THX1138 or FUTURISTIC MINIMALIST Style October Week 4 Iconic Eras Theme SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

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

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Our theme for October is “Iconic Eras:Real and Fictional” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “THX1138 or Futuristic Minimalism”.

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
I made a trip to the hardware store for these futuristic earrings. Glass pearls are suspended on silver chain from a toggle bar through the centers of the washers. The toggle and pearl dangle are removable by slipping them through the washer, making these convertible style earrings. 

Pamela Hollis of Pebbles at My Feet
I am usually pretty hung up about everything I do having to have a stone in it. I do make "minimalist" jewelry with stones. For this challenge, however, I decided to keep it simple, sister. A handforged copper circle on a short silver chain with drop earrings that echo the design. No dangling. Elemental. 

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Meet The Jetsons" - Kenetic Copper Coil bracelet. I went retro futuristic to have a little fun with this challenge. Would you believe that "The Jetsons" actually aired for 26 years, from 1962 -1988. It's hard to believe that technologies we take for granted today, like cell phones, face time, flat screen TVs, and touch screen computers, were all mere fantasies just 30 years ago. Inspired by the model of the atom, I incorporated kinetic motion into the design. Ceramic art bead "electrons", by Grubbi, spin freely around the coils when worn. It has a hook and loop clasp, but since it is a spring coil, it will easily slide over the hand as well. 

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
Since my kiln died halfway through my original design, I had to switch gears and came up with these long metal triangle post earrings. 

Jennifer James of Jenni Leigh Creations
Repurposed/upcycled vintage metal square tubes were matched with light pink Swarovski cube crystals. The juxtaposition between cold, hard, industrial metal is countered with something soft, sparkly, feminine. There is minimal material in these earrings and they portray the futuristic machine era with the softer human element with a glimmer of hope and beauty. (footnote: the power women is the wave of the future)

November’s themes and deadlines
Nov 4: Organic
Nov 11: Elegant
Nov 18: Modern
Nov 25: Rustic

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

And/or read the original blog post about the challenges here.
 
Want to join in the fun? Join the SRAJD organization by clicking here. A great group of jewelry artists helping one another.

Announcing the Winner for Iconic Painters Theme Jewelry Designs (July 2014)

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

Pablo Picasso
Piet Mondrian
Leonid Afremov
Henri Rousseau

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

Congratulations Katie Palmer of Sage Hen Designs!

This was Katies’s entry for the Picasso weekly challenge: 

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

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

I feel that the challenges are a fun way to push skills and comfort level. Even though I do not have the time to participate often, I do find myself doing a sketch for the months theme in my idea book. Who knows, someday they may all get made!

How did you learn your craft?

I am self taught in my metal smithing skills. Lots of errors over the years, but each one I messed up on taught me something. (And yes, I am still learning.) This year was going to be my year to learn enameling, but I am still intrigued with loop in loop chain making and polishing my skills. Last year I taught myself to set gemstones, still have a lot to learn with that as time goes on also.

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

I think the evolution of my direction over the last 15 years is interesting. I started out as a lampwork bead maker. But over the years, metals seem to have taken over. My style tends to be rather rustic and casual with using a lot of patinas and stones that I have collected locally.

What themes do you pursue?

I don't think I am really pursing any specific themes. I tend to have a stone that I cut, then start sketching, thinking of its color, shape and any interesting points that could be accentuated. Each item has a life of its own.

Did you always want to be a jewelry artist?

Did I always want to be a jewelry artist? Well, not really! LOL I started out oil painting years ago and thought that would be my goal, but life and my restless mind that sees something and wants to learn how to make that has taken me down many artistic paths over my life. Who knows what I will be making 10 years from now.

What are the biggest challenges that you face as a self-representing jewelry artist?
The hardest think for any artist is to get there name out there and people to see what we are making. Especially with jewelry, it's so hard to stand out and get noticed in such a saturated market. Having a resource like SRAJD is a wonderful community and tool for jewelry artists to use and support.

What role does the artist have in society?

