We're All Ears :: February Reveal :: Chandeliers

Hello peeps!
I hope you had fun taking the Hudson Valley lighting quiz to find out what type of chandelier suits you best.

Hudson Valley describes chandeliers this way:

The showstopper. The breathtaker. The envymaker. Chandeliers are the rock stars of the lighting world. When people think of lighting, often, it’s chandeliers they are thinking of. Glamorous and glittering, chandeliers beam out the most light. They set the stage in the home's entryway. Our chandeliers come in many different styles and finishes; whatever your taste is, we have one for you.

What I like about this description is that it is perfectly suited to earrings as well. Just substitute "lighting" with "earrings" and "home's entryway" to "earlobes."

I happened to take it more than once. Because I loved all the choices! I found out that I was both Timeless Elegance and Chic Vintage & Industrial. So my challenge was to try to come up with chandelier earring styles that suited both of those.

Wouldn't it be romantic to have a sweet and sparkly chandelier like this dangling over your bedroom?

Timeless Elegance is pretty classic. Lots of filigree and crystals. I happened to find a pair of little sterling silver chandelier components. Of course, that makes the task of putting together chandelier earrings really easy! And, of course, I have a lot of blingy crystals in my stash. These came together pretty quickly. Hard to photograph, as those crystals have a bit of an AB finish that catches the light so perfectly.

The Chic Vintage & Industrial is most fun for me. I like the mix of metals and the funky vibe of repurposed elements. Ever watch shows like American Pickers or West End Salvage? Those stores would be my dream job to work in!

I ADORE this Herkimer Brass pendant light fixture from Hudson Valley Lighting. If I hadn't waited until the absolute last minute (and the promptly forgot about it!) I would have made my own brass and steel domed and punched bead caps. Alas, that was not to be, but it will be something I will keep in mind for the future!

I gathered up all sorts of bits and bobs that spoke to me of industrial or vintage. I found tiny steel washers, brass saucer spacers, faceted silver cubes, vintage fluted bead caps and even the tiniest lightbulbs! Yes! I had some slightly larger more globe-y ones, but these tiny ones made me squee with happiness.

I have no idea where I got them, and I am fairly certain they could be real and working, but I can't imagine the tiny dollhouse light that they would fit into! Of course, teensy lightbulbs aren't made for earrings - no holes. I had to get creative to solve that problem. I figured that electricians use copper wire for wiring the electricity to the lights, so that is what I used to form a sort of cage around the threaded stem of the bulbs. I wanted the copper wire to sort of peek out from under the "shades." They fit perfectly into the vintage brass fluted caps. I decided that they needed just a little more of that wrought iron look, so I found some black spiky bead caps to layer with the other bits finishing with the wrapped copper wire and copper ear wires. I would hang pendant lights like these over my kitchen island any day!

So that was a fun exercise in scale and creative problem solving! I think that if I ever get stuck for an earring idea, I will gladly go and browse the online light shops or take a trip to Menard's and stand under their lighting department!

Let's see what you made! Light us up with your designs!

We're All Ears :: February Reveal

As soon as I saw this statue, I knew that I needed to use brass or bronze for the metal.

I had to hit up my local hometown hardware store for some other items when I took a detour down the copper and brass fittings aisle. I love the myriad of tiny little drawers with diagrams of the metal bits within. In this particular aisle, the drawer wall was so very tall that a rolling ladder stood at the ready nearby. I climbed up gingerly when a sketch caught my eye for a compression nut. I liked the wide opening at the bottom and the smaller hole at the top along with the hexagon shape reminiscent of the dais on which the Buddha was standing.

The wavy lines of the Buddha's robes captivated me. I had an idea that I wanted to do something with a tassel shape and the compression nut would make a great cap. But instead of soft threads or fibers, I used a brass wire in 16 gauge. How to make a hard material appear soft? After filing the edges I used a pliers to make gentle waves in the wire. Flattened, then used a texture hammer provided some lines. They give a gentle wiggle when the earrings are moved.

To bring the teal bloom of the time-worn patina, I used some Vintaj metal patina paint in Onyx, Aged Bronze, Moss and Verdigris. Wiped off and sanded, this gives the perfect appearance of age.

At the top are some polymer clay disk beads from Humblebeads in teal with tiny blooms reminiscent of the flowers carved on the hand of the Buddha. The face of Buddha is so tranquil, serene. So these are called Tranquil Waves.

But I can never stop at just one pair. ;-)

I made a second pair inspired by the flame rising from the top of the Buddha's head and the swirl bindi on this forehead. I remembered that I had some vintage NOS (new old stock) hammered brass disk post earrings. These paired with the inverted flame-shaped dangles and some perfectly swirled silver plated beads. To make the different metals and shapes compatible, I used the same Vintaj patinas. The flame on the top of Buddha's head is referred to as The Flame of Enlightenment. Simple name for simple earrings.

Your turn! I look forward to seeing how you translated this ancient artifact into your earring designs. Share your version of the inspiration in the links below.

