INSPIRED BY NEW ORLEANS!

I recently visited New Orleans last month, and I was so inspired by the "Crescent City".
For me New Orleans is a melting pot of many things:  people, food, and architecture.  I was able to find inspiration in all these areas.  The "City" is much like the Gumbo for which it is known.  I think of my jewelry designs as gumbo sometimes.  I try to design using a multiple techniques, colors, and bead sizes in one piece in an effort to create unique details.    The piece below was designed while I was visiting New Orleans.  I used my latest obsession: Picasso beads - love them! 

How To Choose The Right Beads For Your Project

Last year my daughter Mallory and I attended the annual Rock and Gem Show in our county.  Mallory bought a beautiful, but rather large stone, even though at the time she had no idea what she would do with it.  After a while she decided she wanted a bracelet.

We took the stone to our local bead shop to find seed beads to help build this bracelet.  Needless to say, Mallory was overwhelmed at the choices available.  She didn't know where to start.  I taught her a quick 3 step process to help her choose the beads needed to complete her bracelet.

Mallory's bracelet

1). Decide if you want a monochromatic palette (subtle shades of the same color as your focal piece), or a complementary palette (colors that are opposite your focal piece).

 2). For a monochromatic palette look for hues that are lighter, darker and a different texture than your focal piece.  For a complementary palette get your clues from your focal bead - look at the bead or stone and search for subtle flecks or variations of colors.  These variations become your complementary colors.   If you are unable to detect any variations, then use a color wheel.  Search for the color of your focal piece on the color wheel then look at the color(s) directly opposite of it - these will be your complementary color(s).

3).  Add some metal accents (gold, silver, or copper) to your piece, it also serves to provide interest to your piece.