Designing with Hopes of Spring

This cold weather has really taken a toll on my cheery disposition....lol...  So, I have been focusing on designing around thoughts of spring and warmer weather....happier days!

Recently I had the opportunity to go antiquing.  I love wandering through the antique shops looking at the old tintype pictures, oil paintings, and glassware.  Of course, the vintage/antique jewelry is always the best part!  This time I was in search of brooches or unusual pieces that I could use as a focal in a necklace.  I do not normally alter vintage as I am a purist in that sense.  However, I am making an attempt to light up a little on that ideology. 

While in one of the antique shops I noticed a small glass case and in it were some beautifully detailed ribbon slides from the late 1800s.  I bought a few of them - but I am not 100% sure what I am going to design with them.  I thought perhaps a bracelet, but I am a little concerned they are too delicate for a bracelet focal.  I am leaning towards an assemblage Opera length necklace.   Of all of my finds that day, these are my favorite.  

  

While venturing through the other antique shops I ran across a few more great finds.  One of several pieces I found was a brooch that had a sort of winged animal look to it (sounds kind of strange....lol) however, I thought it had potential and it came with a glass baroque pearl glued in the center, which drew me to the piece in the first place.

In the necklace I designed with the winged animal brooch, I turned the brooch up-side-down, now it resembles an owl, or at least I think it does, and worked from there.  The brooch was made of pot metal and was fading in color so I painted it and added some silver highlights.  I then made a pearl chain in different types and sizes relating to the center pearl of the focal, added a few faceted glass beads as well, and enough chain to make it Opera length.  The bottom drop is made up of a beautiful flower attached to a filigree drop.  The center of the flower is a vintage West German starburst crystal.  I think this piece is really fun. 

I have also been working with some recycled leather pieces I have.  I cut the leather scraps to the sizes I wanted for the bracelets and then added a mix of vintage and new embellishments and rivets.  I particularly love the double wrap stackable ones. 

All of the pieces are at ursyllabs.etsy.com.

Talk to you soon,

Jen

Setting My Sights on Spring

Well, we have survived another wintery blast.  Who expects such a thing in winter?...lol   Newscasters warned of a horrific snow and ice mix with expectations of 10-12" of snow.  Fortunately, we did not meet expectations. 

With subzero temperatures on the horizon once again, I have decided to focus on Spring and the emergence of my spring flowers.  Daydreaming of warm summer days, flowers in bloom, and butterflies. 

There are also many events coming up, such as Bead Soup, which I applied to participate in and heard back a few days ago that I was accepted.  I am very excited about it. 

ArtBeadScene.blogspot.com wrote about some upcoming bead submissions too.  A lot to look forward to. 

I have made a couple new necklaces with a spring/summer theme.  I hope you are inspired to create something great!

Talk to you soon,

Jen

Finding Confidence In Your Work

On occasion I run across people who are not fans of my jewelry designs.   I am never really certain how I should react to people who speak without care.  Some days it really bothers me, especially when sales are slow, most days I take it with a grain of salt.  I love designing jewelry and how I see the world of art and mixing the two to create a unique piece.

Last week I was helping a lady pick out a bracelet.  She commented to her friend how much she loved the bracelet she was looking at.  She tried it on and gazed at it longingly.  Her friend wrinkled up her nose and stated "ya, if you like that kind of fringe stuff - kind of out there jewelry".  She put the bracelet down and they left.  I was a little taken back.  In one of my many thoughts I wanted to tell her - "wait,  you don't understand it's not "fringe" jewelry .....it's..". and then I stopped, not wanting to make a fool of myself or seem desperate for a sale, but mostly because I didn't know what to say.  How do I describe the kind of jewelry I design?

I have decided that over the next few days I'm going to think of several words, phrases, and feelings that describe my designs. I think conveying the idea behind my designs will help me in those situations - if for no other reason than to build confidence in what I am creating.  I think it is one thing to know for what  - and why you are designing your pieces and another thing to be able to express it in written form.  I have also decided to revisit my artist statement.

I think as a designer creator its important to focus on the positive and never take to heart those who say negative things about your designs.

I am enclosing a few new earring designs - I hope you are inspired to create something beautiful!

Talk to you soon,

Jen