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).

Friday, May 16, 2014

We're All Ears May Reveal

Zigzag Nerite Shells
I got a little silly with this month's inspiration.

I made FIVE pair of earrings based on this theme! I'm not sure what got into me...I rarely use black or true red, but the nerite shell motif really inspired me, especially the stripy black patterns.

Turns out I had lots of beads to work with, and you don't mess with The Muse so I let her go.

This pair sports a duo of incised, glazed stoneware stick elements by Petra Carpreau of Scorched Earth, in a lovely caramel color with black stripes (they make me think of pretzel sticks and I want badly to nibble on them.) I think this might be the first time I've used her work--I've been hoarding an entire container of it! I introduced the red element with red jasper, and added ivory bone rounds to the earwires. I added my textured beadcaps in sterling to the jasper.

This pair incorporates some etched red agate tubes and my poppy caps in sterling silver. I added batik and plain ivory bone beads to the bottom to introduce the ivory color and add more of the black patterning, and then popped some butterscotch amber roundels onto the earwires (I got this wonderful opaque amber locally at Powderhorn Trading and I am in LOVE with it.)
For this pair I started with some black and white patterned beads from my stash--these are actually from a jewelry making party hosted by my friend Ada years and years ago. I'm not sure what they're made of, they feel like maybe wood. She has traveled the world so they could be from anywhere! I added red jasper sticks and my textured beadcaps, both traditional round ones and some small folded poppy ones, and more of that delish amber to the earwires.
This pair relies on more beads from Ada's jewelry party--a pair of striped cones! Again I've combined them with red jasper (I just LOVE this stone), ivory bone, and more amber. The cones make me think of a sporty fez. I think this pair is actually my favorite, this is the first time I've ever tried vertically wrapping a bead like this--I was inspired by Brenda McGowan--her shop is on vacation right now, but you can check out her sold items. Lisa at Angry Hair Jewelry also has some items with this vertical wrapping--LOVE her style too. I would buy her clean out if I had a spare $5,000 and my ear piercings hadn't healed up for lack of adornment.

Lastly, I dipped again into my Petra Carpreau stash for these lipstick red "bobblers." Boy, it felt like I spent hours trying to find the right beads to go with these. I finally settled on these black manol buri beads and of course ivory bone and more amber. I added a little vertical wire wrap again to keep the little seeds in line, they're kind of naughty.

This was fun! Head over to the Earrings Everyday blog to see what Erin cooked up with this month's inspiration, and to get links to other bloggers' reveal posts!

These will all be listed in my Etsy shop over the next few days.



21 comments:

  1. Love your wirework! I'm with you, that first pair is definitely nibble worthy!

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  2. Oh lordy I love them all!!! You certainly did have alot of beads to work with!! Hoooooray for the muse!!

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  3. They're all so perfect for the challenge. Awesome work.

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  4. So many beautiful earrings! I love the wire and the colors, gorgeous!

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  5. Wow! Your earring muse was really tickled by this month's inspiration...love this whole collecting! Your wirework and choice of beads is a perfect response to the shells.

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  6. Such a delicious collection, love every one of them xx

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  7. Wow...I love them all. I can't even pick a favorite. Your work is really outstanding!

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  8. These are all super great earrings and perfectly in-line with the inspiration piece. That first pair is my favorite - just WOW!

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  9. I have admired your work for many years. Everything you create is inspired and beautiful. Your beaded wire wrapped earwires are such a trademark style. I have always loved those. The first pair of earrings are absolutely stunning. That rich color palette for all of these earrings is scrumptious. These are all out-of-this-world gorgeous!!! You are such a talented and inspiring artist!

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  10. Luscious, Keirsten... like candy for us grown-up gals. Yummy!

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  11. Wow - all vv fabulous, and you can see the pleasure you got from making these! It's making me wish I'd found time to make something this month all the more... Really lovely stuff!

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  12. Wow! You really got into this challenge! I love them all. I think my favs are the first pair and the ones you said were your favorite. I want to check out those shops that you said inspired your vertical wrapping. I'm not familiar with either of them.

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  13. I love every last pair of these earrings. I think my favorites are the first ones with Ada's beads and red jasper sticks. But they are all fabulous. You were on a roll!

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  14. You had me at the first pair...all of these are fabulous!

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  15. Wow! You really did go to town! Such lovely designs... I especially love the first ones with Petra's stick elements.

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  16. absolutely fabulous. not only did you interpret the photo really well, you created some amazing earrings . I love them all but my fave is the first pair. I too think of pretzels when i look at them.
    I really admire your ear wires. They add such a distinct touch to your designs.

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  17. Wow!! each n every pair is so stunning ..:)

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  18. Wow! You really flew with your muse! I do think they are all wonderful but I just love the third pair!! Nice work.

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  19. My second try at a comment. My last one seems to have not gone through. :-(
    Just wanted to say- I love these earrings. you have totally captured the inspiration photo and in such a BIG way! The design, and color and the beads you choose for these are just perfect. I love how you can take a design and riff on it so many times. They are siblings and yet each unique. And, I always admire your ear wires. Perfect!

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  20. Love all your wonderful earrings! Each so different just like the shells they are inspired by...love the organic feel they all seem to have too!

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