parts is parts
Just look at all those goodies! Welcome to the Build A Line Challenge from B’Sue Boutiques. I’m Carole Carlson of Beadsophisticate, and somehow over the next two months, I will turn that pile of random stuff into a cohesive line of jewelry, with the help of Brenda Sue from B’Sue Boutiques, who is providing a master class of sorts in designing a line. I’ll be joined by 54 of my fellow designers, and we’ll share our ideas and thought processes in a series of three blog hops. At the end, we’ll share a line of at least five pieces of jewelry.
Secret Garden bracelet
I’ve spent my free time all my life diving headlong into one craft after another. After having my first child, I realized that my then-current love, dollhouse miniatures, wasn’t really practical for a busy working mom. I needed something I could set aside and pick up weeks (or months) later, and know exactly where I was and what to do next. I went into a bead shop looking for something for a miniatures project and was hooked. I started with stringing, moved on to beadweaving and wireworking, followed by metalsmithing and now torch-fired enameling. The end result is that, although I’ve had loads of fun, my jewelry is all over the place as I try first this and then that.
Isn’t the lampwork luscious?
I’ve known for some time that I need to settle down and create jewelry that expresses my personality in a way that is clearly me. That’s the goal of this challenge.
The lime-colored beads were enameled by me, using a torch.
We were tasked with proposing a theme around which we will build our line. My idea is to make several necklaces using a reproducible formula that can be translated into different metals. Each necklace will have its own mini theme, which will be expressed using charms, beads and bezels. I’ll also include some coordinating earrings, and who knows, maybe a bracelet or two. The necklace I’m turning into a formula is one I have made and sold several times before. Here is a picture of the prototype.
kyanite and brass necklace
I like to make jewelry that is fun to wear, that is suitable for the workplace but can carry you through to happy hour and dinner after work too. The pictured necklace is priced at $75, and I’ve sold a sterling silver version for $150, so bringing the price down to the recommended $30-$50 range for the line will require big improvements in efficiency and sourcing materials.
Planning to use my newly-acquired resin skills.
Below is a list of the other participants in the challenge; please visit them to see what others are doing. We will be blogging twice more, on February 20 and March 20, when our new lines will be revealed. Follow along with us as we work out our designs. And be sure to check out our fabulous teacher and sponsor of this challenge, http://www.bsueboutiques.com.
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B’sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O’Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O’Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law
Bead Sophisticate 
Can’t wait to see what you’ll be coming up with!
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Love your jewelry. The secret garden set is so pretty.
I’m excited to see the necklaces that you’ll be creating for your new line 🙂
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Your line is going to be fun! I enjoyed the visit!
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Love your idea and looking forward to see your creations! Ingrid
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Your prototype necklace is quite striking. It will be a challenge for me to stay in that price range, too. I’m hoping to *at least* develop the habit of cost awareness, if not actually meet that retail price range.
Cheers,
Susan
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really excited to read this & share this adventure with you!
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Love that pocket watch! Glad to know you’ll be using your resin skills in your line.
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Can’t wait to see your 1st finished piece! {and find out how you brought the pricing down 😉 } ~Elizabeth
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Carole, this is a great idea. I am sure as you offer different versions, and make them a few times, it will get faster. Then you can make more in the same time. The first one always takes the longest!
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Love your pieces. =)
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What a great idea and concept. Looking forward to seeing more! Also interested to find out how you brought the pricing down. Beautiful jewelry!
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Looking forward to walking with you in this journey Carole .. Jann
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THANK YOU so much for reaching out to join us for this challenge! Excellent post.
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“Parts is parts” made me laugh right out loud! I’m very excited to see how your line develops.
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Hello Carole! I enjoyed your post and your prototype for the challenge it’s beautiful! I’m looking forward to see your entire line.
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Carole, your sense of color is fabulous! Can’t wait to see the rest of your line ♥
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Really like your idea of changing up this type of necklace. Your garden necklace is beautiful. Looking forward to seeing your new line.
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Love that I’m not the only one that jumps from one thing to another. Your line looks great and so many possible variations
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I look forward to seeing your finished line! Awesome!
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What a great idea for your line, to take something you already know sells well and finding a way to create it within the impulse buy price!
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Love being on this journey with you!!
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Looking forward to your finished designs seeing the full line.
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Love the resin watch fob and your idea for the prototype! 🙂
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I love your work. The garden, the enameling, I can’t say which is my favorite, but your journey is one I would have loved to follow! I’ll be following you for sure to see what’s next.
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Nice post, Carole! I can’t wait to see your pretty new line! 😉
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I can’t wait to see the line! Beautiful concept.
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You’ve designed beautiful pieces!
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It’s going to be fun to see what you create in wonderful color!
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Great idea for a line. I’m sure your background with all of the other techniques will help take it to a higher level!
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Love the resin pendant! Look forward to the finished line!
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Really pretty work! Can’t wait to see the rest!
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I spied some polymer clay in your photo. I’ll be using polymer clay also so can’t wait to see what you come up with.
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Hi, Carole- I can completely relate to the challenge of trying to narrow in on one style, plus the awareness of pricing. You seem to have a really strong idea and a strong start. Can’t wait to see more!
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Nice blog and great idea for your line, Carole!
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Great blog, Carole, and I can’t wait to see your next phase! Loving the watch, BTW. 🙂
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I am intrigued by your idea and look forward to the finished designs.
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Awesome concept and gorgeous jewelry too, love your story and blog.
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I am not alone in making all types. I to will try to define my style more, you are not alone
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Ah, a woman after my own heart. I love all the beaded dangles and accents you use in your designs. Looking forward to seeing how you bring the price down for your line. Maybe I’ll learn something I can use for my own line.
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Great idea to replicate the necklace design. It’s great to see your work and take this adventure together.
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Great Post! I love your earlier work. I love the theme and think it will be wonderful. Your prototype is beautiful!!! Have a Blessed Day
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I am still not very good at resin. Looking forward to see your resin jewelry line.
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Great Blog- looking forward to seeing what you do for your line 🙂 Linzi
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I’ve wanted to try resin too. So many possibilities.
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Hi!
~All your pieces are so beautiful~Love the Secret Garden piececes! Looking forward to seeing your line! ;
See you in the classroom!
XO
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I love this idea
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looking forward to seeing more jewelry, love the garden.
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