7/10/13

A Challenge in Black and White

When Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime announced her Black and White Challenge, I jumped at the opportunity to step away from color, usually my primary design consideration, and focus simply on form and texture.

I splurged on a black dress for a recent trip to New England. This black dress:



I wore it to a dinner, a corporate affair, at a winery, on a cool Connecticut June evening, where a ruffle-edged white jacket, my favorite Laura Gibson dangles and statement bracelet were the only accessories needed. I'm now back home in Georgia. Gone are the ocean breezes, the cool morning mists. Gone, also, is the need for that elegant jacket. Sally's challenge was to design a piece of jewelry that uses only black and white. The challenge I gave myself was to design a necklace that would take my new black dress from Summer Staple to Something Spectacular.

I knew I wanted this project to be component based, so I began with some beaded beads.


Barrel Beads and an Octahedral Cluster from tutorials by beAd Infinitum, Discos from a tutorial by Sharri Moroshok of The Beaded Bead, and Ringlets, found in Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence.


With their large holes and elegant texture, Gwen Fisher and Florence Turnour's Barrel Beads were the perfect choice to anchor the longest strand. I combined them with a collection of glass rings by Heather Trimlett that I've been saving for a special project. Completing this strand are embellished Ringlets and large Disco beads from Sharri Moroshok's easily adapted pattern. The Octahedral Cluster serves as the focal of the shorter strand, accented by Disco beads, short barrels, and perfectly named Black Tie Affair lampwork beads by April Larson of Bo's Beads.



The velvet ribbon is left long for times when I want to wear this strand long and casual with black linen and a tee.




The more-traditional short strand is 16 ½-18 inches and lays just above the neckline of my black dress. I think it would be divine on its own with a collared shirt.

Much thanks to Sally Russick for challenging us with this iconic duo. You'll want to check out all the black-and-white inspiration from today's participants.



 


































 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

22 comments:

  1. Fantastic beading, and they will so be perfect on that basic black we all should have in our closets!

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  2. I love what you made, both designs are so very sophisticated, and all the beads are beautiful!

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  3. Droooooooooling. Love, love, love that!

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  4. Your necklaces are just gorgeous!

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  5. THose necklaces are lovely.... I'll have to make some large holed beaded beads .. they look great! I really like the center bead on the short necklace!

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  6. Each of your beads is an individual treasure, Karin, but strung together they are simply stunning. (Not sure anyone could look away long enough to notice your dress LOL.)

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  7. Karin! You nailed the spectacular part of the challenge! Oh my! Oh my!! Pretty much STUNNING is all that comes out of my mouth!! I love your work and the way the beaded beads and beaded components are strung is just GORGEOUS!! WOW!!! I'm just going to scroll back up and stare at the photo for awhile! Amazing beadwork!! Thank you for participating!!!

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  8. I love these beaded beads. The necklace has so much wonderful texture. It's gorgeous!!

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  9. Karin...how gorgeous! You hit the challenge right on the head! Great job!

    Vera

    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/2013/07/black-white-jewelry-challenge.html

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  10. Oh my goodness...I am in love with these necklaces!! Your dress is also a stunner! Love that you have two separate necklaces...and the options you now have! Beautiful!!!!!

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  11. Wow. Look at all the fab texture! Without color to rely on you really need to focus on great shapes and designs. This has it! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  12. You never fail to hugely impress me :-D
    These beaded beads are absolutely wonderful! What a great idea for this challenge. No matter what clothes you wear with these beautiful necklaces, they will be stunning.

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  13. Hi Karin,
    Your needle work with seed beads is always a pleasure to see. Your necklaces strung with the beaded beads and glass beads are gorgeous!
    Therese

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  14. Fabulous. Those are classics.

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  15. Lucky you! You have a great necklace for your event and mor to come.

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  16. What a cool presentation. It was wonderful to read your lead-in describing your outfit (we need a photo of you in it)! And your necklace is bold and so creative. Just LOVE it.

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  17. Oh My Goodness! These are FANTASTIC! Would love to see your pieces with the black dress!

    Dee

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  18. Wow!!! Those beads!!! Every single one is gorgeous, and using them all together is a huge challenge. Both the designs are super gorgeous!

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  19. Oh wow - your necklaces are just stunning! The intricate work of your beaded beads is amazing and the design of both necklaces just makes them jump out and grab you! I couldn't stop staring at them - they are so, so beautiful. Very classy. You knocked this one out of the ball park for sure!

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  20. I have never before seen as elegant beaded beads as these. Black and white are so good colors for them. That velvet lace adds classy design style. Beautiful!

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  21. Oooh Wow!! what totally stunning creations, I love your components

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  22. Wow, beautiful and stunning is all I can say!

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