Saturday, January 26, 2013

Color Palette Tool

I was munging around on the web this morning and stumbled on a site that mentioned a tool that identifies the colors used in any image.  I've seen other tools, but for some reason this one stuck with me.  And...I apologize to whoever originally mentioned it since I have moved away from that site and forgot to make note of it.  Thank you very much for the lead, though!

The tool is called "Chip It" and it appears to be a Sherwin-Williams tool.  It is free.  You create an account, then upload an image and it shows you the color palette used in that image.  You can save it so you can refer to it later.  Here's a sample from a polymer pendant I made using Albina Manning's Hidden Flowers Tutorial.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Kickstarting the Creative Process

My friend, Leslie Wayment at AA Beads, participated in an interesting project last year through  PrettyThingsBlog.com called Bead Soup Blog Party.  I saw how the experience was a great way to kickstart any creative block and to help you move out of your comfort zone. 

When she told me that the sign up is once a year and THIS WEEKEND is the time for this year, I knew that I wanted to do it.  Read the details on their blog.  Basically, two people pick a collection of beads/components and send them to each other.  It is likely that you will receive items and/or colors that you don't usually work with.  I love the idea of having to create something that way, so I'm off to sign up...I'll keep everyone posted on my progress with words and photos!

Introducing Me - My First Post

For my very first post, I'll try to explain who I am, who I want to be, and how I'm trying to get there.  For some people, it appears easy to write a blog about themselves, but not for me.  After this initial introduction, I hope to talk more about what I'm learning in the hope that perhaps I can inspire someone else to start the same process.

On my journey to become a jewelry artist I think I started in the right place...technique.  In order to be free to create, I felt I had to have a foundation of skill in multiple techniques so that I could combine techniques to turn an idea into something appealing.  So...I started at the beginning, with stringing.  Years later, I now have at least working knowledge in numerous areas.  Depending on what I'm trying to create, I can use one or more of the following:  stringing, bead weaving, kumihimo, Viking knit, wire crochet, wirework, silversmithing, chainmaille, cutting/ polishing cabochons, macrame, and my favorite-- polymer clay.

My natural tendency is to want to learn everything!. This trait has been useful, but it is also difficult since it is very easy to become fragmented.  If I see something another person is working on or a picture in a magazine, immediately I want to learn to make it.  Currently, I'm learning to bead around a cabochon and to use bead embroidery, sculptural peyote, while learning new polymer clay techniques through tutorials and books.