Friday, June 15, 2018

We're All Ears - June Reveal

It's the third Friday in June... and that means today is the reveal for this month's We're All Ears challenge! Yay! 

The theme for this month's challenge was kaleidoscopes.

Kaleidoscope animation via Wikipedia
found via the Earrings Everyday blog.

I've always loved the shifting colors and patterns of kaleidoscopes. I remember playing with them quite a bit when I was a kid, and finding them fascinating. In fact, as soon as I saw this challenge, I knew exactly what I wanted to make.

...Except I didn't start the ball rolling in time to get that pair done by today. Oops! (My polymer clay skills are still being refined, so it's back to the cane-making drawing board. Heh.)

That's all right, though... I had two other back-up ideas, and I think those turned out pretty well. So, without further ado, on to the earrings! :)


Pair 1


This pair features silvertone charms with a symmetrical geometric pattern that makes me think of looking into a kaleidoscope. I also added scrolling swirling beadcaps whose movement echoes that of the charms.


These earrings also feature color-shifting lampwork discs made by Juli Cannon--and I should mention that those beads are some of my absolute favorite. I've been hoarding them like a dragon, waiting for just the right moment... hurray for finding a project to use them in!

I really do love this pair--elegant and refined, reminiscent of kaleidoscopes but not overwhelming. And what can I say... I really do love those beads!



Pair 2


Where the last pair of earrings is elegant and refined, this pair is unapologetically joyful. Amusingly enough, they also feature lampwork discs by Juli Cannon--this time in bright colors.

...Bright colors, that just so happen to match the flowers that hang beneath them.


Those flowers are actually made out of flattened beadcaps. After I flattened them, I colored them with patina inks and then fastened them together with a scrapbooking brad. That's right--those flowers actually turn! I was hoping to capture the shifting and changing patterns that occur when you twist a kaleidoscope, and I was pretty excited when my idea actually worked!


That's not the best video, I realize, but at least it gives you an idea of how they look when spun. :)


So, there you go! Those are the two pairs of kaleidoscope-inspired earrings that I made for this challenge. If I'm able to get my original idea to work--the one with the polymer clay--I'm sure I'll post those as well... Still, I'm very happy with the two pairs that I was able to create. :)

Thank you so much to Erin Prais-Hintz and those over at Earrings Everyday for letting me play along... and thank you, readers, for stopping by today to see what I made!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

10 comments:

  1. Lovely earrings both, and bonus points for being so very innovative with the latter! ;) (And I just love the video.)

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  2. I knew everybody will have to be creative for this challenge but the turning colorful bead caps nailed it! Incredibly creative! The first pair is very elegant - I have the same charms and it never occurred to me they have this kaleidoscope pattern!!!

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  3. Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you
    writing this write-up plus the rest of the website is very good.

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  4. That first pair is just gorgeous! So elegant. I adore the joy and ingenuity of your second pair. They are so much fun!

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  5. I really like reading an article that can make people think.

    Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!

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  6. When you mentioned beadcap, I imagined them to be the standard size, so I was quite surprised to see their size. They do look joyful and cheerful in their bright colours

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  7. "Unapologetically joyful" I LOVE THAT! The way those earrings move is so inspiring, especially as I am working on art in motion for my art exhibit that is pending (one more week! yikes!). I do adore Miss Juli's beads. I, too, have a dragon's hoard of them from over the years that really should be set free. Wow! You really knocked my socks off, Miss Divya! I love it when divergent ideas come together, and I am a big fan of maximizing my time and creating, so I am delighted that there is a crossover to the ABS (the other space that I write for!). I absolutely LOVE that kaleidoscope effect you created with the painting. I hope you don't give up on that! I think it is also a great testament to the wonderful creative community that we have that you connected around the world with Miss Tammy. There is so much to love about this post! Thanks so much for playing along with me! Enjoy the day! Erin

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  8. You are just awesomer and awesomer! :)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! :)