Okay, confess. How many of you thought my post on over sized tribal jewelry by a Greek designer was just a flash in the pan? Think again. Big really is in. Honking big earrings! Chunky necklaces!
I was actually inspired enough to by some huge rough cut amethyst nuggets to try a "Wilma Flintstone" necklace design. Some of the beaders who come to our workshops and beading parties are already into pretty huge jewelry. The biggest ever hoop earrings were by Erin. Just observe the relative size of the ear wires to the hoops! The largest chandeliers I have ever seen done by two people. Tammy made this enormous and heavy donut chandelier earrings. Amanda's multi-tiered chandelier earrings were considerably lighter but they reached past her shoulders!
Renowned designers such as Marni, Marc Jacobs, Viv Westwood, Proenza Schouler, Ralph Lauren, Rachel Comey, Erickson Beamon for Zac Posen, Andrew Gn and Louis Vuitton are all into gigantic jewelry for the fall.The pictures here show some of their runway work.
Below left is a Stella McCartney design and on the right, Chanel. These two are my favorites.
This Armani necklace (below left)looks like a blown up version of what we would string. The Marni set below right is funky cool.
Celebrities will influence the masses for they are also flaunting huge jewelry. Shown below is model Eva Herzigova at the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Antibes, France
Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson sported her enormous chandeliers during a recent performance at the Pearl Concert theater, Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
This necklace was worn at the Inglorious Basterd Premiere also at Cannes this year. I really like the art deco look. I would dearly love to know who the designer was.
Via, Via, Via and Via
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Big jewelry is really in!!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Putting a little wire twisting into earring designs
Saturday, July 4, 2009
You don't have to be a wire virtuoso to put a little wire twisting into your jewelry designs. Deb actually practiced a little wire scrolling with some copper wire first. But she decided to just do something funky with her final earring design (above left) by slightly uncoiling the scroll and pulling it out. She also kinked some wire at the in front of the diagonally drilled beads. Together with the black crackle beads and the banded lamp work beads, she's made her earrings funky and oh so art deco-ish in some ways.
Margot's design on the right used triangular mother of pearl beads on their sides for a simple look. The earrings look a touch more interesting by playing around with the uncut end of the wire wrapped loops.
Beader Designs #: 536-537
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Real Ice Cube Jewelry for Scorching Summer Days
Friday, July 3, 2009
Hot,hot days of summer
Part 2 of 2
The days are now getting hotter and hotter. I don't know about you but I hate hot humid weather. So I just had to write about Katharina Ludwig's unusual jewelry. Her Ice Jewelry collection is perfect for the hot days of summer. They are made with real ice and cool you down as the ice cubes melt.
Katharina's ice necklaces consists of chains which have been cleverly frozen into ice cubes such that when removed from the tray, the ice cubes form the "jewels". The earrings and rings have internal stems which allow the wearer to make their self-cooling adornment much like real Popsicles. One could also suck on the ice too! Utterly brilliant!
She also says, "If water itself is worn as a jewel the preciousness of water is enhanced." That should really remind us how this resource is increasingly hard to come by for some people in different parts of the world. Something we should not take for granted.
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EcoJewelry which floats! Batucada Jewelry Update
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Hot,hot days of summer
Part 1 of 2
When I first wrote about Batucada jewelry, Debbie really loved it and asked where she could buy it. At the time, it wasn't readily available but now I have found sources where you can find these amazing French designed eco jewelry which floats! You never have to worry about losing your jewelry when you go swimming again.
Batucada jewelry is made from a specially formulated eco plastic which is soft and flexible. It is not rubber or silicone. The tough but beautifully designed jewelry will withstand seawater. Sweaty bodies after a gym workout - no problem! The ultra lightweight pieces fit close to the skin and is rather tattoo-like.
They are versatile designs - they work well with either casual or more formal wear. You can purchase two necklace styles from Charles&Marie for just $35. Brooklyn5and10 has an extensive range of their products - necklaces are the same price at $35. Earrings and bracelets cost $20.
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How To Make Beaded Hair Barrette Tutorial Links
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Benedikte brought an old barrette she had to a beading party. She really didn't like it anymore but rather than throwing it away she decided to give it a makeover with some wire and beads.
As you can see, the shape is not rectangular which made it tricky but Benedikte did a splendid job that afternoon. She started by anchoring the wire at one end and then proceeded to add an eclectic mix of mostly peridot colored glass beads as well as some blue toned ones.
As she had never done any wire work before, we decided she use seedbeads on the reverse side to keep the main beads in place. That seemed to work!
FREE TUTORIALS
1.How Stuff Works has a fantastic list of tutorials for all kinds of embellished hair barrettes for kids.
Not all their tutorials use wire - floss and nylon lines are also used. Some of the tutorials are mixed media i.e. they use fabric and ribbon. Others use bobby pins. But all are super!
2.A.M. Helmenstine wrote a great tutorial for beaded bobby pins which I highly recommend. These take only 15-30 minutes per pin. They will be suitable as little giveaways or craft projects for the younger set.
3. Heavenlight has a funky party barrette tutorial that's sure to please the beaders amongst you.
4. I particularly like Jen Funk Weber's beaded barrettes patterns (left) for fabric beaders.
5. The Needlepointers have a resource list for beaded barrettes and hair adornments.
6. E. Hackbarth on About.com's Beadwork first introduced me to beadwork. The Celtic Beaded Barrette uses seed beads and odd-count flat peyote or brick stitch.
Beader Design #:535
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Amazing Paper Quilled Filigree Pendant Tutorial
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I've done some origami and paper bead making in my time but that's the extent of my paper crafts. Quilling requires a whole new level of skill. This paper filigree art form involving coiled narrow strips of paper was used by European nuns and monks during the Renaissance to decorate book covers. It's beautiful to look at but never in a million years would I have thought it possible to use quilling in jewelry design.
One person did and that is Ann Martin. She is a highly creative paper craft artisan who writes a blog entitled All Things Paper all about people who make fascinating things from paper. Her love of the craft will keep this art alive for many more years.
Ann has graciously written a full tutorial on how to make these amazing gold-gilded sea shell and starfish pendants using the quilling technique. Her instructions are so clear I feel people who have never done quilling before can understand the process and even have a go. As she said, people will not believe the pendants are made from paper. She doesn't mention it but I am sure you can protect the pieces with some suitable varnish. UPDATE : Diana Norman (see comments) suggested that quilled pieces will look stunning encased in resin. What a grand idea!
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3 Landscape Inspired Jewelry Designers
Monday, June 29, 2009
Many artisans find their inspiration in nature - the color of flowers, sky and sea or perhaps the shapes of leaves and feathers. But what about the entire vista? Zelda Beauchampet is a clever Dutch designer who lets you customise landscape inspired jewelry. Her online shop, Zlda, features her stainless steel Handscape rings which are actually individual rings meant to be worn together. You could put together in any combination, an apartment (flat) block, trees, bunny and bird. Neato!
Do you enjoy a stroll in the woods to admire and be inspired by the flora and fauna? Then you will appreciate similar and fun acrylic Enchanted Forest Rings from Popdeluxe. They too can be worn as sets for a custom vista although these would not be as durable as the stainless steel ones. Each ring costs only $12.
But landscapes are not only about greenery. There is also the urban jungle. Take a look at the jewelry of British designer, Jo Hayes-Ward. If you weren't paying close attention, you'd think her rings are just interesting bands. But on closer inspection, each is a whole cityscape!
Her award winning jewelry showcases her technique of constructing from small building block elements. It makes for striking gold and diamond rings and bangle shown here. She combines traditional methods with modern technology in order to get accurately interlocking components.
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