COMMUNICATION August Week 4 CONCEPTS Theme SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

To read more about our challenges and/or to get in on the action, click here.

Click on any photo to see a larger image.

Our theme for August is “CONCEPTS” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “COMMUNICATION”. Anything that gives the impression of communication. Reading, telephones, storytelling, Braille, sign-language, speaking, writing, symbols, body language, signs, etc. 

Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
I chose to do a bead embroidery bracelet that I made into a watch. To me a watch can be a form of communication, conveying time. 

Sherri Jones of SenoJ Designs
The Traffic Light communicates with us twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, without saying a word. I enjoy making conversational pieces and this one doesn't fall short. 

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
I chose to design with symbols that may communicate mixed messages depending on the culture, age, experiences, etc. of the person viewing them. Even colors communicate meanings. 

Mary E. Mallia of Jewels for Scheherazade 

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
For my communication piece, I decided to go way back to one of the earlier forms of communication… petroglyphs. I designed and created these double-sided earrings by firing layers of enamel onto copper disks and implementing the sgraffito technique. 

Check the previous blog posts to see all the weekly challenge designs to date. And keep an eye out for the upcoming challenges.

September’s themes and deadlines: Fairy Tales
Sept 1: Sleeping Beauty
Sept 8: Little Red Riding Hood
Sept 15: Rumpelstiltskin
Sept 22: Beauty and the Beast
Sept 29: Rapunzel

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

And/or read the original blog post about the challenges here.

Announcing the Winner for Exotic Locations Theme Jewelry Designs (June 2014)

I’d like to thank everyone who participated in June 2014 SRAJD challenges. The results for the Exotic Locations themed challenges can be seen here:

Kyoto Japan
Deadvlei Namibia
Antelope Canyon, USA
Angkor Wat Cambodia
Marble Caves of Chile
Overall Exotic Locations, not specific to any of the weekly challenges

The administrative staff at SRAJD selected one overall winner for June. This person’s designs were chosen as best exemplifying the challenge themes.

Congratulations Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane!

These were Jo’s entries for the weekly challenges: 

Kyoto Japan

Deadvlei Namibia

 

Antelope Canyon USA

Angkor Wat Cambodia

  Marble Caves of Chile

Overall

We thought it would be nice to get to know a little bit more about Jo so I asked her some questions…

What prompts you to embrace SRAJD contests?
I really enjoy the contests because they challenge me to do new things and give me new ideas which in turn gives new and interesting ways to use in my everyday designs. It is also a good way to see what everyone else’s interpretations are and to get your work out there to be seen.

How did you learn your craft?

I am self taught. I have always been interested in creating and making things beautiful. A few years ago I saw a magazine on jewelry and decided that’s what I wanted to do next, and just got right to it!

What do you think is the most interesting thing about your creative expression?

What’s interesting to me is that I continually surprise myself! One idea just rolls into another and sometimes it just creates an avalanche! I’ve found I really enjoy trying to express my ideas or tell a story with my jewelry.

What themes do you pursue?

I seem to have fallen in love with bead embroidery. It’s a really good way to express and tell your story about whatever it is you're trying to convey. I really like anything that includes beads!

Did you always want to be a jewelry artist?

I have only been making jewelry for about 7 years. I tell everyone that I wish I had discovered this 20 years ago! I enjoy creating and if they happen to be beautiful, that’s even better! I do seem to enjoy this more than anything else I have done before.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a self-representing artist?

I guess the biggest challenge is trying to get more hours in a day so I can bead longer! Also getting my work out for other people to see. SRAJD has been a great way to get exposure and lots of fun. It has been great to belong to a community with other jewelry designers who have some of the same challenges and problems that I have encountered, and have found ways to solve them, Self-advertising has never been a strong point for me and this has made it easier and I am continuing to learn more all the time and that is a good thing.

What role does the artist have in society?

I think art and jewelry are the beautiful things in life and bring people much joy and happiness. We need them to create a balance to combat the ugly things going on in life. There are so many talented people and let’s face it, some are just downright beautiful to look at and wear!

How has your art changed over time?

I use to do stained glass and loved the soldering part the best. I saw a magazine in wire working and knew I just had to do that. I loved working with the wire and manipulating it into designs. I wanted to get into metal work, but my hands thought it best if I starting working with softer things! So I switched to beadwork and I have never looked back. I enjoy bead embroidery the very best and I am looking forward to learning new things and techniques.

