The components for this months challenge come in the form of these lovely beaded hoops from the seriously talented seed beader Kristen Stevens. Once again I forgot to photograph my own beads but they were the same as the purple pair in the centre of this picture.
Since they came in a pair I decided pretty quickly to make earrings but I wanted to try and do something a bit different. They're very light and quite flexible so I began by looking for something that might give them a little more rigidity and structure. Whilst rummaging I came across my pot of copper washers and found some that the hoops sat quite nicely inside and I started to think about ways to attached the two elements - a little wire wrapping seemed in order.
I decided I wanted integral ear wires so I began by soldering some copper wire to the washers. I then had a bit of a 'what if' moment and used some solder paste to give the washers a more grungy, industrial look by dotting it around, melting it and then hammering it for a more battered look... I like this look a lot and I wish I'd thought to take process pictures but I always forget when I'm experimenting. I also punched a hole in the washers opposite the ear wire.
Next I had to attach Kristen's hoop and this proved a little tricky. Because they didn't fit snugly to the washer so it was difficult to keep them aligned - I kept wrapping too tightly and pulling the hoops to one side. Eventually I managed to get a more even and relaxed tension which held the hoops centred where I wanted them. Some 'messy' wrapping took care of the excess wire and created a contrasting accent.
For a little flourish I found some crystals that matched the colour of the hoops and added them to the bottom of the washers as dangles. Finally I formed the integral ear wires and here we have the finished product...
Because it took me a few attempts to get the wrapping right I did take a
bit of the surface colour of the hoops but in actual fact I really like
the effect and I think it works well with the grungy theme.
Many thanks to Kristen for providing up with such great beads to play with. Please use the links below to see what the rest of the team and out guests made for this challenge.
Lesley
Cindy Martin Shaw
Shai Williams
Karen Martinez
Linda Landig
Caroline Dewison
Francesca Watson
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Lindsay Starr
Jennifer Cameron
They're gorgeous Lesley! I tried something similar but gave up, glad I did now, they wouldn't have looked half as good as these!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely design the little drops finish them off perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI love your earrings. The bit of grunge is wonderful. And kudos on having the patience to get the tension right. I give up too easily and never get to see so many of my visions come to fruition!
ReplyDeleteI love them. Seriously I have no other words!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you are always experimenting and pushing your designs Lesley! You've captured that 'grunge' look, but in your elegant way. I love the mix of metal and beads in these - beautiful eaarrings
ReplyDeleteI keep trying to leave this comment!!! I love how you did the earrings, Lesley, and I think the solder technique would be a good blog post!!! Hint Hint!
ReplyDeleteI love the grunge look! Amazing! And what patience to get them aligned....The earrings are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, love the beaded beads strung inside. Gives the rather elegant beads a rustic look. Love!
ReplyDeleteWow, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever and pretty idea to wire them into metal discs - I love them!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike! I love these!
ReplyDeleteI think the messy wrap and the "grunge" look are a good fit. Then there is nice contrast with the pearl sheen on the seed beads and the iridescent crystal dangle. A balance of opposites!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant earrings! I would never have thought to make these rings grungy/industrial but you did a fabulous job. Nothing like thinking outside the box!
ReplyDeleteI love the original thinking that went into this design. So clever.
ReplyDeleteLesley, the minute I saw your earrings, I was smitten. In a moment of weakness, I bought hundreds of copper washers that I feel compelled to use every time I sit down at my work table. It seems I am always searching for a new way to utilize them. Your design is brilliant! The soldering and the integral earwires are clever, and the way you were able to maintain even tension in your wire wrapping is amazing. Now that is skill! I love the contrast of the grunge of the metal and the bling of the crystals. Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteI love that several of you had a similar idea, but executed your final pieces so differently! The addition of crystal in your earrings adds a little surprise of refinement to an otherwise organic and rustic design...love it!
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