boot camp - asymmetry in earring design

mary jane dodd

mjd

creating asymmetry in earrings can add great interest. 

there are different ways to achieve this effect - 

you can use the same beads/elements and arrange them differently on each one - 

or you can strike your balance with beads of similar size, 'weight' and color. 

when i am working this way in necklaces or earrings, i tend to view my work as if there is an 'x' present - checking to see if there is balance across the work and from top to bottom, side to side. 

in the first pair of earrings i merely switched the arrangement of the turquoise and amber. subtle asymmetry.

here, the ever inventive fanci shows how to create balance across the set. 

fanciful devices

she keeps the structure and size of the earrings similar but switches up her beads in terms of color and/or shape.

stacilouise

in this pair by our own staci, she kept her color scheme and scale consistent, but created interest with different shapes of beads and switching the arrangement of the discs from top to bottom. when viewed side by side, you can see how there is balance across the set when you are looking at it as an 'x'.

mjd

all of the same components were used in this example - i just changed the orientation of the accent beads from horizontal to vertical. the scale, color and shape are consistent. 

kate buxton - quisnam

i love how the eye moves in this pair - kate has balanced them across the set, keeping scale and color consistent, she plays beautifully with shapes. 

mjd

here i have played with the negative space on the left by filling it with chain and beads. on the right, a bead from the same set is used, but i have left the negative space open. 

janis kerman

this is a gorgeous example of asymmetry in earring design - color, overall shape and size are consistent. here the balance is more in the form of triangles - top and bottom of left related to center of right and vice versa. 

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i wanted to add some thoughts re: designing necklaces. i agree completely with the other women in the group about how weight is crucial. a necklace that stuns flat on your work table but slides all around your neck is not a successful design. 

developing an asymmetrical way of thinking isn't always easy. some people take right to it, others find it to be more challenging. if you are finding it hard to do, remember, even throwing in one bead of a different color or shape (with a similar relative scale) on one side of the design creates asymmetry. it does not have to be complex. it can be, but doesn't have to be. 

mjd

in my fiber necklaces, if you look closely, you can see that the neck piece has 4 different sections - all in the same color scheme. closest to the pouch, i have used threads with strung beads on one side and linen with accent beads of the same sort stitched to it on the right. 

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so have fun - whether your version of asymmetry is bold or subtle, it adds much interest to designs and helps you to define your own look. 

Beginner Tips for Asymmetry in your Jewelry Design

Yesterday, Staci introduced our first boot camp for 2014 where we'll discuss asymmetry in your design.

by Barbara Bechtel

Finding the correct balance in a piece may be a difficult thing for some designers but today, I'd like to provide some tips as a springboard for you to think of asymmetry in a new light.

First, let's discuss symmetry and asymmetry. In my opinion, people often think of symmetry as balanced and asymmetry as imbalanced, but this is incorrect. Both aspects, when used in a dynamic and skillful way can lead to balance and this is one of the keys to proper design.

Think of the human face. Generally speaking, our faces are symmetrical. When divided by a center line, they are like halves that make up a hole.

Now if we add in hair, which can be styled in various ways, often parted on one side, we can add an element of asymmetry to the appearance. The balance is not disturbed because design is often taken into account when styling and cutting the hair as a whole. A skilled stylist will take into account the shape of face and head, the volume and natural way a person's hair grows to make a style that could very well be asymmetrical but also balanced.

To me, whenever people seem stumped with coming up with a interesting asymmetrical design, it often appears in necklaces (could have something to do with it being worn on an area of the body that divides the natural symmetry of the human form?)

Rebecca Anderson of Songbead regularly uses beautiful asymmetry in her bracelet designs.

1) Stop thinking of necklaces as necklaces.It always seems natural to design necklaces symmetrically. Part of that has to do with the weight of the necklace being distributed in an even fashion so it wears correctly. Instead, try thinking of your piece not as a necklace, but perhaps as a bracelet. I regularly see more asymmetrical ideas in bracelets that could easily translate into interesting and compelling necklace designs.

An uneven number of these lovely turquoise beads led me to make this design that clasps on the side.

2) Don't design based on a "focal". Rather than beginning a necklace design by selecting a focal element, design from a different part first. Select a beautiful clasp or some beautiful beads you've been struggling to use, and challenge yourself to place them in an area of the necklace you wouldn't ordinarily i.e. putting the clasp on the side or using a interestingly detailed bead in another area first before you think about the main part of the necklace.

This piece started with trying to find a way to use the watchmaker's tin and the section of spoon handle on the left.

Designed as a variation of an example for a tutorial by Lori Anderson,  this piece combines several different sections of  waxed linen combined with lots of tiny elements that create a flowing cohesive asymmetrical design.

3) Focus on using several different connections/methods in one piece. For example, instead of wire wrapping all the elements in a piece, perhaps you will use a combination of rivets and metal links. If you're more of a basic "stringer", think about using more than one type of stringing material in your piece such as a combination of waxed linen and beading wire. This will lead you to design problems that you might have to solve by designing a piece that will take you outside of your symmetrical "zone".

Do you have any favorite tips on asymmetry to share? We'd love to hear them in the comments!

Boot Camp: Asymmetry in Design

by Staci Louise Smith

Design is a topic that is near and dear to my heart.  Design is what makes or breaks a piece jewelry.  You can make a piece of jewelry with perfect execution, but if it doesn't have a good design, it fails to WOW and stand out in the vast ocean that is jewelry!!!!

necklace by jamie jo fisher
https://www.etsy.com/listing/129508517/green-olive-green-acid-green-oxidized?ref=favs_view_12

We have all made them too, that necklace or bracelet or earrings that we thought we would love, but we look at it, saying, what is wrong? I just don't like it.  It's the design.  Something fails to carry your eye through it, or excite you enough to keep your attention. 

So for this boot camp, we want to tackle the ever more popular Asymmetrical Design.  It is probably the most challenging type of design- for many reasons.  It is not a new concept, though I really see it spreading through the art jewelry world like wild fire.  After all, art mimics nature, and nature is certainly not symmetrical.  

asymmetrical earrings by pipnmolly
https://www.etsy.com/listing/121586245/asymmetrical-pair-earrings?ref=favs_view_2

Some of the things we will cover in this Boot Camp is playing with shape, color and texture- and using them to create balance within an asymmetrical piece.

We will also go over balance- both visually, and physically.  There is nothing more disappointing then making an asymmetrical piece that doesn't hang right when you wear it.

Nat Art Jewelry
https://www.etsy.com/listing/177677505/minimalist-black-leather-cord-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_3

We will cover balance in earrings, bracelets and necklaces!  

I know that some people are absolutely drawn to asymmetry in art, and others are VERY symmetrical people.  For some people, creating a piece that is not symmetrical comes naturally.  For those of you, we hope to give you some tips to make your designs even better.  For those of you who notice every bead that doesn't match the next, we are encouraging you to break that mold and give asymmetry a try. 

So please join us each Monday, to join in.  We encourage you to share what you are making while following this Boot Camp in the flickr group.  PLEASE share what you are trying out, or using from Boot Camp in your description of your piece.  We want to know what you are learning or sharing with us!