Trial and Error


This is not how I typically design jewelry. Normally I just sit down, pull out 1 or 2 main focals, or color combinations, and just start pulling beads into my designs, really randomly. No overall design in mind, I just pick the beads and put them into the design. 

But last night I was trying something different. Laying out a design and trying out different options, different bead placements, different focals, but keeping the 2 main focals consistent. The focals are Ceramic beads, a house bead, and a red LOVE bead from Diane Hawkey. I also included some faceted ceramic nuggets also from Diane. 
I ordered these beads from her, all at the same time, with intentions of using them in one piece together.

So above you can see the different outcomes, I didn't string anything yet.  But wanted to see all the choices layed out, and thought this would be fun to have you judge which is your favorite.  The top photo, second in from the left, is just a closeup of the focal for cell D. So I didn't give that one a letter.

Using the poll at the top of the blog, Vote for your favorite design, or vote that you aren't feeling any of them. And feel free to leave comments on this post.  There is no contest involved. Just thought I would see what you think. Let me know, how do you design your jewelry? Do you lay out each bead til you have it "right"? Or do you bead randomly like I do?
shoot!  A and J are the same. DOH!! Keep that in mind when voting! 

Comments

  1. In most cases, I like mixed media, but for some reason, the key just wasn't doing it for me with the rest of the ceramic components. As for me, sometimes it's random, sometimes it's planned, it just depends. Good luck with your design!

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  2. What a terrific idea!

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  3. Hi Lorelei! What a fun idea... and really cool to see how the same focals can be used to come up with a so many different options. I usually don't lay out my beads before designing. I usually get an idea (I can see the end product in my head) and I just work until it is as close as I can get it with the skills and knowledge I have!

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  4. Oh boy, well I'd have to say I do it randomly like you do and it takes me FOREVER (usually)! However, as I'm hoarding, I do sort of "collect" a stash of beads that I think I'd like to see play nice together. Does this make sense? I liked the design of "d" best, but I really do like the white beads you used in "b". Please let us know what you decided on:D

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  5. Hi, I voted on I. Easily!!! 
    1. Because it has chain in it, and i really like your way of combining chain and metal with beads. It creates a dynamic in the piece, with different weighs in the different areas. Makes it exciting to look at. And it feels Lorelei-esk to me. 
    2. None of the focals are dangling on that one. Like that in this particular piece for some reason. 
    3. I also think the beads could be a bit less symmetricly distributed. To kind of create more interest. Perhaps one or a few could be wirewrapped too, to add some metal in the 'beads area' which would 'speak' with the 'chain area'. This might make it a must to shorten the chain a little, or/and take away one or two beads.

    Gosh, I feel like a design teacher now ...   Imagine that, teaching Lorelei! Could be a name of a film that - 'Teaching Lorelei'. What would it be about?

    I have to stop now, don't I!?!

    All my best to all beaders out there,
    Malin

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  6. Not that either were picked but a and j are the same piece. WOOPS!! sorry about that!

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  7. G is speaking to me, can't really say why but it was the one that jumped out at me. I'm a lay 'em out and shift 'em round a gazillion times kind of girl. Sometimes it takes me days to decide. The focals are lovely and the colour combo is great.

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  8. Have to add - I am a lot like Pearl & Pebble - I keep putting together mini-stashes of beads I think work nicely together. Although, most often I don't use them in the end, but reorginize the beads in a new stash. But my design always works best, I think, when I just start, and the beads themselves and what is happening right there before me leads me further. A bit like you describe that you are doing most of the time, Lorelei.

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  9. oh! I should also mention... the very first design, the FIRST instinct was E.

