Archive for May 15, 2013

Evolution of a Style

I was looking through my designs and thought it interesting how they’ve evolved over time. Here’s a glimpse:

First I was focused on beads, beads, beads. I still am to a large degree. But then my focus was beading, pure and simple:

Turquoise Blue Necklace

Turquoise Blue Necklace – Handmade turquoise-colored 10mm recycled glass beads from Ghana

Desert Flower Necklace

Desert Flower Necklace – Fulani wedding beads, trade beads, seed beads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I started varying my techniques with beads by using waxed cord, knotting and playing with a variety of closures.
IMG_0632
Recycled Glass Knotted Bracelet Recycled Glass Knotted Bracelet
Suncast recycled glass necklace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suncast recycled glass necklace

I started to get bored with just beading and wanted to take my craft to another level so I started dabbling in metalwork and wire wrapping.

Trapezoid copper and recycled vinyl earrings

Trapezoid copper and recycled vinyl earrings

Trade bead hoop earrings

Trade bead hoop earrings

Copper wrapped swirls and Fulani wedding bead earrings

Copper wrapped swirls and Fulani wedding bead earrings

Variegated oval hoops

Variegated oval hoops

metal clay pendant

metal clay pendant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I still have a passion for beads, but I’ve grown from just beading to incorporating metal work and wire into my creations. Learning new techniques keeps me fresh and keeps the work interesting. It’s all a part of my journey and …..Who knows where it will go from here?

Tell me what you think about how my style has evolved as well as how your own creative journey has evolved.

Art Hop Takoma 2013 Readout

Once a year, businesses and artists in Takoma Park, Maryland get together for what is known as Art Hop Takoma — a week-long fete where the work of local artists is featured in local businesses. This year’s Art Hop was the fourth annual event and my third year of participating. I, along with another area artist, was featured at S&A Beads where I frequently buy beading and art supplies. It’s also where I had my first beading class years ago and got hooked on designing jewelry.

Last year, I was featured at The House of Musical Traditions where my recycled vinyl jewelry fit in perfectly with the records from which recycled vinyl is made. This year, S&A Beads featured several works from several of my collections, including my sandcast beads from Ghana, newly-designed wire-formed and wire-wrapped earrings, and recycled vinyl jewelry.
Art-Hop-2013-007_400x395

Me and my collections

Me posing next to my collections

Display window

Display window in S&A Beads

Storefront Display

Art Hop Storefront Display of my items

All in all, it was a wonderful celebration of art, handmade and community. I was fortunate to have participated in my third year of Art Hop and totally thrilled to have been featured at S&A Beads where I got my start.