Friday, January 23, 2015

Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques, Gina Hockett of Freestyle Elements, Part One


Wow!! My worktable today! Something must be going on here!!



Hi! I am Gina Hockett of Freestyle Elements. I applied and was accepted into the master class that is a three month Build A Line Challenge class under the tutelage and guidance of Brenda Sue Landsdowne, of B'Sue Boutiques  Many of you have probably seen her teaching videos that are actually mini classes on many different jewelry making techniques. As the first in a series of three blog hops, this hop will explain what the Build a Line Challenge is, how I came to be here, and where I hope this three month journey will take me. There are almost sixty other participants on this journey as well, and we all hope to create a cohesive line of jewelry with at least five finished pieces for the final reveal. 

Gizmo, one of my seven feline family members, remembers the day that I became involved in designing and making jewelry. My first foray into the world of jewelry design and construction was introduced by my daughter-in-law, and the frenzy of bead buying began. Blissfully stringing my way to simple, then more complicated designs, the hunger for knowledge pertaining to the myriad ways of putting together a necklace or bracelet intensified. I wanted to do it all--wire wrapping, metalsmithing, mixed media, assemblage, resin, polymer clay, metal clay, ceramics and porcelain--the list is long....and varies significantly from one technique to another. The need to focus on honing my skills and find my "niche" began to weigh heavily on me, paralyzing my hunger, replacing it with lethargy. Sort of like Gizmo after eating his evening meal. 



 B'Sue, who runs the Facebook Group B'Sue Boutiques Creative Group suggested this challenge as a Master Class on creating a cohesive line of jewelry with at least five finished pieces of jewelry. The goals were that the jewelry pieces had to go together, is recognizable, and additional instruction in pricing, marketing, and blogging would be provided as well, at no cost! I jumped at the chance to narrow my focus and to make jewelry for a specific targeted group instead of just for me or my friends and family. B'Sue was volunteering hours and hours of her time and expertise to help all of us gain insight and knowledge into becoming a successful jewelry artisan.


Jasper must have felt the exact same way as I did when I was accepted into the class/challenge.The application process required a specific theme, so I went through every bit of my "stash" trying to narrow it down. 


After narrowing down the items I thought I would use, I had to narrow them down again. 










Oh, wait, that wasn't all of them.Here is more!!








Still more to consider.......


And what would I use with these items? Bezels are required to have something to show off.....Shown below are just a few of my gemstone cabachon collection!

Should I go with just a certain color----like black, for instance?


My components for Build A Line Challenge will be gemstone cabachons nestled in beautiful brass bezels and mounts, attached to brass necklace, ring, and/or brooch blanks. These choices leave a certain amount of flexibility pertaining to color, colorization techniques, target appeal, and can be done within a very reasonable price point. 

Hmmm, kinda like this unfinished piece:


I used a raw brass necklace blank and deep bezel blank, colored with Swellegant Patina and used an aqua-colored brass cover, all from B'Sue Boutiques. The gemstone cabachon is a lovely Jasper in colors that complement the Swellegant. Needs a little work, but almost finished!

Be sure and tune in next month to see the progress being made. It is bound to be sensational!

As Magellan, one of my resident felines (named after the world traveler) would say--Don't forget to visit all of the other participant's blogs that are listed below. I am sure there are some very exciting things happening!! And thank you, Brenda Sue Landsdowne, for donating your time, expertise, knowledge, and experience to this group of creative souls. You are appreciated and loved!



Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O'Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O'Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Melida Boman
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law


66 comments:

  1. Love the idea of using cabochons! That's a great way to add a pop of color to any design.

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  2. Thank you, Michelle! I am excited to see what results await me!

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  3. Love your theme Gina. Wow what a gorgeous collection of cabochons you have. Not to mention your many B'sue pretties too.

    Off to do some more hopping heehee See you in class!

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    1. Thank you, Marica! I enjoyed your blog post so much this morning!

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  4. ooooh Gemmies! Love the theme! Looking forward to seeing your finished line!

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  5. Great theme! I hope your cats aren't as helpful as mine is! Enjoyed your blog!

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    1. Haha, Susan, they are so helpful! Magellan and Jasper have it in their DNA to be involved in ALL of my projects, hehe!

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  6. Haha--Gizmo after eating his evening meal! I know what you mean about narrowing yourself down--it's really hard! Love your first piece--the colors are really nice! :)

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  7. Not sure if this posted so...I love your post!, and your beautiful family! I aso LOVE your cabs! I can't wait to see which ones you use and what you put them in! Be Blessed!