What does the future hold for you?

I hope tons of beads, new techniques and lots of new ideas! I hope to be doing this for a long time, as long as I am able. I love being creative and working with creative people. I also hope to be successful, although there are many ways to interpret ‘success’.
Jo, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. It’s an immense pleasure seeing your work and getting to know you better!

See more of Jo’s fabulous jewelry here: http://www.jewelrybyjolane.com/ 
 

Announcing the Winner for Greek Gods and Goddesses Theme Jewelry Designs (May 2014)

I’d like to thank everyone who participated in May 2014 SRAJD challenges. The results for the Greek Gods and Goddesses themed challenges can be seen here:

Apollo
Artemis
Dionysus
Chronos
Overall Greek gods and goddesses, not specific to any of the weekly challenges

The administrative staff at SRAJD selected one overall winner for May. This person’s designs were chosen as best exemplifying the challenge themes.

Congratulations Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard!

These were Tammy's entries for the weekly challenges: 

 Apollo

Artemis

Dionysus

Chronos

 

Overall

 

 

We thought it would be nice to get to know a little bit more about Tammy so I asked her some questions…

What prompts you to embrace the SRAJD jewelry-making challenges?

I was initially drawn in by the fun themes. I keep coming back because they inspire me. When I joined SRAJD earlier this year it was with the intent of becoming part of the community, not just grabbing my membership badge and running back to my quiet corner. These challenges are a fun way to be engaged with my fellow jewelry artists, while pushing my own creative boundaries.

How did you learn your craft?

I am mostly self-taught. I took a class on how to select and use pliers and make loops. I also took a “polymer clay 101” although at the time I had no intention of making my own beads or components with that medium. The rest is trial and error. I collect technique books, even though I’m terrible at interpreting pictorial directions. Even with instructions in front of me it’s a lot of trial and error. I’m still learning and hope I always will be.

What do you think is the most interesting thing about your creative expression?

I think people might be surprised to know I am a scientist by training, and very analytical by nature. Scientists are sometimes placed at the opposite end of a creative spectrum from artists. And yet, there’s a lot of creative outside-the-box thinking required in making significant scientific progress. I feel driven to create, whether it’s jewelry designs, period costumes, and gourmet cupcakes, or technical papers that synthesize and analyze data and information.

What themes do you pursue?

On purpose? None. There is so much inspiration all around and so many things I want to try. Some might say I haven’t found my creative voice. Maybe I have and it speaks with many tongues. In looking at my work, themes do emerge. Because I go through phases or periods of different inspiration or obsession. A recurring theme is what I suppose some might label “southwestern boho” although that label was never in my head when I created those pieces. I grew up in the southwestern U.S. and images of the art and culture from that region permeate my subconscious. You could probably put some of my more recent designs into a “vintage-inspired” or “steampunk” bin based on my use of brass and mixed-metal components. I don’t know if it’s a theme per se, but I am working on asymmetry lately. It’s a personal challenge to create a non-repeating pattern that has balance and flows and isn’t just lopsided design.

Did you always want to be a jewelry artist?

I did not. I wanted to be a veterinarian from the time I was old enough to answer the “what do you want to be when you grow up?” question until I started college. I discovered jewelry design as a creative outlet much later. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn on my journey as a jewelry artist.

What are the biggest challenges that you face as a self-representing jewelry artist?
The biggest challenge, at least today, is having to know all and be all. When you’re self-representing it isn’t just about designing jewelry, which I love. It’s about knowing how to take good product photos, which includes learning how to use lighting, props, and photo-editing software. It’s about knowing how to price your pieces so you don’t undervalue your time or your creative process yet remain competitive. It’s about knowing at least a little computer programming and graphic design to maintain a website. Knowing how to use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and other social media to market your creations. Knowing what SEO stands for and how to use it. How to do your taxes. What kind of liability insurance you should have. And so much more. It’s about not having enough time to do what you love - the creating part - because there’s only you to do all that other stuff. Even so, it’s worth it because I don’t have to interact with my customers through a middleman. Being able to provide 100% personalized interactions is what handmade and artisan are all about for me.

What role does the artist have in society?

I saw this brilliant bumper sticker that reads “Earth without art is just eh.” I think that pretty well sums it up. Art tells our story as individuals, a society, a culture, and a species like no historical treatise or scholarly tome could. We are driven to create it. We admire and cherish it. We collect, preserve, restore and imitate it. Even as we debate how to define it, we are inspired and enriched by it. Art speaks for us when we have no words. Art endures.

