I realize we may have thrown some of you for a loop with this month’s design challenge. Since our new challenge themes for 2009 are all from art history I thought I’d share some thoughts on my creative process of transforming a painting into a jewelry design. 
Inspired by the movement of the brushstrokes, I want to create a design with movement and texture. I would use lampwork disks by Blue Seraphim in the colors of the painting, wire-wrapped with silver to show off their swirls. To emphasis the feeling of a garden, I’d pair them with leafy green freshwater pearls. To finish the design I’d return to the theme of abundant texture and use one of Mamacita Beadworks floral inspired buttons as a clasp.
Zoom in on a detail of a painting for unexpected results. Not every design inspired by Van Gogh’s Irises need to have irises, blue or purple! By taking a corner of the painting that you find visual appealing, you can come up with a striking design that is a little off the beaten path. For this necklace I focused on the upper right corner of Van Gogh’s painting to explore a design using those lush greens and sunny yellows. For this design I’d use a ceramic pendant and connectors in green from Chinook Jewelry. I’d connect them together with hammered silver links from Prolifique. On each link I’d add dangles of yellow crystals that remind me of the flowers in the painting.
While it’s not necessary to take a literal approach to interpreting a masterpiece into a jewelry, you may find just the right bead for such a design. Lampwork artist Hannah Rachel offers sculpted iris beads that are made to order. Could there be a more perfect bead for this challenge? I’d make a tassel of pearls, crystals and stones in greens to create the “stem” of the iris. To carry on with the bold and organic theme I’d use peacock stick pearls mixed with silver beads. A handcrafted clasp from Cathy Dailey’s shop would compliment the shape of the pearls and the earthy feel of the design.
No Easy Beads
January 23, 2009 at 4:12 pmGreat inspiration and staring point for those who haven’t started this their challenge piece yet.
JenniferJangles
January 23, 2009 at 4:38 pmWow that’s really cool Heather. What a great post!
Jennifer Jangles
Lorelei
January 23, 2009 at 4:42 pmHeather!!
Thank you for such great ideas! This makes me want to go home and Bead!!
GrandmaMarilyns
January 23, 2009 at 5:22 pmCool challenge. I love the interpretations you have created.
Sharon
January 23, 2009 at 6:03 pmHeather, you are amazing and still continue to amaze me with your creativity and artistic talent. What gorgeous pieces!
Oh2122
January 23, 2009 at 6:54 pmThat was great!
The theme is a little different, but the challenge is a good way to get our brains moving in a new way.
Thanks!
SueBeads
January 23, 2009 at 9:07 pmHeather, I really love your sketches! I have ideas in my head but I can never really get them down on paper like that! What an artist you are!
Coloraddiction
January 23, 2009 at 9:12 pmI’ve nominated you for the Lemonade award! 🙂
http://coloraddictionblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/awarded-thank-you.html
Dale
January 24, 2009 at 12:58 amhow wonderful to see the necklaces in the basic design phases! I am fairly new to jewelry creation, and i really enjoyed seeing the thought process that goes into the creation of a piece, even before the first bead has been strung. I especially like your third necklace there… the tassle was so fabulous i had to run off mid read and go make a tassle myself!
Fab Fibers
January 24, 2009 at 2:38 amOh, aren’t you just the cleverest thing!
Heather Powers
January 24, 2009 at 3:12 amThanks everyone! I love drawing and sketching. I keep a few sketchbooks filled with ideas. I also work with just beads and play around with designs at the table. But with not enough hours in the day, a sketchbook comes in handy when inspiration is long and time is short.
Thanks for the award coloraddiction, I will have to check that out!
Mellisa - Chinook Jewelry
January 24, 2009 at 3:50 amGorgeous pieces Heather! Thanks for including my pendant and connectors in one of your designs- now I want to make that necklace for myself!
Gaea
January 24, 2009 at 4:19 amI love your design story boards! Beautiful designs and art!
2ifbysea
January 24, 2009 at 6:13 amOh Heather! You’ve got my mind racing now! I’ve had a printout of this month’s challenge taped to my bead table for 2 weeks now, not knowing what direction to head in with it. Thanks for the inspiration.
Andrew Thornton
January 24, 2009 at 1:10 pmThis is a really great post. I love seeing where people get their ideas and how they come to create the things that they do. Awesome!
Erin
January 26, 2009 at 1:38 amThis is an absolutely fabulous post. Great job, Heather!
Kitty Wilkin
January 28, 2009 at 10:44 pmWow! Those are great! The pieces really do embody the paintings! Great job, and what a cool idea!