March-April 2017 Design Challenge Theme: Jewelry Inspired by the color BLUE

Here are the entries from members of the SRAJD Organization for the following theme challenge:"Create a piece of jewelry inspired by the color BLUE”.

Click on any artist's name to see their website and more of the awesome jewelry they've made.

Click on an image to see a larger version of the jewelry.

Judith Williamson of Jude’s Jujus

I love Turquoise and the style of these Lampwork Beads.  Beads created by Laurie Donnette.  Thank you to all the SRAJD members who took part in this design challenge!  And thank you to all the viewers who read our blog!

Regina Croteau of Fused Glass Rocks

Fashionable and unique shawl pin which can also be used for hair, hats, and most any open weave item. It is created with 14 gauge and 26 gauge copper wire adorned by handmade lamp work glass beads in Royal Blue, Dark Turquoise with various shades of rich brown accent colors. Natural beads of Add to dictionary along with faceted turquoise and light blue glass beads finish off the creation and design. The pin measures approximately: 5-1/4" long x 1-1/4" wide. The pin and lamp work beads were created in my home studio.

Diane Perry of Catcophony Wearable Art

I love blues, from the aqua of the Caribbean to the deep blue of cobalt, to use in my works. Since I do so much copper metal work, they are a great foil to one another and always complement each other.

Linda Baldwin of Fired n Wired Jewelry

Large and feminine scalloped teardrop in sterling silver set with a Kingman Turquoise gemstone designed for those who love a bold look.

Kim Forrer of Wild Rain Designs
Turquoise Nuggets and Sterling Silver Cuff. Inspired by my forever love of Turquoise, which has always been my favorite stone. As a teenager I hunted antique stores and estate sales looking for treasures and collected vintage Turquoise rings to wear on each finger.

Kim Lyons of TapestryGal Designs

It was suggested by a friend that I name this "The Nile", as it gave her a feeling of being on the Nile in Egypt. I was super excited with how these came out. I used various vintage components and the combination was better then I expected. The blue turquoise is Vintage German glass.

Connie Dodson of Grammy D's Designs

I have always loved blue in all its many shades but especially the deep rich sapphire blue. I crocheted silver wire and accented it with seed beads in my favorite color.

Patricia Buchanan of Bracelets and More

The pattern in the aventurine pendant looks so much like an underwater scene! The baroque pearl seemed to be the natural accent for the piece and it reflects the blue of the aventurine beautifully. Sterling silver and tiny aventurine squares complete the piece.

Laura Bracken of Bracken Designs

One of my “minimalist” pieces, these lightweight earrings are made from sterling silver tubing interspersed with tiny Lapis Lazuli beads.  I love the deep cobalt blue of Lapis.

The next design theme is being run by Teri McCartney (thanks Teri!). 

Starting October 1^st and ending Dec 1^st

The challenge will be to create an original piece using whatever inspiration you can draw from the Pantone Fall 2017 Color Lineup. You have 10 gorgeous colors to give rise to your creation!  The winner shall receive a free 1 year renewal of their active SRAJD membership.

If you're an active SRAJD member, click here to submit something you create for this next design challenge.

And if you like a piece of jewelry you see here, please leave a comment for the artist and/or check out their shop (click on their name).

Thanks! 

January-February 2017 Design Challenge Theme: Jewelry Inspired by UNITY

Here are the entries from members of the SRAJD Organization for the following theme challenge:"Create a piece of jewelry that inspires or represents UNITY".

Click on any artist's name to see their website and more of the awesome jewelry they've made.

Click on an image to see a larger version of the jewelry.

Lise Anderson of Raspberry Fields Design
This boho style charm bracelet is a collage of different cultural elements. There are brass charms in French and Spanish (Amour and Te Amo), a hamsa hand and an Asian fan, a Chinese character for long life, and a key with a heart. There are Mexican agates and other stones that were tumbled by my husband's stepfather in the 1960's, a patina cross, and lots of Czech glass. It's meant to symbolize the beauty across cultures of both natural elements and symbols of love and peace that are cherished by many across the globe.

 

Donna Jo Wallace of Naturally Nickel Free 
There is a poem by Edwin Markham called "Outwitted":
     "He drew a circle that shut me out-
      Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
      But love and I had the wit to win:
     We drew a circle and took him in!"
The circles we draw in our lives often tell us who's "in" and who's "out." The circles in this piece remind me to always challenge myself to make that circle bigger and more inclusive. The rainbow colors show the beauty of all of our diversity, and also reflects the symbolism of the LGBTQIA community. We are more beautiful, more powerful, and better together.

James Johnson of Indigo Turtle Art
     These pieces incorporate the materials traditionally found in a China hutch ~ the China dishes (porcelain), the crystal stemware (Swarovski crystals) and the silver serving pieces (metallic luster trim, ear wires & head pins).
     Holiday’s are known for uniting friends and family and usually include a special meal. The tradition of setting a beautiful holiday table with the treasured family heirlooms from the China hutch is fast becoming a thing of the past. I've taken these high quality materials which were treasured by past generations and united them into wearable art for present and future generations to enjoy; thus allowing this combination of beautiful materials to continue to enhance our lives.
     This set is part of a new series ~not only are these pieces united by materials and colors, but I created a way to add smaller crystals to the pendant which match the accent crystals on the ear wires and create a more unified look.