How has your art changed over time?

I hope it’s getting better, not just technically, but creatively. These challenges have helped me embrace new techniques which I am striving to perfect. More importantly, they’ve helped me think more creatively and more critically about my designs. When I complete a piece and am pleased with how it looks, I don’t just move on to the next piece. I try to deconstruct what it is I like about it and why I think it “works” as a design. I don’t want to be known for perfect technique unless it’s as the foundation to great design. Again, it’s a journey I am on and may be for some time to come.

What does the future hold for you?

I will continue embracing design challenges like the ones here, trying new techniques, failing and trying again. I’d love to get some formal training, especially in composition. It doesn’t have to be specific to jewelry. The theories of good composition are universal. A little “drawing 101” so I can create better sketches and get more ideas out of my head even when I don’t have time to assemble the design. Some day, when I have the right space, I’d like to try making my own ceramic, lampwork, and metal clay components. Maybe metal-smithing and stone cutting. I don’t have a vision of where I’m going, I just know I want to keep learning and growing.

Tammy, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. It’s an immense pleasure seeing your work and getting to know you better!
See more of Tammy's fabulous jewelry here: http://www.paisleylizard.com

 

OPPOSITES August Week 3 CONCEPTS Theme SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

To read more about our challenges and/or to get in on the action, click here.

Click on any photo to see a larger image.

Our theme for August is “CONCEPTS” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “OPPOSITES”.

Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
I decided to do opposites with the traditional black and white.

Sherri Jones of SenoJ Designs
It's as simple as Black & White. When combined they make "RED." Created with Black Onyx, White Agate and adorned with a Lampwork Pendant.

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
I combined white faceted round Czech glass beads with smooth jet black pointed oval glass beads for this "opposites" choker-style necklace. The coordinating earrings are stacks of alternating black and white Czech glass round beads in graduated sizes.

Laura Harrison Bosch of Multibeadia Designs
Opposites #1 - Maybe this is more contrast than opposite. I just got these 2-color Opalite rectangle beads at a show this weekend, pinky gold & milky blue. I mixed them with round Opalite & Blue Quartz Nugget Rondelles. I just really like the colors together.

Laura Harrison Bosch of Multibeadia Designs
Opposites #2 - Another donut creation! White & Black Zebra Jasper strung on leather with large hole Freshwater Pearls. Then I attached two separate chains - one black & white and the other black fire polished Czech beads. Even though I think black/white is so obvious it's not something I do, I think it's only the 2nd black & white piece of jewelry I've ever made.

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Candy Cane" & "Peppermint" nuno felted wool cuffs. "Candy Cane" (left) white on red -a recycled red mesh produce bag, felted with natural ivory Wensleydale wool locks. "Peppermint" (right) red on white - an upcycled blouse sleeve, of sheer crinkled silk chiffon in creamy ivory, nuno felted with rich Chinese red wool. Each cuff has 3 coordinating covered buttons in red with white lace.

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Ebony & Ivory" earrings with ceramic art beads by scorched earth. "Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord, why don't we?" - Paul McCartney 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZtiJN6yiik

  Check the previous blog posts to see all the weekly challenge designs to date. And keep an eye out for the upcoming challenges.

August’s themes and deadlines: Concepts
August 4th Kintsugi
August 11th Recycling
August 18th Opposites
August 25th Communication 

 
September’s themes and deadlines: Fairy Tales
Sept 1: Sleeping Beauty
Sept 8: Little Red Riding Hood
Sept 15: Rumpelstiltskin
Sept 22: Beauty and the Beast
Sept 29: Rapunzel
 
Click here to see our blog post with visual inspiration for the August weekly challenges.

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

And/or read the original blog post about the challenges here.

RECYCLING August Week 2 CONCEPTS Theme SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

To read more about our challenges and/or to get in on the action, click here.

Click on any photo to see a larger image.

Our theme for August is “CONCEPTS” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “RECYCLING”.

Sherri Jones of SenoJ Designs
My first thought was what can I do with dominoes. Well, this is what I came up with. I double drilled about twenty dominoes before I got it right. Here is my finished product a stretchable Dominoe Bracelet with small wooden spacers in between.

Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
I was given this very old shoe decoration to fix and I decided to use it for the recycling challenge. So I did a bead embroidery bracelet with a recycled shoe ornament.

