Friday, November 30, 2012

The Challenge of Color - Earth as Art

I joined the challenge this year. Erin Pais-Hintz of Treasures Found and Brandi Hussey of BrandiGirlBlog are hosting the 3rd Annual Challenge of Color.

The Earth As Art image gallery is a group of over 120 pictures taken from the Landsat series of Earth observation satellites since 1972. These pictures of the unique features of our beautiful planet are a vital resource for understanding scientific issues related to land use and natural resources. I encourage you to check out these photos. They are beautiful images and so inspiring!

 Each participant was assigned two color palettes from the Earth as Art images. I was given these two color palettes to choose from. 
A little background on the Dardzha Monster:  Looking like a monstrous ogre with something gooey in its mouth, the Dardzha Peninsula in western Turkmenistan lies among the shallow coastal terraces of the Caspian Sea. Strong winds create huge sand dunes near the water, some of which are partly submerged. Further inland, the dunes transition to low sand plains.
Background on the Dasht-E Kevir: The Dasht-e Kevir, or Great Salt Desert, is the largest desert in Iran. It is a primarily uninhabited wasteland, composed of mud and salt marshes covered with crusts of salt that protect the meager moisture from completely evaporating.

I committed to working the Dardzha Monster palette. I found this choice to be my challenge. I thought and thought, how could I design a lampwork bead in this color scheme. I had some ideas and got to the torch.


Round 1 of beads. I was not satisfied with what I was coming up with. The colors were proving to be a real challenge for me to create beads with. I had made a few more of the spacer beads. They seem to have disappeared from my work bench for the moment so they missed the photo shoot.
I know I committed to the Dardzha color scheme but it just wasn't working for me. So I thought I would try the Dasht E Kevir color scheme.



These beads are from the second round at the torch. I was seeing blues and off whites in the Dasht photo. Then I thought earth and nuggets. So I created nugget shaped beads as well as round beads.
It all looked good going into the kiln but once the kiln had cooled I was disappointed. Although I like the beads there is too much blue in these. Again not the look I had in mind.


Round 3 and I nailed it! (if I am allowed to say so myself). Okay, finally, beads I can work with. Immediately the ideas for a finished jewelry design began to  take shape.






 This is a blog hop. I am sure you will want to check out what all the participants  created based on the images they were assigned. We were given some great inspiration photos. I can't wait to see what everyone has come up with!

Ema Kilroy http://emakaye.blogspot.com ***** you are here *****

Thanks for joining me. As always you can visit my Etsy shop to find lampwork beads, metal components and finished jewelry at Ema K Designs.
Posted by Ema Kilroy at 1:00 AM
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

46 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 30, 2012 at 8:17 AM

    You DID nail it on those beads! Can't wait to see what you make with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ema KilroyNovember 30, 2012 at 10:23 AM

      Thank you Sherri. I have my pics up this morning. I was waiting for daylight to capture a photo (yes of course I just finished my pieces last night.):)

      Delete
  2. Marcie Abney CarrollNovember 30, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    I'm so envious of people who can be like, "Hey! I think I'm gonna just make my own beads!" These are gorgeous by the way!

    ReplyDelete
  3. balanced.November 30, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    Gotta say, I love all those beads. But, ya did nail it with the colours on your finished piece! Beautiful job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cece CormierNovember 30, 2012 at 11:16 AM

    Beautiful beads and design.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion)November 30, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    So beautiful, Ema... hope you will also share what you create with your "rejected" beads as they are awesome, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aimee MoisaNovember 30, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    Weren't the Challenge of Color palettes just beautiful? I was so happy with the ones I got. You made such gorgeous pieces with yours! You did a fantastic job on this challenge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ema KilroyDecember 1, 2012 at 9:36 AM

      The palettes are gorgeous. I have booked them for future inspiration. So many ideas!!!

      Delete
  7. CynthiaNovember 30, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    I quite agree - you nailed it! Those 3rd beads are simply awesome!! And the necklace is stunning! LOVE!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousNovember 30, 2012 at 4:11 PM

    Oh, those earrings! Love!

    Ambra

    ReplyDelete
  9. TanyaNovember 30, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    You totally nailed it! I love all of the beads you made, but I agree. Those last beads are absolutely perfect. I love the necklace you made with them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Crazy Creative CornerNovember 30, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    Sometimes, you just have to take a step back from things and then start in a new direction. No harm, no foul. Our beady muses just get persnikety from time to time. Sounds like yours was having a *small* fit because she apparently started talking to you again when you switched pallets. Lovely beads. Very pretty necklace and earrings.

    ReplyDelete
  11. MaplegirlNovember 30, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    Love those colors together. Lovely necklace, and you made the beads yourself - you are wonderful. Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  12. Becky PancakeNovember 30, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    You make wonderful beads. You are right the third time you did indeed nail it. Great job

    ReplyDelete
  13. JLYNNJEWELSNovember 30, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Ema - your beads are stunning - and I had that same Monster palette lol...but it's fun to play with all those colors coming together and I love that focal! Your necklace and earring design set are simply divine - love the colors and length <3 JLynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ema KilroyDecember 1, 2012 at 9:39 AM

      Heading over to check out what you created. I can't wait to see.

