Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Combination of my Stars and the Rings

I started out making another Czech crystal ring yesterday and spent heaps of time on this creation. Certainly not what I set out to achieve. It never ceases to amaze me how some designs take on a life of their own.

I reckon there is sacred geometry in this. I will have to research it and see if their is any larger meaning. I already know the six sided star is the old testament male and female symbols for God as well as being the Jewish Star of David.

This shape reminds me of a talisman I once remember seeing. Spookie!!!   

It is quite a large piece so I am not sure if it is wearable. Maybe I will have it framed and call it "Beaded Art". 
This would look good with a coloured background to enhance the piece. There are heaps of Dorado Swarovski crystals that unfortunately cannot be seen in this image. They are placed around the edges of the star. 

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Czech Crystal Rings on Suede


Here is a woven ring of Czech crystals hung on suede leather. Once again the wearer has more choice with each side being slightly different to the other. I like to create jewellery with multi choice. The length of the necklace is adjustable by pulling the suede and the slide at the back holds the desired length. 


I am getting these ready for  the Art Show at King's School, Parramatta, NSW. 
I am having my first attempt at showing my designs

Friday August 26th, 6pm to 11pm, 
Saturday August 27th, 10am to 5pm and 
Sunday August 28th, 10am to 4pm.

I hope all goes well and I would really like to see some friendly, familiar faces at the show.
Come along and say hello and check out my latest work.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

I need a name


I again woke early this morning - 2:15am - and laid in bed awhile working out how to do this design. I got out of bed at 3:00am and started. 
It isn't exactly how I imagined it but woohoo!! I am more than happy with this one. 
There are heaps of colours through this piece, purple, pink, teal, old gold, champagne, olive, navy and gold. This image isn't showing all the colours very well. 
When I create a piece of jewellery I generally get a name in my mind but this morning no name came through. 
You are seeing only one side of the pendant, the other side is slightly different. It was quite a challenge keeping the pendant from bowing so it can be worn either side.
I am pleased with the bale I wove off the pendant, making it easy for the spiral weave necklace to be threaded through or placed onto a gold chain.

Now what shall I christen this piece of art ?? Any suggestions welcome.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Virginia's Earrings

 
I have a friend named Virginia who is tall with a long neck - much like Audrey Hepburn's neck. 

She doesn't like many earrings other than long drops, so here is a design I have created especially for Virginia.


The earring measures 65mm from the earhook to the bottom of the drop. Not too short, not too long. 

Hopefully these will be received with much joy and excitement. 

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Azzura


Here is "Azzura" - a necklace I started quite awhile ago and ran out of the main bead. Receiving them from the States yesterday I couldn't wait to see the finished design. It took me another four hours work, this morning, and I am very happy with this piece.

Swarovski montees and indicolite blue crystals with bronze Czech fire polished beads and copper magatamas. I really like the necklace weave off the main feature design, so much so I am going to use this weave and have a go at a bracelet design. Stay tuned.

The colours in this necklace are different to yesterday's post. Like I said blue and copper are one of my favourite colour mixes. Dark blue or Sky blue - both work well.

Azzura means "sky blue" so I think the name appropriate and it helps me to remember the designs.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Francesca

Here is a necklace I have been working on over the last two mornings. 
Yesterday I made the pendant and this morning I designed how the necklace could be woven off from the pendant. I am very happy with how they have come together after a few trials.
 I find I remember a design when I give it a name. Nothing is worse than a student saying "you know that necklace you made with copper and blue beads, the one with the blue crystals.....?????"
I have probably made 3-4 necklaces with this colour combination, it is one of my favourite colour mixes.

So this necklace I've named 'Francesca'.

The pendant is slightly different each side. One side has 6 Swarovski sapphire crystals in the centre (left) and the other side has a different weave with Chinese Crystal rondelles in the centre (right).

The necklace can be worn either side as both sparkle beautifully. I am thinking I may make this November's workshop. What do you think???

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

My Stars

My Stars indeed!!  
More experimentation and I came up with this one this morning. Another star but nine point this time. 
The colours were not what I set out to do but evolved as I went along and I am more than happy with the result. All I need now is a bale for hanging.
The nine-pointed star symbolizes the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in the Epistle to the Galatians.
This star is sometimes shown with the Latin initials for each of the fruits (charitas, gaudium, pax, longanimitas, benignitas, bonitus, fides, mansuetudo and continentia) placed within the points.
The nine-pointed star is also the symbol of the Baha'i Faith.

Friday, August 5, 2011

The Cross


Here is the morning's play. I woke especially early this morning and spent five hours making this necklace. I am more than happy with the necklace part - something I have been experimenting with for awhile - and I can see lots of potential in this.

I have a penchant for crosses.
This one is lightly embellished as I wanted to show the pattern of the beads. I have also done a couple of heavily embellished ones using lots of colour and montees. Not for public showing just yet.

As I was creating this I imagined in days of old a Dowager Duchess wearing such a statement piece. Maybe I've been watching too many old films!! I could also see this on a woman with a black cocktail dress. Then again maybe a Goth would identify with this also.
It certainly is a statement piece - isn't that why women wear jewellery?

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Victoria's Boudoir earrings

Here is my take on Marcia deCoster's earring design called "Victoria's Earrings".
I have contacted Marcia and have her permission to publish my version and for this I am truly grateful. 
The earrings give the impression of a layer of lace on top of lace. The colour palette is reminiscent of sexy boudoir lingerie and I think any woman would feel fantastic wearing these in her black lace teddy. 
Then again the Flamenco dancers out there would also have fun with these as well.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Rosette

Rosette - a new experiment that worked.

Sitting and playing with right angle weave I created a donut shape screaming to be embellished. Drops, montees, crystals, Czech fire polished beads and seeds all come together to  manifest into this beautiful piece.

How to hang it ?? After sitting and admiring my creation for a couple of days the only thing I felt that would enhance it was ribbon. Not something I would normally use but having threaded the ribbon through the work I am more than happy with the result.

Having had a holiday recently and returning to beading I find I am creating all new and original pieces. Pieces even I am impressed with.

Your comments most welcome.