What's On My Workbench: Links Necklace

In the studio, I've been working on a new series of jewelry constructed from interlocking links. The design creates a dynamic and exciting visual piece and a new way to present vibrant colors!

At left is a links necklace set up for curing. The piece is done in multiple stages of curing and sanding. 

I have been enjoying the construction aspect of making these-- they're an exploration of form just much as color. 

The links necklace is finished off with sterling silver wire wrapping and rubber cord.

Finished green links necklace

Pile of beads ready for stringing

❉

Suzanne Anderson is the creator of YIKES! Studio Jewelry. Suzanne has been busy creating for most of her life. After graduating with a BFA from Maine College of Art, she worked as a graphic designer and a painter. Suzanne works to ensure that YIKES! Studio creates work that is fun, beautiful, always interesting, and adorns the wearer with joy. Catch up with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Etsy, or her website at www.yikesstudio.com.

What's On My Workbench

As the days get shorter, the sunsets ever closer to the sunrises, it's a wonderful time to devote to creative pursuits indoors. The newest work in my studio is alive with lavender, golden yellow and fresh green. Patterns and shapes abound in infinite variety created by the polymer caning process.

I've also been showing my work at some fine craft shows, and the next one takes me to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a Designing Women craft show.

These are great shows with a wonderful group of folks that I get to know year after year.

They're a fantastic opportunity to get your YIKES! jewelry holiday shopping in, too!

What's On My Workbench

I've been working with new colors, combinations and patterns in my studio for fall. Red, black, and white continues to be very popular. I love working with the graphic contrast.

The contrast and lines in the canes remind me of comic book art, or perhaps some kind of alphabet or symbolism.

The complex, winding lines and shapes seem to speak of new languages, mystical communications.

Besides working in my studio and playing with new colors and patterns for fall, you can find me at SevenArts Gallery in Ellsworth, Maine some days of the week-- just contact me for my schedule in the gallery. My work is always available there, Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.

What's On My Workbench: Summery Stacking Bangles and Cuffs

Here are a few recent items from my workbench, where I've been exploring Swarovski-studded starfish cuff bracelets, summery stacking bangles, and lots of color. When creating I like to drift between the real and unreal – fantasies and reality.
















 Constructing the red and turquoise starfish cuff








 

















Red and turquoise studded starfish cuff: Ready for its final curing

 














Details, details!

Royal blue starfish cuff: the sculpting and molding portion of its creation. Here, I am adding the Swarovski crystal and the textural "nubbles" of the starfish.
 

A view of the inside pattern of the royal blue starfish cuff, and the cane used to create it.

 















New stacking bangles in royal blue, hyacinth and tangerine!



 

Starfish earrings and pendants ready for assembly. ❉

 

What's On My Workbench

Fun, big ring parts to be assembled. The ring shanks are created from sterling silver. The polymer has a sterling bezel set and the sparkles are Swarovski crystals from Austria.

To be completed: (1) A jacquard peach and fuchsia disk bead necklace, (2) BoHo pendant and earrings set, and (3) flat dangles in mint and emerald. ❉