Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Designing in Black and White - Blog Hop Challenge

The lovely Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is hosting another challenge - design a piece of jewelry that uses only black and white in the design - the exception being any metal of choice is acceptable.  (I tried to copy Sally's B&W Badge for this hop, but Blogger is giving me fits)!

Personally, I would fill my entire closet to mimic the attire of Johnny Cash - I LOVE black and white!  So much so, that I did not even have to purchase new beads for this challenge - I just went to my stash and actually had CHOICES!  Yay me!

I purchased three beautiful lampwork cabochons made by the lovely Kerry Bogert a while ago - all with a black and white theme.  I am trying to practice my soldering skills, so I bezel set the cabochon in sterling.



I did not want a single bail at the top - I knew I was going to wire wrap some beads and chain to the sides and I wanted two separate connections.  After I was done setting the lampwork,  a flash of Mickey Mouse and those ears of his came to mind...oh well...it's done.

Source:  family.go.com

Anyhow, I paired this new focal with gorgeous corkscrew lampwork beads by Alisha White.  The beads are made with clear glass with white and/or black stripes added.  These have awesome texture as well.  However, no matter what surface I used as a background, my pictures of these beautiful beads do not show how pretty they are in person!




See?  You can barely see on the black bead above the clear base, but trust me, the artist did a beautiful job!


In my quest to continue to make each piece of jewelry created entirely by hand, I added some handmade chain in sterling.  Just love making this!


I am not happy with my pictures, but I am pleased with how the necklace turned out!.

Of course, I made matching earrings!

I have made this style once before - I finished all ends of the wire by balling it in a flame - I "messy wrapped" intentionally to mimic the stripe in the pretty beads.


Thank you so much Sally - I have not been joining Blog Hops lately and I most certainly needed a push!

Please be sure to visit the blogs of all of the participants listed below.

Patti Vanderbloemen <----- That's me! 

I love to read your comments!  Thank you so much for stopping by today!

--Patti

30 comments:

  1. Wow, Patti, you found unique and gorgeous beads for a unique and gorgeous challenge :) And if you are reminded of Mickey's ears... well, he must be an elegant mouse indeed LOL

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  2. Anything that reminds any of us of the "Big Mick" is ok in my book (my old email is Craze4WDW). Your design and how you incorporated the metal with the beads is fantastic.

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  3. Y'know, I didn't even see Micky until you pointed him out. Of course, now, the old Micky Mouse Club song is running through my head (M-I-C see ya' real soon, K-E-Y why? because we *like* you!)
    (and now it's in your head, too.... you're welcome!)
    I love the beads you used. They're gorgeous and I think you totally did them justice with your design. I'm going to be staring at those earrings, trying to figure out that wrap, just so's y'know.

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  4. Really lovely you did a great job with the necklace and your earrings are brilliant!

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  5. awww....mickey :) cute :)
    I love what you have done with the spiral beads..the spiral wires around them look great!

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  6. What a gorgeous set you have made!

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  7. Love the beads, love the design!

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  8. Beautiful beads and handmade sterling chain equals gorgeous necklace. Well done!

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  9. Really pretty. I love the beads you chose.

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  10. Looks very elegant! I like making my own chain... then if it falls apart I have no-one to blame except myself! Thiing those earrings will look lovely hanging off of your ears!

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  11. The whole piece, Mickey and all, is Gorgeous! But those clear and white beads are IT! I love those beads! Those earrings are a perfect way to highlight their beauty.

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  12. I love black and white clothes-or black and white anything. Your necklace is just gorgeous! I love your pendant and handmade chain. And Alisha's Beads are beautiful.

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  13. This necklace is gorgeous! I love the Mickey ears! Those beads are beautiful and I'm envious of your soldering skills! Love the messy wraps on the earrings, too. Stay cool and dry!

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  14. Love, love, love the necklace.....and that focal bead, reminds me of those spiraling images we used to see in the 60's on the black and white tv's....(opps, gave away my age) And there is nothing wrong with Mickey Mouse. You would be surprised how often I see that image in things. Great job.

    Vera
    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/2013/07/black-white-jewelry-challenge.html

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  15. Love your combination of spirals!

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  16. Oh, your necklace and earrings are just gorgeous Patti! I love how you bezel set the cab from Kerry and the beads by Alisha White are fantastic. Your wire work is superb and I'm in love w/those earrings!! I had trouble w/blogger loading pics, etc. too this time - silly blogger!!

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  17. Patti, it's beautiful! You did a fantastic job bezel setting the cabby and you know i'm in awe of your gorgeous wire work!! The earrings will compliment the necklace perfectly! BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL work!!

    Patti, thank you for participating in the challenge!

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  18. Patti, I really like your wirework and the lampwork beads are perfect! Happy B&W hopping!
    {Hugs!}

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  19. I love both pieces.
    The lampwork beads are stunning. Very wll done

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  20. So cool that you are experimenting with bezel setting and chain making. I would love to do that if I had the time. I love the look of this, so interesting at every turn! Enjoy the day, Miss Patti! Erin

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  21. Beautiful necklace, love that you set that great cab...great job and the earrings are the perfect match!!

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  22. How absolutely gorgeous, my friend!

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  23. Hi Patti,
    I love this necklace and earring set it is gorgeous! Now that I own one of your necklaces, I know first hand the craftsmanship that you put in to your pieces. You do awesome work!
    Therese

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  24. Photographing black and white can be frustrating. Your necklace and earrings are gorgeous. I so envy your wire work! I would have never "recognized" mickey on my own. When you pointed him out it just added a little sprinkle of fun for me.

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  25. I am a cabochon addict and have serious cabochon-envy for the one in your design. I have never seen those corkscrew beads and just love them. Great job on the challenge!

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  26. I love this - Even though its an art piece, I would wear this in a heartbeat! Well done.

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  27. Wonderful creations, I love them!

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  28. I love all the components of the pieces. I really like the focal point (spiral) on the necklace!

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  29. Patti I just love your work! the beads are perfect, and the black & white pairings divine! I'm with you ... I could wear black and white exclusively, and I didn't need to purchase anything new for this challenge! But I have to say that your chain work is just one of my all-time favorites! LOVE it!

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  30. Patti, what a classic beauty! You really made a fitting necklace to show off Kerry's cab. The whole design is beautiful and what I love is that you can wear it ALL the time (and never want to take it off!).

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