Friday, March 21, 2014

We're All Ears - March Challenge

As I have worked on renewing my aquaintance with the bead and jewelry blog-o-sphere after an almost 2 year hiatus, I have discovered a delightful group blog featuring some wonderful artists and focused on my favorite piece of jewelry (both to wear and to make):  earrings!  The site is called "Earrings Everyday" and not only are there amazing designs and ideas for inspiration, but they hold a monthly challenge.

This will be my first time participating. I was a little over-committed on projects in February and was concerned that I wouldn't have enough time.  I'm glad I chose this month's challenge to get in on the fun because the inspiration is this delightful Beatrix Potter scene:




It kind of reminds me of the "House Mouse" series of rubber stamps that I was fond of back when I was doing rubber stamping (before I became bead-obsessed).  However, even though the mice are so cute, the part of the picture that immediately drew my eye is the floral pillow in the background.





I absolutely love this color scheme!  It's not something I would have put together on my own, but since I love all things teal, I will definitely be keeping this in my back pocket for future use.

Here's what it inspired me to create:




I had initially planned to have teal be the predominant color in this design, just like in the inspiration photo, but I also knew I wanted to use my stash of lucite flowers/leaves and I quickly discovered that I didn't have lucite that was the right color.  So, I decided to switch things up.  I have been hoarding these wonderful ruffled lucite leaves for a while now ever since the vendor I used to get them from closed her store.  




I felt like the design needed some sparkle, too, and I was able to get the teal element in via the use of some Swarovski crystal rondelles in "indicolite."  The flower centers are lime green AB Swaros and then I used some green Swaro crystal pearls  on the top half of the earrings as well.  Vintaj brass wire, headpins, jump rings and daisy spacers work well with the color scheme and are reminiscent of the wood in the background of the inspiration picture.

The next thing I noticed in the photo was the needle and thread being held by the mouse in the foreground:


 
I had something already out on my work space from a recent order that couldn't be more perfect for the silver needle if I'd planned it (don't you love when that happens?  I didn't even have to go on a hunt through my stash for "those beads I remember buying that time").  I'd also been wanting a pair of pink earrings to go with a top that I purchased about six months ago that every time I put it on I think "Why don't I have earrings to go with this top?  I MAKE JEWELRY for heaven's sake!  Where are the pink earrings?"  And it isn't like I don't have pink beads...I do!  Lots of 'em.  And I like the color (although I definitely tend toward the stronger, brighter, fuchsia end of the "pink" spectrum because pastels just look washed out on me) so I don't know what the mental block is, but this was a sign that pink's time had finally come LOL!
  


I used deep pink lampwork rondelles and Mykonos ceramic silver spike beads to create these "Needle & Thread" earrings.




The bead caps are Bali silver and the wire and earring hooks are sterling.

I hope you enjoyed my first entry into the "We're All Ears" monthly challenge.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the April version will be!

KJ

17 comments:

baymoondesign said...

You captured the colors! Great designs!

Terri said...

Love love your earrings! I think we were on similar wave lengths with what inspired our earrings.

Anonymous said...

Love how you searched for the tiny details of this painting to inspire you to create two very different pair of earrings. Really love the pink with the silver needles!
Lynda

CMS Designs said...

I loved your comment about not having earrings to go with a top and then making your own. I do that all of the time! I like your use of the lucite flowers. I loved the story of having the needle beads so handy for this challenge and for earrings you can now wear with that top. Lovely earrings!

Unknown said...

Love both pairs! You really did a great job interpreting the challenge. I especially love your needle and thread earrings. I would so wear them!

Kristy's Kreations Jewelry said...

Wow! Spot on with the colors in that first pair pictured but both are lovely.

Shai Williams said...

I love both pairs though the second is my favorite even though I tend to avoid pink for the most part.

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

Oh I love what you did! You are so good at design. These are fantastic! jean

Alice said...

Your earrings are lovely. I especially like the flowers on the first pair.

Shel said...

Great interpretations - all of them. The first ones are my favorite - so beautiful!!

Createology said...

Such lovely earrings you created from this Beatrix Potter scene. Creative Beaded Bliss...

OksanaB said...

Both pairs are beautiful in their own way.

Radhika said...

Bothe are very pretty..2nd one is lovely with pink and silver needle..:)

Marybeth said...

I absolutely love the way you tell a story :) I had to giggle right along with you on the not having the right pair of earrings for an outfit problem. Both pieces are lovely and I think you captured your inspiration so well!

Kala said...

Lovely earrings. The lucite leaves and flowers really look like the illustration. Love the needle pair too.

Anonymous said...

I love how you pulled out the colors from the pillow to design the first pair of earrings. Somehow I hadn't really focused on those colors. The needle and thread earrings are very clever! I love the scalloped edges on the bead caps. Thank you for joining The Earrings Everyday blog hop!!!

TesoriTrovati said...

So adorable! I love the way you focused on the pillow. And the needle earrings! How perfectly serendipitous! I am so happy that people are liking the new challenge (that actually I just started in Feb - it's my baby). I have already selected the inspiration for April and it is ready to rock on April 4th! So glad you are taking the We're All Ears challenge! Enjoy the day. Erin