I was so honored that Brenda let me design this badge for the challenge. It’s being featured on blogs across the www as people are gearing up to participate.

I am contemplating taking part in the Build a Line Design Challenge in 2015. It’s a master class being taught by Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B’sue Boutiques. The objective of the class is to develop a prototype of a jewelry line.

As you may know, I’ve been struggling to define my style and develop a cohesive look to my jewelry designs. I have no idea how to start. So, in theory, this challenge seems like just the sort of boot camp my muse and I need to find our voice.

I say “in theory” because the first step of the challenge/class is to pitch an idea to Brenda. What’s holding me back is the requirement that components from B’sue Boutiques be visible and prominent parts of the designs. Continue reading →

The theme for this week’s Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design blog challenge was “whimsical.” If you’ve been following my blog you know I’ve found defining my jewelry style a challenge. I’ve been looking for the right descriptive terms to use so people can find my jewelry online.

I think of my jewelry as rustic. Organic. Southwestern. Vintage-inspired. Occasionally elegant. And there were always a handful of pieces I couldn’t find a label for. Turns out, they’re whimsical. Who knew? Continue reading →

The theme for this week’s Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design blog challenge was “botanical.” The members were asked to suggest and vote on ideas for the weekly themes this month and this was one I proposed.

Which made me feel like I really had to take my jewelry design to the next level. Which resulted in a complete creative block. I thought I couldn’t do anything remotely similar to the botanical-inspired jewelry designs I’ve done in the past. And there have been a lot.  Continue reading →

The theme for this week’s Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design blog challenge is “rustic.” Finally, something I know.

Usually before starting my jewelry design for these weekly challenges I have to do some research into the theme. Rustic is something I think I know. It’s my jewelry design comfort zone. But just to be sure, I did a Google search.  Continue reading →

This week’s challenge on the Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design blog was to design “modern” jewelry.  I had no idea what that style encompassed. As usual, I tried to look it up on the internet. (Does anyone visit the library for this sort of thing anymore?)

Modern art is defined as works produced during the 1860s to the 1970s and characterized as a movement away from traditional arts and more toward abstraction. That was easy. There’s even an entry on Wikipedia. Modern jewelry, on the other hand, has no Wikipedia entry and no definitive characteristics. Which happens to be frustratingly true of most jewelry styles.  Continue reading →