Monday, May 23, 2011

May/June Challenge

Before I explain the next challenge, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the last challenge, and all who voted for my piece.  Being able to actually finish my challenge piece on time (I think it's only the second time I've been able to do so) was very satisfying in itself.  To have it voted as the winner by my peers makes it doubly so. I feel so blessed to be part of such a creative and supportive group!

Now, without further ado, here is the challenge I have set for you:

Interpret the Design Principle "Rhythm" in any way which moves you.

Here is the definition of rhythm to help jumpstart your creative juices:
rhythm  (ˈrɪðəm)


— n
1.
a. the arrangement of the relative durations of and accents onthe notes of a melody, usually laid out into regular groups (bars ) of beats, the first beat of each bar carrying the stress

b. any specific arrangement of such groupings; time: quadruplerhythm
2.
in poetry

a. the arrangement of words into a more or less regularsequence of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables

b. any specific such arrangement; metre
3.
(in painting, sculpture, architecture, etc) a harmonioussequence or pattern of masses alternating with voids, of lightalternating with shade, of alternating colours, etc
4.
any sequence of regularly recurring functions or events, such asthe regular recurrence of certain physiological functions of thebody, as the cardiac rhythm of the heartbeat

[C16: from Latin rhythmus , from Greek rhuthmos ; related torhein  to flow]

As you see, rhythm has many meanings and interpretations, from music, to the written word, to art and architecture, to nature, even our own bodies have rhythms.  Here are some visual examples to further get those creative juices flowing:


"Rhythm" Sonia Delauney 1938

Musical Rhythm


Architectural Rhythm


Rhythm in nature (photo courtesy of Dave Ingram)

So let your imagination run rhythmically wild!  You can interpret the challenge by creating a piece of jewellery (pardon my Canadian spelling), a piece of wall art, or something functional, it's totally up to you.  As always, everyone, no matter what your skill level or area of expertise, is encouraged to take part.  I've got rhythm.  Let's see just how many of you do, too!

Deadline for adding photos of your entry to our Flickr pool is midnight July 1st.  Remember to tag your photos with "June Challenge", so we don't miss seeing and voting on any of your remarkable creations.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

And the April winner is.....

Julie of Wabi Brook Studio!!!! Her amazing pendant Inspired by the work of Canadian artist Lawren Harris, one of the founding members of the Group of Seven. Her use of an agate slice to mimic the flowing lines of Harris' landscapes was awesome!!


Second place goes to Resurrection Silver's entry. She recreated one of the pretties in VanGogh's Sunflowers. An amazing 3-D cuff, all in brass and copper. It's just soooo shiney and touchable.

Julie will be thinking hard for the next day or so....then she'll challenge all of us to make something wonderful!! Keep checking back...if you dare accept the mission!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

April Challenge entries are in...time to vote!

April's challenge pushed us to think of Art....either our favorite artist, or style. Everyone pushed thier skills and tried new techniques. Here's the rundown, and photos from the inspirations.
You can vote for your favorite on the side bar at the right. Voting will continue until Monday at midnight.....make sure you get your's in!!

Here's Lori's from StonePeace who came up with our challenge this month. Her work is based on that of Piet Mondrain. He was a Dutch painter in the early 20th century, and developed his own new modern style. She got to finally use her glass enamels!


Here's Beatriz's from BeatrizFortes who was inspired by VanGogh Sunflowers. A beautiful rutile centerpiece reminds her of sunflowers reaching to the sky.



Here's Resurrection Silver's entry....also inspired by VanGogh's Sunflowers. An amazing 3-D interpertation of the pertty flowers....all in brass and copper.




Here's Julie's from WabiBrookStudio says of her piece "Inspired by the work of Canadian artist Lawren Harris, one of the founding members of the Group of Seven. I love the flowing lines and serenity in his abstract landscapes." Julie has some mad skills for fold forming as you can see on the copper here.



Here's Asa's entry from AsaPDesigns. She was inspired by Russian lanscape painter Isaac Levitan. The patina on the copper lily pads echo the greens in the painting.





