Category Archives: Jewelry Design

We’re All Ears Design Challenge: Flower Girls

Rustic flower earrings hanging on planterThe inspiration for this month’s We’re All Ears design challenge is a series of delightfully fanciful paintings with fresh flower accents. The artist behind the whimsical flower girl art is Malaysian artist and photographer Lim Zhi Wei (a.k.a Limzy).

This month is also the one-year anniversary of these monthly challenges on the Earrings Everyday Blog. I only learned of the blog and started participating in the challenges last fall. Each month’s inspiration has been more fun than the last.  Continue reading →

B’sue Boutiques Build a Line Design Challenge Part 2: the progress

Five Elemental Lizards focalsHere we are for Part 2 of the Build a Line design challenge (BALC for short) where I’ll be showing my progress in creating a line of jewelry using components from our sponsor and instructor, Brenda Sue (aka B’sue) Lansdowne of B’sue Boutiques.

In Part 1 of the challenge, the other participants and I revealed the themes we’d be exploring and components we would be using. Some of us (the over-achievers) even had a finished piece of jewelry or two to show off.  In Part 3, coming up in a month from today, we will be debuting our completed lines, which must have at least five related pieces. Continue reading →

Introducing the Cactus Frog Logo and Jewelry Brand

Cactus Frog LogoThe Paisley Lizard would like to introduce you to her close cousin, the Cactus Frog. I have a fabulous new logo to go with the new Etsy shop where I’m offering my brand of handmade whimsical jewelry.

As this is my year to focus on a cohesive look for my jewelry designs, I took a hard look at the offerings in my original Etsy shop and found a split personality.  And then decided I needed a second shop, and hence, a new logo. Continue reading →

Designing with Joyful Muse Jewelry Components

Necklace with Joyful Muse spinner focalWhen Miriam of Joyful Muse Studio offered to send out some of her newest artisan jewelry components to test, I was among the first to raise my hand. I received two lovely mixed media focals and a pair of hand-painted metal components to use in my own jewelry designs.

Designing jewelry with components not of your choosing can be a challenge. I didn’t know what colors I would receive or even what kind of components Miriam would send. I only knew I had seen and admired her work and was certain this would be fun. Continue reading →

SRAJD Jewelry Design Challenge: Wire Work

Fire Element earringsThe theme for this month’s challenge on the Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design blog is “wire work.”  Which is left wide-open for us to design any kind of jewelry using any kind of wire work techniques.

I initially planned to scour my technique books for a new wire technique to try. And then I remembered I’m supposed to be more focused this year. I’m working on a cohesive look for my jewelry, and need to refine techniques I already know and like. That’s not to say I won’t get distracted, but for this challenge, I’m challenging myself to revisit a technique. Continue reading →

B’sue Boutiques Build a Line Design Challenge Part 1: the proposal

Lizard jewelry componentsI am thrilled to be participating in the Build a Line design challenge, hostessed by Brenda Sue (a.k.a. B’sue) Lansdowne of B’sue Boutiques.

The challenge is to design five pieces of jewelry that could form the basis of a line. The participants, nearly 60 jewelry designers, will be blogging about our progress along the way in a series of three blog posts, each about a month apart. This first post is to introduce ourselves and the concepts for our lines. Continue reading →

Secret Garden Design Challenge: Octopus Garden

Octopus Garden focalLate last year I joined a couple of Facebook groups run by Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B’sue Boutiques. One of them, the Bohemian Vibe group, has monthly design challenges involving polymer clay. And brass stampings or other visible components from B’sue Boutiques. And any other mixed-media components or techniques of our choosing.

This month,  Christi Friesen challenged us to design a “secret garden” piece. She shared an awesome example and tutorial, but also said we were free to interpret the theme as we will. So, you just know I had to go waaaay into left field for my idea. Continue reading →

We’re All Ears Challenge: Marsala

Marsala color swatchThe inspiration for this month’s We’re All Ears earring design challenge is Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2015. That color is “marsala” which Pantone describes as a “naturally robust and earthy wine red [that] enriches our minds, bodies and souls.” That’s not asking for much for a color now, is it?

I’ve heard (read) more than a few jewelry designers state how they are less than wowed by this color and the rest of Pantone’s choices for the spring season. They feel the color palette is too subdued and lacks oomph. Well, that’s just how I like my colors. Continue reading →

Mixed Media Hearts and Flowers

Red Rose Keepsake Heart BoxI’ve been busy making mixed media hearts and flowers designs for my online shop. Although I myself am not much for hearts and flowers – unless you count my appreciation for wildflowers growing untamed – I do recognize they are popular. Especially at certain times of year. You know what I’m talking about. Valentine’s Day.

That’s right, I said it.  I know what you’re thinking. “Too soon! It’s too soon for another commercialized holiday.” Some of you may have just finished putting away your twinkle lights and bows of holly. Or you’re at least seriously contemplating the need to do so. But here’s the harsh reality, the biggest jewelry, hearts, flowers, and candy-giving event of the year is mere weeks away.  Continue reading →

Jewelry Design Challenge: Beach

Beachcomber necklace close-upThe theme for this week’s challenge on the Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design blog was “beach.” This is the last jewelry design challenge for 2014 and the theme was chosen by popular vote among the members. Members who are longing for sun and sand apparently.

I am not a beach go-er. At least, not in the traditional sense. As a freckled fair-skinned blue-eyed girl, laying on the sand basking under the sun is not my thing. But, as a nature-lover and someone who studied oceanography, I do appreciate the beauty of a coastline, sandy or rocky. From under the cover of pants, long sleeves, a big floppy hat, and a liberal coating of zinc oxide. Continue reading →