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.

Triple Pod Earrings and Open Leaf Snap Bracelet

The triple pod earrings are some of my favorites right now, I decided they would fit well with my holiday dress this year.  I was just going to do a black and white combo of the pods, but then I was looking closer at my dress and I realized that the white lace portion had black outlines in it.  So I chose to make the pods all white and silver with black edging. 

White based earrings pop against my darkish brown hair, especially when I wear it down.  The silver sparkle looked really lovely at the bottoms of these earrings and gave some extra glitter. 

This bracelet was inspired by the white with black edging of the earrings, but I wanted it to be more simple.  This is the second bracelet I've ever made with this snap closure that helps make the bracelet look like it has no clasp at all.   This first type of this bracelet can be seen HERE.

I was on a roll, so I made these thin dangle earrings too.  I wore one of these in my second piercing on my one ear along side the triple pod earrings, you can see them worn together below.  I love the look of all the beads together.  Of course, it's what I do. :)

Jax dress lace detail.

Layered earring look.

Bryan and I at his office holiday party.  <3 p="">

Triple Pod Earring Variation II

I usually post a run down for New Year's but it became more of a journal entry, so this coming year I'm just ready for whatever is thrown at me.  My previous post was the first of this style earring. It sold less than a week after I made it and I already missed them.

So here's another variation of the 3 pod earrings, it's a bit larger than the first pair and I decided not to add any accent beads, it preferred this smooth look.  

There is a significant amount of dimension to these which has me starting to think about other, larger projects.

Of course, I'm still making smaller earrings for every day wear. I finished these recently and am working on some new leaf sets.

Triple Pod Earring Variation

I regret that these are the only photos I took of this 3 pod earring variation, but I'm happy I thought about it when I did.  I finished them on Tuesday to go with what I wore to the Arts Council's Holiday Glitter event and they just sold last night at REACH Art Studio's "A Not So Silent Night" fundraiser.

These are more difficult to put together to make them match than the ones that hang in a row, but I really love their size and shape.  

I have to admit, I was sad to see these go so quickly, but it certainly makes me feel like I should make more of this style/shape!

Outfit by Helen Welford