inches inside from side to side.



It is backed with chocolate brown Ultrasuede



And is finished with a toggle clasp



This is Jimmy - my ever faithful assistant.



Just for fun - here's a photo of the finished piece - before the backing and finishing



Auctions for this round will begin next March and run for several weeks. I will post a link and a reminder when the auctions are set to begin.