I’m Carole Carlson of Beadsophisticate. Welcome to the first of three blog hops in the 2016 Build A Line Challenge from B’Sue Boutiques. There are 36 of us participating in the challenge, which is a master class in building a jewelry collection. We’ll spend three months working on figuring out our look. In the final hop, we will each reveal a complete line of jewelry, at least five pieces, in our chosen style.
I started out as a beader and still love working with beautiful glass beads. I’ve taken classes in metalsmithing, wireworking, bead weaving and mixed media. You name it, I’ve probably tried it. Here is some of my past work.
Two years ago I took a workshop with Christine Damm and fell in love with polymer clay, from the perspective of decorating the surface of the clay. Last year I participated in the Build A Line challenge and created a line starring polymer clay. Here are a couple of those pieces.
This year I gave more thought to what my customer might like, and decided on a theme of what I call “vintage modern”. I want to take some of the elements of vintage jewelry – the scrollwork, the flowers, the lushness – and lighten it up a bit. There will be polymer clay, there will be brass stampings from B’Sue Boutiques, there will be pearls (lots of pearls!) and there will be chain.
These are some of the B’Sue pieces I’m working with right now. The peacock stamping will be turned into a mold to use with polymer clay. I’m thinking that bows and scrolls are going to feature prominently in my line. I also have some sweet little earwires with bows on them that I got from B’Sue that I plan to use, but forgot to photograph. Next time!
Please visit the other participants in the challenge, listed below:
Brenda Sue Lansdowne Jewelry Making Outside the Box
http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com
Diana Buynak Butterfly Emporium Ceramic Studio
http://butterflyemporium.indiemade.com/blog
Irene Hoffman, Heart’s Dezire by Irene
http://heartsdezirebyirene.wordpress.com
Clare Wells Nemeth, Creative Magick
http://www.craftingmagick.blogspot.com
Marcia Tuzzolino, Aurora Designs
http://auroradesignsjewelryblog.me
Elizabeth Wilks, Wearable Art by Lizzie
http://wearableartbylizzie.blogspot.com
Jeanette Rose Belmont, One Canvas At A Time
http://www.onecanvasatatime.com
Lyn Joy Reeve, A Journey From Jewels To Jubilation
Belinda Reed-Ingle, Vogue Rocks
http://voguerocks.blogspot.com
Beth Trubman, The Journey of Jewelry
http://thejourneyofjewelry.blogspot.com
Carole Carlson, Bead Sophisticate (that’s me!)
https://beadsophisticate.wordpress.com
Jann Tague, Clever Designs by Jann
http://janntague.wordpress.com
Shari Gardner, SLG Jewelry Designs
http://slgdesigns.wordpress.com
Chris Kemp, Noodle Pie Bracelets
http://angelskeepbandbdotcom.wordpress.com
Susan Bowerman, Woodside Wireworks
Pamela Anger, Novegatti Designs
http://novegattidesigns.blogspot.com
Joan Donovan, Hailey’s Cottage
http://www.allysbaubles.blogspot.com
Sharon Palac, Sharon’s Jewelry Garden
http://www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
https://beebscloset.wordpress.com
Erin Whitacre, Shattered Time Jewelry
https://shatteredtimejewelry.wordpress.com
https://sittonupfront.wordpress.com
Ginger Hammond, Lynn Leigh Designs
https://lynnleighdesigns.wordpress.com
Paula Gaskill, Lovely LaylaBug Jewels
http://www.lovelylaylabugjewels.com/Blog.php
http://theroseswordmdeis.blogspot.com
Renee Webb Allen, Small Stuff Design
Valerie Tilghman, ArtJewelsandGifts
http://www.artjewelzdimensions.blogspot.com
Chris Cravens, Vintage Cravens
http://christinecravens.blogspot.com
Leslie Carver, Adorn Divine Designs
http://www.adorndivinedesigns.blogspot.com
http://jewelrydonna.typepad.com
Gina-Marie Hammer, Tangles, Twists and Treasures
http://tanglestwistsandtreasures.com/blog/
Kelly Wymer, Winged Wisdom Enchantments
https://wingedwisdomenchantments.wordpress.com/
Bead Sophisticate 
Love your idea. I love polymer clay and mixing it with the brass is just so much fun. You can go in a lot of directions with the two. Can’t wait to see what you do again in this journey
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Thank you so much for sharing a little more about you and your new line. I am looking forward to seeing what you do with Vintage Modern over the coming months!!!