Linda Knight of Knightsparkle Jewelry
I was taken by the beauty of this vintage Victorian belt buckle and chose to create an uncluttered design that would allow the piece to conjure images of its elegant past.

Jamie Thompson of SUMERTHYME
It was great when I realized "recycle" was a challenge! I had salvaged an old copper bracelet to make this suite. I love copper and especially with turquoise! I think this worked up well!

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
I placed images cut from pages of a catalog inside bottle caps and sealed with resin to make these earrings.

Kerry Collett of CeltCraft Designs
This is an empty wine bottle slumped into a mold that turns it into a candle holder. 

Kim Forrer of Kim Forrer Designs
I found this old belt at a barn sale for a quarter. It had a big stain on it but the leather is really soft and flexible so I cut off the bad part, added some rivets and a snap and turned it into a cuff.

Caroline de Rijke of CaroBijoux
I had lots of ideas for this theme but this one is totally recycled! The three ornaments I used for this necklace, were thrown away by someone....I found bits and pieces, so I don't know what it was in its origin. The materials are metal/silver and I like the texture very much!

Susan Estrada of cserpent Designs
My hubby started doing target practice and brought back a big bucket of bullet shells. I saw some cool (and sparkly!) rhinestone chain in brass and decided to see what jewelry design I could make with bullet shells. This one happens to be a 9mm Luger shell. I drilled a hole in the top of each shell, added the rhinestone chain and some vintage Swarovski turquoise opal rhinestones that I set in brass and topped it off with angelite.

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
For my first recycled piece, I took pennies (who uses pennies anymore?!) and torch enameled some basic geometric designs in bold colors. I then linked them to an old bit of chain I found while out walking one day.

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry 
For my second recycled design, I revisited my entry for a previous challenge but decided to expand the color palette this time. These are all vintage Bingo game chips. I punched holes in them then added sterling jumprings and earwires. Super fun, super lightweight, and super recycled.

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
For my final recycled pieces, I decided to go with something near and dear to my heart. I personally stopped wearing a watch about 20 years ago. These are some of my old watches that I’ve taken the mechanics out of (to use in other recycled projects). I’ve filled the old watch works with important messages about time. The first one is a Gandhi quote (There is more to life than increasing its speed), the middle one is a Jane Austen quote (I cannot be dictated to by a watch), and the third one is an affirmation (Time is elastic to my needs). 

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"The Shape of My Heart" - two large battered Baroque Pearls have been fastened together into a sutured heart. Now mended, it must be treated with care. Pages from an encyclopedia, tout "How To" instructions, such as "Grace", "Guard", and "Growth", wrapped around empty thread spools. A collection of vintage mother of pearl buttons, from my grandmother's button jar, were used as links, as well as part of the clasp. The figure 8 links were made of annealed steal wire scraps from a hatstand project, hence the irregular sizes. A vintage key, wire wrapped with peacock luster fresh water pearls becomes part of the chain. Lots of sari silk snippets are worked in for texture. The back is finished off with a section of metallic rick-rack ribbon. A couple of Raku art beads by Star Spirit Studio, Tiaria glass Crystals from ZnetShows.com, and filligree pewter cage beads, have been thrown into the mix for a little sparkle, but this project consists mainly of recycled parts.  Theme music "The Shape of my Heart" by Noah and the Whale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Q2b2uTlHY

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Off The Cuff" - an accordion form-folded piece of aluminum, a scrap from another failed project, became the base form of this cuff bracelet. Wrapped in recycled sari silk ribbon. The worn cuff of my favorite blue jeans, chopped and fasted strategically. a bit of bright blue wool peeks through A star-burst bobby pin with Labradorite like center becomes a focal. Wire wrapped with Amazonite, and African Silverleaf gemstones and fresh water pearls, for a little bit of bling. 

Check the previous blog posts to see all the weekly challenge designs to date. And keep an eye out for the upcoming challenges.

August’s themes and deadlines: Concepts
August 4th Kintsugi
August 11th Recycling
August 18th Opposites
August 25th Communication

September’s themes and deadlines: Fairy Tales
Sept 1: Sleeping Beauty
Sept 8: Little Red Riding Hood
Sept 15: Rumpelstiltskin
Sept 22: Beauty and the Beast
Sept 29: Rapunzel 

Click here to see our blog post with visual inspiration for the August weekly challenges.

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

And/or read the original blog post about the challenges here.