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We're All Ears :: January Reveal

So... which colors did you choose to work with for this challenge?

I sort of left it wide open, but for me I always strive for a true challenge, so I stuck to the pink and blue from the Pantone colors of the year. 

I really couldn't see my way to combining the two colors. They still speak to me more of baby showers, Love's Baby Soft and every 80s prom, so I kept them separate. And then I let the auditioning begin.

I started by selecting a bunch of art beads from my stash. I wish I could tell you all the lovely artists who made each bead, but I am sorry that I just don't know. Blue is easy to find, but I was actually surprised that I had so much pink.

I tried different beads together with assorted headpins. I changed around the order of them. I added spacer beads, bead caps. And of course a few crystals. I have a few unwritten rules when it comes to making earrings. I like movement, so a dangle now and then is nice. I like mixing finishes, matte with shiny, rough with smooth. I almost always try to put an art bead or something else that is precious or has a story. And a little bit of bling to catch the light is always nice!

I was told by the Gallery Q that someone had come in looking at my earrings but was a bit like Goldilocks... this one was too long, this one too short... none of them were just right. So I have set out the restrain myself and make some earrings that are a bit on the average length (or what I think is average). I typically tend to make things longer because that is what I like, but I guess I should pay attention to what the public wants. I hope they want pink and blue! 

polymer clay :: Humblebeads
Rustic and earthy, with a movement and just a hint of sparkle

lampwork glass :: Kelly Wenzel
copper ear wires / headpins :: Rebecca Anderson
Soft and romantic with mix of faceted and smooth

lampwork glass :: Julsbeads
Mixed metals, rustic and organic

lampwork glass :: Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Movement and sparkle with interesting art beads

ceramic rounds :: ??
Simple, mixed textures and a little sparkle for the light

interesting shaped side drilled aquamarine gemstones
1940s Japanese lampwork glass, new old stock
Odd shapes and interesting textures

Hurry up spring and get here already! I am tired of the cold and ice and snow!

Now it is your turn... what colors in the Pantone spring palette inspired you? And let's all think WARM THOUGHTS!

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We're All Ears :: October Reveal

The inspiration for October was the super cool art of marbleizing. I desperately wanted to do some marbleizing for my earrings but time got the better of me and I couldn't work out all the kinks. I did, however, make a glorious mess! That is part of my process, it just didn't work to my advantage this time. I did have some limited luck doing what is called water marble, which you can check out on this great YouTube video tutorial. You basically float nail polish in a small cup of water and you can achieve the similar look of the marbleized paper but on three dimensional objects, like nails (although that would be crazy messy!). Check it out!

As luck would have it, I did remember that I happened to have a few strands of some marbleized wood beads. These are inexpensive spacers, and I got them several years ago at, of all places, an interior design shop in downtown Galena, IL when I visited the ladies of Vintaj. I was just intrigued by them, but never found a good use for them, until now. 

I decided to keep these simple. I went for a double strand of some black leather cord with the bright primary colors. I added these funky flower gear shapes for a little interest. I think they have a bit of a free spirit about them. I like that they would go with a lot of things in my closet!

My second pair is a marble pattern in black in white. So I did a simple stack of the beads and broke them up with some gold plated pyrite nuggets, placed at different points for interest and a little bit of flash. I have a tendency to make things really fussy, so it felt good to make something simple with great visual impact.

I don't think that I will abandon my quest to marbleize something. I am still working on the ideas, and one day I will get back to it, even if it is just to make a huge mess!

What inspired you about the marbleized papers? Do share!

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Let's see what you created!
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Leave kind, encouraging comments.
Visit their shops. Make new friends!

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We're All Ears :: August Inspiration

One of my favorite blogs to follow is called The Jealous Curator. I find the most fascinating contemporary artists and their uncommon art and exhibitions through this site. While looking for inspiration for August, I thought that it should be something color-filled like the halcyon days of summer, yet light and airy to beat the heat. I found all that and more in the stunning installation art of Gabriel Dawe.

:: Source ::

Per the bio on his website:

Originally from Mexico City, Gabriel Dawe creates site-specific installations that explore the connection between fashion and architecture, and how they relate to the human need for shelter in all its shapes and forms. His work is centered in the exploration of textiles, aiming to examine the complicated construction of gender and identity in his native Mexico and attempting to subvert the notions of masculinity and machismo prevalent in the present day. His work has been exhibited in the US, Canada, Belgium, and the UK. After living in Montreal, Canada for 7 years, he moved to Dallas, Texas, where he obtained his MFA at the University of Texas at Dallas. For the final two years of his degree, he was an artist in residence at CentralTrak, the Artist in Residency program at UTD. His work has been featured in numerous publications around the world, including Sculpture magazine, the cover of the 12th edition of Art Fundamentals published by McGraw-Hill, and in author Tristan Manco’s book Raw + Material = Art . He is represented by Conduit Gallery in Dallas, and by Lot 10 Gallery in Brussels. 

