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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

RUSTIC Style November Week 4 SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

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

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

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

Click on any photo to see a larger image.

Our theme for November is “Basic Styles” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “Rustic”.

Neva Murtha of Spiral River Designs
This is a 1 carat raw chocolate diamond set in 14k rose gold with prong settings. For me 'rustic' and 'raw', 'organic', 'nature inspired' and 'earthy' are all interchangeable...also similar to 'wabi sabi' (acceptance of transience and imperfection) and not pristinely or perfectly 'manufactured'. This ring is the epitome of this quality for me, because I got to create beauty out of rustic, earthy elements. 


Regina Croteau of Fused Glass Rocks
This whimsical flower garden has a lovely bouquet of flowers with a butterfly and lady bug on a white fused glass. The pendant measures approximately 1-1/2" long including bail by 1"" wide. The enamel flowers, butterfly and lady bug are permanently fired on the glass. This piece is stunning on and looks 3-D. This piece was created in my home studio using high quality glass, kiln fused and annealed to ensure quality and stability. 


Barbara Swinton of Touch of Silver
Love the feel of rustic jewelry...I don't know why I don't make more of it! For these, I used 24 gauge copper sheet and then went looking for my my meat tenderizer mallet to add a little "rustic" appeal. Shiny copper wasn't saying 'rustic' to me, so it had a LOS bath and then it felt just right. Added a few sterling rings, because I wanted to tie in the sterling earwires....which I prefer to the copper. Fun challenge :-)


Laurie Salinas of Kottage Creations
A stunning and sparkly 10 mm x 12 mm labradorite is surrounded by a royal filigree crown bezel setting. This lustrous labradorite stone sits atop a fancy floral sterling silver oxidized band shank.


Kim Forrer of Kim Forrer Designs
Sterling silver cuff with riveted eyelets in brass and copper. Oxidized to highlight the rustic textures. 


Paula Cotov of Twinkling of an Eye
I was thinking purely outdoors when I created this - to reflect everything in the woods surrounding me - sunflower matte finish Czech glass, topaz and iris beads and a wonderfully rustic bumble bee. I have recently discovered the beauty of using Picasso-finish tilas and they worked so well to keep to the rustic theme in this piece! :-) 


Paula Cotov of Twinkling of an Eye
I couldn't get any more rustic than this! I was thinking "enchanted forest", deep in the woods when I created this set! The lampwork mushrooms worked perfectly with the little gnome characters and the Czech pressed glass flower bead caps - a fun piece for the grown-up kid in each of us! :-) 


Elew Mompittseh of Pohakanten Studios
Etched Copper Cuff bracelet with a floral vine design. It is completely handcrafted beginning with copper sheet, which I cut, file, etch, hammer into shape, oxidize and polish. It is a long but very fun technique... This cuff is made to fit anywhere from a 6 1/2 inch, to an 8 inch wrist, and is 3/8 inch wide. 


Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
These copper earrings are all copper with wire I coiled, textured copper balls and end caps. Copper usually appears more relaxed and a bit on the rustic side to me. 


Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
Rustic fall flowers necklace made with distressed polymer clay beads and oxidized copper chain and accents. 


Lindsay Philipson of Precious Violet
A seasonal bracelet with a holly stoneware connector from BoHulleybeads, 6mm red jade beads copper wrapped and Vintaj rustic copper chain and knot toggle. 


Nohline L'Ecuyer of Nohline L'Ecuyer
This is a recycled rubber necklace. I added wooden African beads, handmade copper beadcaps and a hollow, etched lampwork bead, all tied together with waxed cotton thread. 


Donna Jo Wallace of Naturally Nickel Free
Niobium Wire Wrapped Ring with Simple Brown Jasper Stone. Size 7.



Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Pirate's Booty" I just recently finished this set for a pirate themed challenge, and decided it was the perfect fit for "Rustic" as well. The earrings feature Raku doubloons by Wondrous Strange, framed in oxidized hammered copper rings, accented with twine. They dangle with Labradorite, Kyanite, Pyrite, bronze stick and creamy round pearls, sea shells, a carved bone skull, and a miniature skeleton key. The necklace features a dragon cabochon by Oscar Crow, framed in an oxidized hammered copper ring, accented with twine. It dangles with Labradorite, Kyanite, Pyrite, bronze stick and creamy round pearls, sea shells, a carved bone skull, one large and one miniature skeleton key, a pressed penny with skull and cross bones marked Pirate's Cove Long Beach, Ca. and a little tiny treasure chest, to store your booty in. It's hung on hand dyed sari silk with Labradorite, sea spine, and sea shell dangles. It closes with a silk loop and vintage brass button featuring a royal crest.  Here's the link to my blog post all about the challenge with more detailed photos. http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/2014/11/ahoy-me-hearties.html


Betony Maiden of A Fair Maiden Jewelry
The focal is artisan made lampwork by Rita Andrews Wilson and features a different design on both side, the orange beads are also artisan lampwork by Di Parsons , paired with African opal and gorgeous brass findings, this piece has a definite southwestern rustic look, its one of my favorite pieces that I have recently made, the color scheme is not one we see too often and orange is not a color many designers use now a days.


Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
I had this idea to do some rustic colored copper spikes with enamel on them. My original thought had many more spikes per earring, but I did some editing so I wouldn’t end up with my traditional lobe-stretching style.



Carol (Britt) Clay of Wires N Pliers
Southwest is a 5 row beaded cuff featuring bronze Czech medallions, scenic jasper and turquoise firefly beads. The button is an authentic terra cotta beach stone, hand collected from the shores of Lake Michigan. I used three shades of leather: black, olive and brown and the button hole is double wrapped for strength.

Vivi Varvarande of Vivilima Silver Jewelry And Bijouterie
This is a hammered ring, double infinity.

December’s themes (as chosen by the SRAJD members):
Dec 2: Botanical
Dec 9: Whimsical
Dec 16: Winter/December themes
Dec 23: Bubbles
Dec 30: Beach

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

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

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




Sunday, November 23, 2014

Announcing the Winner of September’s SRAJD jewelry design challenge theme of “Fairy Tales”


I’d like to thank everyone who participated in September. The results for the concepts themed challenges can be seen here:

Sleeping Beauty
Little Red Riding Hood

Rumpelstiltskin
Beauty and the Beast
Rapunzel

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

Congratulations Sherri Jones of SenoJ Designs!
Here were Sherri's entries for the challenges:  


Sleeping Beauty

 Little Red Riding Hood

 Rumpelstiltskin

 Beauty and the Beast

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


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

It allows me to step outside of my comfort zone and create something different!

How did you learn your craft?

This business was given to me in a dream. God has truly blessed me with a talent that I love to share with anyone I meet.

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

I create from the heart and God is my inspiration! With no prior experience in beading, I feel that I have learned so much on this short three year journey. And am excited to learn more.

What themes do you pursue?

I strive for Elegance & Uniqueness.

Did you always want to be a jewelry artist?

Before my dream, I never knew I wanted to become a jewelry artist. However, I have always enjoyed living outside the box.

What are the biggest challenges that you face as a self-representing jewelry artist?
Mass produced jewelry! My creations are OOAK handcrafted designs. They are so personal to me that each piece is named.

What role does the artist have in society?

Stand back at look at everything in a room. From the furniture to the drapes, someone somewhere had to design it. You had to like each and every piece of furniture or fixtures in your home to purchase them. Without ART the eARTh would be "eh."

What does the future hold for you?

The last three years seemed surreal. God has blessed me with SenoJ Designs and
I am truly humbled. I have an opportunity of a lifetime next year and I am overjoyed. God hasn't brought me this far, to leave me now.

Sherri, 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 Sherri's fabulous jewelry here:
SenoJ Designs




 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

MODERN Style November Week 3 SRAJD Jewelry Challenge

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

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

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

Click on any photo to see a larger image.

Our theme for November is “Basic Styles” and the entries for this week’s design challenge were inspired by the theme of “Modern”.

