Copper Wire Hoop Earrings – Hey, where are the Polymer Clay Beads?
"I'm not really into symmetry (except for earrings… those are fine symmetrical). The important thing is visual balance." ~Sue-F
The other day I showed you an example of an asymmetrical necklace made from faux raku beads, copper wire and a flower pendant. The reactions were mixed, which made for some great dialog. Here's a few excerpts…
Thanks for the inspiration. I would have never thought about putting Raku with the flower bead… Wow. Expect the unexpected. There is so much hand made jewelry that all looks the same. Unfortunately, much hand beaded jewelry is glass bead, spacer, glass bead, spacer, glass bead, spacer, all the same, all evenly distributed. Unfortunately, it really does not look much different than what you see at retailers, for much less money and mass produced in China. ~Anna-S
Anna, you're right about handmade jewellery, you see so much that all looks the same. Cookie-cutter jewellery. And so many necklaces that are obviously just a bought pendant on a ready-made cord. Yawn. I just can't help but make everything symmetrical though! Asymmetry just doesn't do it for me at all. Weird, isn't it? ~Silverleaf
I'm the opposite to Silverleaf… I *LOVE* asymmetrical designs and am not really into symmetry (except for earrings… those are fine symmetrical, although I do have some very cool asymmetrical earrings too). The important thing is visual balance. ~Sue-F
Ooh, I love this! One of many things I appreciate, Cindy, is how you encourage us to push creative boundaries. ~Elizabeth-S
I do my best to get you guys to think outside the box as much as possible. It will help you to create jewelry that stands out from the crowd. And this unique factor is an important part of getting people to want to buy your stuff.
In my post from the other day about the asymmetrical necklace, I promised to show you the copper hoop earrings that were made to compliment that piece. As you can see in the photo above, these earrings are very symmetrical in contrast.
What you should also notice about these earrings, is that I chose not to add any polymer clay beads to them. That was for good reasons.
You see, I like to treat my polymer clay jewelry as art. Therefore, the beads used in any given piece should be considered as valuable art beads, and given center stage so to speak.
By only using the copper wire design elements of the necklace, in my beadless earrings, I feel the focus stays properly on the necklace. This ties the whole look together, but does not force your eyes to dart back and forth between the necklace and the earrings.
I've seen many polymer clay enthusiasts make, what I think is a big fashion mistake… wearing too many different jewelry pieces all at once. Earrings, necklace, bracelet, brooch, hair clip, belt buckle and rings. A polymer clay explosion if you will.
If you go to any large polymer clay event/workshop (or see pictures online), you may notice, the Gurus usually only wear one or two of their special polymer clay jewelry pieces. A spectacular necklace or incredible earrings or maybe a stupendous bracelet. But not all of them at the same time.
Now I'm no fashion expert, in fact I spend most of my time wearing jeans, skater shoes and a hoodie. But I have seen a lot of photos of people wearing jewelry and know what I like to see on them.
Just thought I'd give you something to think about when you're making your polymer clay jewelry sets. Make pieces that compliment each other, not ones that compete.
Of course you should always go with what suits your own personal style… or if you sell your jewelry… what your customers like. Everyone has different tastes. And that is what makes art jewelry so great.
As always, your opinions are welcome and encouraged…. whether you agree or disagree. It's all good :)
Filed Under: 11: Bead Projects, 16: Sell Your Stuff by Comment. 
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Comments on Copper Wire Hoop Earrings – Hey, where are the Polymer Clay Beads?
6:15 am
Very cool Cindy! Are those closed rings? Or did you have to solder them or something? Very simple look. I love it!
6:20 am
I see these as the perfect "frame" for the necklace. When you think about how beautiful art is displayed, the frame surrounds it, enhances it, but never detracts from the artist's intent. As always Cindy, thank you for yet another way to think about this art form we love so much.
A quick note to Melinda, good luck with your show this week-end. Can't wait to hear how it goes. From the pieces of yours we have seen via the "Spotlights", I am sure the patrons will be standing in line.
