project runway challenge 8/2

project runway 8/2
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this week contestants were asked to create a look appropriate for a billboard advertisizing the magazine marie claire.
so, we were given the challenge to start with a base of 1" x 2" and go from there.
we had no other guidelines or limits.
we could use any metal and embellish said metal with whatever we so desired.
i thought this would be a perfect opportunity to add some text to my work, especially since the challenge revolved around billboards.
i knew i wanted a quote related to hope, but i did not want some overly long or nauseating.
i felt like this was the perfect quote for my flower related pieces.
the accents are monochromatic featuring two blue/gray sapphires and one blue topaz.
i am really pleased with this piece and would love to explore more text with my pieces.
however, lack of silver will mean that future pieces are much smaller for a while.

to see more 'billboards' check out the etsymetal blog

WOA challenge #9

woa natural elements
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this weeks challenge revolved around natural elements.
i felt this was a little unfair because i tend to use flowers/leaves and natural stones in many of my pieces.
so, i opted to take the challenge another direction.
i have been riding bikes with my 6 year old almost daily and we have been passing a pile of shattered glass.
without fail, i find myself looking again and again and the reflections and pale teal color.
i made some of my flowers and bezel set some of this shattered glass.
it feels right, a little urban secret that most will not recognize as shattered glass.

woa challenge #8

woa heaven and hell
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this week we had to choose between a pair of opposites: male/female, order/chaos, heaven/hell.
i had a hard time deciding which one to select.
i first planned to make a silly pair of male/female earrings, but then opted for heaven/hell.
since i am not watching the show, i am not sure exactly how to interpret the pairs.
i pierced angel wings and halo vs devil tail and horns on the back of the pendant.
i wanted to illustrate the black and white thinking of many.
the stone featured in the front of the pendant much more describes my actual afterlife beliefs.
it is black and white (light and dark) but also has sprinkles of the opposite colors within each larger block.
i do not believe there is a one size fits all heaven and hell option that we will face after our death.

so, there it is in a nut shell.

the pendant will be part of a necklace, but i couldn't decide on the chain and bead options so this is the almost finished product.

WOA challenge #6

WOA challenge - charmed
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this week we decided to make charms that would adorn a necklace.
the necklace itself will be for sale in the etsymetal shop.

many of my designs have developed from a specific color, cut, pattern, or element in the stones i use.
my charm exemplefies this in a very obvious way.

new challenges

WOA challenge #4
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this season bravo has a new series called work of art.
(a project runway knock-off.)
'artists' must create a piece of art (2d or 3d) based on theme or material.
i watched a very short segment of one episode and did not particularly care for it.
the contestants seem pettier than what i would prefer and i am not sure i believe art can be created on a deadline.
can you tell i did not go to art school?

anyway, etsymetal is taking the work of art challenges and revamping them so that we can then create pieces of jewelry around coinciding themes or materials.
episode four had the contestants make a 'shocking' work of art.
here is my translation......
something sweet and feminine on the outside, but naughty and unexpected on the inside.

project runway mini jewelry collection

pr mini collection
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

yes, a little bit of a cop-out as i refused to do a bracelet (they just aren't my thing.).
for this round, i wanted to play more with faceted stones and wonky settings.
the setting on the pendant tilts at the tip, the settings on the open earrings tilt toward the center, the settings on the ring are different heights and tilt in different directions.
i have decided that they need to be slightly more exaggerated so they look purposeful and not sloppy.

go see nina and kathryn's collections

project runway jewelry challenges

EMPR 7.12 / RAD #106 04162010
Originally uploaded by Nina Gibson

are still happening even though i can't seem to get mine finished on time.
if it isn't one thing, its another.
so, i thought i would show you this beyond awesome ring that nina gibson created for our 'big top' challenge.

all good things must come to an end

ring a day #54 #55 & #56
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

after participating in the ring a day challenge for two months (i still have a couple of rings to take pics of), i have decided to take a break.
i still think the challenge is a brilliant idea and it has really helped me focus and expand my skill set.
however, with such limited time at the bench, i often find myself stressed to create a ring and then have no time for any other projects.
i hope to get back into the challenge in a couple of months when my schedule allows.

the production piece

ring a day #32
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

for the project runway jewelry challenge #3.

i made several enameled pendant pieces for my necklace and this ring was based on one of the ones that cracked.
i do like how it turned out and i will add it and others to the shop.

i don't get to play with enamel too often.
i have to get my timing right in order to have time to be productive and also time to jump in the shower before grabbing miles.
sometimes i forget how fun playing with colors and shapes can be.
but once i get a reminder, i can't wait to get back into it and try new things.

project runway jewelry challenge #3

project runway jewelry challenge - the met
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i finished this week's challenge just in time to make it onto our team blog here.
there are so many other great entries.

