My Air Force: Simple & Chunky

They're ready for primetime!!!

The Air Force blue themed pieces that I'm donating to the 2010 Air Force Charity Ball!  A couple of weeks ago (okay more than a month ago) I posted about the custom blue wacky chunky beads I got from Heather at HMB Studios...well, it has taken me this long to realize that I really needed to keep it simple. This project was starting to stress me out! 

For the necklace I ended up with a simple gathering of the disks that makes the best of the clouds, wind, air, and entrails that come to mind when thinking of Air Force blue.  The inspiration for this simple design actually came from day one of the Humblebeads challenge from last October:  Fun with Focals.  Heather used a design by Teri Bienvenue as her inspiration; you can see both of their designs here.

Then, for the bracelet, I wanted a couple of dangles for the sheer entertainment value, but focused on lapis lazuli (aaaahhhh the Afghanistan connection!) for the meat of the bracelet.

I am really starting to get in a simplification groove...I am usually so far over the top on adding things to a piece that I get overwhelmed with it and then wonder why it doesn't look perfect.  So, I'm practicing a little "less is more" mantra lately.  It's sort of against my nature, but seems to have worked out in this case, if I do say so myself.  haaaaaaaaaa I got a little validation on the simplification from The Rabbit Muse this week...she's been doing more basic shapes with her ceramics with less of the bells and whistles and I think they're gorgeous!

So, that's that for now.  Hoarders is on tonight...so crafty "collectors" unite!!  haaaaaaa


Jen