January. It comes in with champagne and noise makers… and goes out with howling winds. At least here in Delaware!
This year, the AJE team wanted to start the year fresh. While we are still doing out Component of the Month give aways on the blog – we are mixing it up. January was “Use your stash” month, for lack of a prettier term. We are collectors of each others work, known to barter, buy and trade. So this month we decided to put the treasures to good use!
I wanted to make as many pieces as I could – and I’ll share with you how far I got, and what I still have planned.
First up Karen of Starry Road Studio.
I love to make earrings. I had these pieces tucked away for a year and a half? The pair on the left, apple green boat shapes are paired with garnet and black spiniel. Lots of movement, a little bling. The pair on the right? Umm. That’s a bracelet bar that I broke… and it was too pretty to lose. Its a matte teal glaze, very me, very earthy. I paired it with seed pods for their organic-ness and complementary warm color. (and turquoise in there too)
Next up is a partnership – Melissa (Melismatic Art Jewelry) and Sue (Sue Beads):
This lampwork glass cab from Sue is heavenly, metallic with silver across the surface like stars. Although it has warm honey colors in it – I wanted to go metallic from the start. I used seed beads in bronzes, crystal, and silver. The picot edge is bright silver beads, although its tough to photograph. The dangle is one of Melissa’s metal clay pieces. I scooped up ALL the “little tiny shinies” that she had to trade at Beadfest. I adore them. I think it plays up the silver on the cab nicely.
Then – the Kristen (Beadwork by KAS) and Diana (Suburban Girl Studio) partnership:
I usually don’t design things in a complimentary color palette. I prefer harmonious rather than “pop”. But this necklace designed itself. The PC/MM focal is one of mine- with a vintage illustration under resin. It’s many shades of blue with rust highlights. As I sat, treasure box of artist beads on my lap… there it all was. Kristen’s beaded beads and Diana’s stoneware beads were the same scale, making it easy to pair them in a balanced composition. Additional flowers to pull in the illustration itself…done. Really pleased with this one!
And now for something completely different – with Rebekah of Tree Wing Studio
Start with a mini mint tin. Burn off the paint, sand it down. Then fill it with treasures! The sleepy fox bead of Rebekah’s is nestled in hand dyed silk from my friends at Reyen Studios. The collage opposite incorporated vintage dictionary text, origami paper and Czech flower beads. The outside was done first – and it was going to be a winter fox asleep in the snow and ice. (Hence the crystal and blue…) So this is a prototype, guess I will have to keep it! I have a menagerie of creatures napping on my work table now… more of these forthcoming!
And then there were no more days left in January… but I am not done. Here is what I am going to showcase next:
a lampwork bead from Jen (Glass Addictions)
a Celtic bronze hound/hare from Lesley (Thea Jewelry)
a lunar hare from Caroline (Blueberri Beads)
a copper donut ( destined to be a shrine) from Kristi (Kristi Bowman Designs)
Please take a look at the wonderful, creative bounty from the team, the guests, and the winners! So much to see!
AJE team: Kristen Stephens Susan Kennedy Jenny Davies-Reazor ( yup. thats me) Lesley Watt Melissa Meman Lindsay Starr Jennifer Cameron Caroline Dewison Linda LandigGuest Participants ( aka winners)
Lee – Strega Jewellry Shai – Shai’s Ramblings Samantha- Wescott Jewelry Kathy – Bay Moon Designs Nikki – Silver Nik nats Melissa Trudinger Becky Pancake Yvette – Blue Kiln Beads Karin – Ginko et Coquelicot Bonus participants! Sarajo Wentling Leah Curtis Susan Delaney
Talk about ambitious! They are all wonderful designs but I am really loving the earrings.
LikeLike
So many gorgeous components and fantastic jewelry!I totally love the tin box with the little box, it is so special!
LikeLike
Wonderful designs, I love your beaded bezels but the tin is my favourite, it’s definitely a keeper!
LikeLike
Wonderful designs Jenny. Using the broken bracelet bar as earring components is brilliant. How did you ever manage to break it so even? Your sleeping fox tin is adorable.
LikeLike
I don’t know how all of you found the time to create so many fantastic pices!!! Love love love what you did with Sue’s cab and that little tin box for Rebekah’s Fox is adorbs!!!
LikeLike
Fabulous Jenny! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
LikeLike
These are all gorgeous.
I love the wear-with-everything sparkle to the jewelry.
The box is way too cute.
Smiling.
LikeLike
I look forward to seeing what else you make, but wow do I love what you’ve already made. I love the focal you made for the necklace and the sleepy fox tin!
LikeLike
Oh I love your “partnership” AND the piece with Tree Wings Studio. Lovely.
LikeLike
One of the things that strikes me is your artistic versatility. You’ve got wire work, bead stitching collage and resin work going on here. Very impressive. My fav is the beadwork you did with Sue’s cab and Melissa’s metal. Awesome.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed your designs and love what you did with my beads (including the broken one!). I think I like most, the little treasure box with Rebekah’s sleepy critter. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m amazed at what you managed to accomplish in a short amount of time and with all the other stuff you had going on. The fox is perfect. I love him. And the Sue/Melissa collab with the seeds is so beautiful. I can hardly wait to see what you make with my bead 🙂
LikeLike
So many beautiful designs! I was amazed to read that you had used the broken bracelet bar for that one set of earrings… how smart and how lucky that it broke so evenly. I think that my very favorite is that gorgeous necklace. Such a harmonious mixture of materials. Looking forward to what you make with the other treasures from your hoard!
LikeLike
I love what you’ve made with your treasures, but I have to say I adore the mini fox box!
LikeLike
lovely pieces Jenny – than min shrine is just adorable and I love the beaded cab and charm. Look forward to seeing the rest when they’re completed.
LikeLike