      Delete
  14. re-makerNovember 30, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    What a fun piece, your lampwork beads are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousNovember 30, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous! I really love the lampwork beads.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Brandi HusseyDecember 1, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    You SO nailed it! All of the beads are so yummy, but round 3 is just perfect. It matches your palette so well! And can I just say that I'm super impressed that you made your own beads?? Fantastic, seriously amazing!

    Thanks for playing along!

    ReplyDelete
  17. aneri_masiDecember 1, 2012 at 3:01 AM

    I know they were not upto your expectations, but I realllly love your round 1 beads :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ema KilroyDecember 1, 2012 at 9:43 AM

      I find it interesting Kashmira, because sometimes beads I don't feel pass my inspection are often LOVED by others. It really is all about personal preference.

      Delete
  18. Caron MichelleDecember 1, 2012 at 5:19 AM

    OMG - what a fabulous colour palette, love your interpretation, those beads are divine! Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ema KilroyDecember 1, 2012 at 9:41 AM

      I love the color palette too. Thank you Caron.

      Delete
  19. Patti VanderbloemenDecember 1, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    Wow - I admire your work ethic! I love all three sets of beads, but you are right -the third set is SPOT ON! I also visited your shop - and I was AMAZED at your beads! You are so talented! Your necklace is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ema KilroyDecember 1, 2012 at 9:41 AM

      Thanks for taking the time to visit my shop too Patti. I appreciate your kind words. Feedback is important to get.

      Delete
  20. Mary K. McGrawDecember 1, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    I love the beads you made on your third attempt. All the beads you created were great, but I do agree attempt # 3 was perfect for your challenge palette. And you made a fabulous necklace with them.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AntiquityTravelersDecember 1, 2012 at 1:45 PM

    Oh my! I love ALL of the beads you've created! If only I could make beads!! But then you also create such beautiful jewelry! That necklace is stunningly gorgeous! I LOVE it! WOW, just WOW

    ReplyDelete
  22. lynseyDecember 1, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    oooh I love what you came up with, really beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  23. lamplight craftsDecember 1, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    Awesome. I think it is wonderful that you are so talented to make beads to match your pallet.

    ReplyDelete
  24. TesoriTrovatiDecember 2, 2012 at 9:55 AM

    Amazing. I am in awe of the fact that you can pick up the torch and create a perfect match to the palette just like that (okay. I know that it is more complicated than that!). I would welcome any of your leftovers as I think that they are all lovely. But now you have some more materials to work with for another project! Thank you Miss Ema for sharing your talents and your creative process with us. Enjoy the day! Erin

    ReplyDelete
  25. EB Bead and Metal Works, LLCDecember 2, 2012 at 10:08 AM

    Way to keep going until you had what you wanted in your beads! I think all three sets are lovely, but I seriously love that last set you used! Fabulous necklace and earrings!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. BobbieDecember 2, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    All of the beads are beautiful, but the final piece is just lovely -- a great realization of your inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  27. EmandaJDecember 2, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    Wow! Not only did you do an amazing job as interpreting the colors, you MADE you own beads! Like Erin, I would take any of your orphan-less-than-perfect beads! ;^)

    ReplyDelete
  28. DonettaDecember 2, 2012 at 6:44 PM

    Eeeeeee...so incredibly gorgeous! I love your color palette, I love your beads...there's nothing NOT to love about this piece!

    ReplyDelete
  29. AliciaDecember 2, 2012 at 7:56 PM

    Oh, I love your beads - while I love those blues, I understand why you didn't choose them. Your chosen ones are perfect and the necklace is a gorgeous piece!
    Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  30. A Polymer PenchantDecember 3, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    yes, yes you totally nailed it. Those are really beautiful and fitting to the palette, I love the inner glow they seem to have. Beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Michelle TuckerDecember 3, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing your design process. The final product is amazing! I love everything about this necklace. The darker metal looks amazing against the lighter colors of your glass beads.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Shai WilliamsDecember 3, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    I am love with all of your beads but you ate right about the last set. They arr just perfect for your gorgeous necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  33. KayzKreationzDecember 3, 2012 at 10:55 PM

    What a pretty piece. You really got the colors right. But I love your little blue beads. I'm not a big fan of blue, but those are great.

    ReplyDelete
  34. kmorganDecember 5, 2012 at 12:34 AM

    Emakaye, Love your lampwork! Even the beads you didn't use are beautiful. But you did nail it with the ones you used. The necklace turned out beautiful!

    I will have to check out your Etsy shop to see what else you have made. This was such a fun challenge with all the color palettes to inspire our creativity. You do fabulous work! By the way, thanks for stopping by my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  35. AliceDecember 15, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    The third time is a charm!!!! Those beads are just perfect, and they came together with the chain and seed beads. Beautiful!!!!

    ReplyDelete

I always appreciate your thoughts and comments, so please feel free to share. I encourage kindness in all words.
Ema

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Kleenex Softness Worth SharingKleenex Soft Tissues