Monday, March 30, 2015

Boot Camp: Fiber in Jewelry

by Staci Louise Smith

Well, we are finally going to get some boot camps in again!  Boot camp is a time when we, as a group, concentrate on one area of jewelry making or design.  We bring you ideas, tips, resource links and tutorials to help you try out a new area of jewelry making.

This one is on fiber in jewelry or fiber jewelry.
You can see a Boot Camp post the 2nd and 4th Monday of both April and May, as well as scattered through the month on personal posts.  

I first fell in love with fiber for jewelry way back when I was making mainly sea glass jewelry.  I went to a bead show and found Marsha Neal's silks.  I was smitten.  I ended up coming home and ordering from her online.  I was hooked on the variety of colors.  




I have never stopped loving fiber in my jewelry.

I thoroughly enjoy the softness fiber can add to a piece- it adds a softness and contrast against the hard beads.  

We will be sharing lots of ways to use fiber in your jewelry, as well as showing you some of our favorite places to buy it!  Fiber in jewelry is not limited to cording!  That is just what I have always been drawn to.  

We cannot wait to have you join us as we explore this medium.

Here are some teasers of my favorite fabric cording to start you off drooling, or in case you want to get some so you have it to try out as we go along!
I love the rustic look of recycled sari silks.  This is my favorite go to shop

Marsha had me at hello- and I am still a fan


And recently, Karen Totten has decided to use BATIK FABRIC to use as cording.  My first batch is on the way.  I have always loved batik fabric- to wear, to drool over, anything......so I am uber excited to use it for some jewelry.  Stay tuned...




I leave you with some more recent necklaces I have used fiber in......




I started a Fiber in Jewelry Board on Pinterest- you can check out lots of great artists using fiber in many ways in jewelry.

https://www.pinterest.com/stacilouise/fiber-in-jewelry/

Hopefully it brings you some inspiration!
Enjoy!

8 comments:

Karen McGovern said...

I have yet to work fiber into my designs so this boot camp will be exciting and inspiring! Love the rich colors shown here....

Deb Fortin said...

I haven't used fibres in my jewellery as I'm leery of the maintenance- how to keep them clean with frequent wearing, especially in summer when one perspires more. to me jewellery is meant to be worn not just looked at.

baymoondesign said...

I am looking forward to seeing the creations, I love batik, silk, and sari ribbon. I will definitely be following this.

stacilouise said...

Deb- that is a great point- I too make jewelry to wear- and to last. I test my fibers for strength before they are used, any weak spots get cut out and tossed, and all of them can be hand washed with a little soap and water at the sink. I actually prefer to wear ribbon or sari silk in the summer because it is softer and cooler on a sweaty neck then chain. so after a long day outside, at a show or something, I just wash it and hang it up and its just like new!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this will be a good boot camp. I love your Pinterest board! Such beautiful things. I'm still not totally comfortable with fiber so I am looking forward to this series.

Gaia Copia said...

I'm so glad to see that boot camp is back!!! Every time I have participated I end up with new ideas I wouldn't have gotten on my own. I haven't thought about fabric in new ways for a long time so this will open up new vistas. I already have some ideas brewing. Loving the colors on this page. Your pieces are beautiful!!

Karen Totten said...

Awesome post - thank you for sharing my batik ribbons - I can't wait to see what comes from the boot camp. :)

Silkartist said...

What a great site! Having attained Fibers/Textiles and Metals degrees & utilizing both in jewelry, I love what this site offers! So glad to have access to all the wonderful into! Thanks for your (and other artists) efforts!

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