Saturday, October 3, 2015

We're All Ears :: October Reveal

This month's inspiration is fashion, specifically the Fall 2015 collection by designer Monique Lhuillier. The challenge was to select one of these looks and create a pair of earrings to accessorize it. 

I don't really follow fashion. Though I enjoy watching Project Runway, I rarely am blown away by the clothes that walk the runway. The unconventional challenges intrigue me because of the challenges they present and the creative process involved. The bottom line is that fashion doesn't really interest me that much, especially now that I am retired and living in practical clothes (jeans, fleece, and hoodies). 

This challenge involves choosing one dress to accessorize. Something about this particular dress drew me in. I don't particularly like it; I guess it just so desperately begged for some earrings, that I had to oblige. 


Black, purple, and pink. Interesting colors. To counteract the whole high-fashion thing, I wanted to create something long and dramatic but also funky with a vintage vibe. I cut some discs from recycled tin and embossed them using a floral pattern to echo the pattern on the skirt of the dress. After covering the entire area with black Vintaj patina and meticulously painting the raised areas of the floral pattern in amethyst, opalite, and agate, it just looked too neat and tidy. Wanting more of a grungy flavor, I scruffed them up with some sandpaper. Better. More vintagy. Punch a hole. Good to go.

That dress needed hoops, so I made some out of 19 gague steel wire, forged them, and sealed them with Rennaisance wax. To finish, I added the painted discs and some crazy-lace, steel-wrapped gunmetal earwires. (Note to self: wrapping 26 gague steel wire around those earwires was a nightmare. Steel is a bugger to manipulate in tiny spaces for fine, detailed work.)


They look slightly different on another background.


I wish I knew a way to Photoshop my earrings into the photo with the dress. This is the best way I can think to accomplish that. 


Making these earrings jolted me out of a pretty serious creative slump. Usually, I make several pairs of earrings for these challenges; this time I was fortunate to accomplish one pair.  I've spent a lot of time lately sitting in my studio, staring at walls at a loss for ideas. Thank, Erin, for the jumpstart

To see earrings created by other talented artists for this challenge, CLICK HERE


25 comments:

  1. They go so beautifully with the dress, such a lovely design!

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  2. The pattern you created on the disks and the perfect grungy touch work perfectly with the textile. The long pear shaped hoops work well with the volume of the dress. I have been in that same slump but it is due more to too many ideas and not enough time to do them that has me doing nothing! Glad I could help nudge your creative floodgates open a bit. Check back on November 6th for the next inspiration. Enjoy the day! Erin

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    1. Thank you, Erin! Spoken like the true designer that you are. Your inspirations are always spot on.

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  3. I luv the textured patterned look of the earrings. They match the dress beautifuly.

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  4. beautiful earrings. I love the embossed charms.

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    1. Thanks, Alice. I do love playing with embossing and paint.

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  5. Yes, it's my instinct to 'grunge' things up too, I don't like the sophistacted look either! I think you did a great job and I would definitely wear these earrings, they are sassy with attitude and just perfect to tone down the dress...xx

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    1. Grunge is good! I love the idea of toning DOWN the dress. I guess that is why I don't love high fashion stuff. I'd rather have plain clothes and tone them UP with jewelry. Guess that's why I am not a fashion designer! :)

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  6. Great job...I too had a time with this challenge..I didn't get to post as the days just slipped by to fast, but I love your earrings. I can so see the model wearing them! Me too for that fact!

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    1. Thank you, Veralynne. I can relate to how those days slip by. I barely made the deadline this time.,

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  7. Very cool way to alter the tin, I love the hoops you created too.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I was in a hoopy mood for this one. The steel was a challenge to use, though. I learned something this time.

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  8. How perfect are these! Oh my goodness.

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  9. Your earrings look beautiful!

    Greetings, Sofie #4
    http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/

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  10. The way you used the tin was inspiring. I like the way you made it your own.
    Mona

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  11. I think you did a fantastic job! I really like the wire work that you did along with the discs. Everything went together beautifully!

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    1. Thanks, Katherine. Steel wire is a challenge, but I finally made it work.

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  12. The pattern on the disk perfectly captures the pattern on the dress. And, I love the shape of the steel wire.

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    1. Thank you, Terry. I was afraid these were a little too matchy - matchy with the dress. I have a tendency to do that too often. It was interesting to see the ideas shared by others.

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