New Jewelry Headed to Galleries: Old and New Design Favorites

 

It seems that whenever I think about "holiday colors" I lean into deep reds and purples.  I popped in lavender this year and am getting ready to bring some pieces to Lansing Art Gallery. I also plan on updating my work over at Angelwood Gallery in the next month.

The above long thin necklace design that I originally created to go with a dress for Capital City Film Festival's opening night a few years back is creeping its way into my repertoire.  I love the chunky dense look of my leaf lariat necklaces but lately I want a lighter, simpler, thinner option to go with a more wide variety of outfits. This piece is 5' 8 1/4" long and meant to be wrapped in various ways.

The Daphne Leaf Variation necklace has been sold so often I had forgotten about it.  I recently posted an old version on social media for a #TBT post and had a friend order one from me.  I realized that I really didn't have any left and I should get back to making this necklace option. Part of the reason I hadn't made any was I had run out of decorative clasps for the front and the prices have really jumped up on them! I have a few in my bead stash again so I'll be making these again.

Triple pod earrings are definitely one of my favorite earring designs right now. I'm working to make a pair every time I change my color pallets.  They are really interesting statement earrings and the way they come together in this form is very pleasing to me.

Bracelets that clasp.  My bangles are a somewhat standard size but  I do realize they are too tight to slip over your hand for many.  Especially the wider they get the less flexibility they provide to squeeze over a wrist.  My clasp bracelets designs don't provide as much structure (which from an artist-non-functional-standpoint is one of the things I love about the bangle structure) but they offer the option to fit more people.

Making earrings allows for color play as I get bead arrangements organized.  

Then yesterday, as I was laying out my work to take photos I came upon the above arrangement.  I'm not sure how to explain it other than is a bit like a draft for a future idea or piece of work. When the beaded pods come together they create a mesmerizing structure.  I've done one non-jewelry piece like this and I clearly need to keep playing. You can see Cleavege HERE.

Door Pallet Screw Earrings

I am always viewing objects as opportunities for jewelry or parts for my artwork. At work it comes up all of the time since I get to play with building materials. In my department the doors are shipped upright on pallets and these screws are used to stabilize the doors. When we pack out the doors the screws end up in a bucket for metal recycling, or in my apron and pockets.  Needless to say they make it home and I ended up wanting to make earrings out of them.

I am already attracted to industrial-looking heavy metal jewelry. Jewelry that's reminiscent of tools for every day use call to me.  I haven't really figured out how to blend it into my beadwork, but just playing with these screws is a start.

These are a new go-to earring for my basic work outfit.  They kind-of go with everything. I've started to have some ideas on how to use the screw part that I cut off of them.  

(I have been wearing these a ton, also that's a tapestry I wove in 2005-2006 behind me)

On a personal note, some weeks or days at work are harder than others, sometimes I even wonder why I liek customer service. I have to say that last week was really lovely.  I got to decorate a pumpkin in some down time at work. I don't doodle much anymore it got quiet at my desk the day the company had provided us things to decorate and I just relaxed into doodling. Then I had customers call to make sure I was in to stop by and give me a thank you note. They said that of the entire house building process I was able to make purchasing their doors easy. That kind of feedback from customers really makes me feel like I'm in the right spot.