What role does the artist have in society? Boy, that's a tough one. I think items that a person makes by hand, whether is be jewelry, fiber arts or any medium is special. Something that a person can hold, admire and understand that someone’s ideas, dreams and sole has gone into creating an item, it's truly something they can cherish. With so much mass produced, machine made items in our lives, I feel that people will always gravitate towards the unique, handmade item. Sure it's easy to run to the big box store and buy a pair of earrings, but we need to educate, or possibly remind the public on the handmade end of the spectrum, that there are truly unique items that will hold a special place in their lives when purchased.

How has your art changed over time?

Yes my art has changed, and is still evolving and will continue to evolve. I have such an eclectic taste in everything that I don't think I will ever really settle into one style. I need, and crave variety. In a way that may be my Achilles heel, but so be it. At least I will be happy doing what I do.

What does the future hold for you?

I think the next decade will be interesting to see what direction I take. I have been getting interested in making rein chains for horsemen. (buckaroo style gear) Chain making on a larger scale is starting to peak my interest, and incorporating jewelry skills on a larger scale would be a fun push of my skills.

Katie, 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 Katie’s fabulous jewelry by clicking here.

LORD OF THE RINGS or MEDIEVAL ELVEN STYLE October Week 3 Iconic Eras Theme SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

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

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Our theme for October is “Iconic Eras:Real and Fictional” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “Medieval and Elvish style or Lord of the Rings inspired”.

Kay Lancashire of Kay’s Artycles
Constructed out of brass with elements riveted on, including insects and flowers and of course 'jewels' (crystal) The finished piece was aged with a patina and rubbed back. I lined it with black felt to hide the workings. 

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
Elvish-inspired earrings using plain and twisted silver wire to create vine-like tendrils.

Annie Laughton of Unique Rabbit Jewellery
This is called the Elven Spring Garden and is a lush mix of lucite and lamp work glass flowers, crystals, Czech fire polished crystals and an array of crystals and glass pearls. The clasp is a hand forged scrolled hook and the large crystals have been wire wrapped. I thought it apt for an elvish child or even enlarged as a beautiful head dress, being evocative of flowers, nature and all that is beautiful in the world.

Kim Forrer of Kim Forrer Designs
Very heavy Nickel silver and brass cuff that I blackened and flamed with my torch to give it these blue and dark bronze tones. I can envision a warrior wearing this cuff into battle.

Debi Riley of Fairy Willow Cottage
I love mythical and fantasy things...and just love fairies...so i like to make jewellery with this in mind for some of my pieces....this is a fairy inspired scroll wrap bracelet made with copper wire and semi-precious rose quartz gemstones..... 

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
The medallion pendant on this medieval-inspired necklace has shimmering blue inlays that change color from different angles. The pendant is made with polymer clay and some other mystical ingredients.

Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
I did a delicate necklace with small medallions and gems on gold chain.

Kim Forrer of Kim Forrer Designs
While painting a copper pendant in the colors of autumn leaves, I thought it looked rather medieval looking. So added a heavy oxidized silver chain, deep red freshwater pearl, red tigereye and garnet to resemble berries on the vine. Very fitting for a elven festival. 

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Elven Magic" woodland ear cuff - Scrolled hammered copper wire embellished with Swarovski crystals, fresh water Pearls, Czech glass leaves, Amethyst, Iolite, and lampwork glass bird and flower blossom by Kim Snyder, climbing the side on tendrily vines. 

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
Swirls and scrolls of pure silver for my Elven ring, fused, formed, soldered, hammered, tumbled, then polished. 

October’s themes and deadlines: Iconic Eras, Real and Fictional
Oct 7: Downton Abbey or Edwardian style
Oct 14: Road Warrior or Post Apocalyptic style
Oct 21: Lord of the Rings or Elfish/Medieval style
Oct 28: THX 1138 or Futuristic Minimalistic style

November's themes and deadlines: Iconic Eras, Real and Fictional
Nov 4: Organic
Nov 11: Elegant
Nov 18: Modern
Nov 25: Rustic
 
Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

See visual inspiration for October’s challenges here.

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

Want to join in the fun? Join the SRAJD organization by clicking here. A great group of jewelry artists helping one another.