Friday, April 15, 2011

The April Challenge is On!

This month's challenge was selected by our last month's winner, Lori of StonePeace. She asks the question...who is your favorite artist? Do you have a favorite style of art? Do you love impressionism like me, or are you a minimalist? It's time to review your art history, or discover it for the very first time! For our next challenge I want to see designs of wearable pieces with a favorite artist or style in mind.



Can you create Van Gogh's Starry Night in metal?
Photo below courtesy of
www.MajesticMetalArt.com


Are Monet’s Water Lillie's destined to be a ring or necklace?





Photo below courtesy of www.BeadandButton.com

Anything or anyone, past or present, 2D or 3D, Eastern, Western, Outsider. . .you decide.

Challenge entries are due by Friday May 13th at Midnight on the Flickr group. The poll will be posted here on Saturday May 14th.


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

And The Winner of the March Challenge Is....

Lori of StonePeace!! Congratulations Lori....the wee chicken house that you made is so original and unique....not to mention, just too darned cute for words! :)

Lori will be posting next month's challenge soon. Thank you again to everyone that participated for the March challenge...they were all wonderful works of art and design.

Friday, April 8, 2011

March Challenge Entries- Architectural Designs!

Our March team challenge was selected by last month's talented winner, Julie of Jamauerer. The challenge was to design an architectural piece, in any medium of choice, in two or three dimensions. Our team came up with some fabulous designs, and I know it's going to be hard to choose just one! The first piece you see below was designed and created by Julie of Jamauerer who selected this month's challenge. She wasn't quite able to finish this amazing piece...it will eventually be fired with enamels and be made into a ring, but you can see the basic structure she made out of copper, and what a great job she did on this three dimensional building! Next we have this darling little Chicken House made by the very creative Lori of StonePeace. It is so realistic, and made of copper and sterling silver. I love the wee steps going up, and the corrugated roof!

This beautiful pendant was made by Addie of ScrapMetal...it's a stylized Gothic Cathedral, made of fine silver metal clay, glass enamel, a paua shell cabochon and a peach moonstone cabochon. It hangs on a hand dyed and rolled silk cord...stunning! I love the details on this one!

Here is a sweet entry from the talented Joy of Joypeckjoy. It's a pretty little house pendant made of fine silver, and filled with concrete that she has dyed in different shades. What a unique combination of materials, and love the tiny details she has on it.

Esmeralda of SilverBlueberry decided to take the three dimensional approach, and made this amazing miniature replica of the Chrysler Building in New York! It is made of sterling silver sheet, and she hand carved all of the tiny details...what a fabulous piece!

Our last entry was made buy Asa of Asapdesigns. It is a creative ring which consists of a tiny home made of copper with a sparkly amethyst gemstone roof, perched atop a hand forged band of brass. Great use of materials and love the different textures and colors!

The poll is up and listed on the right hand side of the blog. Voting begins now, and will go through Monday at midnight, so please don't wait too long to select your favorite!

Monday, March 21, 2011

March Project Blogroll - Whistle while you work!

Music to My Ears - Cuff by Lori Lynn Designs

What do you listen to while you are working at your bench?

Do you rock out while you work? Or are you more the classical type? Perhaps you relish the simple sweet sounds of your hammer against the metal? This months blog post is all about what you listen to while working away in your studio.

See what gets these talented artists creative juices flowing by taking a look at the blogs below.

Kat - http://artistikat-scratchingpost.blogspot.com/
Stacy - http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/
Clarity of Scrollwork Designs - http://www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com
Brandy - http://thefrogspond.wordpress.com/
Happy Tortoise Designs - http://happytortoisedesigns.blogspot.com
Claire - http://brightstar109.blogspot.com/
Silver Pearl Jewelry and Metalworks - http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com
Autumn - http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/
hemlockhollow - http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com/
Beatriz Fortes - http://cjbf.blogspot.com/
Resurrection Silver - http://www.resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com
RadianTrace - http://radiantrace.blogspot.com/
nancycreations - http://nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Jessica @ Abella Blue - http://www.abellablue.com/blog