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I have a bit of polymer, but have not really explored the potential yet! I am looking forward to your designs and mixing Vintage and Modern!
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I am Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Everything you have shown here is so pretty! I especially like the blue beaded necklace, as a fellow beaded it really calls to me.
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Beader*
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Looking forward to see what you’ll bringing us.
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Carole, thank you for returning to class to add your alumnus experience to this year’s challenge. Delighted to have you and all of your ideas. GREAT post, thank you for digging in and doing the work. I know we will see some great new designs from your Vintage Modern line! Till next hop!
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great blog Carole .. looking forward to our adventure ..
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I love the idea of vintage modern. It will be fun to see the spin you put on this design.
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I am so looking forward to seeing what you will do with the combination of poly clay and Bsue’s brass stampings. Vintage modern is a great title.
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Love your choice of theme. Lots of oppurtunity to be able to expand on that line. Great choice. Also loved your choice of blog page colors. Beautiful.
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I love the idea of Vintage Modern. From the looks of the findings you will be using, it is going to be beautiful
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Wonderful blog Carole, I love your polymer clay jewelry, and I’m looking forward to seeing your next blog.
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Nice blog Carol. Look forward to seeing what you create with all those gorgeous and colorful components.
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Peacocks! I love peacocks. I’ll be looking forward to your reveal. Enjoy creating.
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Nice blog post, Carole. Excited to see where your creative journey takes you! Sounds lovely, and I love pearls, too.
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I can’t wait to see how your line comes together! It’s going to be great!
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Cool blog! Can’t wait to see what you create!
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I love all the different materials also.
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Great blog. Love polymer clay also and I used it as well in my BALC line last year. I love what you made so far and look forward to seeing your new line.
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Thanks for sharing with us Carole!
I think it is awesome that you have taken classes in so many different fields. I love to learn new things too! Your past work is very beautiful. I especially like that blue beaded necklace. I look forward to seeing what you create for this years class.
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Hi Carole, it has been a pleasure being in this class with you and so many other talented artisans. Your theme has so many possibilities, I’ll be looking for to seeing your final pieces and getting to know you better.
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Your theme is awesome and intriguing. I look forward to seeing your creations. Your past work shows you are multi-talented.
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Love the pieces you chose. Can’t wait to see what you do with that awesome peacock!
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Great theme, Carole! I’m all about vintage, and I love polymer clay, so I’m looking forward to seeing what goodies you create for your new line. Glad to have you in class again this year! 😉
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Nice post, thank you for giving us such nice pictures of your previous work. I like what you have picked for your theme. What a great idea to use the peacock as a mold for your polymer clay. I will look forward to seeing how you create your pieces.
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Vintage modern should be fun to play with. Gives you a lot of room for expression and movement in the lines! Love the work that you have on to show us!
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Mixing media allows for endless possibilities! I like the eclectic style with your beading. Looking forward to the pieces you create.
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Why a fabulous choice for ypour theme and I can’t wait to see it unfold, looking forward to seeing your creations.
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Your blog is a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the pictures of you past work. I think you have a lot of good ideas, and I will be back soon to see how things are falling into place for you.
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I enjoyed the beautiful pictures you posted of your previous work, and I am looking forward to reading your next post. You have a lot of great ideas!
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I’ve really enjoyed your work & can’t wait to see what you do with the peacock. He’s one of my all time favorites from Brenda. I’ll be watching as you go.
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You have a lot of skills under your sleeves. Surely you would create another wonderful line of jewelry this year. Looking forward for your next post.
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This is a terrific post, Carole. i love how you showed a progression through time. We got to see your roots in beading, how you developed last year with polymer clay and BALC, and where you’re going this year. I think this marriage of vintage modern, with your design aesthetics of beading and polymer clay will be a stunner!
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