Friday, January 23, 2015

Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques, Coral Law of ab:coraldesign, Part One


Old Stone Carving - taken at Confectious Temple in Suzhou, 2013

Thanks for dropping by. I'm Coral Law of ab:coral design. I can't wait to share with you the first blog of the Build a Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques. This is part one of the Build a Line series of blog hops, where I will tell you about myself and my design path, and why I decided to be part of this challenge.   The challenge is really a master class of sorts, and will span three months and there will be three hops, total.  We have 55 participants.   All of us will be working hard to create a cohesive line of jewelry and share our design process together.   At the end, we will develop a complete line of jewelry with a minimum of five pieces all in our chosen style. As a no-specific-style designer, it's really a challenge for me. 

Why do I make jewelry?
I used to buy jewelry from local shops. Once I bought a necklace for almost USD100. Not soon after, instead of feeling satisfied, I felt disappointed as I found that the materials are not very good and it's properly mass produced in factory. Then I decided to make my own jewelry. 
Here is my first design with some found objects and old buttons. Even I have been creating different styles for the past few years, my love to my first design never changes. 

Though the challenge has been announced for a while, I did not have the motivation to join as I thought I would not have time. But I need to move and think forward. We are all busy at least that's what we always tell ourselves. Time can be manged so just be brave and step up. This challenge also gives me a chance to think how to make jewelry in a cohesive way and express more about myself. 

About my concept for this challenge

The concept of my line is very simple. I am planning to engrave Chinese characters on Bsue findings to make mostly symmetric or asymmetric earrings. The Chinese characters I am going to use are not some popular or random words. I pick the words based on my feelings towards things happening in the world. In the past few months, there were many sad news happened around the world while people were frighting for themselves. Therefore, the first word came to my mind (or this concept came to my mind) is "和平" which means peace. If we change the way to read this word, it becomes "平和" which means calm. If everyone is calm, peace is achievable. 

Another meaning of this line is the combination of handcrafted Chinese characters and USA made stampings. Open up one's mind to accept different culture is also a key to have harmonious world.

Here is the process of making the first pair of earrings. 




Dada..



However, the stampings I am going to use may be random. This is something I need to work on during the journey. If you want to join my journey, please sign up my newsletter or follow me on facebook, instagram and twitter. 


Before you leave, check out other participants of this challenge. 


Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
1. Marcia Tuzzolino
2. Jann Tague
3. Judy King
4. Linzi Alford
5. Cynthia Wainscott
6. Carole Carlson
7. Lynn Stinten
8. Marica Zammit
9. Catherine Shattuck
10. Michaele Collie
11. Mary Craig
12. Lee Koopman
13. Erin Whitacre
14. Monica Casady
15. Leila West
16. Cindy Peterson
17. Leila Belcher
18. Gloria Allen
19. Pamela Anger
20. Tammy Adams
21. Lynda O'Mara
22. Elizabeth Hildreth
23. Dana Hickey
24. Janet Calardo
25. Maria Clark
26. Lori Beekman
27. Jennifer Kroeger
28. Amy Jorgensen
29. Robin Reed
30. Ingrid Anderson
31. Louise O'Shields
32. Susan Killam
33. Mary Katherine Deis
34. Nike Bottalico
35. Susan Bowerman
36. Kristy Le
37. Jan Peters
38. Mitzie Crider
39. Gina Hockett
40. Linda Anderson
41. Alexandra Sefton
42. Melida Boman
43. Teresa Shurter
44. Melissa Latimer
45. Renee Hong
46. Nadine Edris
47. Lori Meyer
48. Jennifer Merrill Williams
49. Denise Lussier Poirier
50. Renee Allen
51. Autumn Adams
52. Elizabeth Owens
53. Kat BarronMiller
54. Sandra Ballard
55. Coral Law
ab:coraldesign (You're here!)

88 comments:

  1. What a wonderful and unique concept Coral! The Chinese alphabet is so beautiful - it's as if each letter is a little work of art in itself.

    Looking forward to seeing more of your line :-)

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    1. Thanks Marcia. They are really a little work of art. There are many types of calligraphy.

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  2. This is the most beautiful idea, Coral!

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  3. Coral, what a beautiful post. I'm going to enjoy following your journey so much. Your pieces are lovely. Thank you for sharing. I love heartfelt work and yours has a heartbeat. Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you very much for your kind words. I do like making something that touch someone's heart. That's why it always take me a long time to finish a piece.

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  4. Coral--Cannot wait to see the full line. Beautiful. I love Asian inspiration as well.

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  5. Really enjoyed your blog! So unusual and creative an idea--and I love how you said you need to move forward. The peace/calm idea is genius! :)

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  6. Coral, I'm in love with your new jewelry line! Although I rarely wear jewelry that I haven't created, I can't wait to purchase a pair for myself ♥ Well Done!

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  7. Coral just Brilliant! You are an outside the box thinker! I agree with you on so many levels! In the past I joined Falun Dafa with my good friend who is a practitioner of the movement. I understand your message. My daughter just returned from Japan (school) and speaks the language, plus Chinese, Spanish and sign language (American & Japanese). Your creation and theme is just wonderful, I await the finished pieces!

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  8. Love the hand engraving! I wish I had a steady hand to do engraving :)

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    1. I don't have a steady hand but it just needs a bit focus.

