I've been so busy making beads that I haven't slowed down long enough to make some jewelry with them. I don't know if this happens to you, but after a while I begin to think that I'm not sure where to start.
I made this hollow tube bead with ancient-looking writing on it. It has areas that are crackled, and it looks really old and worn. I wanted to make something with it, something wearable, instead of just listing the bead on its own. So I started getting out vintage style chain, claps and bead caps. It began to go together with copper and brass touches.
A while back at a collaboration creativity gathering, some test beads were made using frit on copper tubing. I wanted to make something special with the beads, the enameled copper drops. They have large openings, so I used bead caps at both ends, and they took on a really vintage, antique look.
That's when I noticed that the colors of frit on the copper went really well with the colors on the hollow tubes. I used it to make a long dangle bead on the bottom, using a brass headpin with a flat paddle end.
I must be the slowest jewelry maker / designer around. I do admire those who can make several pieces in a few minutes, like magic. I have to try things out, adjust. Lengthen, shorten and try things on.I do like how it turned out. I just wish I was faster - so I could make more pieces in the time I have available.
If you want to see more photos, I've listed it in the Etsy shop.
7 comments:
This necklace turned out very beautifully and the colours are just lovely! I find sometimes a piece needs a bit longer be finished, so that you find the best combination of possibilities.
Renate
It's beautiful Lynn!
Lynn, that is beautiful. The combination of beads reminds me of a Tibetan prayer wheel. I'm intersted in the frit on copper tube. I have tons of glass frit sitting around! I'll have check this out.
That is just beautiful! I've actually been so focused on making jewelry that I had forgotten that I wanted to make beads! This is a good reminder to take time and enjoy both aspects.
I really really love this necklace! Great job! I'd love to see you selling the hollow tube beads!
Wow wow WOW! I'm in awe, really, I am!
Thanks, your encouragement means a lot - I work in solitude and have only my own eye to use to decide what goes where so I appreciate the feedback.
And I really, really like the idea of the tibetan prayer wheel - I've been thinking a lot about spirituality lately so it must be showing up in the work. Now that you say that, I can exactly see what you mean.
And yes, I have some tube beads in the works, they are interesting to make and to use in designs.
Thank you all EVER so much for the terrific support. I feel like the world's slowest putter-together jewelry maker!
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