WHAT I DESIGNED TODAY - VOLUME 1

TODAY, May 2nd, 2011 is the first day of my new BLOG series entitled
"WHAT I DESIGNED TODAY". I am very excited! Here is my challenge...to design & create something new and interesting EVERY SINGLE DAY for the next 352 days; photograph it; blog about it; post it on my website and drum roll please....the ultimate goal - SELL IT!!!

So having said that, I am starting off with a design that I am totally GAGA over. Here's how it evolved: I was shopping for bead supplies a few months ago at SouthSun Bead Store in San Diego and I came across this large link gunmetal chain which I thought looked very cool and edgy. I have always enjoyed working with the gunmetal grey & black findings because they have that 'vintage' look... so I bought a few yards of this fun chain and brought it home. It sat in my 'gunmetal' supply box for quite awhile and then I got some great inspiration over the weekend about how to use it. Here's a little TIP I want to share with jewelry designers - don't feel pressured to use your materials the minute you buy them. Jewelry supplies are expensive so wait until some great inspiration hits you and you are really in the mood to create! Keep your supplies really well organized. I find that I have to re-oganize again and again but that's all part of the process of designing.
Over the weekend, I started going through my stash of semi-precious stones, glass pearls, Swarovski crystals, etc. I went on line and purchased some 2" gunmetal head pins from Artbeads.com http://www.artbeads.com/bgm-hp20-22.html (I prefer the 22 gage as they are fairly easy to bend but still strong). I made a bunch of dangly bobbles using the gunmetal headpins and some pretty filagree type bead caps to enhance my beads and just started attaching them here and there on the gunmetal chain. Some are attached permanently, while others are wired to gunmetal lobster claw clasps so you can detach them and move them around wherever you like. http://www.artbeads.com/bgm-cl08.html. I happen to like versatile necklaces that I can change up every now and then. I also like to create a FOCAL cluster with stones, crystals and beads - that's kind of my signature thing. I also put my design on the display bust while I'm working on it so I can see how everything looks as I go along. I know some beaders like to use bead boards - I have several of those and rarely use them. Once I feel satisfied with the piece, I take lots of photos at all different angles and specifically a lot of close ups. Having a good camera really makes a difference and also a good photo editing program. As you can see...my color scheme evolved into shades of green, purple, grey, lavender and cream. I added a couple of brass beads as well - I think mixing metals is very chique! PLEASE post your feedback and tell me what you think of this design. All materials were purchased on-line from Artbeads.com, INMCrystal.com and Happy Mango Beads.com.

TA DAH! HERE IS WHAT I DESIGNED TODAY!

A VERY MIXED MEDIA PIECE

36" Gunmetal Chain with Czech & Swarovski Crystals, Semi-Precious Stones, Glass Pearls, Brass Beads
http://www.starcandydesigns.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1263

Notice the Amethyst & Leather "tooth" on the right - it's detachable
http://www.starcandydesigns.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1263

Notice the Pineapple Quartz teardrop on the right - it's detachable
http://www.starcandydesigns.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1263

The Center Cluster of Beads & Stones is Detachable
http://www.starcandydesigns.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1263

Here it is without the main focal
http://www.starcandydesigns.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1263

Using the Pineapple Quartz Drop as the Focal
http://www.starcandydesigns.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1263

Another Version
http://www.starcandydesigns.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1263

My Swarovski Crystal Color Pallatte for This Design
R to L: Rosaline Opal, Fern, Black Diamond, Lt. Amethyst, Provence Lavender,
Crystal Silver Shade, Clear AB
(from Artbeads.com)