Friday, March 20, 2015

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

Woohoo...finally we are almost to the end of this journey. I can't believe I can make it with my impatience. First of all, I would like to say thank you to Brenda Sue from B'Sue Boutiques who hosted this master class for 54 artists. Also I would like to thank for all the participants who have left encouraging comments to me here in the blog or on facebook.

Let's see what I made first. And then I would like to share what I have learnt from this challenge.

peace by piece abcoraldesign

This challenge requests five pieces at least. While I saw other artists making more and more, I was discouraged for a little while. However, my spirit came back after I realized after this challenge, it will be the real start not the end. Even it took me a long time to design one piece, I am planning to make more later on.

About the name:
If you have read my first blog post about this challenge, you will have found that my inspiration for this line is from peace. It takes a long time, a lot of effort and many steps to achieve a peaceful society. Piece by piece of all our inputs are important to that so I name my line "Peace by piece".

About the engraving words:
Besides the part of jewelry design, the most difficult part for creating this line is the choice of words that reflect my thoughts. I took some pictures on the street and at the exhibition for my inspiration.



 In my first and second blog post for this challenge, I have showed these designs. The first pieces is "和平" (Peace) while the second pieces i s"珍惜" (To treasure). Please check my old posts if you want to know more about their meanings.

Peace in Peace by Piece by abcoraldesign





To treasure in Peace by Piece by abcoraldesign


In my third piece, I used "怒" and "恕" which means "anger" and "forgiveness" respectively.
"怒" is composed of "奴" (slave) and "心" (heart). When you are angry, a slave is in your heart.
However if you choose "恕", you "如" (follow) as what your "心" (heart) tells.

Anger and Forgiveness in Peace by Piece by abcoraldesign


In my forth piece, I used "自由" (freedom). We all want freedom to do what we want. However, there are many constraints in reality. We cannot be selfish to just fulfill our needs. I hope people can be more considerate when you are striving for your freedom. 

Freedom in Peace by Piece by abcoraldesign


The fifth piece is "心" (heart). I created this line from solely what inside my heart. I am so glad I could use jewelry to express myself. I don't follow the trend in the fashion world but I follow my heart. I hope you like my line.

Heart in Peace by Piece by abcoraldesign




Reflections from this challenge:
Thanks for Brenda Sue's and other participants' advice, I was enlightened to create a cohesive line that is not only one of a kind but also be able to repeat. I used to make once for each design as I like to create. When the number of design grows, my style gets distracted. Also the pro-design time like photography is so much that I can't focus on my design. With this cohesive line, I can repeat the design while keeping each piece unique as I engrave and paint every piece.

Besides creating a cohesive style, I have also started to think about the difference between collection and line. Up till this moment, I am still figuring so hopefully I can share my research in my next post.

One of the important point of selling a line is the pyramid of design. More items for simple pieces and less items for over-the-top design. Certainly the price goes up along the pyramid. However, I haven't created some in the middle. Probably I will make some bracelets. The four pair of earrings are closed to the bottom while the necklace is at the top.

As I am not very good at matching color, I take this challenge as a practice for finding color in the same category according to the theory in the book "Color me beautiful" by Carole Jackson. Luckily I met a new friend who is a specialist in color theory. She has shown me how to distinguish color into Spring, Summer, Autumn ans Winter.
When I was matching the color of glass beads, I put the beads on the color chart to see if they are in the same season.




Thanks for reading. Please share this blog if you like "Peace by piece"

Before you go, hop to other blogs of my mentor and classmates.

Brenda Sue Lansdowne
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O'Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O'Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Melida Boman
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law
ab:coraldesign (you are here!)
I treasure your comments!

56 comments:

  1. Coral What a beautiful pieces you created! I love that you can see your personality and who you are in your designs also I really like your asymetrical earrings! Well done!

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    1. Thank you Cynthia. You are one of my favorite artists. The feeling of finding myself from my jewelry is so great.

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  2. Great job! My favorites are To Treasure and Freedom and I love the colors of the necklace. :-) ~Elizabeth

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth. I never make necklace like that. It's a breakthough for me.

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  3. This is a wonderful post Coral! I love your line. The design are those of Ancient Beauty and very well done!!! Be Blessed!

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    1. Thank you Robin. I love ancient beauty as it's timeless.

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  4. These are really beautiful, so much thought put into them. I do hope you'll continue with the line!

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    1. I will continue definitely. It's just the start fir me.

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  5. Thank for for explaining what the symbols mean. I like what you do with the color chart, and your photography is terrific. Lovely earrings, too.

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    1. Thank you Mitzie. I may probably include more symbols later on.

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  6. Coral--What a great blog and line. I love the spiritual aspect of your pieces and how you've thought it through and I can tell it comes from your heart. Wonderful job. Your earrings are so fun! Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you Lynda. What I have learnt from my jewelry design teacher is to create with meanings behind. After all these years, I still try my best to do that. I feel so touched by my line.

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  7. Anonymous12:36 PM

    LOVE your line! LOVE the colors! LOVE the spiritual aspect you brought to the designs. Absolutely wonderful in every way! Congratulations on a fantastic line!

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    1. Thank you Chiron. I will make more. Follow my blog to get the latest news.

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  8. Your line looks great, inspirational symbols are great, you are fantastic.
    Cheers
    Lynn

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    1. Thank you Lynn. Your line is great too.

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  9. Great job, Coral!! I have loved your concept from the beginning, so much a part of you goes into each piece that you make. The earrings are gorgeous, and that necklace is simply stunning. I am so glad you will have much more from this line! Gina H

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    1. Thank you Gina for loving my concept.

