by lorigreenberg on May 22, 2009
I thought I would have more combinations but alas, my last day of torching before Bead & Button did not happen. So let’s go with the ones I do have.
I contrasted the darker orange from before with the bright yellow. Funny how this same yellow does not look lime-y with the orange and the orange does not look as red in this set as it did some of the others that had cooler colors.
I’m also seeing how this would be good info in a form that is easier to reference because, without seeing the two different sets next to each other you wouldn’t even know that it’s the same orange and looks very different. The reverse:
Another winner. I’m thinking too that these would be cool beads to do in school colors. I mean, school colors are usually flat and nasty but with the colors that can be achieved by layering different glass I think there could be some really cool homecoming and alumni jewelry that would look very nice while tailgaiting. So, I may just have to work on some cream and crimson beads…no, I KNOW I will have to do that. Below is that yellow from above with the lighter orange:
It’s a little more subtle of a contrast and close to monochromatic, I think. See? I told you I didn’t pay close enough attention in beginning art. Here’s the reverse:
I hope some of you can stop by at Bead & Button because when you see these in real life you will be blown away. I guarantee it. I have all of these beads hanging by my work surface and I can’t tell you how many times while I’m working I think, “I just want to roll around in them.” They’re just luscious. They average in size of 12mm x 17mm x 9 mm thick.
Here’s the last combo I was able to do:
It’s an interesting blend and look at those spacers! Big deal, right? No. They glow. Not literally but they look like there is a light inside. That is because each of those little 5mm x 8mm spacers have THREE layers of glass. The opaque core and two layers of transparent glass strategically layered to give the effect that you’re looking down into them. Whenever I make these I make a few extra. For one, because I never know when I’ll drop one when stringing, just for it to go disappearing into some nook or cranny. Two, you can always use extra spacers and three, because I want to accumulate a whole pile and make some cool chokers.
Here’s the reverse of the above:
I like how the combination of glass that I used for the purple (three layers) gives the illusion of a pink-ness when next to the orange. This is the same purple recipe I’ve used in the others where it has looked more blue. Again, fascinating stuff. So, that’s that for now. I can’t believe I have to stop this adventure here. I haven’t even touched teal, blue, red, or ANY of the earth tones or ivory. Not to mention all of the cool new glass colors that have been sitting in my stash forgotten. Now I know what to do with them….pull them out one by one and give them a good going over in this fashion.
by lorigreenberg on May 19, 2009
Ready for more color studies? These are the most recent (not counting the ones in the kiln right now) of the series. I showed you turquoise and lime as well as purple and lime. Next I thought I’d try my hand at turquoise and yellow. I had made some test beads of that color combo before and while I didn’t like it too well, others seemed to think I should pursue it. Here was my chance.
The first step, again, was testing. I chose my glass rods based on what already knew about the layers that I used and was pleasantly surprised by what I got. Instead of yellow I got a lime-y color more brilliant than previously. I liked it and made the set.
And I made the reverse because sometimes, like with any color, used in different amounts and different orders, the colors look different. Also, when working with glass sometimes light penetrates the layers and the color that reflects back changes. Look at the reverse here and you can see what I mean.
See how the same layers of glass for the turquoise look different than the ones above? For one, the smaller dots use less glass and two, they get spread thinner since there is less there to go around when they’re pressed flat. So, on to the next combo…I liked that lime-yellow color so much I decided to do another purple set with it. I was feeling more confident about what I had learned so I didn’t test this one. I just went with it.
And yes…the reverse:
I changed the combination of colors used to make the purple on these from the previous day’s beads. Again, these might not be my colors but I’m starting to gain an appreciation for color in itself without being judgmental.
Ok, one more combo for today. Back to turquoise and giving orange another shot. Totally different combination of layers for the orange and this is what I got:
I think I was getting there although I didn’t like what happened to the turquoise in the reverse pattern:
Yes, I used the same layers of turquoise but that darned orange is so powerful it showed through the opaque underneath the turquoise. Either that or my opaque was just weak and spread too thin. This one needs more work and I did try it again with a different combination of glass for the orange, which I like. But you’re going to have to wait for the next installment because, once again, this post is getting long.
I have four more combinations waiting to show you. That’s eight more sets if you count the reverse sets. Be sure to subscribe or come back. I have another contest lined up too so be watching for it!
by lorigreenberg on May 18, 2009
I’ve begun writing about my recent color studies over at Watch Me Create. Here is another segment of what I’ve been doing while creating inventory for Bead & Button show. (come see me in booth 1248…I believe I’m between JCHerrell/Cathy Lybarger and Wayne Robbins).
I’ve stocked up on focal beads and since I have an eight foot table at this show (two more feet than I’m used to) I thought I would work up some bracelet sized set beads. I also don’t know what this buying crowd is like so I want to have something for everyone. But, on to the color studies… I am continuing on with my stacked, layered dots. I started out with the idea of sets before I jumped on the color studies wagon and this is what I came up with:
Simple, one color stacked dots. Aqua and below, purple:
I was feeling the need for a little more structure, afterall, that’s how production work gets done fast…you’re not always thinking of what to design, what colors to use, what shapes are good, etc. You just pick a design and make a bunch. So that’s when I decided to do progressions of color and while I was at it, document it as I go.
I have an obsession lately with turquoise and green. But not just any turquoise and green. In my usual fashion I wanted it to be different than any other turquoise and green that anyone else was doing. Pretty tall order since relatively, the glass palette is limited. So, I set out on my studies layering colors. As you can see above, this was not a successful trip although I can say it’s not like other colors you’re seeing, I don’t think. A few more trials though and this is what I decided to focus on:
It still wasn’t perfect but it was ok. While I liked the olive color that I achieved, it wasn’t what I was going for in this set. I tweaked the layers of glass and settled on this:
Muuuuch better, yes? I also made them in reverse with green being the first layer and turquoise being the second. Next, I decided I’d like to do purple and green. So off again I went to do the testing before I committed to a whole set:
Here you can see that sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. The good news is that after you get the hang of how certain colors work together your testing time is cut down a lot. After these tests (and a few more not shown) this is what I came up with:
And again, I did the reverse:
So, this is getting a bit long and I do need to get out to the torch as this is my last week of preparation for the show. Be sure to subscribe to the blog in a reader or sign up to get it by email because I’m going to show you how these studies progressed to even more colors as well as a little insight as to why these spacers are not your regular spacers.
