Sj Designs Jewelry: Insects

Friday, September 8, 2017

Art Bead Scene: September 2017

This month the Art Bead Scene is all about bugs and bright colors! It's an amazing print with tons of insect action by entomologist and pattern designer Eugene Seguy. You can read more about the artwork and the artist on the ABS blog HERE.

Insects

Eugene Seguy

Published in 1920

Pochoir Print

Image Credit: Special Collections Research Center at NCSU Libraries

I know that I can only post two official entries for the ABS competition, but I couldn't only make two things with this yummy inspiration! I made a trio of dragonfly inspired earrings for now... I've got some other designs up my sleeve if I have time to circle back before the end of the month.

First up, a pair of pewter wings from Green Girl paired with some raku rounds from XAZ Bead Company. The wings are already a decent size for earrings so I wanted to keep things fairly simple. I just did some messy (for me anyway!) wire wraps around the beads and attached with a jump ring. I liked the way the raku beads had some of the green tones but also the iridescence of real dragonfly wings.

Next, I just had to play with some copper plated dragonfly wings from Anna Bronze. (True confession: I bought quite a bit from them at Bead & Button but this is the first thing I've made with my haul so far!) These wings are so dainty so I wanted to keep any beads I added on a small scale to let the wings really shine. There are loops at both ends of the wings so I had to add something to the bottom. I chose some small metallic plated hematite and some crystal rondelles for the tiny dangles.

Lastly, I finally went for some serious COLOR! I got these wonderful dragonfly charms in turquoise from Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio this summer and knew immediately that they would be perfect for this month's challenge. (I adore the idea of having the whole year of ABS challenges ahead of time, by the way.) I'm often guilty of being too monochromatic in my designs, so for this pair of earrings I really wanted to embrace a riot of color. After looking at lots of different options, I settled on a pair of super bright disc beads from Heather Powers of Humblebeads. I always like the combination of turquoise and red, so this was just the thing here. (For some reason, these were really difficult to photograph... and my picture doesn't do them justice!)

Ok, back to work! Lots more jewelry waiting for me on the bead table today. Have a great weekend!

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Insects! Art Elements June Challenge

The editors over at the Art Elements blog occasionally host themed challenges (as opposed to their fabulous Component of the Month challenges where participants get an art bead to play with). The theme for June's challenge is Insects!

Cecropia Moth. Photo by Ashley Fly

I love how open ended this challenge is since the only rules are that you use art beads that relate to the theme. I've got lots of good bug beads in my stash to choose from... bees, moths, butterflies, fireflies, ladybugs. Oh my! What to choose? I decided to set the bees aside at least since that ties into this month's Inspired by Reading Book Club selection. (If you're interested you can see those designs HERE.)

While working on a design for last month's book club, I ended up with a stringing pattern using labradorite and Czech glass that I liked but didn't work for the project I had in mind. Instead of scrapping it, I decided to pair a sweet little firefly pendant from Green Girl. Voila!

Next up, another new necklace! This one started with a small blue dragonfly pendant from Earthenwood Studio that I got in a mixed lot of beads from one of Andrew Thornton's destash events. I guess I've just been in a stringing mood because I didn't even consider doing anything different for this one. I had just gotten the perfect blue Czech glass rondelles at Bead & Button from Nirvana Beads that became the main component of my design. I added in some darker blue Czech glass beads in a variety of shapes including a set of flowers with some brass accents in the mix.

Last but not least, I also made a little pair of earrings for the challenge! I made good use of some of new goodies from Bead & Button... an adorable pair of butterfly charms from Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio matched up with some wonderful disc beads by Heather Powers of Humblebeads. Simple and sweet to finish things off!