ROAD WARRIOR POST-APOCALYPTIC STYLE October Week 2 Iconic Eras Theme SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

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

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Our theme for October is “Iconic Eras:Real and Fictional” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “Post Apocalyptic Era… or Road Warrior style”. 

Juanita Day of River’s Edge Creations
I love the look of Steampunk--industrial, funky, edgy and fun. The vintage buttons on this collar type necklace are beautifully aged. The simple brass chain is the perfect way to display this one of a kind piece. 

Kay Lancashire of Kay’s Artycles
I actually did this piece for another challenge 'Dungeons & Dragons" also due right now, so I hope you don't mind me 'Killing two birds with one stone" I named the piece "Kalevi's breast-plate" Kalevi is the Finnish for Heroine. This is beaten copper patinaed with flame. The surface embellishments are pewter and riveted on. Spikes and scales are steel The chain is plated copper rings and byzantine weave maille. The clasp is made using a dragon pendant in pewter. The piece can be worn in two different lengths.

Betony Maiden of A Fair Maiden Jewelry
My steampunk apocolyptic inspired piece. Made using vintage washers and watch pieces. She is a Time Guardian. She is here to remind he wearer to always love, hope, and dream. Thru the good and the bad. Thru all of life's challenges she is here to remind you to to always believe in and be proud of yourself. 

Maxine Booth of Perfectly Practical
I didn't make this for the challenge but it seemed just so perfect for a post apocalyptic theme, with multiple shapes, textures and finishes of chains, natural elements like shell, leaf and spotted bead.

Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
I did a black necklace and matching bracelet with skulls. It's made with seed beads and black crystal pearls. 

Diane Perry of Catcophany Wearable Art
The form folded copper cuff is darkened with at heat patina and hammered for a rugged look. The balled copper wire attaching the ceramic focal bead is wired to a heavy gauge hammered copper wire. The look is that of a rugged very metal time. 

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
I imagine jewelry in a post-apocalyptic era would be an assemblage of found objects such as bottle caps, pop can tabs, weathered and worn bits and pieces, and maybe a few sparkly odds and ends. I used Vintaj paints to add patina to washers and a key, smashed a few bottle caps, wired them all together with copper and strung them on a piece of faux leather.

Caroline de Rijke of CaroBijoux
This bracelet is made of suede and brass metallic chain. It turned out to be a steampunk style bracelet. I wasn't intend to do so... I love it when that happens! Great theme! 

Ronni Eloff of Vamp Kitty Designs
This is completely recycled parts. I wanted to start with things that were old, discarded and broken. Many of these parts were fixed slightly or some of the parts were distressed to make them look weathered. The chains are two different Abstain weaves of silver and pale gold. The piece is meant to wear your wealth in the post apocalyptic world. 

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Relic" bangle - designed to look as if it might have been dug up in the desert post apocalypse. A scrap of copper, hammered into an undulating wave pattern. Textured. Embellished with chunky silver solder, and patinaed to look ancient. 

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
I learned some new skills while creating this post-apocalyptic gauntlet and hope to continue with some of these techniques. I set grommets for the first time and I’ve never really worked with leather before so sewing the chain maille to the leather was a new experience. I made the bronze rings out of metal clay and that’s about it.  I don't like the post-apocalyptic world (for living in), but I sure like accessories inspired by it. 

Paul Holden Watwood of Holden Accessorized!

October’s themes and deadlines: Iconic Eras, Real and Fictional
Oct 7: Downton Abbey or Edwardian style
Oct 14: Road Warrior or Post Apocalyptic style
Oct 21: Lord of the Rings or Elfish/Medieval style
Oct 28: THX 1138 or Futuristic Minimalistic style 


See visual inspiration for October’s challenges here.
Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

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

Want to join in the fun? Join the SRAJD organization by clicking here. A great group of jewelry artists helping one another.

DOWNTON ABBEY EDWARDIAN STYLE October Week 1 Iconic Eras 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 October is “Iconic Eras:Real and Fictional” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “The Edwardian Era… or Downton Abbey Style".

Diane Perry of Catcophany Wearable Art
The initial design was for a friend who adores Downton Abbey-it was a hit with her and morphed into this representation- Swarovski pearls, filigree and copper. 