Do you remember doing those string art projects at summer camp? This installation work takes that idea to the ultimate. Created with miles (and I do mean miles!) of sewing thread wound around hooks or nails on wood, these airy textile sculptures transform a dull place into a living rainbow. Hard to choose just one picture, so I settled on a collage of just one of his impressive installations. All angles have to be viewed to appreciate this magnificence of form and explosion of color. Pick the inspiration photo that inspires you or head over to his website to see more!

What inspires you about this amazing art installation?

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To participate in the We're All Ears creative challenge:

Make earrings inspired by this picture.

Write a post on your blog.

Add your exact blog post URL link to the InLinkz code right here
on Friday, August 15th.

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We're All Ears :: July Reveal

:: Source ::

The hot July winds are upon us. This picture feels so very fresh and alive to me. I don't often get the chance to go to the ocean, but this is what I feel it must be like... the horizon line meeting the steely sky... the rolling of the waves... the smell of the sea-salt in the air... the breeze ruffling my hair...

I did sail once, on Lake Michigan and it did look very much like this. I remember that steamy August day in 1997 well... because I fell asleep! I don't know if it was the rocking of the boat, or the fact that the next week I discovered that I was pregnant with my first child that did it, but I know that it was a beautiful day on a boat filled with family and friends.

The sails on these vessels were what caught my eye first. The patriotic colors of red-white-blue is classic and fits the Independence Day feeling that we have during July here in the U.S. But more than the colors, I was struck by the shapes. The billowing out of the fabric and the strong geometric lines on the pattern were calling to me.

The triangle shape of these metal components have a stylized puffed out shape and echo the lines of sails. The red glass beads positively glow on the tiny star-tipped head pins with sparkly blue goldstone and some milky white rondelles on top. These are the perfect accessory to swing jauntily in the hot summer breezes. 

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Leave kind, encouraging comments.
Visit their shops.
Make new friends!

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We're All Ears :: February (+ winners!)

Welcome to the first We're All Ears Inspiration Blog Hop!

We are so excited that you are joining us for this fun adventure. And we hope that we can continue to inspire you every month to make earrings and share them with us!

Here is the inspiration for February:

Damselflies in Love
Photo credit: National Geographic, Yeo Weng Sang

Here is what I created:

Unfurling

 I was inspired by the colors, shapes and textures.
I loved the heart shape that their bodies made. So I fashioned that in a swirly form (slightly referencing a heart) out of copper wire, hammered and antiqued.
I wanted to bring in a bit of that lovely aqua and grass green so I wrapped the swirls in some wooly wire from Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio in her Atlantis colorway. They sort of remind me of ferns slowly growing toward the sun and unrolling their slender stalks.

Doesn't Miss Delia look lovely in these Unfurling earrings?

And those bug eyes! They look like droplets of water! I found these amber glass drops from Cindy Gimbrone for that perfect water droplet effect. The copper rosette ear wires were hand made for me by Rebecca Anderson of The Curious Bead Shop. I bet she would make some just for you!

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Nothin' But Blue Skies

 For the second pair I focused more on the color.
I have these beautiful denim blue enameled beads from SueBeads. I was waiting for just the right occasion to use them. No time like the present!
I found some funky little brass bead caps and decided to add some patina to them to make them look like verdigris. Tiny agate rounds brought in the pop of orange. These sort of feel like party balloons and streamers!

Nothin' But Blue Skies

I can't stand to have un-embellished ear wires. So I added these frosty iridescent Rizo beads in a salmon color. They remind me of the shape and movement of those damselfly wings!

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Let's see what you created!
Please take the time to hop around to the participants.
Leave kind, encouraging comments.
Visit their shops.
Make new friends!

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An InLinkz Link-up

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Want to add the InLinkz code to your own blog? 
 Click this link to get the code!
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Of course, to kick off this new feature, we also have our Earring Love Fest giveaways. Nine of them! And they went to these lucky, randomly selected ladies. Congratulations!
If you are a winner listed below, please email enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com the following:
Your full name & address 

I will pass that information along for your prize to be sent.
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Giveaway #1 from Claire Lockwood

Winner :: BeadRecipes

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Giveaway #2 from Keirsten Giles, Lune Artisan Designs

Winner :: Sarajo Wentling

 
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Giveaway #3 from Linda Landig Jewelry

Winner :: Jean Yates

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Giveaway #4 from Cindy Pack, Cindy's Art & Soul Jewelry

Winner :: Shaiha

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Giveaway #5 from Kristi Bowman Design

Winner :: Louise

Giveaway #6 from Kristi Bowman Design

Winner :: Deb Fortin
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Giveaway #7 from Kristy Abner, Kristy's Kreations

Winner :: Tanya Goodwin

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Giveaway #8 from Erin Prais-Hintz, Tesori Trovati Jewelry

Winner :: Shannon Chomanczuk

Giveaway #9 from Erin Prais-Hintz, Tesori Trovati Jewelry

Winner :: Cindy Martin

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Tell us what you think about the new We're All Ears Inspiration challenge! Didn't get a chance to play? It is not too late! The InLinkz code (see above) will be live for one week. 

C'mon and join in the fun!