Sweet Bead Studio Blog
Color Challenge
See this bright bangle bracelet? Would you believe it was inspired by a caterpillar? I’m not sure what originally inspired the lampwork artist (Moon Stumpp) to make her beads, but I pulled out this set of beads and set out to create a bracelet all due to a colorful caterpillar……this one to be exact:
Kelly over at the Silver Parrot is hosting a bracelet challenge inspired by the beautiful colors found in nature. She chose a bunch of bright bugs and butterflies for the inspiration. I’ll admit I normally do not choose green beetles or caterpillars for inspiration…and maybe that’s why these whimsical lampwork beads have been sitting in my bead box for a very long time. Reminds me of Lori Anderson’s recent article over on the Watch Me Create blog….she had some boro beads that were presenting a design problem and let them sit unused as well. She challenged us to get out those beads that we chose to overlook and bring them to life. A little push was all I needed and now these beads are showcased in a coiled sterling silver bangle. Thanks for inspiring me, Kelly and Lori!
Making the rounds in other jewelry blogs, Julie over at Prairie Thistle is hosting a giveaway until November 26th. Julie’s giveaway is a wonderful gesture in support of a few of her blog land friends. Stop over and you’ll find out more about this beautiful Ave Maria necklace…this religious pendant is truly stunning. It is amazing the wonderful friendships that are made through our blogs.
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Cindy Wimmer is a jewelry designer with a passion for combining vintage elements with modern wire design. She is the co-founder of artBLISS, hosting jewelry and mixed media workshops in the DC area. Her best-selling jewelry design book, The Missing Link, was released in Fall 2013. Read more.
you are so awesome.
this turned out fabulously! Nice job replicating the colors. And the wire work is SUPERB!
you nailed it! could those beads be any more perfect? I love what you did with the silver, it has that Slinky/inchworm feel just like the caterpillar! What is that? Is it just a hollow coil or did you wrap something with wire? Very cool!
i loooooooooooove your submission for the challenge! what a great design with great beads… nice job!
Cindy, I LOVE this bracelet! The colors in these beads are lovely and I love how you layer the wire on this bangle. Beautiful!
Oye Missy,
This is the most Audacious bracelet!!!! It just makes me smile!! 🙂 You should be patting yourself on the back for stepping so far out of your comfort zone. Hmmmm this creation certainly doesn’t show any hesitation or discomfort working with these happy colors!! You need to think about doing more, maybe mixing it with your stamped metal work 🙂
Pattie 😉
Mazatlan Mx.
You nailed it for sure!! Wow…it’s fabulous! The colors are great and the design is perfect, with or without a catepiller. And your craftsmanship is always superb! This one is a knockout Cindy, your wireworking takes my breath away!
Cindy,its so beautiful.I love the colors and your always perfect wirework.Warm regards,Cat
That is exquisite! Inspired by a caterpillar- who’d a thunk it!? You sure captured the beauty.
Wow…everytime I spot in, I’m always impressed and awed!
Great bracelet -colours are as exuberant as the caterpillar and the wire work captures the segments a (and the movement) perfectly
Thank you so much for the compliments…and you give me too much credit. I’ll admit I wasn’t exactly going for caterpillar movements with the wirework…but it does look like it was intentional, eh? 🙂 I’ll go with that!
Cindy, this is perfect! Whether you knew you were going for it doesn’t make any difference – this is an inspired piece and your inspiration just took you where you needed to go. Serendipity! Beautiful!!
Hi Cindy
It’s so nice to meet you. I’m glad you joined in on the class – hope you enjoyed the tutorials! It really was a great mix of projects.
Gorgeous bracelet! Looking forward to poking around your blog. Happy Thanksgiving
Nerissa
hoooooooooowow cindy!! beautiful submission!! totaly fun!! and beautiful wire work.; as always!!
I love it!!! What a great set of beads…perfect with your wirework!
Hi Cindy, I love using nature as a muse! You did a wonderful job, that is just awesome! It does look like caterpillars, way to go Cindy!
Wow…that bracelet inspired by the caterpillar is so cool! It is amazingly similar! Interesting, that you have a post on inspiration today as do I on my blog, however, this time my inspiration for my creation did not come from nature.
Truly a wonderful piece with great color and detail! It is really a wonderful interpretation…such a fun challenge!
This is such a fun bracelet:) Love the wire wrapping on this one!
You did great of recreating that little critter! What color and the spots are perfect! Great job, Cindy!
Beautiful! Love those bright colors!
That’s such a gorgeous bracelet!! I could tell it was inspired by a caterpillar before you even told me 🙂
Those colors are just beautiful!
OMG that real life caterpillar is wild! And you did such a great job — perfect beads and great wire work!
I have never seen someone use a caterpillar as jewelry inspiration before… it is fantastic! You nailed it with your bracelet design. Just beautiful!