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  10. Oh my, you are more methodical than I am. I just throw stuff together and hope it works and if it doesn't rip it all apart. I also horde stashes of beads that I think would work well together and then see what mom thinks of my ideas. I really liked F. I don't know why but it just jumped out at me.
    I love the idea of taking photos and seeing what others think. Good luck on deciding which design to choose.
    Beth

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  11. I like F. I think the 3rd element (key hole) really fits nicely and balances the necklace being on the other side. That's just my unprofessional-beading opinion :)

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  12. Great idea! I'm a randomer...I start with something that catches my eye, a great focal, or a color, and then start pulling things out until I'm surrounded on the table with "things that'll go." Then, it's all about drinking a beer and letting it flow. I actually don't think I have enough space on my table right now to lay out a whole design! haaaaaaaaaaa
    Jen
    p.s. You can rock some chain, so I picked I. :)

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  13. what an interesting idea to show all the different designs..
    my fav was F, the love bead seemed to balance the red back and the Key hole darkness balanced those big dark beads in front..
    the unbroken row of black beads seemed too strong and i kept thinking about black olives..so spliting then up eased that heaviness
    HOWever...i think your "intuitive" way of creating jewelry does not need to be improved upon...i like the way your designs come together in a fun casual flow.

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  14. I liked the key until I saw the lock, so I voted for F, BUT, I would like to move the Love piece into the main stream,centered between the 2 green beads, not have it dangle. I agree with JoAnn, 3 elements. The chain felt cold in this one, I knooow, we all ove chain, but it's a "warm and cozy" feeling. I still love F. This was a cool idea, lots of photo shoots for you, but I'm sure we all loved taking part.

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  15. Once again, your brilliance is showing.

    I thought it was funny that I immediately went to "E". Like there was no contest. Then I saw it was your first design idea. I also really like I.

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  16. I like more than one, but I voted anyway.
    I have a vision in my minds eye for the general design, then I piece it together before I put it together.
    When I paint it's a whole different process.

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  17. I liked I the best - combines different textures. I wondered whether including the key or the keyhole would work - asymmetrical, below the house. Or perhaps a larger bead in a different colour than the black (?) oval beads - again offset.

    thanks for sharing your ideas.

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  18. Good Morning! Wat beautiful designs! I was torn between G & I, but voted for G, as I like the longer length, and the darker beads seem to ground the design for me and set off the reds & blues of the focals. All of the designs would be beautiful, however, and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

    I'm an ad-hoc designer, generally speaking. I have to sit down with my beads & see what inspires me at the time. I usually end up with something I'm happy with, but I've been known to completely dismantle a design & start from scratch if I'm not happy with it.

    :-) Molly

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  19. Hi Lorelie,

    Great to be able to see how that awesome mind of yours works. I think all your designs are great, but I think you should combine "F" with "A/J" -- I really like the key and with the keyhole, it brings it all "home".

    Emanda
    Check out my bracelet challenge.
    ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

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  20. Hi Lorelie,

    Great to be able to see how that awesome mind of yours works. I think all your designs are great, but I think you should combine "F" with "A/J" -- I really like the key and with the keyhole, it brings it all "home".

    Emanda
    Check out my bracelet challenge.
    ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

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  21. Hi Love, Great idea for a post! I love it, this is really fun. I looked over all the designs for quite a while. 'F' is definitely my favorite. I like how the 3 focal elements are placed. I generally do think a grouping of 3 is more pleasing to the eye. The three focals bring your eye around the design and the other beads that you chose seem to balance the focal elements nicely.

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  22. I get a design in my head and work to ahieve it. If it doesn't work I then start over. sometimes if the design involves lots of beads or parts I map it out in front of me to get an idea if it will work.

    Or sometimes I simply sit at my table and let the beads speak to me with no design plan in mind.

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  23. I was torn between d and f, but ultimately picked f because it was a little more complex with the additional element of the keyhole, therefore, I liked it better. I was definitely more drawn to the ones with dangles, but I think that is because it is more similar to something I would design. I wonder if we are naturally drawn to jewelry that is more like designs we would make? Hmmm....

    Thanks for the fun poll!!

