I’m one of those artists/crafters who putter along doing my thing and never realizing that I’m doing the same ole thing. And then, someone comes along and gets me thinking with their request. When I’m stumped, it’s not a pretty sight. I feel like pulling my hair out. Ok, I have my moments.
My customer’s drawing
“Yes”, once again, I have a new customer that has gotten my creative juices flowing with her custom order request. She has asked for something that I don’t create and this has led me to rack my brain to come up with something comparable. She wants these large sized earrings but they have to be pretty light bc of one of her earlobes. If the earring is too heavy, it’ll pull and elongate the earring hole. She sent me a pic of the model with the earrings and I was just like…I don’t do these. Initially, she wanted what I call “bead weaving” type of earrings. Her GF was going to make her earrings and matching bracelet for her using this technique but can’t now bc her GF got into a car accident. I unfortunately don’t do bead weaving. So, it started me thinking.
Based on her own drawing, I came up with an earring. She wanted it a “Diamond” shape and certain dimensions. She decided that reality was not all it was cracked up to be. She wanted it to “move. So, we went back to the drawing board again.
Attempt Number 1
She said that she liked the inner part of my True Love Heart pendant. This technique is what I call a more intricate level of wire wrapping. You take sterling silver wire (or whatever wire you want to work with) and form a base, then wrap a smaller gauge of similar wire over and over the piece by hand adding in gemstones, beads, what have you. It takes planning, time, time, and more time. So, first I checked out other Etsians who use this technique to get inspiration. Then, I went to Borders and Barnes and Noble to look for How To books…found zip, nada, nothing.
True Love Heart Pendant/Necklace
Back at home, I just decided to do it the old hard and tedious way. Learn by doing, redoing, and doing again. I actually had to draw out what I wanted to create as the base so I wouldn’t waste my wire. I started working with copper wire first but then switched to the sterling bc I was getting impatient.
And “yes”, I’m a bit of an impatient artist. I don’t enjoy spending hours, days, weeks trying to do one thing. I like to do it fast and in the least amount of tries as possible.
Last night, I worked several straight hours on 2 earring designs using this new to me technique which I made up as I went along.
New Bridal Earring
Here they are. A bridal earring with my new bride customer in mind. And the 2nd earring is a funky mod one with an Indian “feel”. I wore this 2nd earring around the house and couldn’t take it off. Everything on it is hand crafted by me…the base, the earhooks that remind me of an elephant’s profile. I love the look, love the chains hanging, love the shape. I’m going to make one for my shop and one for myself to keep.
Rutilated Moss Amethyst andFresh Water Pearls
Normally, I don’t actually make a real mock up design for a custom order request. However, this customer has already purchased 7 pairs of bridesmaids earrings from me which I have mailed to her. And she wants to purchase a pair of bridal earrings and bracelet from me also. So, as I have more available time to spend designing and I find her design request intriguing, I’m willing to go the extra mile. And I’m happy that I did because I think I’ve stumbled onto my new jewelry line.
August 2nd: just the cutest cousin that ever did exist
Just wondering what you guys think! Also, if I get all this stuff redesigned and to the point where I like it, should I go back and fit the old posts to fit into the new style? I’m going to try to create composite images to reduce the amount of scrolling neccesary and take advantage of the wide posting area. Or is that lame? I can’t decide. Clearly, I need help!
