Inspired by People

Inspiration can come from inanimate objects like fashion, or even plants and nature, but the most fun inspiration comes from people!  A friend of mine recently asked me to make her a pair of earrings to match a dress she just bought (So I guess the inspiration did partly come from fashion).  I LOVE it when friends give me a chance to make something especially for them!  She allowed me creative Carte Blanche, which was amazing!

Here is a swatch of the fabric patterning at the bottom of the dress:

I loved the gold embroidered curving lines with the reddish pink sunburst in the center!  Very Bollywood! So I immediately thought of using a Swarovski Crystal rivoli in the center that would slightly hint at the red and blue colors.  I then used brass to create the swirls to mimic the curves of the gold in the fabric.

There were only two stipulations I had to follow when making earrings to match:  1.  Not too fancy.  2.  Not too long.

After beadweaving the Swarovsky Crystal in  silvery white beads (to mirror the small silvery sequins on the fabric) and hot pink hex beads (to pick up more of the main color), and many tiny wraps of brass, and a little hammering for strength and aesthetics, this is what I came up with:

After it was all said and done, I added a little darkening to the wire wraps to enhance the details of these earrings.  These earrings are a good example of what I aim to make more of in the future - pieces that incorporate bead-weaving and wire-work. They were so much fun to make - especially because I knew they'd have a good home in the end!  People truly are the best inspiration!

I'm thinking of making more earrings like this very soon for my shop!   So if you'd like something like this for yourself, stop by my shop.  If you don't already see something there you just have to have, drop me a line, and I can make a custom piece just for you!

P.S.  AND, you could even have a little brass tag with your initials stamped on it - for even further personalization!  Wouldn't that be unique and fun!

Sincerely,

Terah
TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com
Facebook.com/TerahsClassicCreationsStudio

They've Arrived!!!!!

I finally can show you my long-awaited Calla Lily set!  Both the necklace and earrings feature beadweaving and wire working techniques in one piece.  I've really enjoyed learning the viking knit, so I used pink colored silver plated wire which just spoke to me when I saw it.  Then I used the peyote bead-weaving technique to create two Calla Lilies with a silky, satiny delica bead finish.  (I have absolutely fallen in love with these beads!)  The center of the main Calla Lily is a beautiful, large Swarovski Crystal in a unique, modern cut.

It's kind of funny.  When I first made the flower portion of the necklace it actually looked like a very upscale corsage!  But I attached it to the woven portion using various other technique and included a few other Swarovski Crystals & a rose quarts bead at the bottom.











The earrings are also completely handmade using the same techniques.  I'm really excited to be including more wire-working, but I still love beadweaving.  I think it opens up worlds of design possibilities when fusing the two techniques together.

To top it all off I also got these pictures professionally done!
(The credit for these pictures goes to:   Kirsten Elyse of Elyse Photography.
www.elyse-photography.smugmug.com
www.facebook.com/KirstenElysePhotography)

P.S.  I'm also working on honing some more metal-working skills - including metal stamping.  So if you're interested in any of my pieces, and would like to have them personalized, I can add a small metal tag with your initials/monogram - just let me know!

If you want to sneak a peak in my shop - they'll be available by next week - so keep on the lookout! :-)

Have fun!

Terah  :-D

TerahClassyCreations.Etsy.com


 

Mirror To The Past

The reflective, mirror-like, almost magical quality of the Swarovski Crystal Rivoli is central to this design. I kept it as minimal as possible, not to detract from its beauty. It's my twist on a victorian, feminine style - thus the name, Mirror To The Past! It is strung quite simply as a floating necklace - which is why this picture only shows the bottom where all the detail is. Enjoy! **AVAILABLE**

Golden Leaf

The inspiration for this necklace started with the lovely art-deco style leaf pendant made by swarovski. I went with simple stringing to accentuate the little pendant. It's strung with fresh-water pearls and swarovski crystal bicones, so even though it is more diminutive, it catches the light beautifully. The clasp detail continues the foliage theme. The earrings are a simple cascade of crystals hung from a gold-plated chain and french hook. **AVAILABLE**

Pacific Peacock

This necklace started with the metal feather piece (which actually doubles as the clasp). When I found this piece, the rest of it fell together. I love the bold statement made by using the large peacock-blue shells, and swarovski crystals combined with the asymmetrical design! **Sold**