Smoke and Cognac
The Smoke and Cognac necklace taught me two things.
Thing #1:
When I was brand new to beading, I bought a baggie full of wooden beads in assorted shapes and sizes at a local bead store. Included in the baggie were some giant, clunky wooden tubes that, in my opinion, were totally void of any meaningful aesthetic value. I imagined a necklace made of the long tubes strung together, like some mutant macaroni necklace made by a class for the partially sighted and spacially impaired. I hated them. Beads poised dramatically over the trash can, I hesitated, then reconsidered. What could it hurt to save these crappy tubes? Just. In. Case.
Flash forward several years.
I am working on a geometric design with connected components. I need a cross-piece to anchor the focal elements. Something large and substantial. Something organic. And there they were. Exactly what I needed.
Lesson learned: Do not throw out beads, even though you think they are totally hideous and you are positive you will never use them.
Thing #2
See matte black agate stone donuts on web. Get big idea. Purchase immediately.
Run to mailbox several times a day until package arrives, then rip it open like a 5 year old on Christmas morning. Feel heart sink as you discover the agate is NOT solid black as pictured, but stripy brown, tan and cream. Throw beads aside in disgust.
Flash forward to afore mentioned project.
I need a visually interesting focal element. Something with multiple colors and some pattern. Something I can connect to other stuff. And there they were. Exactly what I needed.
Lesson learned: Beads that are not what you hoped for are not necessarily a bad thing.
Mixed Metaphor
The Mixed Metaphor necklace is an artistic
statement on world peace. Strong individual beads of different colors,
sizes, and materials, each with their own unique personality, living in
harmony together in one unified necklace.
OK, that is totally a
lie. I just made that up in my head five seconds ago. But you bought it,
didn’t you!? Admit it. You were ready to symbolically join hands with
jewelry designers around the globe and sing a collective chorus of
“Kumbaya.” The truth is much less dramatic. I wanted to create a very simple strung piece with multiple large beads and focal elements. Something that was interesting to look at from every perspective, and would be fun to wear without being over the top. But if you would rather go for the “world peace” thing, be my guest. |
To see more of Erin’s work, go to www.studioEgraphics.com and www.studioEgallery.etsy.com.
Meet the Stringing Blog Carnival Designers |
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1. Kristy Abner 2. Kelly Angeley 3. Marianne Baxter 4. Ruby Bayan 5. Carrie Beckwith 6. Melanie Brooks 7. Gaea Cannaday 8. Lorelei Eurto 9. Amy Haftkowycz 10. Beth Hemmila 11. Tari Kahrs 12. Stephanie LaRosa |
13. Michelle Mach 14. Denise Yezbak Moore 15. Kelly Morgan 16. Sharon Palac 17. Anne Perry 18. Lisa Petrillo 19. Erin Prais-Hintz 20. Molly Schaller 21. Erin Strother - YOU ARE HERE 22. Heather Trudeau 23. Jennifer Judd Velasquez 24. Jennifer Zeiger |
Please leave a comment by August 23, 2010 to enter the giveaway. Official Rules.