Michele Dodge of Lava Jewelry
I sketched a shape that came to mind when thinking about unity, then I hand-forged these earrings out of sterling silver and added sparkling garnets to them.

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard
I had many ideas for this "unity" theme but kept coming back to the yin-yang symbolism of opposites that complement and exist as equals, each one having at its core a bit of the other. I used polymer clay to create a pendant and earrings. 

 
Marcia Tobolsky of Design Images
Doodling copper wire with black leather necklace design and stones.

 
Diane Crockett of Spirit ArtWorks
I have been working on ways to add "Bonus Buy" features to my products. Since the design will usually incorporate something than goes together but can be worn in different ways, I thought this might also symbolize unity. In the piece I chose to enter, the main focal expresses unity by using mixed components and a repurposed heart, gifted flowers by Cornelia Lentzke, and colors to match the necklace.....but there is more! The necklace can change lengths from 16" to 24" or any side between, lot can be foiled and made into a bracelet. Also there are three more focals, each on a lobster clasp, that coordinate with the necklace but have different themes. There is a Mabe' Pearl Cross wrapped in Silver with a Swarovski Crystal, a New, Repurposed Cowboy Hat Pin on a Mother of Pearl Carved Flower, and a Cinnabar Pendant. Matching earrings are included...that represents a lot of ways to wear and enjoy the coral, pearls, Crystal and silver set!

Thank you to all the SRAJD members who took part in this design challenge!  And thank you to all the viewers who read our blog!

The next design theme is "blue". Make a piece of jewelry that represents "blue" in any way.

If you're an active SRAJD member, click here to submit something you create for the next design challenge.

And if you like a piece of jewelry you see here, please leave a comment for the artist and/or check out their shop (click on their name)!

Thanks! 

November-December 2016 Design Challenge Theme: Jewelry from Found Objects

Here are the entries from members of the SRAJD Organization for the following theme challenge:"Create a piece of jewelry using found objects" (think of this as the "unconventional materials" challenge).

Click on any artist's name to see their website and more of the awesome jewelry they've made.
 
Click on an image to see a larger version of the jewelry.

Karen Nelmes of Karen J Designs 
This bracelet is centered around a beautiful Bronze button made from a mold of a group of barnacles that I found at a flea market. As an artist I am constantly searching for new and interesting textures. Textures draw me in and the textures of nature are most often my inspiration 

Regina Croteau of Fused Glass Rocks
Vintage Sterling Silver Silverware Bell Pendant with Fan Design on 18 inch Sterling Silver Bead Chain. This is a vintage knife end cut and shaped to enhance the design and sound. The bell has a light melodic tinkle sound. The bell is approximately 1" long x 3/4" wide and 3/8" deep. This makes a fabulous bridesmaid gift and truly for any special person in your life including yourself. 

Darlene Orlowski of The Irish Lassie Shop
I used coins from Mexico as my challenge. I made riveted bead caps for the coins then strung the beads for an asymmetrical look. 

Helen Gonet of Gonet Jewelry Design
"Bah Humbug"  These are some pieces that I can't describe other than some are crystal or glass and 925 sterling beads and tubes. I can't sell them because I really don't know what they are. Most were sent as free gifts from distributors that I purchase my beads and supplies from. :-)

Michele C. Dodge of Lava Jewelry
This necklace is made from tin cans I dug out of my recycling bin. The chain is one I salvaged from a pile of my great grandmother's costume jewelry.

 
Wanda Haworth of Wanda Haworth Designs
We have a long driveway (almost 2 miles all gravel) had a load of gravel delivered in Oct. so l did some driveway mining (as my hubby calls it) and found this beautiful piece of raw blue quartz so l paired it with a castoff piece of blue kyanite to create a unique pendant necklace wire wrapped with gold anodized copper wire strung on a 18 inch gold 10 kt chain.

Kim Forrer of Wild Rain Designs
I found the copper and steel washers years ago while on a walk and had them in my "found objects" box. I found the little metal gear last year but misplaced it. I really wanted to use it in something and finally found it this morning while looking for something else. Thought it would be appropriate to use in this repurposed leather cuff assemblage of mostly found objects.

 
Tammie T Everly of TTE Designs
Much of my work is made from 'found objects. I get a lot of satisfaction from taking something considered trash and reconfiguring it into something lovely and useful. This ocean themed necklace and earring set was made using a vintage tin container in a black. I hand cut the components and then emboss, sand, file and form them into a lightweight and interesting conversation piece.

Thank you to all the SRAJD members who took part in this design challenge!

The next monthly theme is "unity". Make a piece of jewelry that tells a story of unity either visually, thematically, or through creative inspiration.  I look forward to sharing the stories at the beginning of March.

If you're an active SRAJD member, click here to submit something you create for the next January-February design challenge.

And if you like a piece of jewelry you see here, please leave a comment for the artist and/or check out their shop (click on their name)!

Thanks!