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  24. Anonymous5/06/2010

    Hi Lorelei,

    I like D with keyhole, and key included on opposite sides with love/house as focal point, don't see a hole on the end of key, so perhaps that wouldn't work, but thought I'd say anyway. I like F also.
    I am not a jewelry designer, I leave that to those who have a passion to make a hand made life, but I love seeing the talent, the process is relaxing. You all are providing therapy also, with heart !!! It's a-l-l-l good !!! Have a groovy day !!!

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  25. I am an "I" person! No question....

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  26. I usually start with a color palette in my head, choose gems I feel like using, then play around till I get it right.

    I'm really liking I, but G's good, too!

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  27. Do you really LOVE that birdhouse?I'm sorry,but none of those designs look like something you would make.I like all the components,just not like that.I'm going to quit before I really stick my foot in my mouth.

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  28. I ended up voting for I, but A was a close second.

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  29. I like a couple of different aspects of f & i. I like tha chain in i & the dangling charm in f. I agree the key should want to be a part of this design, but I also can't quite see it in any of them? I work on trays that I put the parts I want to work w/ & go from there. I lay things out & move them around a lot. If I'm not sure, I leave them & come back to see if I still like the layout. If I really can't decide, I make a couple of variations.This was fun seeing the creative process you use

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  30. I have never thought to take pics of all the variations of a design. I go through that many revisions sometimes! I actually think they are all pretty awesome. Enjoy the day! Erin

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  31. Are E and H the same as well or am I being daft? I like I, E/H, F and G but voted for F when it came down to it. I love the components used together and I have a thing for locks and keys!

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  32. I'm somewhat of a planner. I may know what beads/color scheme I want to use or an idea of the 'look' I want. Then I'll take the components and do layouts. Sometimes it goes quick, other times it can take f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get the look I want. Size, color, texture, weight, and balance can make a piece look great or goofy.

    I have a wonderful color chart from Connie Fox. It's great when I pick a color and want to quickly see what other colors will go with it.

    I like 'i' with the house hanging as a pendant.
    Thanks for sharing - it's fun to see your design vision.

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  33. What a great idea for a blog post! I usually have some ideas in mind, but often pull beads back off the wire and may re-string it several times. Typically, after I think it's to my liking, I put bead stoppers on the ends, instead of adding the clasps right away. I look at it again the next day and if I still like, I finish it then with clasps.

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  34. While I like the idea of a key paired with the house, it just didn't work--thought I couldn't really say why. I love the texture the chain brings, so I would choose I.

    This is how I creat too! It's nice to see that I'm not the only one! Fun post!

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  35. I already voted, but last night after the fact, I was thinking about your design, and I'm sure I wasn't alone! How about using the lock and the key together as a focal, probably in "I", then put a few more black beads above to reduce the chain slightly. You must be so confused and also exhilarated by now. Just send them all my way and I'll fix it for you :)

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  36. I voted, but I wanted to congratulate you on your varied ideas and showing your creative instincts - it's always fun seeing how folks work.

    I like "D" but I think I'd love it with the key under the little house, I guess I love keys and dangles.

    When will we see the finished beauty? Is this helping, or just making the decision harder, I wonder...

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  37. I like E, the relatively simple circle design with focals at 4 and 8 o'clock. However I also like the escutcheon, maybe as a closure at 12 o'clock? And the probably not mixing the red nugget beads with the smooth red beads. cajty

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  38. i like the assymetrical design in e/h (they are the same piece). I do agree that i'm not sure about mixing the bumpy red with the smooth red, but I really like the design of how everything looks together. All smooth red... gorgeous. The placement of the blue beads is awesome in this design.

    It can be hard working with red and blue together and not screaming 'july the 4th', but this definately achieved it.

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  39. It is really very good idea for this typically design jewelry.in this jewelry color combination is also very nice I think all your designs are great, but I think you should combine "F" with "A/J" -- I really like the key and with the keyhole, it brings it all "home".

    Voucher Codes

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