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Dangly Tanqueray Gin Earrings

Tanqueray Gin Bottle earrings

Day 193. You know me, I like to take an idea and try it a few ways. This is a different version of yesterday’s earrings with the feature bead made from a Tanqueray Gin bottle and the smaller beads made from Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire Gin and a clear tonic bottle too.

Tanqueray Gin Bottle earrings

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Blue recycled glass earrings

Blue Recycled Glass Earrings

Day 192. With three weeks remaining until I install my SALA exhibition at @stationmaster5255gallery in Strathalbyn, it’s safe to say things are a bit hectic here, but I am enjoying the process of putting this exhibition together. It’s really quite different from other exhibitions where I have had all sorts of restrictions. Freedom to do whatever I want can also be a little bit intimidating! This pair of earrings feature beads made from wine and gin bottles, with enamelled copper tube.

Blue Recycled Glass Earrings

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Pink flower earrings

Pink flower earrings

Day 191. I was thinking about yesterday’s earrings, and wondering if I could use the same flower beads in bracelets and pendants too. Turns out you can, and they look rather cute and a little bit different used that way. Glad I tried something a bit different.

Pink flower earrings

Pink flower bracelet

Pink flower necklace

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Ideas…sometimes don’t work

Day 189. Weird, I could totally picture these in my head, but when I got home to make them they didn’t quite work in the colours I had imagined! I started playing around with some other colours though and they looked better. Also, didn’t quite nail the hook part, not yet. Will keep trying. A work in progress.

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River Inspiration – Part 2

Day 188. Walking again, this time finding trees covered with vines. Made me remember beads I used to make that were one colour, and another contrasting fine glass (stringer) applied over the top but not melted in, giving the bead some lovely texture. Going to have to try these again soon too! And add some dangly beads at the bottom for a whole new look.

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River Inspiration

earring design

Day 187. Having a little break from normal life with a couple of days up the river. I went for a walk this morning and loved all of the layers in the world around me. From the paddocks to the cliffs, to the river itself, there were so many amazing colours and layers of colour. I drew these earrings when I got back to where I am staying and can’t wait to make them when I get home again.

earring design

jewellery inspiration

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10,000 Red Glass Beads

Red Glass Earrings

Day 186. 8 years ago I was madly getting ready for my SALA exhibition titled “10,000 red glass beads” where I literally made that many red beads, and used most of them in pieces of jewellery! It was such a full on experience, and having to work to a constraint of only using red glass beads was a real challenge, and it stretched my work for a long time. This year though I am working with no constraints, no restrictions and I can’t wait to see where that freedom takes me!

Red Glass Earrings

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Easing restrictions

Gin and tonic earrings

Day 184. Rules and restrictions. I have so many rules with my work, some that I have created and some that the galleries that I work with have created for me. Rules like: don’t mix Italian and recycled glass, always use sterling silver, don’t add other beads like seed beads etc. So many restrictions on my work. And it’s been interesting for me that since all of my galleries have been closed, and since we have had to go through so many personal restrictions, that I decided for SALA this year I was just going to ease my own restrictions and rules, and just make beautiful pieces of jewellery!! It’s how I started, with so much freedom (I even started using dental floss to string onto)!! And it’s what I feel like I need to do again. Make jewellery with Italian and recycled glass, explore other metals, use whatever beads I like in pieces. I am really excited about my exhibition at @stationmasters5255 🙂 These earrings feature beads from gin and tonic bottles, and Italian glass.

Gin and tonic earrings