Variety is the Spice …

I’ve been seeing a lot of collage and photos of groupings of people’s work. These images are a great idea especially for sales materials and websites–it can show your breadth of work as well as give customers ideas for custom pieces. For us artists, it’s a great way to compare similar pieces side by side and get ideas about how to vary the same forms, techniques, or applications.

These donut focal bead bracelets by Gema Belinchon are a great example of taking a few small changes and recombining them to come up with a wide variety of finished pieces. She had six basic things she’s recombining–color, different canes, two types of leather cord, the number of cords she uses, crystal accents and three types of silver slider beads. I can’t figure out the math, but I know that could be hundreds of combinations.

Can you identify one bracelet as you favorite? Can you say why? Would you make a different combination of elements to create something more to your taste? Why do you think you choose those? Asking these kinds of questions can help you understand your own taste and what kind of look can be derived from a change in combinations.

I like the one with the three crystals, but would prefer it in that wonderful lime green Skinner blend bead next to it, and I’d go for unbraided leather so the cane texture is the only busy texture. The cane would really stand out that way while the rest of the bracelet would appear smooth and subdued, which would add a touch of sophistication versus casual and fun. But, that’s just me. What are your preferences?

Gema goes by Belserart on Flickr where you can find more variations on the same types of pieces. They aren’t all in one image, side by side like this, but they are definitely worth a stroll through them.

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.