Collections
Take a look at that fancy clasp. I bought some components a while back from Kate McKinnon when she was having one of her Soul Clearing sales on her website. I have been hoarding them in a baggie in my stash for months and months. Today, this oval shaped doo-hicky came out and I was able to work into a clasp which this piece was lacking that just-oh-so-right closure. I'm not exactly sure how Kate intended for this component to work... but I added some galvanized steel wire and voila!
I didn't bead all day, but spent a few hours of consistent beading this afternoon. I rocked the earrings, finished 5 pairs. Plus this necklace. Plus one more necklace that is currently in the works. I feel like a steam engine just getting up to speed again after trudging up a steep hill. Lots of ideas for change are swirling around in my head. I get bored. Can you tell? The blog changes. The banner changes. (check out my post today over at the Art Bead Scene, I did a tutorial on how to make your own banner! and am giving away a pair of earrings... BUT WAIT> finish reading this post first)
I'm also playing around with the idea of creating a Collection. Or a series of collections. Jewelry collections.
or maybe just a jewelry series. I don't know. I just feel like this over-powering urge to have like categories.
Glass. Ceramics. Mixed Media. Fiber. Metal. And then making jewelry and categorize them in my shop according this series/collection. what the hell is the difference between a series and a collection??
At any rate, I'm thinking of ways to create a more cohesive look to my "brand", as a whole. And I think this might just be the ticket.
I love the idea of a collection! "Branding" is still eluding me, but from an outsider, just in case you're wondering, I can tell your designs are yours, usually without reading the name at the top of the page. I think you have a distinct style...but, categorizing? I think that might actually be a cool way to keep the brain focused...hmmmm...I feel like getting in a category groove right now...bangles inspired by Kerry...watch out!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a collection. But then I think in collections when I design. When I think of a series, as in I make pots in series, they are a group that has a related theme. The barnacle pots are a series. When I think of collection, I think of a theme as well but more in having say a "spring" collection that has a floral theme. Does that make sense? Good luck with this. It makes sense to me that you might go down this path. Oh and you have a brand! A very distint style all your own that is very easy for me to recognize.
ReplyDeleteI think of a collection as something you gather for a series that are connected.
ReplyDeleteThe owl pendants rocks. Beautiful stuff.
I get bored easily to.
It's a good idea, I do that and it jives well with my local customers. I have sterling, copper, brass, ceramic, semi-precious and lampwork. I of course have the occasional piece that goes in more that one group, but they ussually tell me where they belong. lol. Good luck! Can't wait to see how it turns out!
ReplyDeleteI would agree!
ReplyDeleteYou have a definite style, Lorelei, that is all your own. No mistaking it. I would say that a collection would be a group of series based on a theme. Say a Woodland Collection, with owl jewelry, and leaves, and flowers. Or a Desert Collection, with sandy tones, and clean lines. I think that is a great idea. Then when you get bored (as I do) you can retire collections and they become collecitbles! Enjoy the day! Erin
Your necklace is beautiful! And I think a collection would be a terrific idea. I mean, if you think about it you tend to go through stages and phases anyway - at least I do. Your work is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love that little owl! He's so cute!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say that a series is ongoing with no definite end and a more general theme, and a collection is a very specific grouping for a very specific time frame.
The owl coin is one of my favorites as well. My first design I made for myself with my sister's beads was with an owl coin.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful necklace. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of collections,L! I think that could work well for you. Others did a good job describing collections and series. I tend to think of a broad theme as a collection, such as an Ocean Collection and a more specific theme for a series, like if you were to make multiple jewelry pieces with a sand dollar theme. That would be a sand dollar series.
ReplyDeleteI think collections are a great idea for my creative brain cells! So I have fine silver, PMC, lampwork, copper, etc. collections. It also helps if you're designing at various price points. Some collections can be $ or $$$.
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with Kate's piece. She was my first PMC instructor, and in my opinion, one of the best in the field. Her new book (Interweave, 5/1) is going to be stellar and a must-have for anyone working with PMC and fine silver.
Didn't read your desciption, but the pure fine silver adds more value$$ to the piece.
Like your new pieces and the colors.
Painters that I know swear that a series is the ONLY way to fully develop an idea, and I think they're really on to something. I know what you mean about getting bored easily though. I mid-point might be to let each piece sort of inspire the next :-)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pieces as always, Lorelei!
Seriously adorable!! Love all the textures!
ReplyDelete