You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2009.
Excerpt from January 2010 Margie’s Muse
Study the two versions of the Aqua/Silver Mini-Radiant Sun Earrings. Before you read further, decide which you think works best and why. Read further and I’ll tell you my thoughts.
The one on the right is the final version that I sell as a kit. Here’s why it is a much stronger design than the one on the left.
Focal Point
I constantly stress in my teachings and writings that as an artist, its our job to visually guide the viewers’ eye and tell them where to look first, where to focus. We do this by consciously creating a focal point. Or several focal points in a heirarchal manner.
Lightest or darkest areas often create focal points, as do areas of greatest contrast (lightest against darkest).
Where is the focal point within the earring on the left?
Finding it is a bit confusing, isn’t it? My eye is drawn immediately to the visual horizontal band created by the lightest beads, the silver beads. That horizontal band is not an aesthetically pleasing focal point. And it competes with the upper medallion section of the earring, which seems a natural focal point because of the circular shape.
In the earring on the right, the upper medallion section features four silver beads. My eye is drawn right into that upper center, where those lightest beads are. Here the composition and the color are in agreement that this is the focal point of the earring.
After enjoying the medallion focal point my eye immediately shifts straight down the middle of the earring, drawn to the light of the 6 largest silver beads that create and triangle shape. A second focal point! It is the lightest area of the bottom of the earring. And the traingle shape intrigues the eye, beckoning more of my attention.
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The Color of the Year 2010…TURQUOISE!
But its not the turquoise hue you may be imagining… this one leans heavily toward green. It’s PANTONE©15-5519.
From the PANTONE website:
“Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well being.”
We’ll be exploring this in the Spring/Summer 2010 Color Report for Bead & Jewelry Designers. I’ve already shot some beautiful pieces to represent this beautiful color.
This is a partial excerpt from the December 2009 Margie’s Muse. Read the entire article here.
As we steer our way toward the holidays, sparkling lights and flickering candle flames beckon. When attending holiday celebrations, we want to dazzle at least as much as the room decor (hopefully more!) so let’s delve into surface finishes best suited to the glamour, glitz, and glitter of the holiday season.
True metallic finishes like hematite, copper, and bronze add richness and depth. Muted in color, their non-distracting reflectivity lends an air of traditional elegance.
I have a stash of 24kt gold-plated glass seed beads to last a lifetime. They are among the most gorgeous of all beads, and the gold plating doesn’t tarnish or rub off. Expensive and worth it, these beads make stunning accents. Or, when used exclusively in weaving, they achieve a look of intricate, gold filigree. (I use these gold beads as the foundation for the Collar of Glass & Light.)
The Beader’s Color Palette has been voted by the prestigious Library Journal as the BEST HOW-TO CRAFT book of 2009. This is quite an honor and I am proud and thrilled!
This means the best of all how-to books, including knitting, crochet, beading, wirework, scrapbooking and all the other hundreds of crafts books published in 2009. Yes, I am tooting my own horn because this book deserves it! 
It is rich with ideas, creativity, culture, history, inspiration, and gorgeous art by over 40 of today’s finest artists.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6707422.html?q=best+2009#Best%20How-To%202009
(Search my name or scroll way down to see the listing).
I’ve created three FREE PDF previews of the book you can download here.
