Back in April I found out about Artisan Whimseys (AW) 5x5 Test Group. This group is comprised of 5 AW artists who test 5 identical samples from the host for that month. The host for the June issue was going to be Elaine Ray, a sweet and talented ceramic artist. I was chosen as one of the testers and Elaine sent me the following components:
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| Elaine Ray Components for June Bead Chat Magazine 5x5 Test Group |
I started with the leaf headpins, these earrings came to me pretty easily, I love headpins and I LOVE how these came out!!
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| Elaine Ray Leaf Headpin Earrings June 5x5 Beat Chat Magazine |
So, I cut out a strip and wired it in place...voila!
Next up was the dark blue dangle. All the loops had me stumped. I thought about dangling chain or connecting strips of macrame between the loops but nothing seemed to come out the way I saw it in my head. I did end up trying a section of wire macrame inspired by Lesley Watt (see it at the top on either side of the glass art bead)!! Here's what I made:
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| Elaine Ray Component bracelet |
The last piece had me completely stumped! My mind kept going to a "Stop Light" which didn't help. Once I changed my perspective and opened my mind a bit I thought of a planter box or trellis. I made this one into a magnet.
Here's a picture with all of the jewelry pieces I made together
This experience has been so much fun! I loved "meeting" Elaine Ray and working with her components. You really need to check out Bead Chat Magazine now, you can see what the other 4 testers did with these same pieces!
The whole magazine is full of gorgeous Eye Candy and some seriously talented people. I am so happy I got picked for this challenge!
Lovely designs! I especially like that bracelet with the recycled leather. How cool that you used an old glove for the leather. What a fabulous idea!!
ReplyDeleteAh ha! The mystery of the glove solved! Everything is really wonderful - Thanks again, Elaine
ReplyDeleteLovely work, it so interesting how we all came up completely different ideas, I especially like the bracelet
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! I really liked how you thought outside of the box on a couple of the pieces like your magnet.
ReplyDeleteVery creative. I really like the earrings. I have given handmade glass headpins to people as gifts and they always tell me they don't know what to do with them?!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, I love leaves, so the ceramic headpins are my favorite of the art beads -- and your earrings are gorgeous! The beads, the tendrils, beautiful, beautiful. And the bracelet -- way cool. Not just because of upcycled leather, but the shape of the ceramic that you repeated with the shape and richness of the leather and the wire work just comes together into total cool! You magnet is fun! Very creative and your necklace's wire macrame has me heading to check out Leslie's blog too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being published! You created beautiful jewelry with Elaine Ray's work!