 |
| An Itty Bitty Peek at my Studio |
Messy normally means I work well with beads scattered around me, the ideas flow really well when I’m surrounded by them. However, as you may have read I just got my shelves off the cinder blocks and on to the walls and got the first of two cabinets brought in. And well, it’s in a temporary location, with a temporary plywood countertop. If you think a few things have been displaced and are without a proper home, you would be right! Right now messy means I have a few boxes and a couple stacks of stuff needing a proper home. Show the world my mess? Yikes! But if you want to see the new/old cabinet and shelves I might could swing that….grins
 |
| What's on the Counter Top |
If you read my profile you know I’ve been making my whole life. What you may not know is I have always been drawn to the Victorian and Art Nouveau eras of design. While I can be easily inspired by just about anything they remain my biggest influence. I even scoured eBay looking for 1895 Corbin Roanoke back plates for my glass doorknobs when building my house. You've even seen them in my product shots over the years :) Since I absolutely love the flourishes and scroll work of the Art Nouveau era, my thoughts of course, immediately turned to an Art Nouveau line.
I have several “favorite” artists but for my line I’m drawing inspiration from Alphonse Mucha. His designs are easily seen in many of the brass stampings in use today. In fact several of B'Sues available pieces are of Mucha’s prints or statuary, I absolutely love that and will be using them as I work. These brass pieces are from Mucha's series The Arts, There are four in the series, these two represent Poetry and Music. I haven’t quite decided how I’m going to showcase them or if they’ll be the focus of my Blog Hop line but at some point they will be incorporated.
 |
| Mucha Stampings and other stuffs |
 |
| Mucha The Arts: Poetry |
 |
| Mucha The Arts: Music |
Other Mucha pieces that I am focusing on at the moment include the bust of Nature: I already have the start of a parure designed around her. I have to double check some copy right issues first, I may end up with a demi but I’m ok with that.
I so love these ads for Moet & Chandon and Theophile Roederer Champagnes. Aren’t the colors wonderful!? I think the pinks would be absolutely beautiful with this years Marsala, as would the earthy tones.
and this calendar page, an ad for Mexican Chocolate. Is he not beautiful? Look at his jewelry, so in style right now, stacks of bracelets, coiled arm band and gorgeous necklace.
Honestly I could build lines from here to eternity based on Mucha’s works. There is so much inspiration to draw from, from the floral motifs to the colors, even the overall themes of his series. What’s even better is how well it fits with my current OOAK work. Perfect production pieces to add an overall cohesiveness to my shop. Exactly what I needed.
The biggest challenge I face is keeping the lines simple and easily reproducible. I see the components and want so much to layer and embellish and just play. I’ve always said it’s an art to keep designs clean, and I’m sure as I go along I’ll be practicing the fine art of taking away quite often.
I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay with me during our hop and I really look forward to seeing you again as I bring my Mucha Lines from concept into reality.
I'd like to invite you now to join me in hopping around to the other designers in our Build a Line Blog Hop to see what they've been up to.
The Rest of the Hop
Our Hostess
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs
Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann
Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru
Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate
Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench
Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies
Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose
Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem
Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy
Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry
Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry
Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works
Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs
Cindy Peterson
Howling Dog Jewelry < old bloghttps://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com/
Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs
Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads
Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs
Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard
Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative
Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns
~*~*~*~*YOU ARE HERE!!~*~*~*~*
Dana Hickey
Wind Dancer Studios
Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs
Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs
Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized
Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm
Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems
Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels
Susan Killam
Killam Creative
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements
Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs
Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry
Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes
Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise
Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design
Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns
Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo
Coral Law
ab:coraldesign
What a cool theme, Dana ... your line will be so beautiful; love the Alphonse Mucha style. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you Pamela! I love this line, I've already gotten four pages sketched out with notes and more ideas floating. Narrowing down which to use might be a little tougher than I originally thought lol
DeleteGreat blog and what an interesting theme. I'm really looking forward to seeing your pieces.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan!