Maxine Booth of Perfectly Practical
Somehow the combination of antiqued brass in the front piece and dangling deep blue crystals, along with the gentle loop of brass chain suggest to me that one of the dowagers from Downton Abbey would have chosen this piece. They're not in this picture, but there are small cobalt blue crystal 'ear bobs' to match. 

Lori O’Heren of Clover Blue

Juanita Day of River’s Edge Creations
The love of old keys and the Downton Abbey style inspired this necklace. Beaded glass rosary chain makes a great combination with a vintage key from the early 1900's. Small crystals in a deep garnet shade are added to the smaller brass chain for additional sparkle. 

Mary E. Mallia of Jewels for Scheherazade
This opera length necklace was inspired by the jewelry worn by the Crawley women in Downton Abbey season 4 which took place in the early 1920s. The patterned beads are decoupage, handmade by the artist. 

Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
The necklace is made up of seed beads and pearls. Those were used in jewelry with chains in most all of the jewelry including gems. The drops represent the look of chains and the overall look is airy and delicate. 

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
This lacy necklace was inspired by the understated ultra-feminine jewelry trends of the Edwardian era. In place of the traditional Edwardian materials of precious metals, pearls, and diamonds, I used luminous peachy-pink Czech glass and pink fire-polished crystals with silver-plated components. 

Carole Grant of CG Studio Jewelry
I found this Vintage fur clip and it called to me to be worn again! I've taken different beads, components, and antiqued lengths of chain to create this statement pendant necklace. The fur clip can be removed to wear it as a simple beaded necklace. 

Betony Maiden of A Fair Maiden Jewelry
This piece is titled Fall Royale. It was created using beautiful bronze matte glass pearls, Other glass pearls, bronze seed beads, copper metal twist beads, gold tone chain, and a gorgeous focal piece from Jesse James. I made this last fall. 

Karen Zmitrovitch of Nature’s Aesthetics
Past meets present in an asymmetrical design with contemporary wire work using a traditional combination of garnet and pearls. the multi-strand segment is a nod to the style of the Edwardian era, yet contrasted further with stone chips replacing shaped beads. The rigid and formal of the past is softened as it hangs relaxed by organza ribbon and silk cord,reflecting on how today's fashion can mix an eloquent top with denim or leggings. 

Pamela Hollis of Pebbles at My Feet
This is really a construction piece rather than full-on 100% handcrafted but the reproduction brass stampings really are what inspired me anyway. The necklace is in the festoon style - all that drapey chain or beadwork defines "festoon". Faceted amazonite gemstones and an azurite malachite (a vintage bead). I antiqued the brass wire used to set in the gemstone links as well as the filigree caps. The rest of the findings were already oxidized or "antique brass finished" as in the chain. 

Mary Rembach of Omi Silver
Lady Mary Crawley would wear this necklace because it's not too busy. She's a no nonsense type of woman who is more concerned with business than looking frilly. Necklace is strung with soft flex wire - 6-7mm white freshwater pearls, bali sterling beads, an ornate triangular locking box clasp which is at the side of the neck rather than the back and a silver plated connector suspended from the front with a white freshwater pearl on a sterling silver ornate headpin. Length is 18". 

Laura Harrison Bosch of Multibeadia Designs
I went for the drippy look. CZ's on GF chain. I never use these colors but I love how they all go so well together. Getting a good picture was harder than making the necklace! 

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Champagne & Caviar" 

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
I love the look of Edwardian style jewelry even though it’s WAY out of my comfort zone to make. This over-the-top necklace features sterling silver, fine silver, and Swarovski crystals. I’m not sure how practical it is, but maybe someday I’ll be Lady Mary Crawley for Halloween. :-)

October’s themes and deadlines: Iconic Eras, Real and Fictional
Oct 7: Downton Abbey or Edwardian style
Oct 14: Road Warrior or Post Apocalyptic style
Oct 21: Lord of the Rings or Elfish/Medieval style
Oct 28: THX 1138 or Futuristic Minimalistic style

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

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

Want to join in the fun? Join the SRAJD organization by clicking here. A great group of jewelry artists helping one another.