FIRST THINGS FIRST:
--->> This is the Second Blog Hop of the Very First B'sue Boutiques Build A Line Design Challenge!
--->> At the very end of this post you will find the Full List of Participating Designers and all of our Blogs.
--->> At the very end of this post you will find the Full List of Participating Designers and all of our Blogs.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
In case we haven't met:
I'm Jennifer Merrill Williams, Jewelry Designer and Lifelong Artist.
Blogging with my "mews," Rocky the Silver Tiger Cat
I'm not exactly "Building A Line" over here. It's more like "Birthing A Line." Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B'Sue Boutiques is mentoring - midwifing? - all of us throughout this three-month challenge. She's honed her training skills with an array of classes, online tutorials and videos. She is motivating and encouraging, yet practical and down-to-earth. A winning combo - and she likes cats!In the Birthing analogy I would be about six months along at this point in the challenge. Except I'm not. I'm just starting to show.
Last month I posted about the vintage beaded jewelry that inspires my line, and my lifelong love affair with jewelry. I envisioned a line of necklaces that evoke vintage elegance.
Since then I've been building the foundation for my LoveBeadz Classic Remix jewelry line.
My Dad was a contractor as a young adult and he had several houses built for our family. From my four-year-old perspective, building a foundation meant digging a lot and producing some wonderful mud!
I've spent hours digging around to find just the right components:
Beads and findings from B'sue Boutiques.
Swarovski pearls and crystals. Oooh-la-la!
Vintage Moonglow, faux pearl and enameled filigree beads.
Vintage Italian Lucite beads.
I chose a brown and bronze color palette for the first series of pieces in the LoveBeadz Classic Remix line. The color palette gave a strict focus to my search for components.
(This in itself was an accomplishment!)
(This in itself was an accomplishment!)
All the findings and metal beads for the first series have a Brass Ox or Antique Brass finish.
I've spent hours getting organized so I can find what I need without rummaging:
This is a great tote with four divided storage drawers and top compartment.
Unfortunately the drawers were full of beads I had to return to my stash [tedious but necessary].
It was important to clear some additional space on my worktable.
Now there's plenty of room for the storage tote along with a design mat.
Only after all this was accomplished did I feel ready to start designing my first piece.
~ To be continued..... ~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Participating Designers and their Blogs:
Brenda Sue Lansdowne
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/
Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs
http://auroradesignsjewelryblog.me./
Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann
https://janntague.wordpress.com/
Judy King
Apt To Wander Studio
https://apttowander.wordpress.com/
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
http://magpieintheskyspoilheaptales.blogspot.co.uk/
Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru
http://exoticperujewelry.blogspot.com
Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate
https://beadsophisticate.wordpress.com
Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench
http://www.dragonzwench.blogspot.com/
Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies
http://www.beadlovelies.com
Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose
http://www.vrbrose.wordpress.com
Micheale Collie
The Vintage Gem
http://thevintagegem.blogspot.com
Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy
http://jewelryalchemy.wordpress.com
Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry
http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry
http://shatteredtimejewelry.wordpress.com
Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works
http://monica-casady.squarespace.com/blog/
Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs
http://leilanicoledesigns.blogspot.com/
Cindy Peterson
Howling Dog Jewelry
http://howlingdogjewelry1.blogspot.com
Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs
http://leilabeedesigns.wordpress.com
Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads
http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com/
Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs
http://novegattidesigns.blogspot.com/
Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard
http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog
Lynda O'Mara
Once Upon a Line
http://www.lomaracreative.com/Blog.php
Elizabeth Hildreth
Mad Scientists Designs
http://madscientistsdesigns.blogspot.com
Dana Hickey
Wind Dancer Studios
http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com
Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs
http://janleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Design
http://www.sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com
Lori Beekman
B.Accessorized
https://baccessorized.wordpress.com/
Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm
https://reliccharm.wordpress.com/
Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner
http://amemedesigns.wordpress.com
Robin Reed
Handcrafted Bead Designs
http://artistryhcbd.indiemade.com/
Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems
http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels
http://desiredivinejewels.blogspot.com/
Susan Killam
Killam Creative
http://www.KillamCreative.blogspot.com
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
http://theroseswordmdeis.blogspot.com
Nike Bottalico
Objects and Oddities
http://nikebottalico.com/
Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks
www.woodsidewireworks.com
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
http://trendyjewelryle.blogspot.com/
Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage
http://stylizedvintage.blogspot.com
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements
http://www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
http://wilywolverine.blogspot.com/
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
http://thejourneyofpensandthings.blogspot.com
Teresa Schurter
TreeZ'S. Treasurs
http://treezstreazurs.com
Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up
http://smithedup.blogspot.com/
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
http://fineanddandyjewelry.blogspot.com
Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry
http://moondancejewelrymaine.blogspot.com
Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl
https://parisiennegirldesign.wordpress.com/2015/01
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes
http://artistsofallstripes.blogspot.com
Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry By Denise
http://jewelrybydenise.wordpress.com
Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design
http://www.smallstuffdesign.com
Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns
http://autumndawns.com/
Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane
http://1996shabbylane.blogspot.com
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com
Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo
http://mamasansmojo.blogspot.com/
Coral Law
http://abcoraldesign.blogspot.com
Love your tote. Great idea to keep everything organized and within easy reach.