DeleteDana, love this theme. Looking forward to the final pieces.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Maria!
DeleteHow cool! I love your theme.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lori! I'm really enjoying seeing the variety of themes we have going!
DeleteLoving everything I see .. what a great theme .. Jann
ReplyDeleteThank you Jann! I'm really enjoying the design process!
DeleteDana, everything looks wonderful my dear friend, I have always been a bit jealous of how focused you are, my adhd and life make things such a whirlwind. Anywhooo, love your design idea and of course look forward to seeing what your beautiful mind and hands create~! Love you. Ne xXx P.S. I'll try not to derail you with custom work....but I can't promise LOL
ReplyDeleteOh I get side tracked lol Of course it's a lot easier to get side tracked from house work or book work than it is bead or metal work :D Customs are always welcome especially from you! Loves you too!! oxoxox
DeleteWhat an interesting theme Dana. I have some of those Mucha stampings and they're gorgeous. They look great when you add color to them.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see all your pretties lined up in the final reveal. Oh they're gonna be absolutely stunning!
Thank you Marcia! You know I think I remember seeing one with a wash of color over it, very pretty.
DeleteI'm glad to know I'm not the only one who will trying to keep it simple. I can't resist adding beaded dangles and things to what might look like an already finished design to other people. Good luck to us both. And I can't wait to see your line.
ReplyDeleteNo, you are definitely not alone!! I have four pages of sketches and a couple more elaborate than should be pieces among them already. My justification ..... if I make several my time will significantly reduce with each one. mmmm hmmmm and then I try but it could be the "art piece" that the rest of the line revolves around. That one is the one that's going to get me in trouble I think.
DeleteI adore Mucha and now have to find that Roederer print for my husband -- it's one of our favorite champagne houses. Your idea is fabulous and I will be watching with great interest!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Susan
Funny Story! It looks so much like a Mucha I thought it was. I went to the Mucha Foundation to see if I couldn't help find the print, but it wasn't there. It's been on my Art Nouveau board on Pinterest for quite awhile so thought I'd click through, but that wasn't any help. When you open a pin it shows the other boards it's on and noticed the name Hingre so searched that way. Theophile Hingre is the artist and if you'd like a print I found this http://www.trueartworks.com/artist.php/louis+theophile-hingre/1 I'm so glad you commented on it as I found a new artist to love and now I can give proper credit!
Deletewonderful design! so happy to be on the journey with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nike! I think this is going to be a great ride!
Deletea adore Mocha as well, can't wait to see what you come up with with this art as your inspiration
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat!
DeleteCan't wait to see what you create. I love art nouveau and Alphonse Mucha!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ingrid!
DeleteI adore Mucha! He's all over my bedroom! Love the lines of Art Nouveau ~ ~~ ~~ Cannot wait to see your finished line! Brava ~ Sandie B.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra! I'm having a lot of fun designing for this line.
DeleteDana, I can't wait to see your Mucha-inspired line! I've not seen the advert for Mexican Chocolate before - what a delight! Cheers to you!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful? I haven't seen all four in the series yet, the Mucha Foundation shows Youth and Old Age, and this one - adulthood.
DeleteI read somewhere that a tidy desk is a sign of too much time on your hands, and somehow I don't think that is the case with you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you will be busy, I bet that desk of yours won't be tidy by end of challenge.
LOL I took the shot while sitting at my desk. IT is completely covered with stacks of project trays lol The computer desk is covered in end of year paperwork. So that nice clean new work surface has already been making friends with several of my tools, I'm also participating in the Year of Jewelry, and this weeks theme was hammered, so I punched, textured, and dapped a pair of sweet little copper earrings over there. I'm debating moving my bigger anvil too, to free up more beady space on the desk :)
DeleteThank you for introducing me to Mucha!
ReplyDeleteOh Absolutely my pleasure!
