The talented Miss Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime once again came up with a great challenge...and this one was a toughie! Its the Black and White Jewelry Challenge. The goal is to make something, hopefully fabulous, using only black and white components. She went a bit easy on us mortals and allowed us to use base metals and crystals...but ONLY for accent. And we had to use both black and white, just one color won't do either. And right after I signed up for the challenge, a good friend requested that I make her a pair of black and white earrings. That's the only specification she gave me.
Now, I have a lot of beads that could be used for this. Black beads with white stripes, white beads with black markings, gunmetal beads (I consider them black ;-)), white shells. But after going through all of them a million times (ok, maybe like 5 times), I still did not even feel like touching them :((
Thoughts of cheating crossed my mind a million time (ok, maybe more like 10 times), since I have some old stuff I made, without being challenged, that are pure black and white. I tried to be honest till the last week! Plus I had my friend to think of too...
Then out of a special box, came this set of beads I bought from Susan Kennedy last year. I knew I wanted to use them, but they were so special, I needed some really pretty things to go with them. And as if on cue, I saw these black Vintaj Arte Metal leaf charms that another good friend (Norbel, that would be you) gifted to me. Now the task was to put it all together. After a bit of tweaking and a lot of thinking, I came up with this:
The earrings are super gorgeous in person (you are just going to have to trust me on that), but a pain in the entire body to photograph since there is so much white in there (you are going to have to trust me on that too, and not let the idea of me being lazy come anywhere near your mind ;-))
Here's another attempt at photographing them
My original idea was to use a black chain to dangle the crystals, but the shape of the leaves did not lend themselves to doing that. I think I am happy with the end result, and so is my friend (the picture I sent her was even worse, and the sweet woman still liked them!)
Thank you, Sally, for hosting this in addition to the superhit Focus On Life series! You the wonder-woman!
And here are some more wonder-women!
Now, I have a lot of beads that could be used for this. Black beads with white stripes, white beads with black markings, gunmetal beads (I consider them black ;-)), white shells. But after going through all of them a million times (ok, maybe like 5 times), I still did not even feel like touching them :((
Thoughts of cheating crossed my mind a million time (ok, maybe more like 10 times), since I have some old stuff I made, without being challenged, that are pure black and white. I tried to be honest till the last week! Plus I had my friend to think of too...
Then out of a special box, came this set of beads I bought from Susan Kennedy last year. I knew I wanted to use them, but they were so special, I needed some really pretty things to go with them. And as if on cue, I saw these black Vintaj Arte Metal leaf charms that another good friend (Norbel, that would be you) gifted to me. Now the task was to put it all together. After a bit of tweaking and a lot of thinking, I came up with this:
Here's another attempt at photographing them
My original idea was to use a black chain to dangle the crystals, but the shape of the leaves did not lend themselves to doing that. I think I am happy with the end result, and so is my friend (the picture I sent her was even worse, and the sweet woman still liked them!)
Thank you, Sally, for hosting this in addition to the superhit Focus On Life series! You the wonder-woman!
And here are some more wonder-women!
Kashmira Patel <== You be over here
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Those are really classy! Love everything about them! Can't believe I missed hearing about this challenge but glad you got in! I'll have to skip around and look at some of the others!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharyl! I am guessing you missed it because you were busy with the wedding jewelry?
DeleteGreat earrings - very elegant!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! They did turn out quite nice and delicate :)
DeleteI love these earrings. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty design - Sue's beads are awesome! I agree with you on the images - black and white for photographing killed me! :) Your pictures look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Patti! This is the second time I am working with Sue's creations, and am SO very impressed with them :)
DeleteThe photos nearly killed me! I was so glad to think these were sold so I would not have to take more pics to list them!
Lovely earrings, Kashmira...I have to agree with you, I found photographing B&W is a distinct challenge of its own!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mon! Yeah, that was another challenge in its own right!
DeleteLovely earrings... and glad to see someone else using etched clear glass as white!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hmmm...its not clear glass though...its quite opaque.
DeleteGorgeous earrings, and very elegant!! I had a difficult time photographing my pieces because of the stark difference in the two colors.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alice! I had a tough time because of the white in there...
