This week's challenge was to create a delicate necklace using fabric beads and a recycled clasp. Delicate is not my nature so it was somewhat of a stretch. For the beads, I cut a multi-coloured cotton scarf into strips and then rolled the strips into fabric beads - enough beads for several necklaces so you'll see them again.
After rolling the strips and gluing the ends, the beads were wrapped with a metallic thread that was stitched through the middle several times to secure it before stringing the beads on beading line alternated with gold flecked purple beads in-between. I find with fabric jewelry that metallic elements help to make the pieces more sophisticated. I've spent a long time - years - attempting to make fabric jewelry that makes the kind of statement I want it to make - elegant, sophisticated, high end. It's harder than it looks.
One of my most successful pieces is this pendant I made earlier this year. It's a combination of fabric, threadwork, and hand stitching that worked so well that. I'm doing more exploration into this way of creating a piece by starting with a formed base.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - the year of 52 weeks started
IKm glad to have found your newest blog. Love the pendant and couldn’t agree more with you regarding the addition of metal to textiles. I think leather also makes fabric jewellery stand out. Good luck with the new journey. Abbey
ReplyDeleteI bought a leather belt recently at the thrift store that has three strands. I thought it would work well as a "chain". I'm excited to see where that goes. We have a fabulous thrift store here in town that has way too much potential. I'm addicted to potential so I'm careful how often I visit - VBG.
DeleteHow are you deciding on your challenge for each week, are you planning it out ahead of time, like a month at a time? or deciding each week. I ask, because I have a tendency to decide a challenge and then retracted based on what inspires me at the moment, which really may not be something that stretches the creativity.
ReplyDeleteSome of both. When I first decided on the challenge, I made the parameters too tight and I wouldn't have been able to maintain them so I backed off both on literal time frames on and what to do. Instead, I've made a list of things I want to try to like driftwood, natural and found objects, and resin for jewelry and of surface design and garment details for fashion. This way, I can either do what tickles or choose from a list. I'm also also allowing the challenge to move outside the studio. For instance, I'm in the middle of building a wood deck at the front of my house and I made some rock retaining walls in the back. Both are new. The challenge is more about being adventurous and trying things that any strict rules. That's why I said new to me and not necessarily rocket science. If you know what might make you back off, don't include those things and if something intrigues you, be sure to include it. Once you're started, that energy will move you forward. Jewelry is new to me so it's really intriguing but I also want to grow my creative fashion skills. That will be the thing for me to balance.
DeleteSome of both. When I first decided on the challenge, I made the parameters too tight and I wouldn't have been able to maintain them so I backed off both on literal time frames on and what to do. Instead, I've made a list of things I want to try to like driftwood, natural and found objects, and resin for jewelry and of surface design and garment details for fashion. This way, I can either do what tickles or choose from a list. I'm also also allowing the challenge to move outside the studio. For instance, I'm in the middle of building a wood deck at the front of my house and I made some rock retaining walls in the back. Both are new. The challenge is more about being adventurous and trying things that any strict rules. That's why I said new to me and not necessarily rocket science. If you know what might make you back off, don't include those things and if something intrigues you, be sure to include it. Once you're started, that energy will move you forward. Jewelry is new to me so it's really intriguing but I also want to grow my creative fashion skills. That will be the thing for me to balance.
DeleteGlad to have found your new blog! I could swear I checked just yesterday for an update but didn’t see one. Proves how fast time flies. 😀. I really like the necklace in the top left of the post and totally agree that adding the metallic beads “kicks it up a notch”. In fact, if I could wear necklaces, I would want to purchase one. Fortunately for me, I live in an area of very mild winters, as even a coat on my neck causes headaches, as well as jewelry of any weight. :(. Thanks to you, I’m seeing potential in many places and things, but am jotting down notes, as my time is so limited now. I pray I will once again be blessed with a season of time for my creative desires. Hope you are doing well!
DeleteI had written drafts but only made all the posts live two days ago so you may have just missed the update message. Thank you - I really like that pink necklace as well. I made it to wear to my brother's wedding. I'm reading one of Steven Covey's books right now where he talks about the putting off the important for the more demanding urgent and how detrimental that can be. Creating is important for me even if I only have a few minutes. I'd encourage you to make a little space somehow. It'll nurture you back.
DeleteI had written drafts but only made all the posts live two days ago so you may have just missed the update message. Thank you - I really like that pink necklace as well. I made it to wear to my brother's wedding. I'm reading one of Steven Covey's books right now where he talks about the putting off the important for the more demanding urgent and how detrimental that can be. Creating is important for me even if I only have a few minutes. I'd encourage you to make a little space somehow. It'll nurture you back.
Delete