DeleteThe images are perfection. Whenever I think of Art Nouveau many of his images come to mind. What a beautiful and graceful era. Thanks for all your encouragement re the Pantone colors. Isn't it funny how there's truly nothing new under the sun! The "new" colors then are just as perfect today.
ReplyDeleteThat's the wonderful thing about color! At least I think so.
DeleteWish you Mucha success! LOL. Seriously, looking forward to what you come up with. I bet they'll be truly elegant and I love your color sense! :)
ReplyDelete:D Thank you Alexandra!
DeleteGreat ideas. will look forward seeing your designs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janet!
DeleteWhat a yummy post and fabulous line in the making! Love the color sense and can't wait to see what emerges!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nadine! I'm looking forward to it too! Everyone has been very creative!
DeleteWhat a unique idea with beautiful pieces to come!
ReplyDeleteThank you Micheale!
DeleteI love learning and your story is something I did not know. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteCindy Peterson
Always happy to share! Thank you Cindy!
DeleteWonderful post Dana and I love Mucha too ...now...LOL Can't wait to see what you design! Have a Blessed Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin! So glad I could spread the love!!
DeleteWhat a great post, I think your Mucha inspired line is going to be a success!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cynthia! I'm hoping so!
DeleteYou can do much a with Mucha. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.) I do love his work.
ReplyDelete:D That was a good punny! Thank you Autumn!
DeleteI love anything Mucha. The dies for these two stampings had gone down for some time. Eventually they were acquired by a working tooler and had to be found again in a stash of old dies that were in bad shape, and refurbished. I suggested the Poetry stamping as I knew the die was out there, it was found, and I actually bought the first two gross that were produced and put back into modern usage. Later Music was found and refurbished. As for the other two, don't know that they were ever made, it would take some research but I just may still have the materials to have a look.....good to know there are two more to the series. I love the artist but not that knowledgeable about all the names of the artwork. Your line is bound to be amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat means a lot to me Brenda, thank you so much!
DeleteHi Dana, I love this idea. I never realized how those stampings came directly from the paintings, amazing. Those ads are beautiful, I agree. I can't wait to see how yours turn out. Interesting that you showed the possible men's line, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Renee! A men's line? hmmmm Now that you mention it ;)
DeleteAn intriguing theme! I look forward to seeing your line.
ReplyDeleteThank you Leila! Me too!
DeleteGreat idea! Looking forward to seeing some finished pieces. :-) ~Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteThank you Elizabeth! I'm having fun making as we speak!
DeleteLove your design idea and the little peek inside your studio!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Except for my family, hoppers were the first to see it!
DeleteI love Mucha's work,and I didn't even know his name until I read your blog! Can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteI love it when that happens! Thank you Amy!
Deleteloved ur post am excited with you to see your new creations.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gloria! I'm pretty excited to see everyone's work, this hop has shown some pretty creative ideas!
DeleteLove mucha. I am sure your line will be amazing with his work for inspiration. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maria!
Deletewhat a beautiful choice of concept it's going to be beautiful and I loved your blog and history on his works. Here's to happy creating.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kristy!
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous and a wonderful choice for a design line. Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteThank you Judy! I'm enjoying creating my pieces!
DeleteOMG! I love Art Nouveau jewelry but I never make any jewelry inspired from it. I can't wait to see your final designs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Coral!
DeleteLove Art Nouveau pieces. looking forward to seeing your designs ! Linzi
ReplyDeleteThank you Linzi!
DeleteLove those Mucha stampings as well, but I always have trouble knowing when to stop--taking away more may be the answer. I really enjoyed the story of your inspiration on your blog post, thank you so much! I will appreciate these stampings so much more now. Excited and intrigued to see your line! Looking forward to more reveals from you.
ReplyDeleteGina H
Thank you Gina! It's definitely a balancing act, some pieces really do look better with more and some look better with less.
Delete