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  9. Very good idea, Coral. Carry on and wait to see more your design jewelry!! I support your design.
    By Eunice

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  10. awesome theme, and I love that your earrings are not matchy matchy but oh so perfectly balanced.

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  11. I love your way of thinking, pretty earrings also, excellent post

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  12. Something I want to learn to do is engrave with my dremel. thanks for sharig

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    1. I don't use dremel as the plug doesn't fit in another country. I bought a handheld one from Menard.

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  13. Fabulous idea, Coral! Your designs are beautiful, and those earrings will be so special with the Chinese words. ;)

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  14. Thank you so much for joining us, Coral! Excellent blog post!

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    1. Thank you for coaching us. This is a brilliant idea to gather all talented artist.

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  15. Love the earrings, Coral! Can't wait to see more finished pieces. Was it hard to learn how to engrave? :-) ~Elizabeth

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth. It's my first time to engrave. It's not that difficult but the trick is not to repeat the stroke as it just makes it worse.

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  16. I think I'm going to love your line and I can't wait to see it come to life! Wonderful wonderful theme.

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    1. Thank you for your appreciation.

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  17. very cool .. looking forward to seeing your finalWIP .. Jann

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  18. Hi, Coral- I love your idea of creating jewelry that incorporates Chinese characters and sends positive messages to the wearers! Can't wait to see more!

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    1. Thank you Mary. I also love your idea in this challenge.

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  19. Enjoyed your blog. Anxious to see more as your journey continues!

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  20. Coral, I love your concept and the execution of it! I'll be following your progress.

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  21. Great design concept, so many possibilities!

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  22. This is a great idea, and one I think we will all enjoy following along with you on your journey. Just lovely!

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    1. Thank you for joining my journey.

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  23. Anonymous9:19 AM

    Interesting journey you are taking. Can't wait to see the rest of your work.

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    1. Thank you Lee. We are all on an interesting journey.

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  24. What a wonderful blog, Coral! Very creative idea for your Line. Will be watching for more!!

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  25. I absolutely love this concept. Very cool.

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    1. Thank you Lori. It's going to be fun.

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  26. LOVE the earrings. I am a big fan of asymmetry. These are fabulous!

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  27. Wow, I love this concept and your inspiration. I can't wait to see more! Thank you for sharing, and very glad to take this journey with you. Gina H

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  28. Your idea for a theme is lovely and unique. I enjoyed seeing a bit of the assembly process and look forward to seeing the whole line.

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    1. Thank you Tammy. I would share more in the next hop.

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  29. Love your idea, so unique with endless possibilities. Can't wait to see more of your line!

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  30. Anonymous3:17 AM

    Love your design concept. So inspiring. The earrings are lovely and I can;t wait to see the rest of your creations!

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  31. Coral, what a great concept to bring in the Chinese characters. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work!

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  32. how exciting, unique and beautiful~ I love what you are doing!

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    1. Thank you Nike. I'm happy we are on the same journey.

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  33. wonderful, spread peace and calm,
    lovely theme and should be very popular.

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  34. Understanding and writing these characters is a true art and using them to express the feelings in your life is a unique approach. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  35. Love those earrings, you've inspired me to make a pair for myself! Enjoyed reading your blog, glad to be in this challenge with you.

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    1. Thank you Monica. I would like to see a pair made with your copper work.

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  36. Anonymous12:02 PM

    Dear Coral,
    The earrings are lovely!

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  37. A unique theme. Looking forward to seeing your line of jewelry.

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  38. I love your inspiration and design idea.

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  39. Coral, engraving the Chinese symbols on your designs will truly be unique. Looking forward to seeing the full line.

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  40. Can't wait to see all of this beautiful line and theme!

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    1. Thank you Amy. I am anxious to make the rest.

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  41. Looking forward to seeing more of your earrings line ! Linzi

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  43. This is so unusual and creative, Coral!!

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    1. Thank you Judy. Happy to be with you in the journey.

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  44. What a very interesting and wonderful concept coral I can't wait to see them. Happy Creating!

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  45. "If everyone is calm, peace is achievable." So true, Coral. You have an intriguing idea for a line - I'm very interested to see it through.

    Cheers,
    Susan

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    1. Thank you Susan. The idea came to my mind right I read the news.

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  46. Anonymous2:19 PM

    Coral, what a lovely, lovely idea. It's such a shame that there are so many bad things happening in the world. People losing their loved ones in terrible circumstances. For all the wrong reasons. Three cheers for peace and calmness! ~ Catherine of vrbrose.wordpress.com

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    1. Thank you Catherine. Your soft shade jewelry do make people calm.

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  47. You have a wonderful idea for your line, Coral. I love the small, personalized engravings. I remember watching a Korean drama with my husband and they switched the writing symbols to change the meaning and solve a riddle...I thought that was really cool, and I like how you changed the symbols for "peace" and "calm." I can't wait to see more!

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    1. That's interesting. Unfortunately not many words can be switched. That's the difficult part but even it can't be switched, the word still express my feelings.

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  48. Hi Coral!
    I LOVE your thinking behind your line- nothing better then representing peace, calm and tranquility. and getting along between peoples, nations, etc... Great engraving and beautiful earring design! ;)

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  49. Hi Coral, I love your use of these characters & the asymmetrical design and coloring. It will be fascinating watching you develop the rest of it.

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