Copper Color Series - Yellow and Purple
Posted by Leah on Aug 12, 2008
The fourth and final pendant from my copper color series, in yellow with deep purple accents:
Copper Color Series Pendant - Yellow and Purple
Previous posts in this series:
Pink and Blue
Red and Yellow Pendant
Green two-tone pendant
Copper Color Series - Pink and Blue
Posted by Leah on Aug 10, 2008
The third pendant in the copper color series, in a magenta/pink with blue accents:
Copper Color Series - Pink and Blue
Previous posts in this series:
Red and Yellow Pendant
Green two-tone pendant
Copper Color Series - Green
Posted by Leah on Aug 8, 2008
The next pendant in my copper color series, green two-color beads on copper:
Copper Color Series Pendant - Green
Previous post in this series: Red & Yellow Pendant
Beadweaving
Posted by Leah on Aug 8, 2008
About a million years ago, when I first started making jewelry, I was obsessed with seed beads. It started because I wanted the skinniest strands of beads possible. I would buy tiny beads - size 15 seed beads, and smaller if I could find them - and make multistrand necklaces out of them, as well as stretch bracelets, which I wore all at once, about 10 or 15 on each wrist.
Then I saw a beautiful freeform peyote sculpture at a bead store in Weaverville, California, and decided I needed to learn how to make things like that with my beads. So I learned a few simple beadweaving stitches - peyote and netting - and started making cuff bracelets and necklaces using these weaving techniques with my seed beads. Jewelry making started to feel more like an artistic endeavor, and less about fashion.
At some point, however, I discovered wirework and metalwork, and my seed beads have been pretty neglected ever since. It’s been years. But lately, I’ve really been wanting to do some beadwork, only I’m having trouble getting started. I think because it’s been such a long time, it feels like a stretch, something that is no longer in my comfort zone. Most of the jewelry I’ve made in the last year uses only silver wire and the occasional pearl or stone for a centerpiece. I wrap, sculpt, and fuse my silver, and that feels comfortable and natural.
It’s funny in a way - back when I worked primarily with beads, I never could have predicted that someday metalwork would be easier for me than beading. But it appears that’s what’s happened.
I hope to get over my beading block soon, because I have lots of ideas to try.
Copper Color Series
Posted by Leah on Aug 6, 2008
I made this series of pendants a while ago as a color exercise and recently found them while sorting old stock, and decided to show them off here. I’m not sure where to try selling these, or even if I want to sell them, but I like them. They are made with copper wire and glass seed beads in contrasting colors.
Here is the first one, red with yellow accents:
Copper Series Pendant: Red and Yellow
