Opportunity came knocking on the door of sweet bead studio recently. Christine Damm, the artist behind Stories they Tell sent me an email that was one of the most exciting invitations I’d received in a long time. She asked, would l like to collaborate on a submission for the current Objects and Elements Design Team blog challenge? Would I? You better believe it! Although we didn’t have a lot of time before the deadline, and I was heading for the beach, I knew that working with Christine was a chance I didn’t want to miss. My stamps, hammers, wire and tumbler were packed and went to Ocean City too.
The flurry of emails while working on the challenge was exciting…I love a little deadline pressure. The best part was sharing ideas…hearing Christine’s artistic vision, and seeing them unfold. The challenge theme was “Summer Color”, and the ideas that Christine ran by me were ones that I would have never dreamed of…..bold and bright just came easy to her. On my end, I created metal charms from copper, brass and nickel silver. I had fun creating wire clasp options to work with the beautiful sari silk yarn Christine chose, available in the O&E shop. The star of the show though is Christine’s focal piece – made with one of her signature discs in faux ivory, made from clay. The focal is attached to the sari silk with a clever wire bail. I can’t tell you how excited I was to see the finished piece, and so proud to be a part of this creation. And if you notice those 2 hands dangling from the metal charms, well to me they represent us…two jewelry designers who have never met but who have become great online friends….and went on to create “Midnight in Mombai”. 🙂
Please visit Christine’s blog to read more from behind the scenes. She just has a beautiful way of putting thoughts in to words…and ideas into pieces of art. Oh, (please) do stop by the Objects and Elements blog to vote for your favorite submission in the Summer Color challenge! I have several friends who have entered pieces as well. You can win a prize just for voting! The deadline to vote is August 26th, 10 p.m. EST. Thank you!
Follow Me on Pinterest
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful result for this online friendship. So original and colorfull. Hope you’ll have a nice surprise at the end of this adventure.
xoxo
I just loved your rendition of our collaboration– another point of view and opened my eyes to so much more about our work together! And the little hands! I didn’t even think of it but so apropos of our teamwork! Let’s do it again soon!
Oh my goodness! What a beautiful and inspiring piece – amazing! I love hearing the background stories to collaborations such as yours. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Now to go check out the other submissions…
*wink*
Beautiful necklace Cindy!! With four little kids I can’t imagine how you can manage doing all the things you do. You are a super multitask mom!!!
Hands down, this is the most gorgeous necklace I have ever seen, bravo to you both friend!!!
Oh this is gorgeous. What a fun collaboration.
Cindy, lovely work! And a collaboration – what a fantastic opportunity! I just love the clasp you made – it is gorgeous! Also love the intense colours of the focal – wow!! Congratulations on the finished piece – I really think it is beautiful!!!!
Cindy what a beautiful piece! It was a wonderful collaboration of two very talented ladies. I have already voted and good luck to you both.
lovely!!!! congratulations!!
What a beautiful piece Cindy, and such a well though out story! You both are wonderful artists.
xoxox
Oh…..this is so awesome!! drrooollllllllllssss
Jolene
Collaborations are so very life affirming aren’t they? When I saw this piece on the O&E website I was drawn to it immediately…and then when I saw your names and the fact that it was a collaboration of two truly talented artists, well, I had to vote for it! I had the pleasure of working with Christine on a collaboration earlier this summer and that was one of the most energizing things. I am actively seeking more ways to work together because I think that we can benefit so much from connecting with another creative soul and rising to new heights! Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration Cindy! Wonderful beautiful work! Enjoy the day! Erin
Thank you so much everyone for your thoughtful comments. Working with Christine was a great experience for me…she is truly a mentor and so full of wisdom. You’ve really made my day! 🙂
Stunning! You’ve got my vote!
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous!
What a beautiful piece…you are both such talented artists
Cindy!! what an amazing metal work you’ve done!!!! You are greats partners both!!! i have voted!!
Wow, Cindy! This is….this is….I can’t even describe with words. More than wonderful , more than marvellous, more than charming, even more than fantastic!
…
…
(I just don’t find the right words…I’m really shocked by this piece. I fell in love with it…)
Absolutely fantastic!
Beautiful piece! I love how the colors pop against the metal, and all the great textures going on!
What a striking necklace. You’ve given me so much inspiration.
that piece has some power crafted into it.