ReplyDeleteSome gorgeous findings there from B'sue too - love those filigree beads. Can't wait to see how you'll be using them in your designs.
All the best!
Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies
Those beads are gorgeous! Have fun! ~Melissa
ReplyDeleteLove those colors! I do find it helpful to restrict myself in some way when shopping, otherwise everything ends up in my cart!
ReplyDeleteLOve the colors that you are using. The mink colored beads are luscious!
ReplyDeleteI love your artistic design process. And I'm so glad you're now showing I can't wait for the birth of your jewelry line. Your sense of humor in writing is just delightful and it made me giggle through the whole blog. I think your color choices great and I am glad it gives you much focus. Thank you for sharing your story
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog. Beautifully written! I love your chosen color scheme. I know it will be beautiful. Can't wait for "show and tell" time.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a teaser!! Loving the progress/process shots and looking forward to the reveal!
ReplyDeleteWaiting with anticipation to see your creations! You've got some lovely materials to work with!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely beads! Looking forward to seeing what you create with all your lovely and well organized supplies! ~Ingrid
ReplyDeleteLove your colors! Can't wait to see what develops!
ReplyDeleteWonderful colors and textures - I can't wait to see the finished pieces!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a process, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou've assembled a wonderful stash -- LOVE the vintage Italian beads! And it's always good to see everyone's feline (and/or canine) assistants. I look forward to seeing how your components come together. ~mary
ReplyDeleteLove your components. The beads are beautiful! Glad you are "coming right along"! Gina H
ReplyDeleteOrganization is the first step! I love organizing my stash almost as much as making things with it.
ReplyDeleteHelp--you're teasing us and we can't get up! Really looking forward to seeing what you create. LOVE the birthing analogy with Brenda as the midwife--too funny! :):)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your finished line!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your gracious and complimentary comments.
ReplyDeleteLove your choices, Jennifer, and all that organization makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. LOL! Can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteYou are so organized. I think I spend time each day digging! Looking forward to seeing what you create!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous color palette. And good plan to focus on one color theme at a time. I find myself easily distracted by too many possibilities when looking at my bead storage. Knowing before I look that only certain colors are "on the table" would be a big time saver.
ReplyDeleteJennifer your blog post story is just so on point!! I love how you describe the birthing of your line like that is such a great description for sure!! Your work is always awesome and your line will be just as stunning as well!!!! ~Louise
ReplyDeleteYour analogy of birthing the line and Brenda being the midwife is so true. I love the components you've gathered. It looks like your organized and ready to go. Looking forward to seeing some pieces. Glad that Rocky is helping!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great array of components. Really like the bronze and brown color palette. Can't wait to see the final collection.
ReplyDeleteSuccess is near....I can feel it! Keep going!
ReplyDeletesometimes it takes longer to pick out just the right components than to make the piece of jewelry.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your finished line!
ReplyDeleteAh love your work, your style and the colors! I cannot wait to see your full line. So happy to be on this birthing process with you~
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes
~nike
Those Vintage Italian Lucite Beads are just LOVELY! I'm anxious to see your finished line :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your sense of humor it tickles me and I love your design theme. I love the color pallet you chose it's just beautiful and I can't wait for the birth of your whole line. XOXO!
ReplyDeleteLove the beads and the colors and all of the work you have done to get here! Love what I can see of your first design!!! Cant wait to see more!!! Have a Blessed Day!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say, your a tease leaving me hanging and no pieces to drool over after seeing that lovely pallete.loving the color and components you chose. I agree it does take a lot of time hunting down components so your piece comes out like you see it in your head. See you in hop 3
ReplyDeleteYou are teasing us! showing but now showing! ;-)
ReplyDeleteBronze and brown --with a little pink, perhaps?-- is lush. Nice color choices!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Susan
Jennifer, I've spent hours digging thru my stash of years & way too much shopping too! At least you had your kitty to help. I think figuring out what to use and where is half the battle or the first 9 mos of the process. It looks like you're really ready to take off now. Its taken me all this time to choose what I wanted to use with my B'Sue's pieces as well, here's hoping it's all systems go from here!
ReplyDeleteLove your design supplies. Looking forward to seeing your finished line.
ReplyDeleteLove your color scheme for this first round. Looking forward to seeing the finished pieces next month.
ReplyDeleteYou seem very organised and love your colour and item choices- look forward to seeing your line next month, Linzi
ReplyDeleteI wish I was that organized! Can't wait to see the results. :-) ~Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteLove the vintage pieces you're using with B'sue's components. Can't wait to see your finished line!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Jennifer, and I love all of the components you're working with .... love vintage beads, especially mixed with B'Sue brass. Looking forward to seeing your whole line. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat "foundation" analogy, you've got a solid one to build on here; and a nice color palette to work with. Can't wait to see the final results!
ReplyDelete