Friday, February 20, 2015

Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques, Sandra Ballard of Mama San's Mojo, Part 2


This is part 2 of the Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques

This is what I have learned since Part 1:

That I'm not interested in building a line of jewelry, quite satisfied with being a free spirit and designing what I like, when I want to. But, I'm not a quitter; so I'm going to follow this through to the last blog hop of part 3.

I found that when I was posed with this challenge I couldn't create anything at all. Just sat and stared at my work table, moving things from here to there. It was like someone gave me a white crayon and a yellow crayon and a picture of a box and said, "These are your tools to create with, nothing more".  Hmmm, I cannot create that way; it is not art.

 I read some posts by Brenda Sue, about who is a designer or who is a hobbyist, and (a light bulb went off) it really explained to me what direction to take. Once I came to terms that I am not a designer, nor wish to be one; my creative muse came back full force! I haven't stopped creating new and wonderful things; since I came to this realization.

B'sue Components: Brass Hats and Bezel Bracelet

B'sue components: Black Brass Hat and Brass Bow tie
I am creating a line of Cat's in Hat's jewelry. The photos above were taken during their process of creation.

Here is what I have finished:

Cat's in Hat's Charm Bracelet
B'sue components used in charm bracelet: Bezel Bracelet, spectra beads, various brass charms.


Cat in Hat Pendant Necklace


Blog Hop List:

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs
Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann
Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru
Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate
Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench
Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies
Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose
Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem
Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy
Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry
Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry
Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works
Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs
Cindy Peterson
 https://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com/
Howling Dog Jewelry
Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs
Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads
Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs
Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard
Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative
Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns
Dana Hickey
Wind Dancer Studios
Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs
Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs
Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized
Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm
Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems
Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels
Susan Killam
Killam Creative
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements
Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs
Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry
Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes
Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise
Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design
Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns
Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo
Coral Law
ab:coraldesign





48 comments:

  1. Such fun, whimsical pieces! I love the "cat in the hat" idea. Good for you for seeing the challenge through to the end. You just never know what you might learn that could still be helpful later even if you never do a jewelry line.

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  2. They are great pieces! And I agree with Michelle. Somewhere down the road this will perhaps all come together for you. It is not limiting at all....you can go anywhere with it. The box of crayons is loaded....but sometimes it takes us a bit to see all the colors and to understand that art does require discipline. I'm like you in many ways, I resist discipline! But I pay my bills this way, so the premise of the pyramid does work when I force myself to focus....putting the crayons in palettes of color....ideas in themes. Easy peasy is sometimes the hardest thing in the world to do for folks like us who are free spirits. I'm glad you are sticking it out and saving more AHA moments for later. The challenge will work out well for everyone in different ways.....and it WILL work if you stay the course.

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  3. Looks like you got your mojo back because that bracelet is gorgeous!

    You know, what's in a name I say ... hobbyist, designer, artist ... As long as we're enjoying our creative time it's all that matter really.

    Great job so far Sandie!

    Marica
    Bead Lovelies

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  4. Great blog post Sandie. I hear Ya!! Love what you're doing with your line. Can't wait to see it all when your BALC is complete.

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  5. Sandie, thanks for hanging with us until the end. I do love your cats in the hat line!! This is a learning experience for all of us!! Gina H

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  6. Such whimsy.the charm bracelet makes me really smile I love it. Keep going girl

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  7. Sandy I am so glad that you are still in this challenge. I totally love your cat in the hat bracelet. It is so original and unique. You can make a jewelry line from this and each one would look unique. Changing the colors of your charms or maybe changing the color of the hats to match the charms. Or changing the pictures of the cats that you're using I you can go really far with this. I can see you taking components from your bracelet and making them into earrings and smaller necklaces. Please don't give up you got a great thing going here

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    1. I agree with Cindy! These are great, and very cohesive!

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  8. Your kittehs are awesome! Labels are just words and for the record I'm pretty sure you could rock a white and yellow crayon if that's all we were given :) So looking forward to more!

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  9. Wonderful pieces! Great Blog and I cannot wait to see all you are doing! A major Way to go Artist! ~nike xo

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  10. Hey girl, I don't give a hoot what you call yourself. You've got some real nice work on your table. And guess what? It is cohesive. Thanks for staying with us. I like your art and look forward to seeing more.

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  11. I love all of your work all of the time, uet cats are my favorite!!!!

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  12. Love your Cat in the Hat concept. These are so fun! And good for you to hang in there with the challenge! I think we are all learning a lot.

