Thursday, October 15, 2009

Four More New Designs...

With all the preparations of the move, traveling and house guests, I really haven't had a chance to sit down and make new designs. I finally stole a few moments to myself and whipped up the designs featured below.

I'm still on the fence about the above bracelet design. I think the color and feel are spot on, but I'm not sure about the Green Girl Studios Magic Rock just yet. I think I either need to add two beads flanking the pewter for a softer transition, or substitute the Magic Rock for a few Small Eye Rocks. Otherwise I think the bronze toggle from Saki Silver, the coated crystals from J&M Gem 'n' Things, the rum and vodka bottle beads from Bronwen Heilman of GhostCow, and the Swarovski crystalized pearls from Fusion Beads go awesome together.

This is a fun piece! I had a good time wire-wrapping and creating an interesting "pin-wheel" effect. I embellished PMC chain that I made myself with vintage German glass from Talisman Associates, green quartz, clear quartz, aventurine, chalcedony, and tourmaline from Bead Trust, and a Tahitian pearl from Pearl Concepts.

Above is a detail shot of the focal. What I love about this piece that the picture doesn't capture is the incredible amount of movement and energy this piece has. When I originally started working on this necklace, I didn't separate the dangles with wire and there was just TOO much energy and not enough focus and clarity. I separated out the jumble and created, I think, a more dynamic piece.

I remember when "asymmetrical" was a dirty word in jewelry design. I mean, there were some designers working with asymmetry, but for the most part, everything was neat, even, and symmetrical. The most you'd really see that was asymmetrical would be a lariat. Nowadays it seems like the concept of asymmetrical design is more mainstream. I think this is really exciting, as it opens up the field wider for different creative, visual problem-solving. The above piece is really funky and fun! I've used a combination of rubies from Bead Trust, ruby quartz from Omega Gems, seed beads from Jane's Fiber and Beads, chain from Ornamentea, borosilicate glass from Bobby Rhodes of Family Glass, vintage Czech glass from Pudgy Beads, Swarovski crystals from Fusion Beads, tumbled red glass from Anima Designs, and delicious faceted pearls from Talisman Associates.

Here's another bracelet that I whipped up. The focal on this pretty piece is a Botanical Series lampwork glass blossom from Lisa Kan. It's accentuated by glass discs from Cindy Gimbrone, bronze daisy spacers from Talisman Associates, Swarovski crystals and crystalized pearls from Fusion Beads, chain from Ornamentea, and a bronze toggle from Saki Silver. I love the "Asian vibe" of this bracelet.

All in all, I think I had a successful sit down. I made a couple of new earring designs as well, but I need to figure out how to shoot them. Normally I have them up on my house plant, but with the recent weather changes, my house plant is looking a little less enthusiastic than it usually does.

11 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

Hi Andrew! Loving all the new pieces! Great work!! I agree about the rock in the first bracelet. I'd switch it out for something else. It's a little too "hard" against the softness of the rest of the colors.
Where did you get the funky clasp on that red/pink necklace?

Michelle said...

What about photographing the earrings on the lip of a vase or cup or glass. Love the last bracelet. It has an Asian/Victorian feel.

Cyndi L said...

I love the mixed metals on the red piece. BTW, asymmetrical has never been a dirty word in *my* dictionary ;-)

Azure Accessories said...

It looks like you had a great time working on these wonderful pieces...

Great mix of beads...

Cheers

Diana P. said...

Oooo I really like them all but I especially like the second one. You never fail to impress!

Anonymous said...

So you just "whipped this up" eh? I love the asian vibe one.
I don't feel comfortable giving Andrew Thornton my opinion on his designs, but here goes. I like the magic rock. I would remove the two small beads next to it and replace with orange or red for a pop of color.

Jean Campbell said...

What a fruitful sit-down, Andrew! Absolutely adore the wire-wrapped one...

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

Andrew, as always you rock the house!!! What an amazing set of designs and colors and ...oh..just everything! I understand the magic rock thing...I see a fight which I perceive as one of proportion. What would happen if you had two more daggers or so to offset the slimness. Or maybe, it is the next big thing and I am an a**! HAHAHA!

Love the bottom bracelet just cause it is sooooooo pretty! Love your color sense on ALL OF THEM AND Ican sense that the time you spend on working out your designs is evident, yet the end result on all is never strained looking. How do you do that? You are a true artist.

jean xox

Melissa J. Lee said...

Beautiful! I particularly love what you did with the PMC chain. Very inspiring.

barbe said...

I absolutely adore the last two, but love them all. I love you can "whip them out", I need to channel my inner Andrew because I would have taken 2 weeks just to get these fab bead combinations right! Love the way your brain works!

Any Smith said...

Hi Andrew - I like the idea of using a book as a backdrop for jewelry. Gives the image a bit of interest besides just the jewelry itself.

Thanks for the inspiration.