This month's Creative Continuum of 7 Artists challenge is designing with a bead soup sent out by Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime. Her challenge was to pull contrasting colors together, and for me it is always a challenge. You can see my first piece is not all that contrasting in its browns, tans, creams and Native flair. But I liked how the focal came together and blended with the zig zag chain that I didn't have the heart to pull it apart. I did make my own copper toggle with a bit of fringe that you can pull forward for a little extra. So there you go, my 'non-contrasting' piece.
I pushed myself on the second project, and I did a bit better. I pulled in deep cherry color crystals that I paired with celery green duo beads. Absolutely not something I would have ever put together on my own, but that is what the challenge is about! I decided on a focal flower center to a bracelet and went through my stash to create the band. Clearly this green is one of my favorite colors as I had plenty to play with to finish up the piece. It was a fun pattern to play with that I let come together organically, which is not perfect but then what flower doesn't have a bit of imperfection to it?Now to see what the rest of the artists did with their beads from Sally: Alicia (our host), Christine, Emma, Monique, Sally and Therese.
LOL - I went the exact opposite: I threw absolutely everything in my piece :)
ReplyDeleteBoth your pieces are beautiful, Cynthia, I love the necklace, is it truly *you* (if you'll consider making it in some aqua tones, you'll have a great jelly fish interpretation!). The bracelet is such a happy, cheerful piece - and funny enough, matches my T-shirt of the day (a bright neon green): I love the crystals' effect on the bright green, it's exactly what you'd expect from a contrasting palette.
Thank you for being part of the group, I find it a fun experience, and a deep learning one, every month I find new bits and pieces about myself!
I envy you your talent. I just cannot see the best colour combinations. Probably why I got married.
ReplyDelete(Note: NOT the only reason)
You of course have put your unique twist on the challenge, Cynthia, as expected. I didn't see the jellyfish reference til Alicia mentioned it LOL. OK, alien jellyfish, then. Kristi's beautiful classic shaped link can be used so many ways; I love the slider piece, too. Is it detachable? Both gorgeous designs :) I love the high contrast of the cherry and celery, and you've proved yet again that "challenge" is NOT a dirty word LOL.
ReplyDeleteYour color combinations turned out great! I love both pieces! The necklace is very tribal looking to me and the bracelet says spring!
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteI love the necklace it is beautiful and very Native American. Some times when you are so used to doing monochromatic it is hard to break free, but you did it with the bracelet it is gorgeous and screams spring! Great job on both pieces.
Therese
Loving that tribal necklace! the fringe/zigzag/extra fringe on the toggle bar ~ all come together for that earthy feel. So Cool!!!
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet has great color and is imperfectly beautiful ;-)
I love the necklace and the earth tones used. I enjoy working in monochromatic themes as well but I really love the bracelet. The cherry and green together are an awesome combination. Great work!
ReplyDeleteDeep cherry with celery green - now that's gorgeous!! Love the details on the necklace!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful creations Cynthia! I love the colors on the bracelet....how do I say this....they remind me of old fashioned dresses...colors of the past that I love....I love the old flower designs they used in their fabrics and decorating. Anyways I love it! Your necklace is wonderful too...love the beading.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous bracelet!
ReplyDeleteGirl, I just love the way your mind thinks and how you are so good at creating the cleverest of designs! You have such a FANTASTIC style. I love the tribal but vintage flair of the "non-contrasting" :) necklace (LOVE FRINGE) and the bracelet, I'm glad you pushed yourself, because it is FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteHello,Cynthia:
ReplyDeleteFantastic bracelet and the necklace.I love both of them.nice forms and colors.Interesting variety of beads' shapes.
-Warm Greetings-
-Halinka-
Fabulous work! I love your handmade toggle and how you added fringe there. With the right top, that would look so pretty on the back of the neck. Your cherry flower is so sweet. I love it with that shade of green. It really screams spring!
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun seeing what all of you created. I lvoe this necklace and seeling what you did with my copper component puts an enormous smile on my face. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow. I find I learn best when I push myself. I like your red and green piece. It is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I'm in love with your bracelet! It's delicious. The spring green with cherry red... wonderful. Your necklace is lovely too - interesting and very wearable!
ReplyDeleteI am always one for contrasting colors when I manage to create. I do love your flower bracelet
ReplyDeleteYour 'non-contrasting' necklace is just splendid (I love those colors!), but that contrasting bracelet is a stunner indeed! LOVE the contrasting colors (I can never seem to really do that) and of course your talent w/those tiny little beads always amazes me and I love the design. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that bracelet! Challenges are definitely a good thing :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes when customers request certain colors for an album, I question it, but once I get them put together, they always look great.
As always your pieces are beautiful. I really love the second piece, you out did yourself.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous - both pieces are beautifully done, you are so multi-talented! Just love these!
ReplyDeleteCynthia both of your pieces are beautiful. You have a style that is all your own. The cherry and celery look wonderful together. By the way I used your zigzag stitch for necklace straps yesterday. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain glad you did not take apart that necklace since it sure is beautiful. Somehow that focal can lend itself to so many interpretation, it's wonderful. Like you I wouldn't have drawn those colours together on the bracelet and wow, so pretty and fresh and makes me think of fresh watermelon lol
ReplyDeleteBoth of those are stunning. I love the first necklace, contrasting or not. I do like how you stepped out of your comfort zone and used the red and yellow in the bracelet. The red just pops and it's awesome.
ReplyDeleteStunning pieces, but I truly love the bracelet...colors I too would not have thought to use....great job! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a talent! Gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteI say push outside your comfort zone more often, that bracelet is a stunner!
ReplyDeletethe bracelet is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Those colours work so well together -- a very unusual, feminine piece. Trust you and all at home are doing super, dear friend :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a true artist! Love the bracelet--and I would have never thought to pair those 2 colors.
ReplyDelete