Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Making of "Whirl"




On your left is a picture of my design "Whirl" 
currently in the gallery section of 
Marcia DeCoster's newly released book "Beads in Motion."
There are some really fun, interesting and beautiful things to create and because they move "play" with.

The theme behind Marcia's book is some part of the jewellery has to have an element of movement i.e.
spin, sway, swing or slide.

Below is the story of how this came about.




Back in March 2012, I was experimenting and created this little pendant that gave an impression of movement as it looked like it spins.

I called the pendant "Whirl" and posted a picture on Facebook. 
Marcia commented on my post asking me - Does it spin?

I was then invited by Marcia to submit a design/s for her upcoming book "Beads in Motion"

Taking what I had learnt from my first creation I made another and improved the overall look and set it on a herringbone rope.

Facebook pictures were posted and again Marcia asked
Does it spin?

My reply then was "No, but I am working on it"



Here is me "working" on the design.

If I was going to be in a book I wanted to stand out. 

I did more to the centre of the bezel and chose a brighter, more colourful palette - hot pink Matsuno seeds, bright orange czech druk beads and size 15 matt lime centre bezel.


I made a test piece and hung it from a herringbone rope (on the right) and developed the section that was going to allow this design to spin.


I made a large delica/seed bead combination triangle (on the left) with an opening in the middle of the triangle.

I created a size 15 peyote "tube" from the back of the bezelled centrepiece which fitted through the opening in the triangle. making sure it sat neatly, firmly and still able to spin.

I then increased on the tube taking it out wide so it would not fit back through the triangle opening and would still allow the spin. 
From there I created the combination Czech AB yellow gold netting with faceted green delica cross joints. 
It looks yellowish but the sheen of green comes into play when you move in the light.

I am writing this as I received my copy of Marcia's book yesterday and I can tell you 
I am thrilled to the max that little old me has created something that is printed in a REAL LIVE 
book for the world to see, not just for now, but for years to come.

Much, much gratitude to you Marcia DeCoster for your continued support since we met in 2010 
and for asking me to submit my design "Whirl"


22 comments:

  1. E' bellissimo! Complimenti!

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  2. Thank you to show your secret
    LG
    Andrea

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  3. Patrick, I so appreciate the process info - you really did spend significant time -- and TALENT -- in creating your spinning 'Whirl.' Congrats on being included in the book, I know you are just pleased as punch, as well you should be! Have a glass of wine now, and know you have accomplished what very few beaders have done!

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    1. Thank you very much. I was/am really thrilled for the invitation from Marcia, not just for being in a book, but it made me think through a challenge and come up with something that worked. I do enjoy figuring out the engineering of creating a design. Must be the 'boy' in me.

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  4. Wonderful design Patrick. It was visually in motion before the actual reality of movement, IMHO.

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    1. Thank you Marsha, yes I think that was the starter and I made it spin as well. Always enjoy receiving your comments.

      Cheers....Patrick

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  5. Thank you Patrick for sharing your creative process with us. You are fantastic. Your work is phenominal. Esther

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  6. Enhorabuena por tus trabajos publicados. Todos queremos que nos reconozcan nuestros diseños. Es una pieza original y merece estar en un libro

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  7. Lovely design Patrick , and thanks for the detailed process . It was a joy reading it

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  8. It is a spiral galaxy. Beautiful.

    Creating is such an iterative process. I find it comforting to know that beautiful jewelry comes through the process of creation, improvement, creation, etc... until it is just right, at least for the moment.

    Congratulations on your publication.

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  9. I love this design and I love your color in this clever spinner! Congrats!

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  10. It's really fantastic and thank you for the story of this necklace!

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  11. It's a beautiful piece and really embodies the essence of the book. Perfect that I got to include it as it spins brilliantly! and now I know the answer, 'yes, it spins!'

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    1. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment Marcia, and now you know how it was done. Glad you finally got your answer.

      Cheers....Patrick

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  12. WOW getting it to spin... I'm excited. Congratulations Patrick on your sucess, you deserve it. Since meeting you I just can't help myself but wonder... what is Patrick creatively playing with today. You certainly have made your mark now my friend and I'm certain that there will be plenty more to come. You put the effort in, so now you reap the rewards. Once again I'm very happy for You!

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    1. Rachel, thank you very much for visiting and leaving such lovely comments. Much appreciated. Yes, it has taken some time but all worth it. I am still as passionate about beading today as when I started so I seem to be doing something right.
      Cheers....Patrick

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    2. When you experience joy then you know are definately on the right path. Your Welcome My Friend

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  14. Hermoso elegante blog,gracias por compartir tus maravillosas creaciones,eres gran artista...admiro tus bellas obras de arte!!! abrazos de Cali-Colombia con amor

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    1. Muchas gracias por visitar y dejar un comentario. Me alegro de que te guste mi blog.
      Saludos desde Sydney, Australia

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