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Glass & Crystal Category
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Waterfall
Artist: Mandi Ainsworth (Dallas, TX)
Polly's Pick, Glass & Crystal
"With this piece I wanted to break away from designing with purple (my all-time favorite color), and branch out into using other colors. I wanted to make a themed lariat. I found some gorgeous blue and green Toho® beads in my stash, and then agonized over what crystal colors would match them. I don't have much experience using crystals since many of my projects are made of Delicas only. I saw the crystal butterflies on [Rings & Things'] website and knew I wanted to incorporate them into my design as well. I was going for a rainforest theme at first, but it didn't feel right, and I couldn't find a frog lampwork bead that matched the beads I had already chosen. I did find a really cool turtle bead, and he fit happily with the water-like colors. The mother-of-pearl ring added sophistication to the piece. Originally, I had a pattern set for the blue and green seed beads, but as soon as I strung the first section, I knew it would flow better if I mixed them together and used them randomly. I spent about five times as long choosing the perfect components as I did actually making the lariat! I had so much fun making this piece, and I love showing it off at work. It flows off my neck just like a waterfall. I challenged myself by branching out colorwise, and by using materials I don't normally use." -- Mandi Ainsworth
Polly’s Picks are designs our editor especially likes despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.
View more 2009 Polly's Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
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