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This is a continuation of my exploration of bright colors. I have a well documented struggle and as you can see, if you keep working at something, you will get better!
As my November studio show approaches I’ve been trying to think along the lines of ‘jewelry’ rather than just beads. I had this grand vision for a necklace of cool button beads all strung together. The kind with the toggle (or whatever it’s called) on the back (not holes in the face like a lot of buttons).
Ohhhh. It was going to be spectacular! A string of continual color! While they were going to be ‘button-style’, I didn’t see them as functional as buttons because I made the shanks as wide as the face of the button. (Yeah! That’s it. Shanks.) See them up there?
I think they’re pretty nifty button beads and I’m proud of my growing use of bright color. The thing is…and well…duh…if you string them up, they fall down. The colorful tops face the ground. Gravity has its way. Now, if I were as clever as Lori A. or Kerry here, I’d find a solution for that and make a really cool piece, right? Maybe some day!
Lori Greenberg blogs about beads and the business of beads from her studio in Cave Creek, Arizona. You can see more of her beads at her web site: www.lorigreenberg.com. In fact, those very buttons are on the site if you want to try your own hand at designing with them.
beadsbylaura says:
Fab button beads, Lori! Love those zingy colours. There must be a nifty way of stringing or wiring them so they defy gravity. Like you say, Maybe Lori A or Kerry will come up with a cunning plan!
July 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Nancy says:
Look at those bright colors!! Way to go g/f! You’ll figure it out…
July 10th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Otter says:
Wow, great colors. I have tried, quite unsuccessfully to make beads with bright colors. I admire your perseverance and what great results you are getting.
Otter
July 11th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Terri says:
I have an idea for stringing the beads so that they face forward rather than falling down. It’s pretty hard to describe it (I am forever drawing whatever I’m trying to tell other people) but I’ll give it a try, though my description is bound to be crude compared to the image in my head…
Imagine, and this is simplified but I’m sure you could take it and run, two equilateral triangles of wire (or strings of tiny beads, but keep the triangular shape in mind for now), both strung through the shank of a bead. Now make one triangle point up, and one point down, as if they were the heads of arrows pointing up and down. You attach the top of one triangle to the strand of the necklace (the beads will basically all be small pendants, hanging from the main necklace wire) and then attach another bead to the bottom of the “arrowhead” pointing down, to weight it. This makes for a pretty complicated look, but it should keep the button bead facing forward, if you do it.
If you’re interested in the idea but not able to visualize what I’m saying here, feel free to e-mail me at HeronMoonDesignworks@gmail.com and I’ll do a quick sketch in Photoshop and send it to you.
Beautiful beads, and I thank you for making your very interesting blog and photos of your work available to the public! Best wishes and hugs!
Terri Kiplinger
July 21st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
lorigreenberg says:
I have a better idea. How about I send them to you and you SHOW me! I’m serious! Email me if you’re game and you can pull it off.
lori@beadnerd.com
July 21st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
josephine teresi says:
Hi Terri;
Looking for an anklet. Can’t seem to locate your jewelery selection. Help.
Josephine
August 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am