I have to admit that when I thought about the We're All Ears Challenge for this month (that was to be inspired by the circle fabrics from Spoonflower), I already had a pair of earrings sitting in front of me that fit the challenge perfectly. If you're a regular reader, you may have spotted them in the works a few weeks ago when I gave you a peek at my week.
Yes, these earrings are similar to the ones I created in October for the Harvest Moon Challenge, but I really love this style and process so it's likely you'll be seeing more similar to them.
If you haven't read about this month's challenge, the starting point was to pick one of the ten winners of Spoonflower's Circles are the New Triangles contest and use that as the inspiration to create a pair of earrings. Like I said, my earrings were already in progress when I saw the challenge. However, I do believe that my finished earrings are reminiscent of the Painted Oranges fabric.
Do you see it? The background tin is floral, though it's hard to make out. And, the greens and reds in the fabric are echoed back in the earrings. As well, the obvious perfect circles with a second layer of color are just hanging there.
I've been obsessed over the last week or two with using my disc cutter to punch out a variety of circles.
And, I've been gathering them in baggies organized by the size of the circles.
This has allowed me to stack the mismatched tin in fun combinations. That's exactly what I did to make these earrings - stacked a smaller circle on top of a larger one then stacked the button on top. I was able to set the button in the top tin disc by cutting prongs in the tin to fold over and secure the button to it. The tin pieces were distressed and aged with a patina before they were riveted together.
And, a matching red glass bead was wire wrapped to connect the circles to the lever-back ear wires.
Though the combination of red and green usually give me a Christmas vibe, I think the addition of the brown and yellow in the top layer of tin helps break them from that mold. What do you think? These Green Button Layered Tin Earrings are available in the Etsy shop.
Make sure you head over to the Earrings Everday August reveal and check out how the other participants, as well as the hostess Erin, were inspired by the circle fabrics from Spoonflower.
They’re fantastic! I’m always envious of the designers who master cold connections! I love the layers and the way you translated fabric prints into tin and button.
ReplyDeleteKarin, Thank you!! I'm still really working on my skill with the cold connections, but love the process. I actually need to do a little soldering today, but am dreading it. Ha! I'm so pleased you took the time to hop by. Thanks so much! :D
DeleteI think that this is perfect for the inspiration! I love that oranges fabric, but my presentation didn't really come out like I had envisioned (the issue with starting late and finishing in the nick of time!). I would love to have a great circle cutter like that. Love the tabs! Thanks for playing along with We're All Ears! Enjoy the day! Erin
ReplyDeleteErin, I'm so glad you see the inspiration in my finished earrings. I was worried they wouldn't translate well. I still think yours for that fabric are lovely. I dig the tribal feel to them. As for my disc cutter, it was my big gift for Christmas from my husband. It's not the super expensive Pepe one that I would have loved, but a close second (and about half the price). It's got to be one of my most favorite, most used gifts so far. It's stretching my creativity in so many ways. Thank you for popping in. I know how busy you stay so your time here means so much!
DeleteGreat job, Hope. You engineered some great earrings. Well done!
ReplyDeleteKathy, Thank you! I'm having a lot of fun with the tin! I bet it shows.
DeleteI love your earrings!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kym! That means a lot to me.
DeleteThese are brilliant - I love the fun addition of the button as well. :) Great job with the circle cutting too, I can imagine the wonderful ways in which the other circles in the baggies can be used.
ReplyDeleteAnita, Thank you. I've got to find some way to use up at least SOME of the buttons I've hoarded away. And, the disc cutter makes the circle-cutting so much easier. Though I still often have to clean the edges. It's nice to have the circles at the ready! Thanks for popping by!
DeleteI love these earrings! The stacked nature, the red accent bead, the wire wrapping, everything. And they are a great representation of the inspiration. Definitely not a christmas vibe at all.
ReplyDeleteAnn, You are too kind! I'm so glad you're not feeling Christmas with them. Whew!! Thank you for taking the time to take a peek at them. It means so much to me.
DeleteI have been admiring your tin circles with the buttons (on IG) and you know that as well. I think that they make a stunning statement piece without trying too hard
ReplyDeleteDivya, Yeah, I can't stop with the tin and buttons! I'm glad you appreciate them. You've got such a great eye. Thank you!
DeleteI love this design - it's beautiful, recycled (exciting!), with complex structure, unique and unpredictable because if the materials used :) And it is perfect for this inspiration!
ReplyDeleteRosantia, Thank you so much! I so dig this design and plan on creating more like them (with slight variations hopefully since I don't like to make more than one of a design.)
DeleteGreat earrings! I have been wanting to try tab setting for some time. Now, I am even more inspired!
ReplyDeleteTerry, I know my setting needs more work, but it's such a fun process to learn on. Good luck to you on your endeavors.
DeleteWOW, these are so pretty. Love how you worked with the tin, layering them and especially how you added the button.
ReplyDeleteJanine, Thanks so much! Buttons are one of my things. I love them and try to work them into as much as I can. I'm so pleased you like them! :)
DeleteThese are so flippin' cute! I love this design you've come up with to incorporate tin and buttons. So adorable and smart! One of these days I'm going to get the courage to cut into some of the tin containers I've collected.
ReplyDeleteSaraja, Aw, thank you! It's all just an effort to use up some of the many supplies I've collected. As for the tin, I think I've told you before. Just go for it. Maybe start with something you don't mind messing up on - a tin from the dollar store and can practice before using one of the ones you've collected. It'll make it less intimidating!
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