Monday, August 03, 2009

Ten New Designs...

I finished up all my deadlines. Here are a few of the new designs I've been working on. These are all relatively quick designs, but I like them and think there's a charm in their (relative) simplicity.

Chain, wire-wrapped garnet, a couple Swarovski crystals from Fusion Beads, a lobster clasp and a PMC charm that is featured in Cynthia's forthcoming book, Enchanted Adornments.

Here I've mixed citrine, carnelian, and sunstone from Bead Trust with a polymer pendant from Heather Wynn, ceramic pieces from Keith O'Connor, and a bird toggle and pendant from my family at Green Girl Studios.

I've paired Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio's Steampunk keyhole pendant with a shibuichi key from my family, a fine pewter button also from my family, orange cat's eye from Bead Trust, banana leaf covered wooden beads from J & M Gems 'N' Things, Swarovski pearls and crystals from Fusion Beads, and lots of chain from Ornamentea.

This choker is a great idea for stretching the life out of bracelets. If you have bracelets with matching clasps and a neutral palette, they can be put together or used to lengthen other necklaces. The seashell clasp is from my family at Green Girl Studios.

I really like how the delicate crystalline chain has been matched with a fairly substantial toggle (from my family). It really makes the toggle the focal and makes the chain seem almost like wisps of smoke or cloud.

This summer, I haven't squeezed in nearly enough beach time. Working with Stephanie Ann Dieleman's lampwork focal bead made me miss the beach something fierce. I used a fine pewter starfish clasp and coral branch from my family, with turquoise, contrasting copper wire, and pearls from Talisman Associates Inc.

This is another Steampunk-inspired piece. The focal is from the talented Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio with a shibuichi toggle from Saki Silver, wood beads from J & M Gems 'N' Things, polymer from Pam Wynn, Swarovski crystals from Fusion Beads, ceramic rounds from Keith O'Connor, and Czech glass from Raven's Journey. Don't forget the bundles of chain from Ornamentea.

I've really been into the shapes of seashells, ammonites, and snails lately. The above necklace is evidence of that. I've used fine pewter ones from my family at Green Girl Studios, a ceramic one from Keith O'Connor, Czech glass ones from Raven's Journey, and sterling silver beads from Na Bo Row.

Melissa J. Lee's fine silver dragon heart pendant is paired with sterling silver charms from Candice Wakumoto, Swarovski crystals from Artbeads.com, and a cute heart-shaped lobster clasp.

Here I've used a lot of different fine pewter charms and a small flower clasp from my family with a hand-stamped silver pendant from Heather Wynn, Czech glass from Raven's Journey, pearls from Talisman Associates Inc., and chain from Ornamentea.

14 comments:

Mary Harding said...

What fabulous necklaces. I especially like the way you used Melanie's pendants with your family's work. Great combo and very stunning.

Nicki said...

wow - I like all of them for their simplicity - are you planning to sell them at a show or did you create them for a special purpose? Nicki

Lorelei Eurto said...

Andrew thank you so much for showing us these, and thank you for the inspiration!!! Beautiful work as usual!!

Jenny said...

Andrew - their (relative) simplicity is the key! Some of the things I have been seeing in the mags lately are too much to wear comfortably, day to day. The simplicity here makes the components shine! You can see and enjoy each piece of the whole. And thanks for the asymetry! Since reading your blog ( and Lorelei's) I have really broken my habit of symetry.
Moon hare charm? Really? When do those come out? My favorite!

peacockfairy said...

Love, love, love them all! Great work!

TesoriTrovati said...

Wow. You have been mighty busy Andrew! Where do you sell your pieces? I see a few that I would proudly wear for all the world to see. I especially like the bracelets turned choker....I do that sort of thing quite a bit. I like to have pieces with versatility, several ways to wear them. And I love the beach inspired piece with Stephanie's beautiful art bead. I have one of her starfish beads from B&B and that reminds me to stop hording it and use it now!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Unknown said...

Awwww really Grand Andrew!! So unique out of the ordinary different all the time!! x

Anonymous said...

These look great! wonderful idea putting the bracelets together to form a necklace that is 2 sided!

Sharon said...

All your pieces look so effortlessly elegant-my favorite is the seashell necklace because of the natural and ancient feel.

belvedere beads said...

One of the things I admire most about your jewelry is the way that you integrate the clasps into the designs. They are never an after thought, but rather a wonderful accent to the piece. I especially loved the bird clasp from your family's collection.

Jeannie said...

You do such a great job using other artists work in your masterpieces.

Mari said...

Love them all!!! you're such a super duper artist!!!!

Andrew Thornton said...

Thanks everyone for your kind comments! They really mean a lot to me. The pieces are for a project that's under wraps until I get further notice. Sorry! I'll post more about it when I can.

flowerweaver said...

Your work is absolutely gorgeous Andrew! I especially like the steampunk inspired necklace, how you've creatively combined all the pieces. I have also admired your sister's work.

I could learn a lot from you both, as a long-time artist new to jewelry.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I love your night bird collages and wondered if you saw some of my bird paintings on old posts? http://flowerweaver.blogspot.com/2008/03/eye-for-detail.html

BTW, I am taking a class in Bronze PMC this month! Keep in touch!
--Sage
aka the flowerweaver