Thursday, April 7, 2011

Praise for Designers

by D'Arsie Manzella


I thought I'd give a big "You're fantastic" to all the talented designers who create art jewelry! Besides constantly producing new and innovative arrangements, you are skilled in multiple techniques and are able to form a style all your own with your creations. I am in awe of your patience and devotion to making the world a more beautiful and meaningful place through personal adornment. When you use handmade beads and components - well that is just the cherry on top!

All this appreciation for jewelry designers has been brought about as I sit at my shipping table (notice I didn't say beading table) and struggle with color, wire, and placement to exercise my skill at jewelry design. My muscles are aching! I am a bead designer by trade but in joining this group I have been inspired~

Here are some of my resulting efforts...


Antique copper findings, beads and crazy cool dyed agate found at Michael's. I know there are no art beads here, but wait! There's more...



Here I start incorporating my art beads! A variation on the same theme featuring beautiful enameled rounds from GardanneBeads and rings filled with antique glass seed beads that I found long ago in an excellent thrift store score.

I'm so excited to be able to use some ceramic sparklers made by our very own MaryAnn Carroll!
I love the way they look like small pools of ocean with a drop of sunshine underneath. The white wire was an experiment, I'm totally in love with it! So fresh...


And something earthy made for myself. I cut out the leather, scratched the lines in with my triangular file and rubbed it all with olive oil which darkened all the exposed leather underneath.
I completely winged these, as I've not done a lot with leather before.
A trip to the local fabric shop had me digging in a giant bin like an overeager prairie dog to find all the pretty leather scraps. I was thinking of the Call to Create challenge for this month when I worked on these. The song inspiration is the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts".

Since it is such a thought provoking challenge, I think I will be making more than one piece within the theme.


Have a fantastic spring day!

6 comments:

mairedodd said...

wonderful job d'arsie! i am in love with your leather work - this is the first time? and inspired to try that myself... those leaves are fabulous!

DArsie Manzella said...

thanks MaryJane! It was my first attempt and it was a relaxing project. working with metal all day, it's nice to play around with something soft and pliable.

Kelli said...

OOOOH!!! Lovin' the leather!!! I like very earthy jewelry. And leaves are my favorite. LOVE LOVE LOVE 'em!!! Great job!!

Patty said...

Praise for YOU, D'arsie! I love the results of your playtime. We all need to stretch our wings like that, and you have done it beautifully!

VanBeads said...

Those are some fabulous designs, D'Arsie! I love those leather earrings - they are absolutely beautiful. I hope you continue to find inspiration to make your own jewelry designs. It's so much fun! Designing is definitely an art form in and of itself!

sasha + max studio said...

great results, D'arsie, and those leather leaves rock! Vicki

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