Alrighty, this might be it... this might be the day that I have totally fallen off my creative rocker. I can't wait to hear your opinions on the subject.To the right here, you are looking at a design that I haven't been able to get out of my head for about 3 weeks now. It is a pin/broach. It was inspired by a hairband that I saw in the book "Complete Feltmaking". I wish I could show you a picture of the project that was the inspiration because the two don't look like they could possibly be related. The thing I took from the project was the two layers of felt that are built up behind my glass bead.
That disc is HUGE and I know I have said it before about other discs, but truly, this is the biggest disc I have ever made!! It is GIGANTIC! Truly!! The pin itself is about the size of the palm of my hand. It is entirely hand made. The wire you see it 18g sterling silver. I make the latch on the back, then fish it through the felt and bead, make a big loop by feeding the wire back through... then bend it this way and that... make the loop, file the end and ta da... pin. And the 18g is surprisingly strong. It held up great to being pushed through denim.
I know I am jumping all around but... back to the felt. I said this was entirely hand made... and YES, I made the felt. I bought dyed roving (unspun wool) on etsy, pulled it and layered it, made a huge fun mess "hand felting" it and then set it out over night to dry. It is easy to do, just time consuming. I spent about two hours last night making 2 8x12 pieces of felt. One piece is dark purple on one side and light purple on the other. The second piece is dark red on one and burnt orange on the other.
Alrighty, have at it... click that comment button below. Tell me your thoughts on the new design. Are they just too weird? Are they freaking awesome and you have to have one? Are they too old lady? Are they stylish, young and contemporary? An insecure artist mind wants to know!!
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10 comments:
I think they are really groovy, but in all honesty for me to wear one i would perfer the felt circles to be a bit smaller and make the bead the focal point. I dont know if its the colours or the size of the felt but it looks a little lost.
How about different shapes, like flowers ?
But you certainly havent lost it lol !
It's cool Kerri. I like hand felting and some of the 3 dimensional stuff I see. But for jewelry I can't get past the thought of it being itchy. Of course, for a pin that shouldn't matter. I love the bright colors.
Thanks for the feedback.
Nicky, I see what you mean about the bead getting lost. I will see how it looks with smaller felt circles. And my sister said the same thing... flowers! We'll see what I can come up with.
Lori, You would think it would be itchy, but it isn't. It is a very fine soft wool.
I can vouch for them not being itchy Lori, im the proud owner of one of Kerrys cuffs and its sooo soft !
Kerry,
I like them.
I agree with Nicky, flowers would be so hip and cool and groovy.
Rock On.
Kathy
I really think it depends on what is style for your area. If you wear alot of coats or blazers, than nice stand out pins would work well. I think the flowers would be cool.
I think the felt circles take away from the bead. I love the bead and think it might be able to stand alone by itself with a little finishing touch of a wire twist or ribbon accent.
Marcia
Kerry!
I love the colors---you are a wizard with color! I like Nicky's idea---flowers would be cool! Also, the wire pin part is neato! I think you've got something here....Kim
I agree with Nicky on the smaller felt to make the bead stand out. I think your fibula wirework is perfect. Another idea if you don't want wire to show on the front is to do a rivet through the bead (although I'm not sure how I'd connect it to the the fibula). I think it's a great design and a creative combination of media!
Very interesting! I'm so drawn to disc beads but still working on what to do with them (picture dozens upon dozens sitting on my jewelry table!)...I also think the proportion is more emphasizing the felt than the beads though.
Will be interested to see the progression.
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