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Thursday, July 25, 2019

Classic Tribal Ceramics: New Design

I can't think of too many who do rustic tribal components and beads better than the wonderful Jana Bližňáková, and I'm fortunate to have been able to create with her distinctive art components for years. I'm happy to share these earrings, featuring beautiful classic rustic matte ceramic pieces by her, constructed with not much more than lovely red glass beads and 3-ply black waxed linen thread.


I love the "perfect imperfection" of these rustic pieces, and the shapes of the pieces themselves make them conducive to fiber wrapping.  Before I start working, I make sure my hands are clean, because dirt, oil, crumbs, cat hair (💗), etc., are not your friends when you're working with waxed thread.  (I can't tell you how many times I've had to waste time touching up photos because a fiber or a dog/cat hair showed up on my photos.)  I stretch the thread to straighten it and make sure it's not too waxy.  I thread the waxed linen through their various spaces, in and out, over and back, pulling it tight enough to make a stable earring but not enough to break anything (yikes!).  When I'm through, I tie the ends and then snip off the excess and go on to the next section.  There are four wrapped sections in this design.


When everything's finished, I glue the little thread ends to the back of the components and cover them with paper, which I glue and glaze after the glue dries.  I covered these earrings with red handmade paper:



The earrings are little (about 2 inches) and lightweight.  😊



Thank you kindly for reading!  I'll see you in the second week in August. 
xoxo
Meridy

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15 comments:

  1. You're so meticulous! The paper backing is genius.

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    1. Thanks, Lindsay! I decided I needed to add the paper when I started making earrings with a lot more thread. I didn't want to sell earrings with thread ends hanging out, which is just tatty--kind of like not weaving the ends through in a knitting/crochet project, or not cutting and tucking wire away in a wire wrap. It's just professional. ❤️

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  2. Very informative, I always wondered how you finish them. They are a fabulous pair x

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  3. They're beautiful! Love your designs, Meridy!

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    1. Thank you so very much! I appreciate your comment! ❤️

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  4. They’re beautiful Meridy ❤️❤️

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    2. Thank you so very much, Suhana! ❤️

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  5. Stunning earrings! Your way of handling the loose ends (glue to component + cover with paper) is unique. Maybe check out whipping knots (many types) for other ways of finishing the ends.

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    1. Thanks so much, Robin! And thank you so much for the tip--I will definitely check out whipping knots! ❤️

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  6. I'd always wondered what you did with the fiber ends. Thanks for the glimpse of your process. Love these earrings!

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