Killam Creative: February 2015

Hiya creative folks! Today is the second installment of the B'Sue Boutiques "Build A Line Challenge". (Click here to see my first post if you'd like to read from the beginning.)

The challenge is simply to create a new line of jewelry, consisting of at least 5 different pieces that are cohesive and recognizable as the Killam Creative brand. I say "simply" but this has been nothing near simple. As I suspected would happen, my creativity has been stretched and I've learned about loads of new techniques. It's been great to experiment with new mediums and a bonus to discover new uses for products I already have on the shelf.

A goal for each of the challenge participants is to keep within a certain retail price point. For many of us this means simplifying (there's that word again) our typical style. If you know my paper-based works you'll know I don't design simple. I thrive on over-the-top, layered, finely detailed projects!

Another goal is to design the items in such a way that they can be reproduced easily. Many of the challenge participants usually choose to make one-of-a-kind (OOAK) jewelry, as I've always made OOAK projects. For us to tackle simple and reproducible and pricepoint specific... challenges indeed!

So, these:

Simple
Price point specific
Reproducible

With that, I give you the current Flights Of Fancy line.

In my last post you saw this version of Fancy:

She is a wee girl at 1 3/4" long. I still want to perch her on this filigree with some kind of (smaller) greens and that lovely trumpet flower configuration. I'll attach a simple chain for a lovely necklace.

Next, we have a a 3" long Fancy in a more dramatic coloring. She's modeled after a brightly colored Rofous Hummingbird with oranges and purples. She's delightful!

She's perched (temporarily for now) on a gorgeous large raw brass filigree which has been custom colored with Gilder's Paste and acrylic paint.

Fancy Attends The Symphony

I'm still deciding which chain to use for her, and how/if to adorn the base any more. It has been interesting to be working with that retail price point in mind, that's for sure!

I have another 3" Fancy to share. She's on a small crescent shaped necklace blank, which I've stamped with music notes and sealed.

Fancy Sings A Song

I'm considering giving her a whopping big flower on the chain -- the scale is actually better in person than in the photo.

The Flights Of Fancy line will have themed pieces, including bracelets and brooches as well as necklaces.

Possible themes so far:

Fancy Sings A Song

Fancy Attends The Symphony

Fancy Travels

Fancy In Paris

A Winter's Fancy

This challenge has a private Facebook group which has been an incredible source of inspiration for me and many others involved. We've had serious discussions about design fundamentals, fashion trends and pricing, as well as the importance of the pyramid model practiced by the likes of Louis Vuitton as well as many other high end brands.

I encourage you to join B'Sue Boutiques Creative Group on Facebook, where all of her customers are welcomed to gather. It's a warm, welcoming group. If you are into a little shopping and haven't discovered B'Sue Boutiques yet, click here!

Please join my fellow challenge members to see how they have done in the past month. We have one more month together!

Thank YOU for joining ME!

Cheers,
Susan

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Brenda Sue Landsdowne <<<------------Organizer and Mentor
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