Friday, June 22, 2012

Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry Mash-Up

Today we are celebrating the release of Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry co-written by Art Bead Scene contributor Erin Siegel.  Erin paired up with Lorelei Eurto to bring a book that focuses on adding fibers to jewelry designs in a fashion-forward boho style.   

If you haven't had a chance to check out the book you need to add this one to your shelf.  It's packed with 50 inspiring designs, many featuring art beads - which is always a plus around here!

The book definitely has me pulling out different fibers to add to my jewelry designs.  There are plenty of new techniques in the book that I know I will use again and again.  I have a collection of waxed linen, silk and leather piled up on my bead table with my copy of Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry nearby for inspiration.  

I've particularly enjoyed working with the waxed linen and decided to do a mash-up of projects featured in the book.  I love the look of Erin's "In the Garden" necklace combining great focal with knotted beads and complimented with a silk ribbon.  But I wanted to use a focal with two holes and combined the use of linen in Erin's "Indigo Forest" project. I love how Erin used the linen in a contrasting color as a design element and pulled out a lovely sage green to use in my necklace.
 
So I combined the two techniques with a mix of stones, glass and resin beads with one of my new pendants.  I finished off my design with large brass rings and hand-dyed sari silk ribbon.  I love that with just a few changes you can create a completely new necklace.  The book offers so many jumping off points - interesting combinations of materials, new techniques and great color combinations.  You could spend all summer with this book as your inspiration and never run out of ideas to mash-up into your own creations!

You can find the Blue Bloom pendant at Humblebeads and a great source for waxed linen is White Clover Kiln.

 
Congratulations to Erin and Lorelei for creating a book that will have the bead world buzzing this summer!

You need to run over to Beading Daily today to check out the rest of the party that's happening this weekend, there are blogs to hop, inspiration to soak in and a contest too! 

11 comments:

Lola said...

Beautiful necklace Heather! I love the design ... and the colors are prefect!

Linda Starr said...

These are wonderfully unique and lovely colors.

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

I really love the necklace you created Heather. The colors and fibers are a harmonic combination. Love your bloom pendant! I too will have this book at my side all summer long!

Lorelei Eurto said...

This color palette you chose is so soothing, I adore it!
Love the knotting technique you chose, it's one of my favorites from the booth! glad to see the book inspired you! Thank you for blogging with us this weekend!

mairedodd said...

just beautiful, heather... your painterly way of coloring your work lends itself to the softness of fibers, i think...

Denise Yezbak Moore said...

This necklace is fabulous Heather. I love designing with waxed linen cord!

Rebecca said...

A beautiful necklace! waxed linen cord is fantastic, I bought the full colour set from Mary when she had a sale a while back. I absolutely adore the Blue Bloom pendant....really stunning.

bonus gratuit said...

I like this style of necklace. Thanks for sharing!

Cece Cormier said...

Beautiful design. Thanks for posting.

Erin Siegel said...

Heather,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the book! It is a true honor to have you inspired by something I have done. I love how you combine elements and created something completely new and different! Thank you for all your wonderful support.

pearl jewellery said...

Those turned out so beautifully. I hope the people they grace know just how fortunate they are! :)