Square And Opal

Lately I've been going through my beads and components stash searching particularly for things that I have had for some time, and really like. But haven't found a way to use them in a way that I am satisfied with. When I first got them I had an idea on what to do with them, but when I tried it out it didn't work how I had had in mind. So now I am challenging myself to think in new ways. How shall I make that bead or component talk in an interesting way? 

Like the square chain in these earrings for instance. It is unusual and I love its look. About 5-7 mm side. I never thought of it as something to use in earrings before. But why not, I now thought. It is made of aluminium, so it is light weight despite it's robust look.

I cut a couple of shorter segments. The pale pink peruvian opal stone faceted nuggets creates an interesting contrast to the somewhat industrial look of the chain. When I design jewelry I am always fascinated by unexpected combinations of different design elements. To make seemingly unrelated things look like they were meant for each other all the time.

Hung from handmade Sterling silver earrings hooks.

I have recently re-opened my Etsy shop. Its been on vacation mode for quite some time now, 

due to reasons :-). So far I have only listed a few things, but I intend to keep adding more pieces gradually over the coming period. 

Please contact me if you are interested in any of my pieces that I haven't listed there yet.

www.etsy.com/se-en/shop/MalindeKoning

All my best,

Malin de Koning

www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Industrial Chic

 

I can't believe that it has been 10 days since I was in Washington, D.C. for the ArtBliss workshops. While I was there, I got to meet all sorts of people that I had only known online. I got to meet and connect with teachers that have been my idols, my mentors and are now my friends. And I got to learn some really cool techniques that I suspect will be showing up in my work.

One such idol-mentor-friend is Stacie Florer of Soul to Substance. She is truly a delight to be around. Her cheery personality just bubbles with enthusiasm. She is a gifted teacher with an easy-going style that is encouraging and generous. I spent all day on Saturday, September 28th in her Thin Gauge Metals workshop. 

Usually, when I have worked with metal, we are using a much more stiff gauge that necessitates using heavy equipment, jeweler's saws and the like to work with it. But the metal that I used in these earrings was 30 gauge, so flimsy that you could wave it in front of you like a piece of cardstock. However, when you are done with the manipulation to achieve these interesting textures, that look to me much like folds in fabric, then layering and even riveting, you get something so much stronger yet completely lightweight.

I created these steampunk-style earrings using copper, brass and perforated aluminum (?) along with a rivet just for fun. While these are very cool and edgy, they are not quite my style. However, I have bought the tools and more materials so that I can do something that feels a lot more like me. I already have one pair that I have made in a completely different shape and everyone who sees it says that it looks more like me. I am sure that more metal earrings will be coming from my hands soon!

So, that makes me think... is there a shape that is most like you?
Do tell!