A chronicle of the meanderings, false starts (which in retrospect, while sort of embarrassing turned out to be highly instructive), epiphanies, selective apathy (still evolving), wild mood swings, opinions (subject to frequent change), and life lessons of an inveterate dabbler (and her latest dabblings).

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Art Jewelry Elements April Component of the Month

Lesley Watt, the creative genius behind THEA Jewellery and THEA Elements, is our host this month at Art Jewelry Elements for the April Component of the Month. Lesley is a self-taught jewelry and bead/component artist living in the UK, who works in both precious and base metal clays and ceramic clay. She is especially gifted in creating nature-themed pieces, such as beads and pendants in flower, leaf, and sea motifs, and also more abstract designs with a gentle tribal feel. These are some of my favorites:
For our April challenge, Lesley offered a gorgeous assortment of seashell- and flower-themed glazed ceramic shank buttons:
It was so  hard to choose! I eventually picked the little ammonite at the far right, in terra cotta and cream; I loved the glazing detail and the earthy colors:
 I decided on a button-and-loop closure necklace. Before I began, I wrapped the steel shank in fine copper wire to provide a little buffer for the beading wire I was going to use:
I combined it with large, irregular pink opal nuggets, a spray of iridescent glass beads, and lots of copper. I love the whimsy and personality Lesley's little button adds to the plain beads!
In my opinion, an art bead really takes a piece of jewelry from being merely pretty to being truly memorable and unique.
Thank you Lesley, for the wonderful inspiration!

Be sure to visit all the other participants for more fabulous eye candy!



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21 comments:

  1. LesleyApril 30, 2014 at 6:12 AM

    Love this Keirsten - a lovely neutral 'go with anything' piece but so full of rich texture and interest and even with larger beads that little button captures attention - perfectly placed! Thank you.

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  2. ShirleyApril 30, 2014 at 6:16 AM

    As always, your design just leaves me stunned. Love the colors you chose, and that pop of interest from the little spray of beads. Awesome job woman!

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  3. UnknownApril 30, 2014 at 6:22 AM

    What a cool necklace!

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  4. UnknownApril 30, 2014 at 6:34 AM

    Keirsten you are amazing with wire and showcasing artbeads!! I love it!

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  5. somethinguniqueApril 30, 2014 at 6:59 AM

    This is just FABU. ...love the way the entire piece comes together so cohesively. ..so many little details and finished perfectly...great work!!!

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  6. Francesca WatsonApril 30, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    I'm really just in awe of your ability to create such unique designs - this one is truly lovely. And great job making Lesley's button stand out, even though it's smaller than the other beads. You rock!

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  7. Dolores RamlApril 30, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    Gorgeous necklace, love that little cluster of pearls on the side!

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  8. Jennifer CameronApril 30, 2014 at 9:12 AM

    I ADORE this design! If someone handed me those big chunky beads, I would be like WTH am I going to do with THESE? Gorgeous. I love that you can take something like chunky beads and with your "magic wand" elevate it into a piece of art.

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  9. KristiBowmanDesignApril 30, 2014 at 9:40 AM

    Wow that's gorgeous!! I love the neutral colors but still a knock out design!

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  10. Perri www.ShaktipajDesigns.etsy.comApril 30, 2014 at 10:24 AM

    I'm with Jennifer - what you did with these chunky beads is gorgeous - it would dress up any outfit wonderfully. The texture overload is a definite bonus!!!! Wonderful!

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  11. TesoriTrovatiApril 30, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    Such a great component and you made it right at home in your beautiful design! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  12. Diana P.April 30, 2014 at 4:11 PM

    ::drools:: Love! Love the design and I love those chunky nuggets!

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  13. Becky PancakeApril 30, 2014 at 4:19 PM

    Keirsten your design is awesome.

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  14. Karen TottenApril 30, 2014 at 6:48 PM

    Fabulous design!

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  15. jessememanApril 30, 2014 at 7:44 PM

    Yummy! I love the colors and how you wrapped the loop of the button, and especially that bouquet of glass beads.

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  16. AnonymousApril 30, 2014 at 8:11 PM

    I love your attention to detail: the wrapped shank, the handmade bead caps, the riveted, textured ring opposite the bead clasp. Your work is so beautiful!

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  17. UnknownMay 1, 2014 at 12:16 PM

    Oh my God!! I really love this necklace!! Gorgeous!

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  18. Shai WilliamsMay 1, 2014 at 8:44 PM

    I am in love/lust with this necklace. Soft pretty colors yet it is bold because of the size of the beads. Just yummy!

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  19. CarolineMay 2, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    I've probably said it before, but I love your rich style Keirsten! The colours are beautiful, especially the little cluster of glass, it makes the whole design pop!

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  20. UnknownMay 10, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    This is gorgeous! There is something so wonderful about your design style, I don't have the words for it, I just know that every piece you present makes me feel good just looking at them. Someday, I hope to invest in your work so I can enjoy it on my body!!! I really love the copper and creamy together.

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  21. SueBeadsMay 12, 2014 at 8:12 AM

    Wow, that's a stunner! I always love what you make, and this is just amazing!

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