What do you normally say when someone comments, "I like your earrings!".  Well, try answering, "thanks! I made them myself!" This April, for the very first time, we are offering a mini-workshop called "Earring Envy". Unlike most metal clay classes that last at least 5 weeks, this is a one evening introduction to the art of metal clay. Hosted in the beautiful art gallery in Great Falls, Avenue Beau Sejour. With a bottle (or two) of wine and some basic tools, we will explore the design possibilities of metal clay earrings. Watch out, you may get hooked! You can get more information on the workshop or visit the Avenue Beau Sejour website to learn more. See you in April!!!

Do it yourself Earring Frame:

 

About 2 years ago I was re-organizing my closet (which is about 3 ft. x 3 ft.) to accomodate the handbags that I had begun collecting over the years. Formerly, they were piled one on top of another and crammed into corners where they became mis-shapen and stiff. After spying 3M hooks at Target, I set to work using every conceivable space inch of wall space. I hung each bag on a hook, sometimes layering a longer style beneath a shorter style. When I stood back and looked at the wall from a distance while slightly squinting my eyes, it began to look like art. It was as if the bags formed a kaliedescope of color and texture on the wall like the toys we held to the light when we were kids. Even though I rarely used most of these bags, they reminded me of periods in my life and they brought me new pleasure now displayed on the inside walls of my closet.

 

Remember the phrase the cobblers children have no shoes? Well, for me its more like "the cobblers children have no shoe racks" In the studio its go go go with earrings flying, bracelets stacking, and oh so many rings. It's hard to find a place for everything. Then I realized, with the amount of work that goes into each pair of earrings, they really are litle works of art to me. Why aren't they on display in my "happy place" (closet)?  And so begins our project to make a beautiful custom earring frame out of ordinary household items.

 

Picture Frame Earring Display

 

Materials:

A picture frame (I found mine in a closet)

A pair of fishnet stockings

A piece of fabric (an old scarf might work?)

A staple gun

A pair of pliers

 

Hint: try black fishnets over a tan background for a more graphic effect. Or, try black on black for a sleek and modern look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1: Remove the backing from the existing frame. If there are any obtrusive staples you can remove them with a pair of pliers. If the staples are deep and not in the way, just let them be and save your fingernails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Cut your fishnets down the seam of the leg (if there is a seam). Otherwise, just cut a straight line. Spread the narrowest part of the fishnets across the narrowest part of the frame and carefully staple in place.

 

Warning: The first time i did this I stapled on the "inside" part of the frame. (the part that keeps the glass from falling out). This part of the wood is thin and my staples went right through to the other side. The second time around I pulled the stocking a little further and stapled into the thicker part of the frame.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4: Keep pulling the stocking and stapling until you have gone all the way around the frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5: Staple your fabric on top of the fishnet going all the way around the perimiter of the frame.

So after taking a short summer break its back to the bench to prepare for Fall / Holiday collections! In my classic approach to design, I'm creating a line of earrings based on the reinterpretation of the circle. There is something so classic about round disc shapes and when married with new textures, cut outs, and ornamentation, they can take on new life.  Although the line is still in development, the bamboo earrings have already been picked up by an OpenSky as environmentally friendly jewelry. 

 

In 2005 my father (age 55 at the time) was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. A PhD and academic his whole life, the diagnosis was crushing. Over the next few years I often remembered the things he taught me. (How to change the oil in my car, how to ride a motorcycle, etc.) There was one phrase that we would repeat from time to time, “Illigitimus non carborundum”. I would ask what it meant and he would say, “look it up!”. Well, it took me 30 years, but eventually I did look it up. The phrase translates to “don’t let the bastards grind you down.” Now as he fights a cruel disease everyday I find the phrase particularly meaningful. I wanted to carry this reminder with me at all times, and as a result, the Latin Lovers collection was born. I have had many people request phrases of personal inspiration or special meaning. I am hopeful that these bracelets might serve a greater purpose by reminding us of what is really important in our lives. Peace.

While sitting at my bench one day I looked around the studio at all the materials left from previous collections. Pounds and pounds of sterling chain in varying shapes and sizes, thousands of gemstones in every shape and color, earring forms, custom links, and castings abound. Every time I order new supplies I have feelings of guilt about the buckets of materials already available in my studio. My mom's voice rings in my ear, "finish what is on your plate before you take seconds".  Shouldn't I use up what I have before buying more?

That day I was feeling dramatic. I grabbed every chain i could find and started assembling a massive draping necklace. A cascade of sterling silver that drips down the neck and dances with movement. I threw in charms. I threw in stones. I threw in earrings. Everything but the kitchen sink! The resulting piece is a one-of-a-kind statement necklace made entirely of re-cycled and re-purposed materials. I was thrilled to see that JCK included the necklace in their "Spotlight On" segment in the February 2010 issue.

The Chaos necklace ignited a journey into developing an entire collection based on the same principle. The more I worked, the more the styles developed. I decided to name the collection Couture Collier which translates to "hand-made necklace". Each one uses re-purposed materials from the studio. The line is a joy for me to create because it never gets boring and relieves my guilt about 'leaving food on my plate".

As each design develops the materials dictate the aesthetic of the final piece. For example, Midtown originated with the faceted clear crystal teardrop beads you see. They were clustered together to make a flower. That "flower" sat on my bench for 2 weeks. What do I do with this??? Eventually I made my way to the pearl drawer and pulled various shapes and sizes. The femininity of the pearls is toned down by the remnants of sterling chain strewn in between. Wanting to take the piece in an ever more rugged direction, I added irregular pyrite (also know as fools gold) beads on only one side to counteract the pearls in both color and texture. A sort of ying and yang if you will.  All of the pieces in the Couture Collier collection endured a similar process. Some were made in a day, some were made over the course of a month. The components and resources dictate the design direction in this particular collection. Now that my plate is clear (well, almost) I'm beginning to feel a bit better.

Peace,
JJ