Art Journey Challenges, Design Inspirations, The Earring Whisperer

The Earring Whisperer: First Art Journey Inspiration

Your Light, an art print by Heather Powers

Being a night person, I immediately identified with Heather’s artwork. I’ve always been drawn to moths over butterflies and owls over bluebirds, even as a child. For me, the night holds mystery, magic, and calm. When I first saw this piece, I tried imagining what it would be like to walk outside into the darkest night and possess that kind of an amazing attraction where moths would rest on my shoulders and neck like jewelry and have pieces of foliage catch in my hair like adornments.

For my first pair of earrings, it was more about creating a mood and expressing color than anything else. Do you feel the golden glow of the moon on the leaves? The colors of the midnight sky?

I used handmade beads by Andrew Thornton with a base of blue and purple. I really wanted to convey the mood of Heather’s print so I added gold leafing to them. I hope Andrew doesn’t mind O_O

The art of a night sky.

Here I used gold finished pewter pieces by Inviciti and some very cool black and gold, speckled polymer components by Kimberly Rogers. For a nice transition, I added some faceted crystal dangles for a bit of sparkle.

And finally, beautiful creatures of the night, the moths.

I began with large spacers by Heather Powers with an incredible Luna Moth pattern. I didn’t want anything to compete with the strong pattern so I added some wing-like pewter charms by Inviciti with a verdigris finish. I then added some painterly gold leafing in a soft dotted pattern to mimic the spots on a moth’s wings. Like a queen of the night, I topped them off with golden crowns and large vintage crystals.

Well, I know this is a post about earring inspiration but to me, the design elements that go into my pins are just about the same.

Honestly though, how could I resist including this amazing Luna Moth by Heather? I added yet another crown-like cap and the most perfect polymer drop by Marina Rios.

I thank you dearly for stopping by to look at some of my work. This is going to be a fantastic year at the ABS blog! It’s always an honor to be apart of such a brilliant team of creatives! I also hope you will join us on the new Art Journey Challenges throughout the year- they really help get your creative juices flowing!

Loralee xo

  www.loraleekolton.etsy.com

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9 Comment

  1. MaryHarding
    January 23, 2019 at 4:06 am

    These are all magnificent Loralee!! I love the way you altered the components to fit your mood and the painting–each so purposely and perfectly. All together your sets of earrings create such a beautiful ambiance and setting for Heather’s lovely work. I think I want to be a night person too!!

  2. Erin Prais-Hintz
    January 23, 2019 at 9:59 am

    Absolutely magically marvelous! You have captured the essence of this nighttime beauty, the ethereal moth wings, the soft glow of the moon, the leaves as adornments. Truly wonderful, Miss Loralee! Enjoy the day! Erin

    1. Loralee Kolton
      February 12, 2019 at 10:05 pm

      That means so much to me, Erin, thank you!

  3. Inviciti Jewelry
    January 23, 2019 at 12:04 pm

    Always such fantastic work and articles, Lora, LOVE!, and thank you so very much.

    1. Loralee Kolton
      February 12, 2019 at 10:04 pm

      Thank you, Vincent! Children of the night 😀

  4. Terri Del Signore
    January 26, 2019 at 9:54 am

    You have such an incredible gift of pairing things together in beautiful, creative ways!! So lovely!!

    1. Loralee Kolton
      February 12, 2019 at 10:03 pm

      Thank you, Terri!!

  5. AnnMSchroeder
    February 2, 2019 at 9:31 am

    Everything is fabulous, but those first earrings have to be my favorite. The purple of Andrew’s beads is so perfect, and you added to them so beautifully. It absolutely evokes the magic of being outside in the dark night.

    1. Loralee Kolton
      February 12, 2019 at 10:02 pm

      Thank you so much, Ann! xo

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