Vonna Maslanka

I must admit this Bead Soup was a tad overwhelming for me, I hadn't a clue where to go with what I had received.. Don't get me wrong here but Jayne my partner sent me a fabulous mix! I just couldn't seem to wrap my head around design this time! So I decided to just dump everything on my table.. mix it all together as see where the elements would take me! Still nothing! I looked up... and there it was the copper coil, and a jar of mixed up copper parts I had been playing with and had put off to the side! Cutting a random length of copper wire, wrapping it free form around my wrist to form the base, then manipulating the sari silk into place.. I started my journey. This is the first piece I completed... I was so excited with how this came out I proceeded to make another! I used up the rest of the sari silk that Jayne sent and using the chess piece as the focal! Creating the necklace took a little longer. I had to walk away from it several times before I

Hello and Welcome party hoppers! I thought I would call this necklace "My String Theory" I got out the string and strang the beads, or is it strung the beads? Oh, never mind, on with the show. Yes, the inspiration for this necklace came from the bead soup I received from Stephanie, but the technique used to create this piece was inspired by the book Beaded Treasures by Robin Atkins.   Believe it or not creating this necklace was a challenge for me! It has been a long time since I have put together a design so thought out! I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this process. The natural earth tone colors of the elements used are blended with a pop of crème from seed beads and charms I took from a vintage charm bracelet. Here's a little fun story for you. I actually emailed Robin Atkins when I started this piece to inquire about the "hemp" used as the stringing material.  Robin was so generous to answer my questions as well as give me a few clues so I

Have you ever waited for something special to come in the mail and then go out of town only to find out that the day you leave the mailman finally delivers that special package you have been waiting for? Much to my surprise when I came home this mix was awaiting me.  After opening the package I thought -      OH NO! Another Bead SOUP! I haven't finished my blog hopping yet! A color wheel of beads, what to do??? Oh, that wonderful imagination of mine, I tell ya. TREASURE BRACELET!   Yup, that's what I am going to do.   What a great project for those cold nights in front of the TV.   Below is the link to the bracelet created out of these beads 10 years after I received them! Well, it goes to show you... no bead will ever be forgotten! :)   https://www.instagram.com/p/CJraOqWnPdo/ Tip: You see those three purple beads??? When picking out the string for the treasure bracelet I always go with the least predominant color in the bead mix. I just don't always follow the

Hello and Welcome! My instinct at first was to combine all the elements into one gigantic statement piece. Something I am familiar with. I started thinking about how I should challenge myself.  Keep it simple, design more pieces, push my limits, learn new techniques and just have fun. I decided to do it all! So here goes I hope you enjoy! Using a majority of the beads Patty sent to me, this first piece incorporates the focal bee pendant. This necklace is strung on a single strand of Soft Flex heavy weight antique brass wire, the chain is just free flowing leaving it dangle on one side for even more movement. Originally I had planned on incorporating the blue suede cord that Patty sent me, but instead I used vintage brass coils that I had picked up at a bead show I attended last year. This necklace is simple, asymmetrical and very balanced. cooking time: less than 1 hour This necklace is so easy to make, you can make it too! The size of the clasp I recieved