The deadline for latest Fire Mountain Gems contest featuring Swarovski Crystals was October 8 and I finished this neckpiece just in time to enter! I had been so busy finishing up my latest geometric beadwoven bracelet that I’d forgotten the contest was closing. I had originally thought of doing a bead-embroidered piece, but with less than a week to the deadline, I had to come up with a project that would work up quickly. Frankly, I couldn’t be more pleased…I love this neckpiece! I’ve titled it “Flight of Fancy”. Contest rules specify that at least 50% of the project must contain the featured materials so using an abundance of Swarovski crystals (Marguerite Lochrose Flowers, Bicones, and Crystal Pearls) I’ve strung them on sterling silver wire and added tiny polymer clay butterflies here and there to impart an ethereal “flight pattern” so to speak! I won’t know for a month or two whether my submission will make it to round two…that’s when FMG requests that the piece be sent in for final judging. I’ll keep you posted when I know more!