mary jane dodd
'i shut my eyes in order to see.'
~ paul gauguin
i find that when i work in metal, my desire is to enhance its innate ability to be soft, to provide contrast to what one often associates with this medium...
using color palettes that are often much more subtle than this, i found myself inspired by the monthly challenge at art bead scene - 'nave nave moe' by paul gauguin... his rich colors and luscious forms...
these earrings are offered up as the giveaway, they are copper but have sterling silver ear wires... the drawing will take place on april 11th...
please leave a comment to be entered and perhaps share your thoughts on this::
if you had to share 2 of your favorite books - technique, project oriented, or even just eye candy, what would they be? do you have a technique that you have learned that is indispensable to you? do you have one that you desire to learn? i am hoping that by sharing your tried and trues here, it may help someone else in their process...
20 comments:
Wow....those earrings are magical...
I recently bought a new book called Treasured Notions which is beautiful....it's only a small book but full of gorgeous pictures of vintage beads, buttons and trim....just wonderful. It also has a number of very lovely projects in it but it's worth it's cost for the pictures alone. Another favourite book is semi-precious salvage by Stephanie lee...not least because I really would love to have a go at both soldering and resin work. Both things scare me and I have yet to spot any classes local to me...one day! Oh, and the third technique I am absolutely dying to have a go with is working with clay to make beads....again, one day!
I have recently purchased a couple of books which have been helpful in my pursuit of creating jewelry..."Silver Wire Fusing" by Liz "Jones and Metalworking 101 for Beaders" by Candie Cooper. I have barely begun the process of learning and with the price of metals these days not certain why I want to pursue this medium. I would however really love to be selected to own these stunning earrings. I so admire Marie's work. Thank you...
Those earrings are beautiful! I love the mix of the metal with the beads and the fibers. Soooo pretty...
I just got a copy of "Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery" and it's truly inspirational! Sherry is such a wonderful teacher, and it shows in this book. The projects look fairly complex, but when you read the directions, they're not that scary. Anyone who is interested in bead embroidery should take a look through her book.
The earrings are just lovely!!
Favorite books?? Hm....
I really like Pretty Little Things by sally Jean Alexander. The combo of collage and soldering really drew me in.
Secondly, Custom Cool Jewelry by Melinda Barta is also really fun with its variety of techniques.
What do I want to learn? Well, I have a kiln that I haven't really used and I would love to learn to overcome my fear of it. . .;)
I love the earrings with the addition of color to compliment the metal! A very Southwest/Sedona vibe to it.
My fav books include "The Complete Metalsmith" by Tim McCreight - perfect for the aspiring metalsmith and "Jewelry Making Techniques Book" by Elizabeth Olver includes lots of basic to advanced techniques and great color photos of the process.
I have to credit my love of metal/wire to an early class that introduced me to the Viking Knit weaving technique. The weaving takes a long time and the wire constantly flows through your fingers for hours (very relaxing). It gave me a great "feel" for what wire will do when handled and that "feel" became the foundation for all my other wire adventures.
Beautiful earrings, MJ! I have a book called Glass Beads and for me it's just eye candy! But I love looking at it and being inspired!
Wow, I love those!
Right now I'm loving "Mixed Metal Mania" by Kim St. Jean. I am a visual person and I really appreciate the many step-by-step photos to go along with techniques and projects. I also like the tip page with many inexpensive, easy tips.
The other book I really like is "Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders" by Irina Miech. The projects in the book are divided by skill level needed, and the pages are color coded for each level so all you have to do is barely flip through the book to see what level you're looking at. Also, in the color coded portion, the particular technique you're learning is written so it's very easy to find something quickly. Finally, I like that at the end of each project, there are pictures of jewelry made with the same technique but in a different way...gives you a starting point to make up your own designs.
eye candy~The Fine Art of the Tin Can by Bob Hansson and Crowns & Tiaras
Only two books? I don't think I could live with only two books. Bead on a wire by sharyn Miller and her other one on copper jewelry are my favorite and most used books.
I adore these earring - totally so unique and perfectly ME! I am keeping my fingers crossed!
vicki
Very, very nice! I love those earrings!
The earrings are awesome. My favorite book in the whole world is.....
"Silver Wire Fusing" by Liz Jones. I self taught myself how to fuse fine silver by following her techniques.....it is awesome.
Loved reading all of the comments....very helpful!!!
The first book "totally twisted" by Kerry Bogert. I love all the lampwork and colors. It was what gave me my push to take a chance to learn lampworking. Second is "Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings" by Kelly Rae Roberts. It has taught new to do what makes me truly happy and dont be afraid to give it a try. So now I feel like I am always trying to learn something new. If I love it I want to know how to do.
I have a collection of different books on a multitude of different topics. Some have been great sources of inspiration, while others have been disappointing. I find the 500 series by Lark publishing to be the best eye candy. Also like the new chainmaille book by Rebecca Mojica for its detailed photo instructions.
Love the earrings-hope I win!
Erin S
I honestly can't say I have purcased a book....I read a lot of design magazines and search endless for online tutorials/videos from blogs, Youtube and websites...but this is a great source for some to choose from!
Melinda Orr
www.orrtec.blogspot.com
Fun earrings! I agree with some of the above suggestions. Kim St. Jean's book has great photos and instructions that can easily be followed a step at a time.. I also love Jewelry Concepts and Technology by Oppi Untracht. This book covers everything. I have learned so much by reading this book. I have also learned about all the techniques I would like to add to my arsenal. On the top of the list is Mokume Gane.
Oh, goodness, really? Only two books? I have to say that I second all of the books everyone has mentioned, but the ones I refer to most are "A Charming Exchange" and "SemiPrecious Salvage" simply for the diversity of techniques!
Those earrings are gorgeous! I LOVE copper - it is so rich looking. When I first started Sharilyn Miller's Bird on a Wire was a huge help and Tim McCreigh's Metalsmith Handbook is wonderful. I am waiting for a new one Inspiritu Jewelry that looks and sounds great.
Nice earrings, rustic, love it. Hmmm two books eh, well how about Exploring Resin Jewelry Making by Susan Lenart Kazmer and the Beaders Bible, everything you need to refresh your 'beady' brain :)
I want to do metal work, tags (like for dogs or humans) These earring would be an inspiration for me to begin. :) LIVE, LAUGH and BEAD
Loveley!
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