Sunday, February 5, 2012

I Had This Vision

I am absolutely sure you have run into the issue where your vision of what the finished piece should be doesn’t quite work with what you have.  I run into this issue regularly with regard with three pieces of design:
1) color, I never have quite the match that I want,
2) size, the beads I have are never quite the exact size I need, and
3) structure, my engineering never quite matches what I envisioned. 

For my turquoise slab project I envisioned a traditional southwest color scheme: turquoise, silver, and coral. 

The turquoise rounds I own are mostly a bit too blue.  I am going to a bead show next weekend and I will look for a greener shade of turquoise rounds. 

I also just ordered a batch of silver delica beads from Joan Painter.  If you need delica beads in 10’s, 11’s, and 15’s and like buying from small business owners I recommend Joan.  Her website is not the latest and greatest.  You need to read the fine print to know that you get 20% off of the listed price.  Be sure to allow for a few days for her to get your order together. 

My vision: the slab will sit on one side of the necklace, with three ropes of differing seed bead designs.  These ropes will be reduced, probably by triangle shaped cubic right angle weave on the other side, to a single thick seed bead rope to go around the back of the neck, clasp, and then connect to the top of the slab of turquoise. 

To that end, I have been making test pieces to join together for one of the three ropes. I have picked two designs out of the six test pieces that I like.  


The six test seed bead pieces to compose one of the ropes. For more photos see my flickr photo stream
One of the other ropes was going to incorporate these beautiful sterling domed beads.  However, this is where structure is playing havoc with my vision.  The sterling domed beads are a bit to large to allow the other two strands to lay properly; or they will be if I make up one of those strands using the test pieces I worked up above. 
All the bits and pieces.  Click on picture for larger view.

*SIGH*  I love my vision with the three varied seed bead ropes.  I also love my vision with the domed sterling beads which  I bought specifically for the slab turquoise. 
I think I will need a second necklace with a different structure.    It is all because I had this vision…  you know how it is.

Now off to make tomato sauce.

5 comments:

  1. I hear you! It's awfully frustrating when vision and reality don't quite match up! Your design vision sounds beautiful, though -- and maybe when you're looking for the greener turquoise next weekend you'll find some slightly smaller domed silver that won't interfere with the beadwoven strands.

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  2. LOL, KJ you are so funny! I love your colors and beads, they are gorgeous. And thanks for the tip on Joan, I will take a look! Glad to be catching up with you again!

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  3. Mandy, I was referred to Painter's Beads (Joan) by a friend. She has the cheapest prices on Delicas, unless you get the 200 price at Fire Mountain Gems. FMG does not sell 10's or 15's. Glad to have you back.

    Bobbie, I hope to stick to my plan when I go to the bead show. Inevitably, I find a lot more that I just cannot live without. That is how I ended up with the Turquoise slabs in the first place. I am still happy with that purchase.

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  4. Maybe you could make two strands. I love the little stars.

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  5. The beader in us all knows just what you're feeling. Our imagination creates visions of loveliness but we have one heck of a time trying to find just the right elements to bring it into reality. I know with your talent and amazing ingenuity, you will come up with something that is absolutely delightful. I look forward to seeing it. :)

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Thank you for sharing. I had to turn off anonymous comments because spam was being posted.