My designs have been mainly one of a kind, but for my first
time exhibiting in an Art Show later this month, I wanted to create a
collection, a grouping that, although not identical, shared strong commonality.
After creating a series of lariats, a theme developed – Modern Botanical – and
3mm rondelles quickly emerged as my signature design element.
But how to use them in earrings? Stacking them in mini-chunks, and dangling
them in clusters made for great pairings with my lariats, but I also needed to
find a way to use them in stand-alone statement earrings.
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| Calliope Earrings by Fusion Beads |
I found this Calliope design among Fusion Bead’s Inspiration
Projects, and stitched it up to see how it would translate in my more
restrained color palette.
Although I liked the result very much in these autumn
neutrals, I felt the flat circle and picot edging were out of synch with the
rest of my collection. Modifications
were in order!
Switching out the flat circle component with a larger round
wire component allowed me to keep the same diameter, but lose the fringe. My
rondelles were a little smaller than the ones Fusion Beads used in their
design, and I found that stacking mine gave me a more pronounced negative
space. I was going for a flower, but ended up with a stellate (our botanical
word of the day, meaning star-shaped). Still within my Modern Botanical theme!
Since the original version was named after the Greek Goddess Calliope, I named
mine in honor of her more practical sister, Clio.
As I created them in lots of colors, I documented the steps
in my journal. Although I could stitch them in my sleep right now, this will
head off that moment of design panic if someone asks for one six months from now!
My favorite colorway this season is still the awesome
combination of Bright Cobalt, Royal Blue and Aluminum.
