Arabesque-inspired dangle earrings.
The inspiration for the We’re All Ears earring design challenge this month was arabesque architecture. Our hostess shared photos of the elaborate ceiling designs and precise geometric structures in a variety of mosques.
The colors and repeating shapes within shapes were mesmerizing. At first I wasn’t sure how I was going to interpret that for earrings. Should I focus on the geometric shapes? The colors? The patterns?
Eventually I reminded myself that I don’t have to be so literal for these challenges. And then I got out my polymer clay and played. I made a few sets of domed medallion focals and paired them with Czech glass beads.
The polymer clay medallions on these earrings were hand-painted with shimmery jewel-tones on black background. They’re accented with iris-finish Czech glass melon beads on matte black wire.
I used mica pigments to color onto the polymer clay. It’s not precise but the effect was exactly what I had in mind.
The stamp I used for this pair of earrings has concentric circles with abstract designs inside them. It’s like it was made for this challenge. I added Czech glass etched bicones on matte black wire for accents.
I cured the focals with a domed shape. It adds a nice dimension to the finished earrings compared to using them as flat discs.
These might be my favorite pair from this series of earrings. Possibly because they’re the most dangly. The polymer clay discs are accented with Czech glass melon and dagger beads with an iris finish.
These arabesque-inspired earrings, along with many of my other art jewelry designs, are available in my shop on Etsy.
Many thanks to our hostess, Erin Prais-Hintz for the inspiration for this earring design challenge. Be sure to hop over to the Earrings Every Day blog to see how she interpreted this challenge.
Those are all really cool! I’m always amazed with what people can accomplish with polymer clay. I think the second pair is my favorite… great colors!
Perfect for the inspiration piece! I love all your gorgeous earrings.
Your clay pieces are absolutely made for this challenge and they look so wonderful with a sucessful hint of mystery
Beautiful designs and colors! I am really loving all the interesting and complex designs of this challenge. Your earrings have a wonderful metallic, shimmer!
Your colors are bold and beautiful – great job on your challenge!!!
Perfect! I would never have known these were polymer, love the metallic shimmers…xx
They’re all lovely! Nicely done!!
Gorgeous earrings! You’re very talented: the polymer clay circles are amazing!
Perfect combinations of the clay, stamps, paint and beads. You truly captured the ceilings.
Nice – the mandala goes nicely with the inspiration. I love the dark blue ones.
Love them all! I like the domed shape, as well as the colors! And your accent beads and findings add the perfect touch to your designs!
Those are some stamps that are perfect for the inspiration! I love the soft shimmer of the mica powders as well. They really play with the light. Thank you for playing along with me in the March We’re All Ears Challenge. Check back on April 1st for our next inspiration! Enjoy the day! Erin