We're All Ears :: May Reveal

This month's inspiration is dance, specifically a music video for an addicting song called 'Skyscrapers' 

by the band OK Go. (Check out their website. Innovative stuff! I remember seeing and enjoying their treadmill dance video a long time ago.)

Here is a collage of still photos, the dancers set against a backdrop of shifting video of colorful buildings in Los Angeles.

I found myself drawn to these vibrant colors and the movement of the tango, particularly the dancers' legs. I knew these earrings would be dangly and full of movement. Initially, I was going to focus on a monochromatic color palette, but once all the beads were on my studio table, I just couldn't limit myself to one color. 

LET'S DANCE!

The curved gunmetal connector and wire-wrapped orange aqua terra jasper bead reminded me of the dancers' legs and the way they intertwined and fit together in those tango steps. Two dangles represent the dancing couple.  I had gunmetal connectors, jump rings, and head pins in my stash but no 20 gague gunmetal wire for earwires. Once again, Vintaj patina to the rescue (onyx). 

As I was photographing these earrings on my front porch, I noticed the same colors in the flower pots sitting on my potting bench. I love the warm and cheerful color palette here. So summer!

TWO TO TANGO

Again, echoing the partnership of the dance with one person in a firm stance (the tin) and the other swaying and spiraling around (the chained briolette), this next pair of earrings continues the play with color. The movement of the pattern on this tin caught my eye, as it resembles the movement of the dance. I love that the reverse side of the tin was lime-colored; it influenced my bead choice instantly. I suffered for my art on this pair, cutting my finger while filing the edges of the tin. (Filing is one of my least favorite jewelry-making tasks.)

I just had to keep playing with that tin, and this bracelet crashed the earring party. 

CALYPSO

No big story on this last pair. Just playing around with wild colors. Indonesian glass, spiny oyster, riveted deerskin leather, patinated copper washers, copper wire, and waxed linen. 

NOT JUST JEWELRY

This color palette leaked into places other than just jewelry. The rusted metal garden art that has been languishing unnoticed in my yard just received an update. Once the cans of spray paint were in my hands, nothing was safe from the nozzle. My husband had to stop me from searching for more metal things to spruce up. (Honey, what would you think of a mint-colored BBQ grill with coral handles and periwinkle legs?)

During recent trips to local plant sales and nurseries, I just couldn't resist the explosion of colorful blooming flowers. I think I am becoming the "crazy plant lady" of our neighborhood. 

Thank you, Erin, for yet another fabulous earring inspiration. Let's see what other artists created by visiting the Earrings Everyday Reveal post.