Art Jewelry Elements November Component of the Month Reveal

I have long been a follower of the Art Jewelry Elements Blog and been inspired by its talented contributing artists. After all of my lurking, I have no idea what possessed me to put my name in the hat for the monthly component challenge and giveaway. I mean, sheesh, these artists are like jewelry rock stars. When it was announced that I was one of the winners of the components, I was elated;  however, when they arrived in the mail, I felt intimidated. (Did I mention the whole rock star thing?) These cute beaded Twin Rings, created by Kristen Stevens, stared at me from my studio work table . . . forever.

No ideas came to mind, and the week of the reveal had arrived. My dreams started featuring jewelry with Twin Rings. Earrings seemed too obvious a choice; I dreamed of these lovelies in a necklace or a bracelet. I pulled out supplies, and soon my studio looked like this. 

The Peruvian opal that I have been hoarding forever finally saw the light of day. After wire-wrapping a bead into the middle of each ring, I hit a wall.  Now what? 

I knew I wanted to use the copper scraps I scored from the recycling center and some leather. After a flurry of texts and photo exchanges of ideas with my cousin Kathie, a wonderful jewelry artist who lives across the country, I had a plan: cut a bracelet blank from copper, texture, bathe in LOS, punch two holes, and wire the beaded ring to the blank. Ditto for a necklace pendant.

Wanting to pick up the color of the opal, I painted rivets and spacers for the bracelet with some Vintaj patina. I hit a snag when I discovered that I only had brass and silver ribbon crimps. With no time to order copper ones and no nearby store to purchase them, I had to get creative. Vintaj patina to the rescue! 

For the necklace I decided to keep it simple, allowing the pendant with the ring to be the star. I strung crow beads, old Padre trade beads, aged picasso Czech glass beads, copper washers and spacers, and the pendant on knotted deerskin leather. Loving options for necklace length, this type of adjustable clasp works best for me.

Of course, the set wouldn't be complete without a pair of earrings. I happened to have some practice links that I made from Cindy Wimmer's wonderful book The Missing Link, so I added a simple dangle of Peruvian opal, Czech glass, and copper. After all the planning, metalwork, filing, riveting, oxidizing, and painting, it was refreshing to just do something easy, and I like the way these round coiled links mimic the shape and texture of Kristen's beaded rings.

Now that I sit back, look at this set, and reflect on the process of creating it, I feel satisfied and proud. I love the colors and the contrast of the soft leather and hard, hammered metal. (Note to self:  I secretly feel kinda like a jewelry rock star right now.)

Kristen, thank you for selecting me to participate in this challenge. I loved designing with your cool beaded rings, and I am really looking forward to seeing the creations of other participating artists. (Blog readers, click on the link to Art Jewelry Elements Blog to see the work of other artists.)