i choose to go with a leather tunic made by bonnie cashin.
i really liked the greens.
and i thought it would be a great opportunity to try out sgrafitto.
i am pleased with my experiment and plan on doing more soon.
its such a fun way to introduce multiple enamel colors and shapes into a piece.

inspired by the metropolitan museum of art

project runway challenge #3 - wip
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

at least that is this current week's project runway challenge.

right now i am experimenting with sgrafitto (which i have never done before.)
i am also trying to work fast enough to get both my main piece and my production piece finished in time.

january is over

ring a day #30
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

and i have decided to continue with the ring a day challenge.
i still haven't figured out how to complete one 'real' ring a day.
and i still find myself scrambling during the last minutes of the day to throw something together.
but i do expect that i will get it together (at least at some point this year.)
plus, it helps that miles is sleeping one good stretch at night.
the fact that it is from 2:30am-10am isn't ideal, but we are working on that too.

project runway jewelry challenge #2

project runway - burlap
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

burlap.....i HATE burlap!!!!

i really do not like alternative materials challenges.
i like my metal and stone.
i don't want to use burlap or teeth or pleather.

i wanted to keep the burlap looking like burlap, but make something that still fit my style.
so, here they are.....

project runway jewelry challenges are back

project runway jewelry challenge
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i first have to say how excited i am that another season of project runway is underway.
i really get a kick out of watching the show for both the impressive and horrible designs.
then, i really get to push myself to create new and sometimes innovative pieces with other members of etsymetal.

for the first challenge, the focus was on the number five.
i chose to incorporate five elements that i really love to use in my pieces.
*flowers -- this necklace features both my tiny cut-out flowers and pierced flowers hidden behind the mexican lace agate cabochon
*cabochons -- this necklace incorporates both the itty bitty round cabs that can be found throughout my work as well as a lovely detailed mexican lace agate cabochon
*handmade chain -- this necklace has me wanting to play with handmade chain again
*oxidized silver -- this necklace, well, you can see that its black along with so much of my other work
*monochromatic colors -- this necklace focuses on the red tones in the mexican lace cabochon, something i usually do with enamel, but may be expanding upon since it worked so well with stones

you can find the other entries of both other etsymetal members and guests here

happy new year

ring a day #1
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

for the new year, etsymetal (mostly nina d) has extended the challenge to create one ring every day for the month of january.
(or all year if you have that kind of stamina.)
the ring can take as long or short amount of time to complete as desired and can be made of any materials from paper to gold.
since i am at my parent's house for the next couple of days, i will be making rings out of found materials.
with these found materials, i plan on exploring color.
once i am back in the studio (aka corner of our storage room), i plan on expanding on the sterling silver rings i offer in my etsy shop.

find pics from all of the participants here.

etsymetal's secret santa

secret santa
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

every year etsymetal (well, rachael or maggie) have organized a secret santa jewelry swap.
we all write down our sizes and then wait for our assignment.
this year i was very excited to make something for someone i have known for several years and whose work is very inspiring.
i wanted to make something in my style that she would enjoy.
now i will just have to wait for her gift to arrive....

the inspiration

inspiration
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

my previous post had a picture of my project runway mini collection in progress.
these itty bitty pods are my inspiration.
i currently have 4 out of 5 pieces completed.
my goal is to finish the 5th today so i can focus on more minis for my show.

works in progress

wip
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

besides cramming for my upcoming show (in two+ weeks), i have also been trying to keep up with the project runway jewelry challenges.
completing 4/12 of the challenges is really not that great of a track record, but i am determined to complete my mini collection.

more project runway jewelry challenge

project runway challenge
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

last week's challenge was all about blue.
i decided to incorporate my enamel work with my flowers.
i think the idea (especially with the etched enamel and patina) will be something i expand on.
this pair did not turn out perfectly and will be in the sample sale section of my shop shortly.

check out the etsymetal blog for some of this weeks fab entries.

project runway challenge

project runway challenge
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this week's challenge was to select a movie genre (western, film noir, period piece, sci-fi, or action adventure and to create a costume for a character of your own creation.
i wanted something that would be a challenge in both the story aspect and the actual 'costume' so i choose sci-fi.
the ring itself was a challenge because it had many solder joints and i only use hard and medium-hard solder.
(i am much too rough on my jewelry to use anything else.)
everything went together just as i had planned and nothing melted unless it was planned.
the ring itself belongs to a wandering alien (for lack of a better word.)
she does not feel at home in any one place and chooses to explore far away galaxies.
thus, the ring is weathered and worn in appearance.
at the uppermost point is a star ruby that extends from its hollow base and is used as a homing device when she is ready to be whisked away to the next mysterious world.

to see other pieces for the challenge check out the etsymetal blog.