28 February 2011

Color Palette Blog Walk 2::Inspired by...

"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." ~ John Ruskin

There is something really special about an art bead. It is like holding the hand of the maker in yours.

I can recall when I first started making jewelry. I would get my supplies from places like Michaels and Walmart, or take apart old jewelry for the parts. I never used a bead that cost me more than $5 and that felt like a lot.

And then someone told me that I should buy the best quality beads and components that I could afford, so I started to look a bit beyond my usual haunts for what might be out there. I was amazed at the variety! 

Eventually I found out that there were people out there who made beads for a living. Wonderful tiny masterpieces filled with light and color and whimsy. Artists whose chosen medium included glass and ceramic and polymer clay and metal. Artists who had studied art and those that had studied life and landed in art.

They all have a passion and a love to create that is evident in each tiny masterpiece.

Once I got over the sticker shock of paying $12, $25, $40, $59 or more for one single bead, I was hooked. There are some art beads that I purchased more than 4 years ago still waiting for good homes. And there are also some that are little sculptural friends who are lined up on my shelf keeping me company while I work.

And there may be some beads that I will never be able to part with because of their beauty, my reaction when I hold them, or my connection to the artist. They are just too special.

So in preparing for this blog walk with the theme "inspired by..." (which is my favorite theme, don't you know?!) I knew that I could find pictures of people that inspire me, or things in my world, or places I have been...but really I am inspired every day to tell the story of these precious art beads through my artisan jewelry.

Here are some of my favorite pieces of jewelry featuring art beads of all kinds. Enjoy!

{'twisted tattered torn' featuring a glass heart by Kerri Fuhr, dupioni silk ribbon, hand forged galvanized steel links and a sterling silver heart - featured in the Fall 2010 Jewelry Affaire}
{'Her Clockwork Heart' featuring Earthenwood Studios Toolbox Treasure ceramic heart, enameled cogs and gears from C-Koop, brass cogs from Rings and Things, three colors of Soft Flex wire loops - created for the Soft Flex Flex Your Creativity challenge, Fall 2010}

{'Besame Mucho' featuring a polymer clay long tube bead from Humblebeads, 24kt gold plated charlottes, a variety of colors, shapes and sizes of swarovski crystals - inspired by the painting "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt for a gallery exhibit called Arts Walk, April 2009}
{'Good Advice' featuring ceramic beads from Jangles, glass and silver plated findings - won 2nd place in the 2009 Bead Star competition in the Hearts category}

{'Crimson Lace' featuring a double sided polymer clay flower focal from Humblebeads, Czech glass, Vintaj brass - for sale here}
 
{'Drops of Sunshine' featuring lampwork glass by Firelily on Etsy and brand spankin' new components from Kristi Bowman - she just started selling these in silver and bronze! Check them out!}

{'Promise of a Life Becoming' featuring a pure silver tulip charm from Beth Hemmila of Hint, hammered copper, pearls, glass, Bali silver origami cubes, leather - inspired by my sweet sister Kelly and featured in the Winter 2010 issue of Stringing}

{'Leatherbound Bloom' featuring a ceramic flower focal from Marsha Neal Studios, agate rounds, wood, chain and leather - created for the Color of Challenge blog hop (new one coming soon!) and donated to the My Mom Pattie shop on Etsy to raise money for a good cause - check it out!}

{'Out of this World' featuring a hollow focal bead by Kerry Bogert and an enamel round from Barbara Lewis with twisted wire and glass beads - created for my August 2010 solo exhibit at the Gallery Q inspired by a painting by Brenda Wenberg}

{'every thing happens for a reason' featuring one of my new 'simple truths' pendant (with that message on the back) and beautifully complemented by the three Humblebeads polymer clay disks - for my friend Kari who is embarking on a new journey in her life!}

Thank you to my friend, Brandi for coordinating this intriguing color walk. She made it very easy to participate by providing a great color palette template on her blog. I think I will use these in the future! 
Please visit the other blogs on the walk! 

Which color are you surrounding yourself in lately? 

Enjoy the day!



Monday, Feb. 28th
Erin at Treasures Found ------ You are here!

Tuesday, March 1st
Julia at UlvDesign

Wednesday, March 2nd
Jescalyn at Peach Honey Love
Katrina at Ma Joie Press
Jenni at Jenni's Beads

Thursday, March 3rd
Christie at Displaced Urbanite
Rachel at TatterBeans
Brittany at The Home Ground

Friday, March 4th
Rachel at Balanced Crafts
Wren at Each Day
Kelly at Mackin Art

35 comments:

steufel said...

Oh Erin, thanks for sharing your inspirations with us. I'm sitting here drooling over each and every single piece you've posted:-)

Paige said...

Erin--love the palettes! Your photos and jewelry is always inspiring and gorgeous, and the color palettes you made from them just make them even more beautiful. I didn't think it was possible!

And another color challenge?? YAY!!!

KristiBowmanDesign said...

WOW Erin, quite an undertaking!! What a beautiful idea for a blog hop. You did an absolutely fabulous job with every single one, I have to say my favorites ar ethe earrings made with my silver components, not that I'm partial or anything!! AMAZING!!!!

Cillaw said...

Hello,
Great Job. My favorite part was how you described your jump from $5 beads and what a shock that was. Me too!! Your palates perfectly matched your work. Beautiful!
Cilla

shari said...

All your photos & palettes are beautiful!! My favorite is Leatherbound Flower... the colors are rich and so harmonious!!

Cindy said...

Hi Erin
What a wonderful way to start the day - with this rich profusion of color, and a fantastic showcase of your jewelry. One can clearly see your wide range of skill by the many varied pieces you've shared here. I remember many of them, some are new to me. Are any still available anywhere (I imagine not)? Thank you for sharing this inspiring collection!

