Wednesday, November 26, 2014

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.)


51 comments:

  1. Wonderful! you are looking like a 'jewelry rock star' to me, too!

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    1. Thank you, Karen. Reading your comment rocks the start of my day. :) What wonderful words with which to begin my day! This was an extremely satisfying project.

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  2. I love your pieces! Especially that gorgeous bracelet. I love the clever way you dealt with having ribbon ends in other than your perfect color. Now they are perfect!

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    1. Thank you, Ann. I guess not having having exactly what I needed pushed my creativity and my thinking, and that's always a good thing. Fun project!

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  3. What a terrific set! They are all 3 just gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks, Donna. I don't wear much jewelry since I retired from the working world, but I might have to seek an occasion to which I can wear this set. I loved making these pieces.

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  4. You are a jewelry rock star! OWN IT! You managed an entire set from 2 beaded rings. And I would wear this in a heartbeat. Thanks so much for participating, and definitely put your name in the hat again in the future.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. Nothing like feeling like a rock star first thing in the morning. Pretty cool! This has been such an affirming experience. You can bet I will be a COM groupie every month. :)

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  5. Gorgeous, gorgeous ensemble! And ingenious construction!

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    1. Keirsten, you are absolutely one of my jewelry rock stars. I have admired your work for years, and a compliment from you about my work means the world to me. Thank you so very much!!!

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  6. Oh ya, I love every piece!! You did an amazing job!!

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    1. Kristi, thank you so much. I absolutely love your work. You are one of those jewelry rock stars, so your kind words mean so much. Thank you for inspiring me as a designer. You are amazing!

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  7. Awesome designs Cindy - great job! I think you have rock star down!

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    1. Thank you, Susan. After these wonderful, encouraging comments, I truly do feel like a rock star. What a great day this has been!

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  8. Cindy there's not doubt in my mind that you are a jewelry ROCK STAR!!!! This set is so pretty. Your choice of colors and materials all work wonderfully together. Great reveal.

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    1. Thank you, Karen, for your kind words. I truly loved this project and am very touched by your sweet compliment. It's wonderful to have such validation.

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  9. Wow, you really did great with your components. I love all of them.

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    1. Thank you, Dolores. This project was such fun and very rewarding. The best part, though, is your supportive comment.

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  10. OH MY FREAKIN Gorgeousness to the extreme!!! I am in utter love with this set!!!!!!!!!

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    2. Thank you, Kristen, for selecting me to participate in this challenge. I absolutely loved designing with your lovely beaded rings. You can be sure that I will be shopping for more of them. This has been such a creative and affirming experience. All of these supportive comments have made my day. If you'd like for me to make you a set, let me know! I will be looking forward to future COM challenges. Thanks, again!

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  11. Beautiful pieces one and all...especially love the necklace.

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    1. Lesley, you are one of the rock stars I referred to in my post, so a compliment from you is extra special. I have long admired you work. Thank you for inspiring me and for your kind words.

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  12. What an amazing "set" of jewelry you have made here - just beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Patti. I have admired your beautiful work for some time, so your kind words mean a great deal to me.

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  13. Cindy, your brainstorming proved very fruitful! What a wonderful collection, I am so impressed! Entering in chaos and exiting in WOW is a very powerful experience, enjoy!

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    1. Thank you, Trisha, for visiting my blog and for your kind words. I love your phrase, "Entering in chaos and exiting in WOW." You have such a keen perspective on the creative process. This was indeed a special project.

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  14. Fabulous designs! I love that you made a whole set!

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    1. Thank you, Caroline. I almost stopped at the bracelet and necklace since I had used the components, but they just screamed, "EARRINGS, too!"

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  15. Those are really pretty. For someone who was stumped for ideas you did a fantastic job. I love the colour contrasts. Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you! Once the ideas started flowing, I was in that zone. Love that!

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    1. Thank you, Francesca. Your design for the October COM using Karen Totten's disc was so memorable that I can still see it in my mind's eye. Additionally, I love your studio space. I really appreciate your kind words.

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  17. Amazing designs! Thanks for participating in the challenge!

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    1. Thank you, Melissa. Ever since I read your beaded earwire tutorial, I have been compelled to embellish my earwires. I admire your work and appreciate your kind words. I loved this challenge and will anticipate seeing the one for next month.

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  18. What great pieces - so creative! Well done :-)

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    1. Thank you, Carrie. I absolutely loved working on this project.

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  19. You earn the right to feel like a rock star. I love all you did - but confess the bracelet is my favorite. Great new adaptation of Kristen's rings!

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    1. Thank you, Jenny. I have followed your fabulous work on AJE, and your kind words mean a great deal to me. I, too, am partial to the bracelet. Those rings were really inspirational.

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  20. You really are a jewelry rock star! I love everything that you made. The combination of copper, leather, pale blue opal and Kristin's rings is brilliant in the bracelet and the pendant and necklace is perfection. Even the earrings are stunning. I will definitely be following you to see what else you come up with. Rock on!!!

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    1. Thanks, Nan. I appreciate that you will be following my blog and your suggestions about adding the gadget. FB friends is a treat, too. Glad to meet you!

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  21. Your status as a jewelry rock star is affirmed!!! This is an awesome and unique set. Wear them proudly!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I have been following you for a long time and admire your work. Your kind words mean so much to me. I'll have to find some event to go to that justifies wearing this much jewelry. :)

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    2. Wear it to the grocery store!!! Who cares? Life is too short to not wear your great jewelry!!!

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    3. I just happen to have a trip to the grocery planned today . . . :)

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  22. I love your set! It's just great how many materials and techniques you were able to incorporate, yet still set off the components. And I agree with Linda - wear it wherever and whenever you feel like it! I wear all of my jewelry, even the largest pieces with a t-shirt and jeans, wherever I go!

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    1. Thank you, Lindsay. I did wear this set today, and I must say that all day I kept thinking about all of the supportive comments I received from everyone here. Made me feel like a million bucks! What a wonderful experience this has been.

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  23. You should feel like a jewelry rock star! This set is incredible!

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    1. Thank you, Shaiha. This has been a very affirming, validating experience. Your kind words mean so much to me.

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