The 2017 Build a Line challenge began in mid-January. So far, we've been examining our style, what it says about us as artisan-designers, and trying to identify our customer. For many, some of concepts are things that can't be answered in a just a few days. It might well be a process. That's the purpose of the class, to re-route thinking and help the artist to discover which path to take.
To get started, the students were first required to make photo collages of past work. This way we would have a sense of where they were in their journeys, so far. The collages also helped the students step back, with a visual, so that they could be more objective about their work. They were asked to try and imagine they they are NOT the artist who made the collage, but someone else entirely. And then....to ask themselves, does it look like the same person made this stuff or a bunch of different people? They were also asked to try and identify common elements in the collages of their work.
A big reason for the class is to help them pull their look together so that it will speak 'one voice'. Some of us become too intrigued numerous techniques and design styles that we never do two pieces that look as if the same person made them! To be successful in developing a line, you need to get that 'one voice' concept, down. Your lines must flow and hopefully, get to a place via your hand and your branding, where people may come to realize who made them even before they are even told who made it.
We've come to the place in the class where we are sharing what our theme will be for our prototype lines developed as a class exercise. The photo collage at the top of the page was one made for the theme reveal by Suzanne Valeriano, of A Silk Purse. She's going with Art Deco-inspired jewelry design.
Here is another, which happens to be a color palette...from Joy Turner of Fireskye Designs:
I have to say, I'm quite drawn to that palette and would love to make things in those hues, myself!
Erika price went with a lovely collage of vintage pieces that inspire her to make jewelry. I believe she is the maker of some of them:
I am working along with the students but doing something a bit different....I am developing the B'sue by 1928 cast findings line:
That line has been out with its beginning 30 pieces, since late December:
B'sue by 1928 Cast Pewter Findings
I hope by late spring to have it up to around 100 styles. Just this weekend we have been adding more, like this Steampunk Binoculars pendant:
Find 'em here:
https://www.bsueboutiques.com/old-silver-vintage-binoculars-0985-p/os0985.htm
The students posted 4-6 collages or photos that identified their theme feeling, like inspiration boards. Then on a final photo, the theme was revealed.
All of the photos are marked, and can be found at this Pinterest board. Believe me, you want to take time to have a look....no more long reading like we had in the blog hops! All visual!!! And they have knocked it out of the park....go over and look, just for the inspiration!
Revealing Our Themes, Round One, 2017 BALC Class
The final round will be the BIG reveal: the showing of the prototype lines made for this class. That's always so exciting! So be sure to check out the first round and come around again for the second! You get to see the BIG REVEAL by the end of the first week in April, 2017.
Great job everyone! It really shows that the participants are researching and planning their lines well.
Can't wait to see everyone's finished lines :-)
And I'm loving the new B'sue by 1928 components. Stocked up on some of them already. Now I need to find time to finish some pieces that I've started, using those pretties :-)
Posted by: Marica Zammit | March 06, 2017 at 02:40 AM
Loved the concept of using Pinterest for the reveals this year.
Everyone loves pictures anyway, so playing into that is brilliant.
The choice of the themes is amazing.
The 1928 line is gorgeous and very very inspiring.
Continued good luck with it as it grows and spreads into the marketplace!
Posted by: Chris Kemp | March 06, 2017 at 07:23 PM