Finally, does Hobby Lobby sell "Prescious Memories II"? If not, can someone recommend a site from which to order it? Thanks.
7:25 am
@Elizabeth S.:
Elizabeth we do not have a Hobby Lobby here in Florida so I can't answer that question but I ordered some PYM2 and received it quickly. I ordered from one of Cindy's blogs. When searching this morning there is an order form on the blog dated Apr 13, 2009 if you click on "Preserve Your Memories II'. In my packaging there was also an add saying that this product has been seen on QVC. Hope this helps.
Cindy, love your comments today as usual. Gives us something to think about. (My think tank runneth over, lol) Enjoying every moment since joining your blog and the basic course. Thanks for all your efforts and sharing. Have a great one!
7:38 am
Cindy, I envy your fashion sense. Hoodie–skater shoes– jeans-now that is my dream for work clothes. I have to clarify, I love asymmetry but my creations are pretty symmetrical. At the IPCA retreat Christi Friesen suggested to look at your piece from a different angle if you are worried about balance. Sometimes I look at the something in the same direction and that brings doubt. I have a friend that has great fashion sense and does a lot with jewelry. She helps me put things in perspective with her reaction of…"That is stunning." I rarely wear jewelry, so she gets lots of my creations…and gets lots of compliment and has sold a few of my pieces too.
7:40 am
Thank you, Joyce!! I just realized that I had the name wrong (duh). Anyway, I found the blog reference and have already placed an order. Thank you again for taking the time to search and respond to my inquiry.
7:48 am
Minor correction–I should have said that I placed a request to place an order for PMY2. Apparently, someone will get back to me for payment info etc. Thanks, Again, Joyce.
9:30 am
Hey Cindy.
I haven't dropped off the face of the earth – but my craft room is totally upside down and filled with objects from other rooms as huge renovations are being done here in the barn.
So I am pouting that I can't get any claying done and so have to sit back and watch while others have all the fun while I hammer and paint and whine.
I haven't even had time to look at your latest videos or anything!! It's disgusting isnt' it?
Ah well – I'm still reading and still thinking.
I'll be baaaaaack!
6:30 pm
Thank you everyone for the great comments!
@Maureen: The large links are soldered.
@Joyce: Thanks for helping Elisabeth S.! That is what I love about this community. Everyone is so helpful to each other, which in return helps me. Thanks!
@aims: So glad to hear you're still hanging around. Would miss you if you were not here! Hope the reno goes well. Just think how nice it's going to be!
10:33 am
I like the earrings but I am with Silverleaf, it is hard for me to appreciate asymmetrical stuff. The necklace just looks "wierd' to me. Not that everything has to be totally balanced for me but I just can't get that outside the box. Must be the Libra in me. :) I like to do alot of things in threes or fives though.
On the note of jewelry looking the same, I agree that too much of the handmade jewelry you see is like that. I was telling a friend just the other day that the biggest compliment I get when someone looks at my jewelry is "Wow, that is really different!". They may mean it in a good way or a bad way but at least it is not the same old, same old. LOL
4:27 pm
@Elizabeth S.:
Yes, I submitted a request last week….and still haven't heard from anyone : (
4:40 pm
@Malinda and Elizabeth-S: PYM II is manufactured and sold by a husband and wife team, Donna and Doug Shepherd. I just learned yesterday that Donna's mother has been admitted to the ICU… so this likely has something to do with the delayed response. See link by my name for more info.
3:32 pm
@MalindaJ – I just received the following email from Donna Shepherd at the PYM II company. If you have not heard back from her yet, you may want to touch base again. The ICU situation has ended happily with her mother back at home again.
"Hi Cindy, I would love to follow up with the people that said they were not getting a response from our site because I filled orders that came in every morning before going to the hospital. We had problems with one of our emails for the first 3 weeks of December not being delivered but I did not know of any problems with ordering? Please have them contact me if they are still having problems. ~Donna Shepherd"