Project Runway Jewelry Challenge: Color!

This week's challenge was taken from Project Runway Canada, season 2 episode 3, where contestants were to use L'oreal's spring color pallet to inspire their garments. The challenge was interpreted as an opportunity to incorporate "Blazing Color" into our piece.

I perforated a piece of sterling silver sheet with many tiny holes, made an interesting bale to turn it into a pendant, and then sewed tiny colorful seed beads into the holes. The colors gradate from orange to pink with shads of red in between. There's something great about the texture that seed beads make when sewn snugly together that I've always loved, and I've wanted to use seed beads on metal like a cross stitch pattern for a while, so here it is!

Other participants:

Victoria WOW!

Here's Lora's post, but pay special attention to her amazing enamel piece!

Project Runway Jewelry Challenge

This weeks challenge was taken from season 4, episode 8: En Garde! Designers were teamed up to make an avant-garde garment based on their model's hairdo as well as a ready-to wear design based on the avant-garde creation. I was stop and start and almost didn't do this, but I got my rear in gear and managed to do both pieces.

I've been thinking about using papier-mâché made with newsprint and combining it with a metal framework for a while now, so it was time to use the idea. When I was thinking of avant-garde, I think immediately of a head piece of some kind - that's certainly out of the realm of the norm for me - no, I'm not a big tiara wearer. The framework for the tiara is made from blackened copper. The paper-mache is held in place with fine silver head pins which are wrapped around the edge of the paper. It's surprisingly comfortable and light to wear.

The ready to wear version of the tiara is a pair of earrings. Simple ovals of with framework made of the same blackened copper and fine silver. The earrings got some people in their collage of newsprint just for fun. They're quite large, 2 1/4" long by 1" wide, but because most of their make up is paper, they're lightweight and comfortable. Here's some more photos which include the back side of both pieces:

Check out what Victoria and Lora did! I'll post more links as soon as I get them!

A New Toy

This is a fun new tool! The Industrial Tube-Wringer is meant to squeeze the very last little bit out of a tube of something like toothpaste. But we can use it to pleat thin gauge metal sheet and wire. I tested it with some paper card stock and then dove into my scrap to try it out on some little bits! It's fun and easy, but you must anneal the metal first. Time to design some jewelry with bits of pleated metal!

Happy Independence Day!

Bicycle Parade!

Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob, Potato Salad, Popsicles on red & white checkered tablecloths.

Icy beer and soda in coolers by the door.

Fireworks and Sparklers!

(wait till dark)

Good friends and fun.

Sleep in on Sunday.

I took these pictures at Disneyland. Enjoy the holiday!