Tuesday, 30 April 2013

AJE Component of the Month - April Reveal


Yet another month is drawing to a close and it's time for the AJE team and our guests to reveal what we've created with this months special component. Jennifer Cameron supplied us with some beautiful lampwork headpins this month and as usual, I forgot to take a picture of mine before I started working with them - doh! Fortunately Jen's picture shows my headpins...I received two of those on the left, a lovely soft blue with gorgeous encased murrini.


For me the most difficult thing about working with decorative headpins in that you only get one shot - mess it up and at best you have buckled wire to try and make a feature of and at worst the overworked wire snaps...been there, done that. I usually do a trial run with some scrap wire but I still hold my breath when I start on the real thing.

Initially I was trying not to plump for the obvious choice of earrings but my muse had other thoughts, planting a idea in my head while I was in the shower which I then couldn't shake off. These are what developed as a result.




The germ of the idea was some sort of wrapping around a ring but that seemed a little dull so I dug around for something extra and came up with a couple of my own domed bronze flowers. They were the right size for the headpins so I drilled and hammered some copper washers, bit the bullet and started wrapping...


I liked the play of the two metals against each other especially with the added depth when oxidised so I decided to go for a full medley of metals and made some sterling silver earwires. I really like the contrasts with the blue green and  I think these are a good showcase for Jen's headpins.



You can see what everyone else made with their components by clicking on the links below.


Guest Designers:

AJE Team:



 Lesley

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28 comments:

  1. Niky Sayers30 April 2013 at 09:00

    Love what you did with your headpins, really lovely earrings!

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  2. Anonymous30 April 2013 at 10:16

    Gorgeous. Those headpins really stand out with the colour combination.

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  3. NEDbeads30 April 2013 at 11:12

    Ohmygosh!!! Those are gorgeous!! I adore mixed metals, and what an ingenious way to show off the lovely headpins. Hugely creative thinking, to me - I never would have thought of it, and I love them! Will you be selling these??

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  4. AntiquityTravelers30 April 2013 at 11:17

    So creative! Never thought to use headpins that way. They are wonderful!

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  5. baymoondesign30 April 2013 at 11:55

    Very creative! Your skills are amazing.

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  6. Unknown30 April 2013 at 12:32

    Lovely!

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  7. Alice30 April 2013 at 12:36

    Gorgeous! I'm so glad you followed your muse and bit the bullet. Such a great way to use these beautiful headpins.

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  8. KristiBowmanDesign30 April 2013 at 13:11

    Really beautiful and fun, nicely done Lesley!!

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  9. Susan Marling30 April 2013 at 13:33

    Glad you listened to your muse and went with earrings. They are gorgeous.

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  10. Gale30 April 2013 at 13:34

    Love those! You bit the right bullet.

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  11. sandysewin30 April 2013 at 13:49

    Ooooo, everyone's creations are lovely, but yours are my favorites out of all. Happy creating!

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  12. Sarajo Wentling30 April 2013 at 13:53

    Gorgeous!!

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  13. jessememan30 April 2013 at 15:05

    Very nice, Lesley. I love the mix of metals as well and your little bronze flower is perfect to show off the murrini!

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  14. TesoriTrovati30 April 2013 at 15:45

    Isn't it funny, Miss Lesley, how all the little murrinis are ending up as flowers? I love your mix of metals and the simple and powerful styling. The textures, the colors, the shapes. These are kicky little earrings that just long for warmer days and bright skies! Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  15. Honey from the Bee30 April 2013 at 16:40

    Adore!! Really shows off the head pin.

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  16. Jennifer Cameron30 April 2013 at 16:45

    OOOHHHH! I LOOOOVE them!!!! Thanks for participating in the design challenge. You did awesome :-)

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  17. Lynn30 April 2013 at 16:58

    I really love these earrings---so clever. The mix of metals is wonderful!

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  18. Unknown30 April 2013 at 17:41

    You are totally right, those little bronze flowers of yours set off the headpins to perfection! So very cute!

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  19. Unknown30 April 2013 at 18:02

    You and Jen make an incredible team. How stunning and dreamy those earrings are!

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  20. Cassi30 April 2013 at 19:24

    What a stunning design! Amazing.

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  21. Jenny30 April 2013 at 22:35

    Confession: I saw these pinned this morning to Pinterest and I LOVED them and didnt recognize the headpins! And I participated in the same challenge. I was then - and now - struck with the simple design, stunning effect. it is a lovely pair and still lets the headpin star in the show. Mixed metals for the win!

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  22. Unknown30 April 2013 at 23:31

    I'm a total THEA Fan! I love your work - very inspiring. These earrings are amazing!

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  23. Linda1 May 2013 at 03:10

    I love these earrings! They are so pretty and cheery. I'd wear them all the time! Awesome!

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  24. SueBeads1 May 2013 at 13:39

    I love your earrings, Lesley, they are fantastic! Great idea combining your own bead caps, they go so well! Excellent idea!

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  25. Penny1 May 2013 at 13:53

    Love them! So cute!

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  26. Roxanne Mendoza1 May 2013 at 21:58

    Hi! I love, love, love what you did with the challenge! :)

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  27. Just Beads3 May 2013 at 09:48

    Love these beautiful haedpins and what you done with. So gorgeous!

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  28. Becky Pancake5 May 2013 at 16:47

    Lesley those are awesome earrings.

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