3/30/13

AJE Earring Challenge - Bursts of Spring

I have been literally watching the world outside my window transform into Spring  as I worked at my bead table this Easter week. I tried to capture some of those fresh bursts of color in my earring designs for Weeks 11 and 12 of the Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge.


A large sterling silver and  trio of tiny BeadforLife paper beads dangle from Victoria Swirl lampwork beads by SueBeads. Lavender waxed linen keeps these light and swingy!


Blue sky jasper rounds are encircled by sterling silver and vintage bronze wrapped hoops. Enamel head pins are by SueBeads. This is my take on a project from Kerry Bogert's fabulous Aspire to Wire eCourse.

I hope you're finding extra time to enjoy the beauty of Spring with family and friends this Easter week-end.




3/17/13

AJE Earring Challenge - Wavy Discs


My earrings for Weeks 9 and 10 of Art Jewelry Elements’ Earring Challenge feature wavy discs, combining several different metallic tones from my growing collection.

Large sterling silver discs serve as a backdrop for a highly textured bronze disc and silver flower bead by Tamara Scott Designs. Freshwater pearls and round sterling earwires keep these simple and classic. Layered neutrals perfect for spring!
 
 
Plump blue-green lampwork beads by Kimberly Branch are bracketed by wavy discs in dark bronze and rose gold. A bit of copper chain, along with fancy copper head pins and earwires complete this design.

Click over to the Art Jewelry Elements blog, just the place to find lots of Spring color inspiration.

3/3/13

AJE Earring Challenge - Plum Yummy


Who doesn’t look good in purple? I’ve chosen the shades on either side of violet for my Week 7 and 8 designs for the Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge.

 
Starting with the warmer hue, I’ve framed red-violet enamel discs by Elizabeth Gerod with large bronze hoops from Saki Silver. They’re topped by a small stack of ceramic, firepolish and bronze discs. Gold-filled earwires and jump rings are by me.
 

Perfect for these late-winter, early-spring days, my second design pairs blue-violet charms from THEAtoo with my own wire-wrapped beads (from a tutorial by Deryn Mentock.) The pewter posts echo the design on the charms and allow these earrings to sit close to the ear.

Great earring designs await, so click over to the AJE reveal post and Pinterest board for lots of inspiration.