A really great way to spark some creativity and inspiration is to participate or host your own Bracelet Swap. Heather Powers and I got together and formed a great group of talented jewelry designers, and bead artists, to participate in a swap this past Spring.
Each of us started a bracelet, using some of our favorite beads and components. We passed them all on, to the first person of the Swap. That person added a little bit to each one and passed them all on to the next person. And so on and so forth, until we each ended up with the finished bracelet we started with. The coolest part is, we all ended up with a collaborative effort between designers! A little piece of each of us in a keepsake bracelet that we will have forever, or until we pass it down into our families. Oh the stories we’ll be able to tell about the Sisterhood of the Travelling bracelets!
I put together small collages of the before and after shots of each of our bracelets so you could all see how far each one has come!
Erin Seigel
Click each designers name to take you to their blog post describing each bracelets’ stop along the way!
Written by Lorelei Eurto
Hello! I'm Sharon.
October 15, 2009 at 3:39 pmWhat a sweet, creative idea. All the bracelets came out beautifully!
TesoriTrovati
October 15, 2009 at 4:26 pmWow Lorelei! Thanks for revisiting this! It really was the greatest honor to be asked to participate in this traveling bracelet exchange. I really enjoyed that each piece is so different, contains unique touches from each designer, and really manifested the personality of the wearer! And to watch you take this collaborative challenge idea to the next level with your two necklace swaps has been a true delight. I can tell what all those on the outside looking in were thinking…"I want to play too!" And now you have inspired others, like Cindy at Sweet Bead Studio, to continue the fun! Working collaboratively is the most exciting thing I can think of, and I thank you and Heather for the incredible opportunity. It is one of my dearest treasures, for sure! Enjoy the day!
Erin
Jeannie
October 15, 2009 at 6:28 pmWhat a beautiful collection. The harmony and love in them comes right the screen. It must be such a joy and be included in something like this. Carry On.
Must-Haves Jewelry
October 15, 2009 at 6:40 pmWhat a fun idea and a wonderful way to get those creative juices flowing!
Patty
October 15, 2009 at 7:46 pmWhat a creative, fun, and exciting project! I would love to do something like this. They turned out great.
Kate
October 15, 2009 at 8:18 pmI'd love to participate in something like this, I was just telling this to another Jewelry artist. These are all wonderful and there's the great thing, the surprise at the end! You all did a fantastic job!
Marie Cramp
October 15, 2009 at 8:35 pmThose bracelets are still some of my favorites. Thanks for reminding us of this wonderful colaboration. I hope to participate or start one of my own, it looks to be great fun.
Marie
mairedodd
October 15, 2009 at 9:08 pmexchanges/swaps really are so much fun & so challenging… can't wait to see how things wrap up with the necklaces…
Barbara Lewis, Torch Fired Enamel
October 15, 2009 at 10:38 pmAwesome! I guess two … or three … or four heads are better than one! Great project and article!
Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor
October 16, 2009 at 1:43 amWhat an incredible idea! How fun that would be to participate in. Would be such a creative outlet to be able to add your touch to each of the bracelets knowing that a different artist would be wearing them. A treasure indeed!
Kultalilja
October 16, 2009 at 7:16 amThis creative idea deserves definetely the Recognition! Badge for your blog is in http://gold-lily.blogspot.com/2009/10/recognition-and-confession.html
Alice
October 16, 2009 at 12:14 pmWhat beautiful bracelets! This is such a great idea and I've been secretly wanting to participate in something similar.
Thanks for sharing! This is great inspiration.
missficklemedia.com
October 17, 2009 at 4:51 amWhat an awesome idea! The pieces really flow.
pattie
October 19, 2009 at 2:11 amI love that idea! You could even do it for the holidays with grandmas or aunts and have the kids pick charms to put on before giving them as gifts! Thanks for that great idea…I think I will do it this year!
Barbe Saint John/ Saints and Sinners®
October 19, 2009 at 6:23 amThose are gorgeous! everyone turned out so beautifully.
alyssakaycollections.etsy
October 28, 2009 at 1:09 pmThose are such beautiful pieces and what a very lovely, creative idea. I wished I knew more people in my art that I could do this with. It like such great fun among friends.