DeleteBeautiful! Kashmira, thank you so much for participating, this did turn out to be a challenging challenge! :) I love the earrings you created and the little crystals are the perfect accent to Sue's lampwork!!
ReplyDeleteThank you,Sally! For the compliment and for hosting!
DeleteI really like those earrings! They are so simple yet classic! You did a great job. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVera
http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/2013/07/black-white-jewelry-challenge.html
Thank you, Vera!
DeleteOMG! These are some of my absolute favorite earrings ever! Such a cool design! It's a good think you've given them to your friend or I'd have to come to you house and snatch them up if you didn't offer them for sale. Of course, I'd have to make sure they were 'short' earrings,...you know, for the short chick!! LOL!! These are truly fabulous Kashmira,..awesome design for the black and white challenge.
ReplyDeleteAww Shel! you make me blush :) I did get another request for them, so am scrambling to find more materials. But they are not "fun-size" :(
DeleteI love the shape of those leaves. Like little dew drops on them! Very pretty, Miss Kashmira! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteThanks Erin! Those leaves were a bit of a challenge when I started. Because they are kind of "sideways". But glad I found a solution. And that's exactly what I thought...dew drops!
DeleteLOVE these!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel!
DeleteOh I am so glad you didn't cheat, because these beauties would have never come to be and they are GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) That made me smile :)
DeleteKashmira, I LOVE your earrings. I know exactly what you're talking about when you say it's hard to photograph because of all the white. I have had the same challenge with pearl & crystal designs. But I can tell these are exquisite earrings. I would wear them with so many outfits! Great to connect via this blog hop!
ReplyDelete{Hugs!}
Dawn
Thanks, Dawn! I usually use a white background to photograph my jewelry and this one just gave me so much trouble!
DeleteGlad to connect with you too, Dawn!
Very elegant and charming. I like them a lot. Doesn't Susan make the prettiest beads to play with?
ReplyDeleteYes she does! This is the second time I am creating with her components and am loving them!
DeleteSue's beads are beautiful, and I love how you've incorporated them here. I wouldn't have thought to hang a crystal in the split between the leaves. Your designs never cease to inspire!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Sue's a total wiz! That bead there happened to be because the empty space was gnawing at me...found the perfect size white crystal to fill the space :)
DeleteHi Kashmira,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous earrings I love them and I am very sure your friend will too! It took me a little while to get in the swing of this challenge too.
Therese
Thanks Therese! Yes she did, and I even have a request to make another pair :)
DeleteOh those earrings are perfect. I'd wear those in an instant and maybe never take them off!!!
ReplyDeleteAww...thanks Liz :)
DeleteI think they are gorgeous! How ironic that your friend asked you for black and white, at the same time. . . . . .and she would have to love them. Not just sayin' it; they are really pretty. I am always amazed at your talent of taking the simplest of items and creating something extraordinary. Let me know when you hear of a new challenge.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one with beads bought last year and not used! Glad you pulled them out! Well done!
ReplyDeleteHehe, I have some from my very first bead buying trip I made to JoAnn back in 2011!
DeleteKashmira, I love your earrings. I can see why you were saving the Susan Kennedy beads for something special and the leaf charms are just the perfect accent. These will go with so many different outfits!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paula! Love Sue's beads for sure!
Deletethose are just fabulous. and I love those lampworks :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra! Sue rocks :)
DeleteHi Kashmira! I love those earrings! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much, Roxi :) So glad to see you, how are you? What's new?
DeleteIt's great when you accomplish two things at the same time. Super!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I would definitely have cheated if there wasn't someone waiting for them ;)
DeleteSuch beautiful little earrings, I love the beads
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynsey :) Sue makes the bestest beads!
DeleteThey are stunning!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Adrienne :)
Deletestunning! absolutely love Sue's designs, and this really does her beads justice. Gorgeous my friend, just gorgeous
ReplyDeleteThanks, my dear friend :) I have a request to make another pair, so looks like its a winner :)
DeleteThese are really great. I love what you came up with. I know how special Sue's beads can be as well. The addition of the little crystal danglies is perfect! I hope your friend liked them also!!
ReplyDelete