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  10. I LOVE your line and the meaning behind all of your pieces. It shows that you've put a lot of thought in this.

    I hope that you continue to expand your line. I think that some cuff bracelet blanks with your inspirational messages engraved on them would look awesome.

    Great job Coral!

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    1. Thank you for your suggestion. Cuff bracelet is a good idea. When I designed the necklace, I was frustrated as I couldn't engrave the whole blank due to some technical problems. Luckily, I came up with the current idea. For cuff, I may have another idea.

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  11. Anonymous8:57 PM

    Your pieces are all very beautiful. Great theme too!

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  12. Coral what a wonderful line. I love your theme!

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  13. Coral, I love the way you incorporated a sentiment in each piece that would have meaning and maybe bring comfort to the wearer. Really nice line. Wishing you the best.

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    1. Yes. I want to bring some messages to the wearer. Thank you.

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  14. EXCELLENT JOB, Coral, I thank you so much for some excellent thinking and hard work and I can see how you researched your line and thought hard about how to develop it. I hope that the things we presented in the class will help you out for a long time and I look so forward to seeing your progress and what you decide to do in the future!

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    1. Thank you so much Brenda. Yes the research did take a long time but I enjoyed the whole process of the challenge no matte r it was easy or tough. I gained a lot from the class and I can see how to expand my line later.

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  15. Coral, I am so touched by your line and your blog. I love that you've incorporated such important sentiment into lovely jewelry. You are bringing peace and beauty to the world with your work. I'm so glad to have been in this challenge with you!

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    1. I am so glad to have been with you too. I do hope my jewelry could bring peace and beauty.

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  16. Your ideas for each piece are beautifully executed. Wonderful work.

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  17. Love the Asymetrical designs. Earrings are fabulous and Very pretty necklace. Cpngratulations we finished the challenge.

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  18. You don't need to follow jewelry trends--your jewelry is timeless! I can't believe how you engraved in those tiny spaces! I really like the feelings and thoughts behind your engravings and the "mis-matched" earrings are wonderful. But the necklace is truly sublime! The colors and the wonderful beads on the chain really make the main piece stand out--very, very beautiful! So glad we were all in this together. <3

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  19. I like your pieces

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  20. I really like that the earrings are not matchy-matchy... I think you have done a great job with your collection!

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  21. Anonymous12:53 AM

    Lovely earrings and of course a great statement necklace. I love how you put the beads right on the color charts to see where they belong! Ingrid

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  22. Oh Coral your jewelry design line is just divine!! Oh your necklace is just breath taking with all of those bight colors. The heart felt story and passion for inner peace is just outstanding. I truly love your concept and the brilliant colors in all of your pieces. I'm crazy about all of your earrings they truly look so divine filled with your healing energy spirit as a great protective and inspirational guide. Thank you so much for all of your support and it has been a pure joy to be in this adventure with you. Love so much Louise

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  23. What a beautiful line! I love what you've done, Coral! ~Melissa

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  24. Coral, I love how you incorporated your soul into this line, with carefully chosen altruistic messages. I thought your concept was brilliant when we began this challenge and really like how your line developed. Very nice. Well done. Thank you for sharing a part of your soul with us. xoxoxo

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  25. Carol I'm glad you continued on and made sure jewelry line because it is absolutely beautiful. I know I'm one of the ones that made a lot but that's just me. Kristy Lee in I always talk about how she is slower on designing jewelry then I am. But we both understand that's just how we design and we support each other. Never meant for anybody to feel discouraged with me I just love to share my excitement for what I have accomplished. Because I have grown so much since I have been with B'sue's creative group. My favorite piece or pieces are your asymmetrical earrings and I love your necklace! That turned out absolutely beautiful and what a great idea simple and elegant. I can't wait to see more of what you come up with in the future and I hope we stay in touch

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  26. Coral, I love how you took the time to research what symbols/word representations you wanted to pair together for your creations. They are beautiful and well thought out. Look forward to more from you in the future.

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  27. Coral .. great design line love everything .. congratulations and looking forward to seeing more from you in the future .. :-)

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  28. Coral! I truly love your style and what you have made! Best Wishes for your future, and good sales! I have so enjoyed meeting you and all the other women in the class! Congrats on your beautiful creations!
    xo
    nike

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  29. I just adore your whimsical beautiful earring designs and that necklace is stunning as well. Coral you did a awesome job with your line. Loveeeeed it!

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  30. Wonderful post, Coral, and such beautiful jewelry! You did a great job on your line, so inspirational!

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  31. I love your concept, and final designs. It's all lovely, and very unique.

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  32. Those earrings are wonderful-and so is the story behind them! Good luck with your line, I hope you do very well.

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  33. Love your line of jewelry and the meaning behind the designs. Beautiful jewelry!

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  34. Thank You so much for explaining the characters and their meanings behind your line! What a marvelous idea to use the color chart to actually choose and match your colors! Wonderful and beautiful!

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    1. Thank you. It's my pleasure to explain the my country characters.

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  35. Your pieces are so unique and beautiful--love the earrings! I have the Color Me Beautiful book on my list to purchase. Best wishes in your jewelry business!

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    1. Thank you. It's really a good buy.

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  36. I love the name, "Peace by Piece!" My mom had the Color Me Beautiful book and I used to read it when I was a little girl--it fascinated me! Now I have my own copy. I never thought of placing the beads on the pages, what a great idea. I love your necklace!

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    1. I am not very good at matching color beads as I wear metal jewelry instead of bead style jewelry. Since I worked with some Europeans, I found they are very good at that so I am glad I could practice in this challenge.

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