Holly said...

Erin, thank you for this lovelyness and inspiration! The person behind the art bead is what draws me to them as well.

Brandi Hussey said...

Ohmigosh, Erin, these are absolutely fabulous!!! They are all so incredible, I'm in awe, my friend!

And I'm right there with you about art beads. There's no going back now; they have found a definite home within my creative center.

Thanks so much for playing along!

balanced. said...

goodness me, they are all breathtaking!

I can see why you love them so! gorgeous!!

Unknown said...

I love your journey and you did feature some of my favorites you have made. The "simple truths" necklace is so sweet and inspiring. I need to be more couragous in my color choices but in truth it scares me. You are such a "Inspirationalist" (my word...LOL) maybe I just might take one of your palettes on.

Hugs

Craftymoose Crafts said...

You have done each of the palettes magnificent justice! Since my main focus is french beaded flowers, I tend to surround myself with the natural colors of nature. You have inspired me to perhaps step out of that box and blend more colors together.

Orion Designs said...

Fabulous pieces and inspiring palettes!

Deryn Mentock said...

Erin, your work is gorgeous, classy, elegant, inspiring...well done!

Christine said...

Oh, I love art beads, too! Little colorful pieces of art, right? So, so pretty! And also, hi! I'm also participating in the blog walk.

Alice said...

Erin, your creations are just gorgeous! Each one fits the pallet perfectly!

Though I do value handmade beads, I still suffer sticker shock. Most of my customers will not pay the price, eventhough they know the value, so I must be careful both in what I purchase and how I use them.

Looking forward to the blog walk.

Judy said...

Beautiful pieces of wearable art..I love all the color palettes. You do such inspiration work!

Lyn Foley said...

Erin, thank you for sharing such beautiful jewelry and photos. The palettes are all inspiring. I especially like the simple truths one though, with Humblebeads beads. Such softpinks and wines, umm. It makes me want to pull out my glass and make some beads in those colors. Lovely post.

Dee said...

beautiful Erin...I love your color choices, so similar to my own. I've already bookmarked Brandi's blog, and will be going back later to check it out. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pallette.

Jen Judd said...

Hi Erin!
You never fail to provide a little treasure and today it has been a fantastic little walk through your design history! I think it's neat that your voice shows through in every piece but the palettes are all so different!
I'm looking forward to more gorgeous colors as we walk through the week.
Jen

BooBeads said...

Such wonderful work Erin, I would wear any of those!

rosebud101 said...

Erin, you did a wonderful job with your color palettes! Your pieces are magnificent!

Jenni said...

Beautiful Erin, thankyou for showing such gorgeous pieces of jewelry. The color palettes are so varied and wonderful. Your work is indeed inspirational

JeannieK said...

Your choice of beads for each color pallete is perfect. (excuse me, I have to go wipe the drool off my face). You have such a way of spinning art beads and colors into found treasures.

It's funny, I had someone tell me the same thing about using quality beads and art beads. But when I first starting making jewelry, I didn't know any better and I never heard the words "art beads" before. What? What's an art bead?
This is good advice to anyone starting out in this business.

Dawn Doucette said...

Erin darlin, I love the necklace for your friend Kari! I hope her new venture is positive and helps her grow and discover even more about how wonderful she is!

You're blog inspires me so Erin! I've given you the Awesome Blog award because I want to shout from the rooftop about your creativity and passion!

{Hugs!}

http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2011/03/oops-i-missed-monday.html

Jess said...

I love those pink/mauve colors. Yummy...
You have beautiful pieces!! Wearable art, that would be perfect with a plain white tee, so they can shine.

Jessa | ReArtingDotNet said...

Such beautiful jewelry, but my fave is the last one. Gorgeous! Kari is very lucky!

Karen M said...

Beautiful jewellery and palettes. I have a soft spot for Earthenwood and Humblebeads pieces but I think I'll have to look at Jangle beads now.

GlassBeadArt said...

Wow!!!
What a beautiful collection to show!
You really made my day. Sitting here with braces on the knee and almost unable to do anything else but surf the net, I was a little depressed...but looking at your marvelous creations made me smile and long to be able to get back to the studio!

Rebecca said...

Gorgeous Erin! Your pieces and indeed your photos themselves are beautiful. I can't pick a favourite, they are all so lovely and full of life and colour.

Leigh said...

Your designs are stunning! So happy I discovered your blog to follow and be inspired.

Unknown said...

Ive got to say your jewellery always has a breathless look to it! Yho I often hear you say Oh I want to do that or should of..you are always right on the mark Bullseye on your jewellery! Sooo beautiful Erin xx

Katrina said...

Beautiful! I especially love the 'drops of sunshine' palette. I can't resist yellow and amber tones- or lovely earrings either!

Wren said...

Beautiful palettes! I especially love the second one from the bottom- but I'm partial to bright colors. I also loved your explanation of why these art beads inspire you- I'll never look at beads the same way, thank you.

somethingunique said...

Hi Erin, WOW!! you've come a long way bebe from walmart & michaels beads amazing! I too started with old jewelry & clearance stuff i would take apart & create something totally different, i called it Franken Jewelry. All of your wonderful creations are made that much more beautiful by the stories they tell & meanings they have from your heart.I tend to surround myself with everything black but i just purchaced a collection of lamp work beads from a local artist i found on ETSY so many wonderful colors i have been making bracelets with them & having so much fun with all of the colors.I can't really afford all the components i would love to purchace but i am working toward that goal just looking how far you have come really inspires me.ttfn Lana

ShinyAdornments said...

Gorgeous Erin! Love the colors and really love your simple truth pendant. Lovely.

:-)
Kristy
Simply Shiny Blog

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