Kaleidoscopic earrings

I do not remember whether the kaleidoscope that I had as a child was white, a mustard yellow or a red with all over patterns. I simply remember it being a laminated paper tube with a lens and jiggly glass bits inside. There were in red, green, blue, yellow, pink, and black. My kaleidoscope created several patterns but I only liked 2-3 of those. I was told that shaking the tube would scratch the lens and make my beautiful patterns go away. So I rarely jiggled it. However, whenever I did shake it, the sound I would hear, brought me joy.  I remember the hours that I spent playing with it. But sadly, neither I nor my mom remember where or whom I got it from or what happened to it. But then, things that brought us joy in the past seem to be just that – in the past.

I had forgotten all about Kaleidoscopes until I came across the We’re all ears challenge for June.  Memories came rushing back and I wanted to try out atleast 10 different ideas that I had. Almost, all of them flopped. Thankfully, I was saved by a FB post showing the inspiration image for June ABS challenge – a Fauvist Artwork by Jean Metzinger. Thus my Kaleidoscopic earrings were born.

I understand that at this point, these two dots seem far apart for you to make a connection. So let me explain. The only rule for the ABS challenge is that we must use Art beads to create jewelry based on the inspiration provided. So I went looking for suitable beads/components to use in my rather limited supply of art beads where I found these delightful crescents that have Kaleidoscopic mandala like patterns on them. Ergo, Kaleidoscopic earrings for this reveal.

Inspiration to realisation – Kaleidoscopic earrings

This month’s interpretation is tangential. Which, ofcourse is to be expected while combining two different briefs. I choose the colours – Pink, purple, light blue, black, and a violetish blue from the painting. I colored the edges of the batik charms black, incase you are wondering where I used it. Since bird forms make me uncomfortable I ignored them. The only nod to fauvism’s strokes is the use of faceted crystals and faceted football round beads. All put together, the earrings (I feel) give off the same festive bright vibe as the painting.

Batik components

While Blog hoping during the We’re all ears Tropical challenge in April, I came across the stunning batik polymer clay components made by Tammy Adams of the Paisley Lizard for her challenge reveal. She had mentioned that she had made a pile of charms and had to figure out what ot do with them. I joked in the comments section, saying asking her to gift some to me. So when I received a message from Tammy, asking if I indeed wanted to work with her creations, I was pleasantly surprised.

Four pairs of double layered polymer clay pieces with silk screen print on them arrived shortly after. What I really like about Tammy’s pieces was the finish. It was almost silken, like high end plastic and not at all tacky. I am sceptical of polymer clay (or any clay for that matter). I only have two polymer clay other accessories and one of them went bad (lost color and became sticky) in a few months.  Chennai is having one of the hottest summers ever and as the charms didn’t stick to each other in this heat, I am sure that they will work anywhere.  You can purchase Tammy’s beads and jewelry at her etsy store PaisleyLizarddesigns.

We’re All Ears :: June Kaleidoscopic earrings

My original plan was to create fabric or paper earrings. For this purpose, I developed a kaleidoscopic print of  Metzinger’s painting. However, as I mentioned earlier, it did not work out. Then I made painted Afghani earrings in Chandbali shape. They were made to match my Ganjifa necklace (Look for it on instagram). The colours are super bright but balance by black for the kaleidoscopic feel.

Finally find below a colorful beaded necklace made with Kaleidoscopic mandala pendant. Even though the image looks like a kaleidoscope pattern is it actually a rangoli – a pulli kolam pattern made using dots and lines. Isn’t it interesting how different approaches can lead you to the similar end results?