Hippie Chick Design: component of the month

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

AJE Component of the Month Reveal Time...Crimson Huntress

So once again I was lucky enough to be selected as a guest participant in the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Giveaway. If you are not familiar with the giveaway click here for information. It's extra special to me to participate this month because it's my birthday month! Our hostess for this month's component is Kristi Bowman. She makes many lovely components in copper, white copper and polymer clay...you can find her amazing work here.

Kristi made something new for this...she calls them Goddess Vessels. Mine immediately started talking to me...unfortunately I had a trade show going on when it arrived so it had to wait for a few days before I could answer it's call. I also must say as soon as I started putting my design together the name Crimson Huntress came to mind...did I mention this one practically made itself?

I have to say I love it when all my art bead friends play so well together...it makes for wonderful designs and finished pieces! The spiral headpins and clasp are handmade by me. The rest of the line up includes an awesome lampwork headpin by Genea Beads, lampwork beads by Bubby and McGurk and of course the beautiful goddess vessel by Kristi. Sari ribbon, Irish waxed linen, crystals, copper chain and red coral complete the design.

I will say when I bought this stunning headpin I had no clue how I would ever use it! I don't use a lot of red in my designs but it was just too stunning to pass up. So I bought it and figured it would be part of my ever growing "collection". This was the first element I chose when I received the goddess vessel...I knew it would be perfect!

Here's a closer shot of the lampwork beads and the crystal/coral fringe. The lampwork beads have red, cream, brownish red colors...a perfect compliment to bright red in the headpin and the rich brown/red of the copper.

I found a piece of sari ribbon in my "collection" that was a perfect dark chocolatey red with a bit of a sheen to it. I love using ribbon at the back of necklaces, very soft on the neck and adds a beautiful element instead of hiding beautiful beads back there. Plus I love the gypsy, bohemian feel it gives my designs.

One more close up so you can have a better look at those gorgeous lampwork beads :)

In case I didn't mention it...I'm keeping this one for myself! I've worn it once already and I LOVE IT! Happy birthday to me! Thank you Kristi for the opportunity to join in the fun! I always enjoy working with your components and this time was no exception!

This is a blog hop so I hope you will visit the links below to see everyone's beautiful creations!~Kari

Monthly Winners

AJE Team Members

Jenny Davies-Reazor
Sue Kennedy

Saturday, May 31, 2014

AJE May Component of the Month...Reveal Time!

I was so excited when I got the email from Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads inviting me to participate in Art Jewelry Elements May Component giveaway and blog hop! If you are not familiar with the AJE blog or the Component of the Month giveaways...click on the link above for more info and have a look around at this fantastic blog!

Sue kindly offered up a choice of beads or cabachons...I of course chose beads...I know, go figure! Above are pictures of the bead sets and individual cabachons...it was a surprise what colors we would receive. I received the second to last set on the right side...beautiful blues and although it looks light blue in the picture, it was actually more of a mint green color...very pretty.

So before I show my final designs I will say...I had a false start or two but didn't snap pictures as I was frantically tearing things apart at the last minute! Also, I took lots of pictures since I am still working on a new set up in the new studio space and since they all turned out good...I'm sharing them all!

I love how this necklace turned out. I used two of the three chicklets, one of my ephemera tiles, a large brass butterfly, and some beaded glass chain.

A close up of the chicklets, tile and glass chain...isn't that image gorgeous? My friend and digital collage artist, Ella of Calico Collage, designed a lovely sheet of gypsy, boho style images including this one. I will be adding tiles from these images to my supply shop soon...I've used the few I created in projects lately so I need to create a few more before they will be available. All of the brass elements are from Vintaj Brass Co.

Isn't this butterfly gorgeous! I really felt like the style complimented this design without distracting from all the art bead goodness. :)

and another close up of the gorgeous tile and chicklets...

and just one more of the whole necklace...did I mention I'm experimenting with my photo set up? If you would like to purchase this necklace...click here. I bet you are wondering about that last chicklet too...asking yourself...did she stash it away? add it to the secret collection?

Nope! No stashing...so now I'll mention my original design idea had all three chicklets, the tiles from each necklace and Irish waxed linen in a bracelet design...the colors just weren't working for me!

But this works for me. I love purples and greens and this gypsy soul image combines them beautifully! If you saw my post on the waxed linen blog hop last week...I told you there would be more coming!

Here's a close up of the beads at the top of the tile...deep purple crystals and beautiful green and purple matte lampwork squared rings from Outwest. Chain and finding are from Vintaj Brass Co.

One last picture...I might have to keep this one for myself... I decided to offer it in my shop after all. If you would like to purchase this necklace...click here.

Thank you Sue for the opportunity to join in fun! Please visit the rest of the participants by clicking on their links below...and remember we all love to read your comments!

Guests

AJE Members