The B'Sue Boutiques Build A Line Challenge is to create a new line of jewelry with B'Sue supplies (of course!) consisting of at least 5 pieces. The line must be cohesive and recognizable as the Killam Creative brand. It should fall in a specific price range and be reproducible.
Easy peasy, right? Err... no. It was a fantastic challenge, but a challenge indeed!
I made it through with the support of 54 others building their own lines. You'll see the complete list of my cohorts at the end of this post. I'd love it if you could visit them, too!
What's My Line?
My line is called Flights Of Fancy. Fancy is a hummingbird who has extraordinary adventures and strong loves. Today I will share with you some of each. This first one finds Fancy in Paris. Oh la la!
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| Fancy Goes To Paris |
It's barely visible in the photos, but Fancy is holding the Paris charm in her beak. Along the chain are pink, black and pearl glass beads. This is a fun and favorite color combination for me that "feels" chic. But then, I'm a child of the 80's, so..... The coordinating earrings feature the same black rounds and frosted pink Czech glass beads, as well as Eiffel Towers. Perhaps a "seine" from both the Left Bank and the Right Bank?
Yea, I know... really bad joke.
The next stops on Fancy's adventures are seasonal. In this first piece Fancy embraces spring just in time for today's equinox.
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| Fancy Welcomes Spring |
The colors are subtle -- the filigree is white washed and the leaves have the barest touch of green. Nestled in the wee flower is a pink aurora borealis center. Fancy is wearing her teal and orange colors for this spring necklace.
Next up is Fancy's ode to summer. The custom colored vine is in full bloom and Fancy's own hand colored coat celebrates all the shades of a summer season. I don't know about you, but the "Summer Lovin'" song is now going through my head. (You're welcome!)
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| Fancy's Summer Lovin' |
Here's a view of the back.
Next I'd like to share one of Fancy's favorite hobbies -- singing!
Inside the frame is a sheet of music paper coated with resin. Beautiful pearly notes swirl from Fancy's beak. I wonder what song she will be singing today!
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| Fancy Sings A Song |
It's funny for me to call this the favorite since I shy away --no, I RUN away-- from orange. This one just has my heart. I can imagine wearing it a lot during the summer!
Fancy is modeled after a Rufous hummingbird, which is mostly orange with touches of purple and white. Fancy is hand colored with acrylic paints. Her gorgeous filigree nest is colored with a combination of Gilder's Paste and acrylic paint. See the green pearl charm hanging from Fancy's pearl necklace? It matches the wee dangly earrings!
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| Fancy At The Symphony |
Here's a view of the back filigree. It's also colored with a combination of Gilder's Paste and acrylic paint. This filigree is wired to the front piece for a lovely finished look.
The whole group together. Eventually I will have bracelets in the collection, as well as Fancy earrings. There's a lot in store for this adventuresome girl!
I didn't expect the bumps along the way and didn't anticipate the caring and supportive group of ladies I found myself amongst. This has been quite the adventure and I feel incredibly lucky to have them.
The necklaces will range from $30 to about $70, depending on the components used and whether or not coordinating earrings are included. I'm still considering actual prices, but these will be in the Studio shop in the next week or so. To be honest, I'll have a hard time listing the orange one... I should probably make one for myself soon. :)
Thanks so much for your support during the last three months! I'll be preparing for a paper-based project (cards, shadow boxes, altoid tins) show for the next month and will switch gears on the blog once again. Just like Fancy, it's always an adventure around here!
Here is a list of all the challenge participants. If you can, please visit everyone to see their new lines. We've all worked hard over the past 3 months to get to this point. Thank you!
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino Aurora Designs
Jann Tague Clever Designs by Jann
Judy King Apt to Wander Studio
Linzi Alford Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott Exotic Peru
Carole Carlson Beadsophisticate
Lynn Stinten Dragonzwench
Marica Zammit Bead Lovelies
Catherine Shattuck VRBrose
Michaele Collie The Vintage Gem
Mary Craig Jewelry Alchemy
Lee Koopman Strega Jewelry
Erin Whitacre Shattered Time Jewelry
Monica Casady MJCasady Copper Works
Leila West Leila Nicole Designs
Cindy Peterson Howling Dog Jewelry
Leila Belcher Leila Bee Designs
Gloria Allen Wings and Beads
Pamela Anger Novegatti Designs
Tammy Adams Paisley Lizard
Lynda O'Mara LOmara Creative
Elizabeth Hildreth MadScientistsDesigns
Dana Hickey Wind Dancer Studios
Janet Calardo Jan Lea Designs
Maria Clark Sweet Willow Designs
Lori Beekman B. Accessorized
Jennifer Kroeger Relic Charm
Amy Jorgensen Hoarder's Corner
Robin Reed Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson Lilis Gems
Louise O'Shields Desire Divine Jewels
Susan Killam Killam Creative <--- You are here!
Mary Katherine Deis The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman Woodside Wireworks
Kristy Le Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters Stylized Vintage
Mitzie Crider Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett Freestyle Elements
Linda Anderson From the Bead Board
Alexandra Sefton Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter TreeZ's Treasurs
Melissa Latimer Smithed Up
Renee Hong Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris Moondance Jewelry
Lori Meyer Parisienne Girl
Jennifer Merrill Williams Artists of All Stripes
Denise Lussier Poirier Jewelry by Denise
Renee Allen Small Stuff Design
Autumn Adams Autumn Dawns
Elizabeth Owens 1996 Shabby Lane
Kat BarronMiller Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard Mama San's Mojo
Coral Law ab:coraldesign
