Creating an asymmetrical design using silver and bronze jewelry findings is a huge challenge for me. Most days making jewelry is fun, easy and effortless. It’s almost like the pieces come together by themselves and I just follow their lead by constructing the piece. As a Libra, I instinctively design with symmetry and balance. It takes a lot of thought and will power for me to break out of this mode of designing. Most of the time I go back and forth and then end up taking apart the elements that make it asymmetrical. As frustrating as it can be, I still find it to be a fun challenge because my mind has to work around my normal design instincts and it feels like putting together a puzzle.
This necklace went through many different looks before I got it here. It’s hard to pin point all the elements that make asymmetry work for me, but the most important one is balance. Although each side is different, they reflect each other. The bronze claw pendant is a strong center piece and each side cascades upwards from it. The curve of the bronze claw pendant makes a nice space for the abstract link to nest. The gold chain pulls it together and helps balance the mixed metal components. I am satisfied with this as one of my few successful asymmetrical designs.
What are the ruling forces that govern your jewelry design?
Leave your answer as a comment to win one of the bronze claw pendants shown in this design. One entry per person. Deadline: Next Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.
Win the center Bronze Claw Pendant by answering the blog question.
When I design, I always start with a particular feeling I’m trying to portray through the piece and it’s better if I don’t try to define the feeling using words. It comes from the heart. I am also a huge fan of balance, but not necessarily exact symmetry. Of course, after I put all this thought into a piece I want to make sure it will last so I also make sure I use high quality materials. I only make jewelry I would wear myself. These are the ruling forces I always keep in mind when I sit down to design something new.
Comment by Annette — November 15, 2011 @ 2:50 pm
My rules?! ROTFLH. There are no rules! If it inspires me, I put it together. I re-work it until I like the result. It is balanced, even if it is asymetrical, and the color combinations are inspired by nature, where just about anything goes!
Comment by Jeanne Stewart — November 15, 2011 @ 3:16 pm
The deadline is over, but I’ll submit anyway because this is such an interesting question. I am applying it to asymmetrical jewelry. As with all jewelry, you have to consider physics and geometry. You need only the basics, but it will save a design multiple times. Asymmetrical jewelry has to have weight balance, so the item doesn’t inch up one side of the neck — unless I’ve designed it so it can be worn with many sides facing front. Even then, weight balance still applies, just a bit less.
When I start laying out components, I think of their weight, size and shape. This leads to its visual appeal. There is a symmetry to every asymmetric necklace I make. Something similar on both sides, or repeat one component from one side to the other. The theme needs to have a balance. And the colors need to pop at the viewer, even if they are not bright. I made a necklace with Nina Design’s large ebony wood and silver claw, a large vertical nugget of Peruvian Opal and a long handmade sterling heart with a rough design. This had to be a “rough” piece. Each component I chose had that feel. The silver beads used were Hill Tribe rondelles with tribal patterns. There are three different beads but they all compliment each other. I placed each style together then moved from one set of beads to the next pattern to the next pattern. They separated the 3 large central pieces.
This bead placement helps to bring the eye across the necklace, so each central component is seen separately, as well as together. I know pattern, structure, size and color placement helps how your jewelry is viewed. I want viewers to take in the Beauty one slice at a time, and not even know they are doing that. The best compliment from a client is “There is something about this necklace that I keep coming back to”. Then I’ve accomplished my goal: to create an unusual, beautiful piece that strikes a client and won’t quite let her go. She knows something in it speaks to her. And because I designed it, I know what that is. And I secretly smile to myself.
All components of my Claw necklace are saying “rough, tribal, organic, ‘found together’, and beautiful”.
Gaye Fields,
Gaye Fields Jewelry “Simply, what I do is create beauty.”
Comment by Gaye Fields — November 23, 2011 @ 7:35 am
One part of my philosophy when designing ANYTHING…jewelry, a room, whatever, is that with Mother Nature there are no clashes of color. I can always find a shade,a tone, that works with another. So I forget about all that “color wheel” business and go with my innate, creative intuition.
Comment by Suzelle — November 23, 2011 @ 9:17 am
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