I am rather late to blogging today. Hmm... I wonder if it will become a habit, LOL? I usually have my posts written first thing in the morning, but these days, there is so much to do. Today is was a few estate sales that had me out the door the moment the kids were on the bus. My finds, though, I will save to share on a different day.
Once I got home from my thrifting, I went straight down to the studio to work on the design I mentioned yesterday. Unlike yesterday's necklace that took about 30mins to make, this one I spent the past 2 hours on. And it went through several revisions in that time.
My original idea that spurred the dozens of black and white cupped discs was a variation on a lariat. I have this design for a "loop" at the end of length of chain that is kinda like a sleek oval and a disc hanging on the other end of the chain would slip through the oval. Wonderful in theory, and still going to be worked on, but ended up not really working the way I thought it would. SO, I rearranged the beads, and in a second idea hide the clasp in the front behind one giant POPPIN' turquoise disc. Again, cool, and I liked it, but still not quite right.
Finally, I settled here. With a graduating cluster of discs that dance on gunmetal black chain with a simple sterling clasp in the back. Each one of those blue bubbles are handmade sterling silver glass headpins by yours truly. I am so happy with how they turned out!! Some of the discs are attached with sterling swirls and some with these headpins, I think it is a fun mix.
Now the name... "Departing Arrival". I wanted a name that was a bit of an oxymoron. Opposite things together. Kinda, yin and yang-ish. You know, playing off the black and white thing... this just popped in my head when I started downloading the photos. I think it fits it perfectly!!
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13 comments:
That design rocks! I love the pop of color. You could mix it up with a rainbow of colored head pins! I like this very much, and I appreciate all the revisions in your creative play process. Enjoy the day! Erin
Oh, I love it and the colors too.
this is so awesome! i love everything about it! the black/white with touch of very creative color... you must feel so great... the headpins are so cool... boy this could really go somewhere!
I love it! Nice job!
Love it, love it, love it! Your time and effort really paid off here! I like how the little bit of blue pops out on some of the beads (love that style of beads by the way).
Kerry - this is spectacular! I really love it and love the pops off turquoise headpins.
Hey Kerry
This is one of my new FAVORITES!! Love everything about it...the domed discs, the color, the way they cluster, your new headpins!! It's just gorgeous. Is it going to Joolz or are you saving it for your next show? Tried to call ya today but ran out of time. So much to talk about!! Hope the estate sale was fun...sounds like my dream day!
From your descriptions this one is THE perfect design for these beads. And the glass headpins are just the final touch. Luv how it drapes on your neck. Another 5 star!
Fabulous colors AND necklace design. So clever.
Love it...love it ...love it!
I like the bits of turquoise a lot!
glass headpins? Is that a carefully guarded trade secret, or something you might be willing to share with us? (beg, plead!)
Thanks everyone.
Glass head pins are easy. Pre cut a bunch of pieces of sterling silver wire to 3in lengths. Heat the tip of a rod of glass to molten and at the same time, hold the sterling wire with pliers in the flame. Careful not to over heat the sterling and make it ball up. Insert hot wire into hot glass rod and pull out, then shape that blob on the wire into a nice ball. Put it in the kiln and anneal as you would beads. Then, they will need to soak in a pickle bath to remove the fire scale on the sterling wire. Once out of the pickle, polish bright and shiny. You do have to be a bit gentle with the wire when working it. Heating it can make it a bit brittle and it might snap on ya.
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