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| Photography of Chihuly Glass Works by Chris Cravens |
As you can readily see by my intro photo, I adore color. Why in the world did I choose white as a theme for my new jewelry line??? I am honored to be a participant in B'Sue Boutique's 2016 Build a Line Challenge (BALC). The BALC is a three-month intensive study I'm sharing with 36 students in which each of us will develop a cohesive line. Each month, we will be presenting blog hops (today is the first, the following dates are February 26 and April 1) with a final reveal of our entire line in the last one. Thus far, my experience in BALC 2016 has been a blessing for not only my jewelry business, but in my life as a whole. For the very first time, I began to look at the work of my hands as 'art' instead of 'just stuff I make.' While I am fairly new to the idea of putting a piece of jewelry together, I have been working with my hands for a very long time in various media such as photography, fiber, and even creating documents for my job as a business analyst.
Finding My Style
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| Favorite Pieces in My Personal Antique Jewelry Collection |
Having a limited amount of jewelry I have actually made, I began looking for things that spoke to me from my own collection of vintage/antique jewelry. As I went through this exercise, I began to notice I am drawn to deep, rich colors and patterns frequently found in nature evidenced by my selection of favorite pieces. Clockwise from the top left: an Art Nouveau era belt buckle featuring blue glass cabochons set in acorns and leaves, an Art Deco era blown glass necklace, an Art Deco era butterfly wing brooch by Thomas Mott and, finally, an Edwardian era brooch featuring amethysts and pearls. Out of these, my absolute favorite is the Thomas Mott pin because the artist captured a fairy-tale like forest with such precision. It makes me feel as though I am able to step through the rock crystal covering and take a journey there.
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| A Collection of My Craft |
For the very first time, I took an objective look at several things I have made over the last year or two and it hit me: I have an artistic voice that is all my own. I am definitely influenced by lines and color such as those found in Victorian era movements like Art Nouveau, Impressionism and Aestheticism. This is no surprise to me as I have a long love of the outdoors and just being outside to admire God's handiwork.
My BALC 2016 Theme - All Jeweled in White
Prior to beginning BALC 2016, each student was required to select a theme within which to develop our line. With my love of deep color and comfort level of working with it, this particular BALC is an extra challenge for me. Why? Because the theme I selected for this year is 'All Jeweled in White!' White can be done in so many beautiful ways - crisp and modern, cottage chic and beachy styles are great examples I'm fond of. My style? I think of an Edwardian-era store with deep ivory plaster walls, rich wood counters and a gilt cash register. Glossy champagne pearls, dark patinas and complex designs will bring this feeling to my new line. All Jeweled in White is contemporary line with a nod to the past to compliment VintageCravens authentic vintage and antique jewelry.
Where It All Comes Together - My Workshopish Studio
I've been busy in my workshopish studio as this line is beginning to come together. I'm thrilled to see where the next couple of months will take me as we continue on the journey and look forward to watching my classmates grow on their journey as well. I've included links to their blogs below and highly recommend checking them out.
Oh Happy Day!
Chris
BALC 2016 Blog Hop
Be sure to visit the talented students in the BALC 2016 class. I am amazed at the amount of work these talented ladies have been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.
What an exciting journey you are on. I did the BALC last year. A lot of fun and getting to learn from a great teacher and mentor. I love your color choice and diversity it can bring to your designs. Best wishes
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy! I have admired your beautiful work in the Creative Group and appreciate your kind encouragement.
DeleteBeautiful. I love your color choice..
ReplyDeleteChris, I really like the pics of your antique/vintage jewelry. They are inspiring! I am excited to see where your "All Jeweled in White" will end up. It is a tantalizing pictures full of ideas.
ReplyDeleteOh I think you are going to flourish with the theme you choose...so many possibilities. I can't wait to see what you create. The pieces you posted here are lovely! Well done!
ReplyDeleteIt's gonna be beautiful! I am so glad you found us just in time to join the class. Your blog post is excellent and tells us all so much about you. You've got this one, doll. And it's gonna be GREAT! XOXO B'sue
ReplyDeleteHow brave of you to step out of your comfort level. I love all of your jewelry. I am a lover of deep, rich colors also. Your theme is a perfect way to explore different ways of using one color.
ReplyDeleteLove your theme...so versatile! I know that you are going to be having a lot of fun creating :)
ReplyDeleteNow this is going to be interesting, and beautiful. You are right, there are so many ways to present "White." Can't wait to see what you come up with
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Chris! White is indeed a fun theme. I'm doing Pearls & Crystals for my line, so it'll be interesting to see how many ways white can be made exciting! Nice to be in class with you. ;)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking from an interior design standpoint, I understand how difficult a "white" color scheme can be - it's warm, cool and everything in between! You've created a REAL challenge for yourself, since you love color, and the official definition of white is "the absence of all color"! I'm sure it will be stunning!
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog .. looking forward to our journey together
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. Love the way you presented what you have made and what you will be using to make your line. It looks very rich. I took the class last year and loved it. Looking forward to seeing your line.
ReplyDeleteYour choices make your line look like it will be very rich in it's absence of bold color. Will enjoy seeing your line unfold.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your white theme. Good luck and can't wait to see what you design! x
ReplyDeleteGreat theme! So many possibilities with this!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful color palette!!! i love your work, and am very very excited to see your new line!
ReplyDeleteI love your aesthetic and look forward to your new line with that yummy palette! You are a prolific designer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! I highly recommend the class AND challenge. It has been a wonderful experience thus far. You could TOTALLY create a jewelry line featuring white!
ReplyDeleteWhite can be so perfect and pure, yet also elegant and incredibly intense. This is going to be a beautiful line - good luck!
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