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  13. Glad you creative muse returned because I love your pieces! ~Ingrid

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  14. I'm so glad you're sticking with it, Sandie, and know that you'll use what we've learned here somehow, someway in the future. I LOVE your cats in hats, of course ... what a very cool idea! Can't wait to see what else you are creating. ;)

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  15. Love your post! And your Cat's in Hat's is a wonderful design. I see a line here and it is fab!

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  16. Your designs are unique and eye-catching. Your creative muse really knows what she's doing! ~mary

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  17. I am not a cat-lover, but your cat-in-a-hat line is AWESOME!!! I just smiled at the fishbone on the top hat :-) Great creativity, so glad you're in for the long haul!

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  18. Oh, my goodness, what a clever idea! The charm bracelet is amazing.

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  19. This is a WONDERFUL theme! I adore the square Siamese cat with the hat with the fish on it! You have such a delightful sense of whimsey. Looking forward to seeing a bunch more from you--and I very much enjoyed reading about how you were stuck and then unstuck! Thanks for great sharing and for being your own person! :):)

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  20. What a neat idea! I can't wait to see your full line.

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  21. Darling line and when and if you decide to do it, you're on it!

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  22. I'm not a typical cat person but I absolutely love everything about these pieces. They are fun and whimsical and fabulous!

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  23. The cats in hats are too cute. You are very creative. I can see this line being very popular.

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  24. I AM a cat person and love, love your cat in the hat theme. It's very whimsical and will appeal to cat lovers as well as whimsical spirits. Tessa Kitty gives them a paws up!

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  25. Your theme is so much fun. I'm with you that the challenge has required us to think about what we want to do and what makes us happy creatively. I can't wait to see your finished line.

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  26. Your theme is so much fun. I'm with you that the challenge has required us to think about what we want to do and what makes us happy creatively. I can't wait to see your finished line.

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  27. Sandra I think this is an amazing funny and fun line of jewelry!!! I know you said you just wanted to create...you have done that BEAUTIFULLY!!! BRAVO!!! Have a Blessed Day!

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  28. Sandra I think this is an amazing funny and fun line of jewelry!!! I know you said you just wanted to create...you have done that BEAUTIFULLY!!! BRAVO!!! Have a Blessed Day!

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  29. i love this line you can't go wrong with cats and adding that touch of steampunk is brillant

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  30. You did not struggle alone. You have taken whimsy and made it gorgeous. Looking forward to more of your pieces.

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  32. I love your whimsical kitties they are totally charming and we all struggle from time to time, sometimes i'll be silent for quite a while and then bam I'm on a creating streak. Great post! XOXO!

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  33. Your honesty is very refreshing, I think it is great that you are staying the course and that you will gain something from it, just not how to build a line.

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  34. Viking kitty! I'm a dog person through and through, but your Cats In Hats are adorable!

    Cheers,
    Susan

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  35. cute bracelet .. Looking forward to seeing more on March 20th .. Sandy your links aren't working ..

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  36. Be yourself at ALL times, because obviously your coming up with very fun, creative & unique designs. I love these pieces. Keep it up.

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  37. Sandie,
    You really made a turn! Love what you're doing and I am not even a big cat fan! So fun and whimsical. Great job!!

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  38. p.s your links to others blogs aren't clickable for me? Linzi

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  39. Great theme for you line. Love the necklace and bracelet designs. Looking forward to seeing your finished line.

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  40. The cats in hats are so cute! I look forward to seeing the remaining pieces. PS: It will be a line, just in a limited edition of one! ;-) ~Elizabeth

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  41. Great designs, Sandie! Can't wait to see your finished line.

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  42. I think these will sell great! They are really cute, and you even have a little Viking cat, how clever : ) Great idea for a line, there are lots of cat lovers out there!

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  43. "to thy own self be true" (I think that's how it goes). I love your designs, they are fun and quirky! The joy shines through....

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  44. Building a design line should never change WHAT you create or WHY you create it. This challenge was just designed to teach us HOW to create a design line using our existing desires and talents. I'm sad that the challenge was overwhelming and stifled your creativity. The best part for me was finally understanding that I already had the beginning of a line and just had to step out a few pieces that were cohesive. I was making it way harder than it needed to be. The saddest part of this is that you seem somewhat miffed. Hope it all goes well with you!!

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  45. I agree with "to thine own self be true" and yet I see you created a uniquically beautiful line. Your jewelry is fun. I hope you continue to enjoy making in what ever way you enjoy.

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  46. Love me some kittens! The bracelet is so cute I think you could sell a ton of those! If your heart is elsewhere, then that's where you have to go. Good luck with whatever direction you take.

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