Regina Croteau of Fused Glass Rocks
Let the Music Play is a gorgeous jewelry set that will go with a variety of colors and outfits. The glass is pale sky blue with wispy swirls of lighter blues and white and is wire wrapped in sterling silver. The pendants measure approximately 1-1/2" wide and 1-3/4" long including the bale and is on an 18" sterling silver box chain. The matching fused glass earrings measure approximately 1-1/2" long and dangle from sterling silver french ear wires. These fused glass pieces were hand-cut and created in my home studio using glass, kiln fused and annealed to ensure quality and stability. The black enamel decals are permanently fused to the glass and will not fade or chip.


Donci Bardash of Crush & Roll Designs
"African Copper meets Texas Crape Myrtle" Modern is sustainable! This bracelet is made with a combination of handmade and bought beads. Three hand-rolled beads made from crape myrtle tree leave, copper cores, and dimensional gloss are combined with Ethiopian heishi beads made from reclaimed copper. Glass beads are used as spacers.

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
When I looked at what's trending in jewelry this season I saw collars, chokers, and large crystal flowers. This collar is made with memory wire to fit close around the neck; adorned with metal and resin flower sliders with Czech glass and foiled glass beads.

Barbara Swinton of Touch of Silver
This is my 'back-up' submission (primary was a soldered pendant which didn't make the cut). So glad to be participating this week! I think of modern as being simple, sleek, and minimal. The simple silver hoops have a lined texture and are very shiny. Had to add the garnet dangle because it gave the design a holiday flair.

Donna Jo Wallace of Naturally Nickel Free
Anodized Rainbow Niobium Ear Curls. Anodized niobium is not plated or dyed, it is still pure niobium. I have pulled these through the electrically charged solution at the same time, so they are a perfectly matched pair, even though there will never be another just like them. Niobium will not cause or irritate a nickel allergy. Very lightweight and comfortable design. 736E-Q

Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane
I did a bead embroidery necklace with a pendant made of two hole daggers and seed beads with a large centerpiece bead that changes color with the temperature around it. I think it is very modern and unusual as it reminds me of the clock from the fifties with the all the metal spikes surrounding it.

Nohline L'Ecuyer of Nohline L'Ecuyer
Forged solid silver cuff. I should have made this from silver tubing, it would have been more flexible and lighter, but I only had 8 gauge wire. So there you go.

Kelly Hosford Patterson of Pyxee Styx
"Kiss The Sky" raindrop necklace. Inspired by a line from "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix. Completed recently, this is probably the most modern piece I've ever made; clean lines, mixed metals, asymmetrical. The hammered copper bezel and backing plate were made from scraps. The faux druzy was made from broken gemstone beads. Labradorite and Kyanite were crushed and set in lacquer to create the many faceted and ultra flashy druzy surface. The pewter worry stone set in the center is stamped "Kiss" in Japanese. The chain is formed of raindrop shaped links in variegated sizes, spaced with iridescent pearl raindrops, and flashy Labradorite raindrop dangles.

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs Studio Art Jewelry
Hollow triangular shaped earrings in bronze, half textured, half smooth.

Carol (Britt) Clay of Wires N Pliers
Hand shaped and hand worked copper "awareness" symbol wrapping around a teardrop of Afghani Lapis Lazuli. A long 29" necklace featuring a solid copper soldered link chain with suspended beads of Lapis Lazuli in stations along the chain. Includes a handmade curly hook clasp system. The Lapis Lazuli bail is a self supporting handmade flat oblong ring supported by the crossing of the copper awareness pendant above it. All parts are handmade excepting for the chain Lapis stone accents. Lapis is a very powerful stone used for healing in some cultures. It promotes clear thinking, it is used for protection and even healthy living, and it has a very rich history being one of the very first gemstones used by man. For having such an historical background Lapis remains a very apropos gemstone with today's lifestyles.


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

December’s themes (as chosen by the SRAJD members):
Dec 2: Botanical
Dec 9: Whimsical
Dec 16: Winter/December themes
Dec 23: Bubbles
Dec 30: Beach

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

Please enter your challenge designs by clicking here.

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