I was influenced greatly by our own Jenny Davies-Reazor - I love how she combines gemstones with her own ceramic lovelies to create amazing necklaces! And I was also influenced by Deryn Boyd Mentock. I have taken a few classes with her, in person and on-line, and I really like her style (although it's not necessarily mine) and love learning her techniques!
While I was at Bead Fest, I only purchased three strands of gemstones from Holy and Pure Gemstone (like them) specifically for this bead!
I made my own clasp as well - just a simple one, but I like it! I hammered it with my rawhide mallet to harden it and patinaed it as well.
I'm very happy with the final design. This did take me a couple of days, and even though my bead stash seems huge to me, I think I could use a few more strands of gemstones in my pile so I have more options!
Here's the finished necklace, I really like!
What's your process when you make a piece of jewelry - do you lay it out, switch out beads, ask for advice?
Thanks for sharing your process. I follow a similar process ncluding asking my husband what he thinks. He has a good eye for color. I have to add that I spend a lot of time thinking about what I will do which sometimes changes once I start laying them out.
ReplyDeleteyou can never have too many strands of gemstones! This is beautiful, sue
ReplyDeleteYour lampwork focal bead is fantastic, Jen and you accented it perfectly. I pretty much go through the same process. If I'm unsure if I am satisfied with the design, I'll hold off on adding the clasp and look at it again the next day. Sometime I see something fresh the next day and can still tweak it because I haven't crimped on the clasp yet.
ReplyDeleteMy process is probably the opposite of a good process. I usually have an "amazing" idea for the focal portion of a piece...usually the necklace. Then I get that part done and wonder what I'm going to do to finish it. Often I have to ponder it for days or weeks before I figure it out.
ReplyDeleteI do love the necklace you made. Perfect for that focal and I bet it's wonderful to wear.
Beautiful necklace Sue. I start with an idea of how I want it to look and then lay out my plan. Next I just play with the beads until they look right to me. Sometimes It turns out not at all like I started out sometimes it is pretty close. I agree with Linda that walking away for a while and doing something else can help when you aren't sure if it is finished Thanx for sharing your process.
ReplyDeleteOh Sue you are gifted in so many ways!!! Glass, enameling, polymer and now wire. I am amazed at your design process and in awe of your final product!!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry I am so late commenting! I love it - and I am honored to be mentioned in the same paragraph as Deryn! I cannot tell you how many times I arrange and rearrange gems to get the right balance of shapes, sizes, colors. I LOVE the end result - it has texture, variety, and compliments/accentuates your focal so well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your design process. I love the finished project. I admire anyone who can successfully create asymmetrically. I struggle with it, mostly in my own mind. *smile*
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