26 March 2008
Made from more supplies that have been languishing away - I recently realised I hadn't touched my brass findings for a long time and that the brass-based items in my shop had been depleted. Also, I happen to have too much Swarovski crystal lying around from previous impulse buys. Fortunately, the two pair well together. I thought so, anyways, when I made these last Thursday. Swarovski crystal has rich colour and faceting that make for guaranteed perfect sparkles every time, unlike natural gemstones which can occasionally be irregular and lacklustre. Antiqued brass lends old-world charm and enhances the richness with a comforting and earthy warmth.
From L-R, top to bottom:
Vernal Vestige - In addition to the Swarovskis and brass, I have a small stash of vintage beads I've been wondering about (I've kind of stopped collecting them already). I'd used these lucite flowers in a couple of necklaces but the large 18mm size always put me off. But they are really quite pretty, with 3D detail and a luminous wax-like appearance. So I tried to streamline them a bit by adding a splash of Pacific Blue Opal and attaching a briolette. One-of-a-kind because I don't have any more lucite roses.
Panopeia - Indicolite must be my favourite Swarovski shade. It's a gorgeous teal-ish blue whose tone I find suits antiqued brass/gold colours pretty well. Randomly bundled up in a mass of complementary blue, green and bronze shades, dangling from those versatile hammered hoops I love. I certainly hope the earrings bring to mind the sea's broad panorama and whose nereid they were named after! One-of-a-kind because I don't think I can exactly replicate the placement of the dangles...
Nesaie - Never thought I'd buy AB-finish crystal because they were always too iridescent for me, but I had to for a custom order. The good thing about them, I suppose, it they add a really big punch in terms of sparkle because those facets are extra reflective. Featured also are the last Peridot cubes from when I was making Absinthe. Named for the nereid of the islands, largely because of the lush green and blues, and the AB colours reflecting the diversity of island life. One-of-a-kind because I don't think I can exactly replicate the placement of the dangles...
Muguet - Another hoop-and-dangle ensemble. I always prefer the doodad placed below the hoop as it makes for a more elongated and universally flattering shape. Imagine a person with a round face wearing hoops that face forward... sigh. I do try to make my designs wearable!
And there you have it. Proof that I subconsciously work in collection/group-based phases after all. Aaaargh...
From L-R, top to bottom:
Vernal Vestige - In addition to the Swarovskis and brass, I have a small stash of vintage beads I've been wondering about (I've kind of stopped collecting them already). I'd used these lucite flowers in a couple of necklaces but the large 18mm size always put me off. But they are really quite pretty, with 3D detail and a luminous wax-like appearance. So I tried to streamline them a bit by adding a splash of Pacific Blue Opal and attaching a briolette. One-of-a-kind because I don't have any more lucite roses.
Panopeia - Indicolite must be my favourite Swarovski shade. It's a gorgeous teal-ish blue whose tone I find suits antiqued brass/gold colours pretty well. Randomly bundled up in a mass of complementary blue, green and bronze shades, dangling from those versatile hammered hoops I love. I certainly hope the earrings bring to mind the sea's broad panorama and whose nereid they were named after! One-of-a-kind because I don't think I can exactly replicate the placement of the dangles...
Nesaie - Never thought I'd buy AB-finish crystal because they were always too iridescent for me, but I had to for a custom order. The good thing about them, I suppose, it they add a really big punch in terms of sparkle because those facets are extra reflective. Featured also are the last Peridot cubes from when I was making Absinthe. Named for the nereid of the islands, largely because of the lush green and blues, and the AB colours reflecting the diversity of island life. One-of-a-kind because I don't think I can exactly replicate the placement of the dangles...
Muguet - Another hoop-and-dangle ensemble. I always prefer the doodad placed below the hoop as it makes for a more elongated and universally flattering shape. Imagine a person with a round face wearing hoops that face forward... sigh. I do try to make my designs wearable!
And there you have it. Proof that I subconsciously work in collection/group-based phases after all. Aaaargh...