Pulling it all Together..

For me the fun of this business I'm in is in the glass... creating a tiny work of art (hopefully!) from raw glass and a flame always sets my little heart aflutter. But, I'd be drowning in a million glassy orbs if I didn't string them together every so often and make something to wear.

Therein lies a whole other pleasure...different, but very pleasurable all the same.

Gathering elements together that are cohesive and play off of one another in different and unique ways ~ that is the labor of good design.

I like an unexpected mix of materials ~ the metals especially, like oxidized silver and copper..I do love that.
Personally I've never liked gold with any other metal, but that's just me..I know that there are some beautiful designs out there that work wonderfully. I've just not found it to be true for me.
I also like to mix the humble little seed bead with the more expensive components like freshwater pearls. I love the tiny Czech beads..oh the colors!

Complete symmetry bores me to tears so I usually do try to stir things up a bit while maintaining a balance of elements in other ways...color or texture for example.

That said, I did craft this completely symmetrical bracelet some time ago. It's saving grace was the focal bead...great reaction with the glasses used.

Usually, what comes out of my work room is a little more asymmetrical..I like the unexpectedness of the design. Its like humming with a song you've never heard before..if you can hum along smoothly that may be relaxing to some..to others monotonous. It's the same with design.

Harmonious designs are key. Whether are not you choose to mirror your materials on both sides of your focal it's important to keep the design balanced.

If you need some reminders about it all there's some good stuff here on basic design principals and good composition.


I'm not by any stretch saying that the above images are the epitome of good design ~it's all a delightful learning process and I learn as I go. These are some of the things that I've made in the past that were generally pleasing to my eye and hopefully to a few others as well..

Of course it goes without saying, but I'm feeling the need anyway... Enjoying yourself is a key ingredient to the creative process.

Have fun!

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