Saturday, February 4, 2012

Kristi's Copper Component Blog Hop Reveal

I can't resist Kristi's components. One of her sea urchin copper pendants has been sitting on my desk for quite some time waiting patiently for its turn. When I saw the matching component as part of her blog hop, I knew now was the time!



My newest round of Create Recklessly projects has been experimenting with dyes. I love to work with Faux Bone and other plastics, and up to this point have colored them mostly using alcohol inks. But I longed for deep, rich, durable color. After much trial and error, I have come upon some great dying techniques. Accidentally during these tests, I stumbled upon some glass fiber-reinforced nylon. When dyed, it almost looks like glass. Because it is slightly transparent, it almost glows in the daylight. Yet, it can be sawed and drilled just like metal. I think I am in love.

So, I chose this material for Kristi's piece. I wanted to pick up the colors of the beautiful patina on the copper. The entire piece is constructed by threading wire as screws using a tap and die. This includes the "dotted" beads, which each have 28 pieces of wire screwed into them and then rounded with a cup burr. No matter how hard I try, I can't get the color right in the photo...the pieces are a deep lavender and the round hanging spacers are fuschia.

These nylon pieces are a new staple on my bench and I can't wait to play with them some more.

Be sure to check out the amazing designs using Kristi's copper components!


Kristi Bowman Design  http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/
Melissa Cable http://createrecklessly.blogspot.com/ - YOU ARE HERE

22 comments:

  1. WOW Melissa, I think that says it all!! That is crazy beautiful and crazy creative, just as I expected from you my friend. Thank you so much for joining my Hop!!!

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  2. I love your ideas of working with color here...I'll look forward to following your blog and seeing the progress...I love the artistic feel of your design....those purple bars are just wonderful!

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  3. So dramatic! I am intrigued by this new material you described, and its color possibilities!

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  4. Wow, what a great piece! I love love love the art appeal and it is a true work of art! Beautiful!

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  5. WOW!! you are very creative! i love the modern look and the color that you chose! stunning piece!

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  6. This is definitely an art piece, so labor intensive with all the little wire accents in the dyed beads, so creative and beautiful!

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  7. Wow, I am speechless and that doesn't happen often. Truly original, creative (recklessly so) and beautiful. I would love to see more pictures. Wow, love it. Laura said it - "This is definitely an art piece."

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  8. A stunning piece! The work you put into this is amazing. I would not have thought of using these colors, but they work very nicely with the colors in the focal. The techniques you used are amazing. I would love to spend a week watching you create.

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  9. Melissa, your bracelet is stunning! I love the unexpected use of purple and the design including your own materials and dyes. It is incredible and I'd love to see additional close-up pictures, as your design is truly one of a kind!

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  10. REALLY creative. I would never have had that in me. It's beautiful!

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  11. Love how modern it looks! Awesome!

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  12. Ummm! Melissa! I am totally speechless! AWESOME!!, is all that is coming to me has I stare with mouth gaping open!! AWESOME!!!!!

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  13. I love the modern feel of this piece and the gorgeous purple is so yummy!

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  14. What a unique and modern piece - definitely a work of art! Nice job.

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  15. Wow, what an interesting material. I'd love to see it up close.

    Your design is super unique and I like that. I would have never thought to use a violet shade with the copper, but it really turned out great. I think this is the first time I've been to your blog but I have a feeling I'll be back! Yay for blog hops!!

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  16. Just gorgeous! All the designs I've seen have been beautiful, starting, of course with Kristi's designs. Your bracelet is unique and dramatic! Love it! I wish I'd been able to do this one!

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  17. Beautiful piece of art. Melissa you always give it your all and of course you have to try new things.

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  18. I just noticed you posted this at 3:10am. Proves my theory, you never sleep.

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  19. Thanks all! I really appreciate all of your kind words. This was a fun challenge, wasn't it! And yes, I do sleep! ; )

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  20. That is a truly stunning piece of art Miss Melissa! I am intrigued by the faux bone. I used it once in a class with Sherri Haab but we really didn't do much to it other than adhering transfers to it and using it as the base for a pendant (that is still sitting on my table!) I am very intrigued by this material and think that you have made something very classy and mysterious in a way. I love it!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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