4.24.2019 - Earring Morph...

What I love about creativity is that occasionally the clouds part and you get a peek on how you work. What I’m saying is that after 21 years of beadmaking, occasionally I stumble on a design and forget that I’ve made it before… but once you have an “inventory” of bead shapes in your coffer… it’s a matter then of combining shapes to create pleasing pieces.

The lollypop of color has been in my catalog of ideas for years… but now that I’ve conquered the hole… it’s really all about the color. The glass has always been my push… allowing the colors to sing. So - then absent of surface decoration - you’re left simply with shape. The matchstick shape joined the catalog of ideas a few years back - but only this year have I combined the shapes in different ways.

I don’t often work in opaques once we’ve headed into Spring - but these did happen this week… The rounds are 3/8”D and are a base bead wrapped in decorative glass - then encased. Of course, the solid form of the black makes precision of lines and angles imperative - because anything off of perfect shows. Love these little beauties!

For years I struggled with how to use the flat beads I so love making… this is my solution and I am very pleased. I feel movement and shape is so important - and these elements show up in most of my work. Happily. smiles, Jill

4.17.2019 - Creation In Progress

I had planned to have an update tonight - but still have so many things in the works… won’t be ready on time.
So - next week, be on the lookout, there should be quite a bit of goodness here.

Hmmmm. it seems that over the years my beads are happiest when paired with compatible other bead shapes - not so much applied designs… lending an overall contemporary feel to much of what I produce.

Are there limitations? This is a gorgeous glass toggle… shouldn’t the clasp be as pretty as the necklace?

New shapes are intoxicating… this shape is an exercise in crazy, as glass wants to be round… these are NOT round. For this earring to work, the Matchstick beads need to be angular, balanced, and similarly scaled. The earring assembly remains daunting. Does all this stop me from wanting to make these in every color combination I can come up with? Not at all… because what I find is that every time I make a pair - I discover shortcuts or techniques that make them hang better… or go together more easily…

and yes, I’m still exploring the bead without the hole… and its many applications.

…or the hinged pendant allowing movement, a visual variety of compatible shapes, and a nice merging of colors, texture and design elements. Big bonus is it creates a larger scale finished piece - when otherwise I am not so inclined to make bigger pieces.

See you next week - for a very nice update!! Smiles - Jill

2.06.2019 - Topographical Beads?

Wouldn’t it be fun to wear beads that represented the area of the country you live in?

I’ve been playing around with an idea and ended up here… this too will evolve - but wanted to give you a heads up… and see what you thought!?

Topographical Beads by JillSymons.com