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  8. Excellent blog post, loved your story and all the pretty kitty pix! You DO have a magnificent stash there and I think the choice of pairing our brass with your collection of semi precious cabs will produce an excellent collection and a new start for your design work.

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    1. Thank you, B'Sue! I am very excited as well! I so appreciate your input and advice. Thank you!

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  9. I think you have reached creative critical mass with your stash! looking forward to seeing how your line develops over the next 2 months.

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  10. Love your blog and your upcoming design line .. Jann

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  11. Wow love how you hoard, lol I mean your stash. Always admire your beautiful pieces good post.

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    1. Lol, yes hoard is closer to the right word I think, lol! I love your work with gemstones as well, Gloria!

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  12. So many lovely choices to work with and a great eye. I think this line will be a smash hit.

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  13. I love the idea of using gemstones with brass bezels. Gemstones are my first jewelry love. I haven't quite figured out how to pair them with B'sue components. I haven't quite figured out what to do with brass stampings in general. LOL. I do look forward to seeing your completed line.

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    1. I know Tammy, the choices can sometimes be overwhelming! I look forward to seeing yours too!

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  14. Golly. Yours can go so many directions. I'm anxious to see what you come up with. =)

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    1. The more I work with them, the more possibilities open up in my mind. Too many, maybe!

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  15. I had a cat named Jasper!!!! Now I have Booda! Loved viewing all your kitties and cannot wait to see your completed line!

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    1. Thank you, Sandra! Yes, Jasper was named after a yellow jasper that I got the same day he came home with me. Perfect name!

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  16. My goodness, you have a large stash! How wonderful to have all that to work with. I can't wait to see which ones you end up working with for the challenge.

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    1. Thank you, Carole! It is hard to choose, I love them all!

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  17. What fun! Looking forward to seeing your fantastical creations. Cheers & Best Wishes!

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  18. Looking forward to seeing which pieces you use and more importantly how you dress them up.

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  19. Gemstones and brass ... what a pretty collection that will be, Gina! Looking forward to seeing your new designs. Toby and my gang wave to your feline helpers! ;)

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    1. (Waving back to Toby and the gang)---With all that help how can we go wrong, lol! Thanks, Pam!

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  20. That's quite a treasure trove you have! I think one of the most important aspects of this class is to focus our efforts. It seems to be a challenge for quite a few of us.

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    1. I can absolutely agree, Autumn! Focus is the key for me!

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  21. Great theme and so many lovely finished to choose! Those gemstones are lovely!!

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    1. I love gemstones and have been collecting for a awhile. Thank you!

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  22. Loving your choices and cannot wait to see your progress and your line. I am honored to be in this wonderful group of women! So exciting to be included! Great Blog

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  23. Your cabochons are amazing. What fun to have your kitties help us navigate :) Pun on Magellan intended there. Maybe I better stick to saying I really like your stuff, can't wait to see it all together.

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  24. Enjoyed reading your blog. Can't wait to see what you put together!

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  25. Great blog. Loved the pictures and ease of reading what you have in mind. Great idea to post all those components.

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  26. Ooh, gemstone cabs -- such a great idea! Gina, I'm sure this will be a great line. 😄

    Cheers,
    Susan

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  27. Gina - beautiful cabochons and bezels, great idea. Enjoyed reading your blog and looking forward to your amazing line.

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  28. I just love the green color on that bracelet - reminds me of spring! Jasper looks like a character :)

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    1. Green is one of my fave cab colors. Jasper--now you know why he is named Jasper--is definitely my cat. He is so funny!

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  29. Love the cabochons. I have a stash of those too! Can't wait to see some finished pieces. :-) ~Elizabeth

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  30. Love the cabochons and setting combo- looking forward to seeing how you develop your line ! Linzi

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    1. Thank you! I have more ideas than components, though, lol!

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  31. Great idea to use gemstone cabochons. You have so many colors and stones to choose from, it will be wonderful. Love that the kitties are so involved in the process! .

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  32. Love what you're going to do with the gemstones and the B'sue components and my first cat was also named Gizmo, isn't that a hoot. let's have fun creating.

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    1. That is funny, Kristy Le! Gizmo is huge--he weighs almost 30 pounds.

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  33. Just love your ideas! I can't wait to see what's next!

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  34. Very nice, Gina! I love your kitties, your stash, and your jewelry. Gemstones and patina on metals is a great look.

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  35. I love the combination of germstone and patina. It's really cool.

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Thank you for your comments!