My BALC theme this year, as you may recall, is pearls and crystal ... the "Timeless" jewelry line. From ancient through modern times, pearls and crystal glass have been used to create delightful jewelry pieces. Although I'm using glass pearls and czech glass beads, the beauty of timeless classic jewelry shines on. Look at some of the lovely things I'm working with!
It's been quite the interesting journey during this class so far. Even though I did take the class last year as well, there's always new things to learn, especially from the stories, comments, and life experiences from our teacher and classmates. Trends, design eras, pricing, fashion ... all very important things to take into consideration when designing jewelry. (even if I still do think all of the clothes in Vogue are rather weird!) ;) Research is so imperative to help find your style, your niche. I purchased some great jewelry history books to not only learn from, but enjoy! Oooh, pretty!
I have always loved vintage jewelry, particularly from the early to mid 20th-century. What the designers from Haskell, Hagler, Schiaparelli, Joseff, Carnegie, and so many more created ... oh my, such talent! I can only aspire to fashion something so beautiful. This necklace, which I created a few months ago for a challenge, was inspired by Haskell jewelry ... and in turn inspired my 'Timeless' pearl and crystal line:
Rhinestone jewelry is my favorite, but I'm also so in love with the look of classic crystal and pearls. I decided to create my BALC line with these classic beads and B'Sue Boutiques brass components to try to capture the bygone look of timeless jewelry from incredible designers. It's a look that can be simple to sophisticated, fussy to fabulous, understated to elegant, sweet to sensational!
At this point in my jewelry career, I'm somewhat between an artisan-hobbyist and a maker/designer who'd like to ramp up the business and really get it going. I'm undecided at times; I love to create one-of-a-kind pieces on my own time and pace, yet I want a wider online presence with my jewelry. As I develop this and other lines, I'll be able to offer a wider variety of designs, styles, and price ranges ... something for everyone! I'm still hoping to open an Etsy shop this year as well.
friend who is also a wonderful customer told me that a student at the college she attends recently admired the necklace that she was wearing. It was one of mine, and she replied that a friend had made it. He was surprised and commented that it looked like the jewelry that his mom had gotten from his grandma. Well ... that’s high praise indeed to me! That means my style shows ... that’s my goal: vintage-inspired jewelry!
Our next blog hop post in March will be the big reveal of my new pearl and crystal jewelry line. We hope you'll be right here with us again to help pull the sheet off the 'Timeless' treasures and see what we've created. In the meanwhile, please hop along the list of fellow classmates' blogs below, to see how their lines are progressing too! Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog ... and to Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B'Sue Boutiques for sponsoring this class!
Brenda Sue Lansdowne Jewelry Making Outside the Box
http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com
Diana Buynak Butterfly Emporium Ceramic Studio
http://butterflyemporium.indiemade.com/blog
Irene Hoffman, Heart's Dezire by Irene
http://heartsdezirebyirene.wordpress.com
Clare Wells Nemeth, Creative Magick
http://www.craftingmagick.blogspot.com
Mary Reckmeyer, Afrayed Not
http://www.afrayedknot.net
Marcia Tuzzolino, Aurora Designs
http://auroradesignsjewelryblog.me
Elizabeth Wilks, Wearable Art by Lizzie
http://wearableartbylizzie.blogspot.com
Jeanette Rose Belmont, One Canvas At A Time
http://www.onecanvasatatime.com
Lyn Joy Reeve, A Journey From Jewels To Jubilation
http://lnreeve00.blogspot.com
Belinda Reed-Ingle, Vogue Rocks
http://voguerocks.blogspot.com
Beth Trubman, The Journey of Jewelry
http://thejourneyofjewelry.blogspot.com
Carole Carlson, Bead Sophisticate
http://beadsophisticate.wordpress.com
Jann Tague, Clever Designs by Jann
http://janntague.wordpress.com
Shari Gardner, SLG Jewelry Designs
http://slgdesigns.wordpress.com
Susan Bolton, Fern's Place
http://www.fernsplace.org
Chris Kemp, Noodle Pie Bracelets
http://noodlepiebracelets.com
Barbara Kelley, Angels' Keep
http://angelskeepbandbdotcom.wordpress.com
Susan Bowerman, Woodside Wireworks
http://woodsidewireworks.com/
Pamela Anger, Novegatti Designs <--- you are here!
http://novegattidesigns.blogspot.com
Joan Donovan, Hailey's Cottage
http://haileyscottage.com/
Alison Huie, Ally's Baubles
http://www.allysbaubles.blogspot.com
Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
http://www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Erica Olmos, Beeb's Closet
https://beebscloset.wordpress.com
Erin Whitacre, Shattered Time Jewelry
https://shatteredtimejewelry.wordpress.com
Fran Sitton, Sitton Up Front
https://sittonupfront.wordpress.com
Ginger Hammond, Lynn Leigh Designs
https://lynnleighdesigns.wordpress.com
Paula Gaskill, Lovely LaylaBug Jewels
http://www.lovelylaylabugjewels.com/Blog.php
Mary Deis, The Rose Sword
http://theroseswordmdeis.blogspot.com
Renee Webb Allen, Small Stuff Design
http://smallstuffdesign.com
Valerie Tilghman, ArtJewelsandGifts
http://www.artjewelzdimensions.blogspot.com
Chris Cravens, Vintage Cravens
http://christinecravens.blogspot.com
Leslie Carver, Adorn Divine Designs
http://www.adorndivinedesigns.blogspot.com
Donna Parry, JewelryDonna
http://jewelrydonna.typepad.com
Gina-Marie Hammer, Tangles, Twists and Treasures
http://tanglestwistsandtreasures.com/blog/
Kelly Wymer, Winged Wisdom Enchantments
https://wingedwisdomenchantments.wordpress.com/