Inspiration Comes-With A Challenge

inspiration room from Interior Alchemy

I'll be guest blogging on the Ice Resin site for Inspiration Monday, a week from today (make sure you check it out!) This photo will be part of my post. Do you not find it inspiring? It's blowing my mind! I adore the color scheme. It's funny but, this weekend I went antique shopping with a friend and I found this:

It's an old, mother of pearl brooch...pretty sizeable...with a brass, spiked bezel and cut steel trim. It's hard to tell from the photo but the mother of pearl is dark with swirling colors. Lately, I'm in a dark-ish mood. Not depressed or anything like that but more goth-ish.

Autumn is coming on.

It's my favorite time of year. The weather has finally broken and I love the cool nights. The smell of wood smoke floats on the air. Camping, marshmallows, pumpkins and boots are in order.

When I saw this brooch, that Interior Alchemy inspiration room popped into my brain. It's a perfect match and a perfect spark for a new piece of jewelry. Actually, I laid the piece out in about two shakes. It was formed in my head before I even knew it.

Sweet.

And, here's my color palette. Take a stroll over to Brandi's blog if you'd like to learn how to make your own palette. She's got some awesome templates in her shop, as well. And she's got all kinds of great free stuff. You'll love it. If you like her blog, leave her a comment. She'll love it.

So....here is my challenge to you: I'm dying to see what you do with this inspiration photo. Please, please, play along with me! This will be fun!

Make a piece of jewelry, inspired by our inspiration room...necklace, bracelet, ring or earrings, whatever. Post it to your blog or website and link back here by leaving me a comment, on this post. I'll give you until Oct. 19th to finish. That's Wed. the 19th...that's a week and 1/2.

And....

If you play, I'll draw a random name from the players to win the goodies pictured above. You must comment, on this post...linking to your post with the photo of your finished work, in order to be eligible.

But wait...I just realized, I MUST include some mother of pearl in my goodie bag prize so...there will be more than what's pictured. I have some pretty cool mother of pearl stuff so I'll have to dig around and see what I come up with.

So far, I have some lovely things to give away. The colors from the inspiration room are luscious so I chose things in that palette. A vintage rhinestone brooch...a pointy, mauve pearl...

...an awesome, black crystal drop. It's old. I don't know where it came from but it's old. Gorgeous deep red glass beads...a disco ball (who doesn't need one?)...vintage rhinestone buttons...

...huge, chunky garnets...a vintage clasp...vintage glass mardi gras beads...great stuff! I realize you won't be able to use your prize winnings in your inspired piece but, that's ok. You can make a second piece and show us all your creative genius.

Ok...don't forget...leave me a comment on this post, linking to your post with the photo of your finished jewelry piece.

Go.

Create!

Comments

[Renate]

Deryn - it isn't totally finished, but I have posted it anyway. This is my take on your challenge - thank you for the inspiration!
http://putalittlemagicinyourlife.blogspot.com/2011/10/deryns-challenge.html

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Here's my link, sweetie! Thanks for the inspiration!
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2011/10/opulent-odyssey.html

Enjoy the day.
Erin

[JulieryJones]

Hi Deryn,
I'm not sure that my previous comment went through. If this is a duplicate, I apologize! Your inspiration piece is Gorgeous as always. I love seeing the different interpretations of the same photo. This has been GREAT fun! Here's the link to my piece: http://julieryjones.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge.html
Thank you for the challenge!
Julie

[Julie Jones]

Hi Deryn!
Awesome inspiration challenge...my first. I'm sorry I'm so late posting, I've had a long day :) I wish my photos were better. But Here is the link to my post: http://julieryjones.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge.html
Thank you for putting the challenge out there! This was so much fun and I love seeing how everyone interprets the Inspiration picture so differently. Your piece is INCREDIBLE as always.

Julie

[Christine Damm]

Deryn, here's the link to my photo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/stories_they_tell/6261500447/in/photostream -- thanks for the challenge, hope you like it! I call this style "Bollywood Gothic"--ha, ha! I gave it to my sis for her birthday.

[cathy @ ma vie trouvee]

Hello! Here is my attempt at the challenge.

http://donaldandcathy.typepad.com/ma_vie_trouvee/2011/10/jewelry-challenge-inspiration-from-a-room.html

Good thing I am taking your class as a refresher for my wrapping : )

Great fun! Thanks Deryn. Cheers from Brussels.

[Alice]

Here's the link to my challenge piece:

http://blissguild.blogspot.com/2011/10/inspiration-in-dressing-chamber.html

[Shuku]

Deryn, here's my piece! Lousy photograph of the whole thing, but it's done!
http://shukuen.blogspot.com/2011/10/inspiration-room-challenge-rococo.html

I can hope for the shinies, but I'm just glad to have finished a piece!

[Molly Alexander]

Hi Deryn!

Thank you so much for hosting this challenge - I absolutely loved the color palette and over-the-top glamour of the inspiration room.

Here's the link to my post:

http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com/2011/10/opulence.html

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone made!

:) Molly

[katalina jewelry]

I've finished my challenge piece. It's called Rendezvous and you can take a look at it on my blog post.

http://katalinajewelry.blogspot.com/2011/10/rendezvous.html

I had a lot of fun with this challenge and can't wait to see what everyone created! Thanks!

[Piper Deggan]

I just posted my creations on my blog. Can't wait to see what others have created!

[sharon]

Hi Deryn!
Just finished my piece and I have to thank you for challenging me and inspiring me more than I thought I was capable of. Here is my link

http://livewirejewelry.blogspot.com/
Thanks again, this was a great challenge!

[Kathy Ward]

love the room theme for the "challenge"! probably some of my favorite colors. i was just starting some bracelets, and i'm going to do one in your theme for the challenge! this is fun! thanks! is your mother of pearl brooch piece a vintage alice caviness pc.?

[kathy ward]

love your work - i'm in - i'm working on six bracelets now and one of them will be from/for your challenge! love the room! thanks for the challenge - that's fun!

[Ziggy]

Hi Deryn! I love all your work! I was wondering if you know if the Towers and Turrets class will be something you will share again in the future? I was so dissapointed when I missed that class. I really enjoy going through your blog. Take care.

xoxo
Ziggy

[Piper Deggan]

Decadence, comfort, antiquities, ruby laden, exotic prints, weighty fabrics, ornate frosted, plush, patina silver, velvet pink, what more could a woman want? I'm in ♥

[cathy @ ma vie trouvee]

Oh such beautiful colors - love this challenge and a great way to practice what we are learning in your class!

[Brandi]

Hey Deryn, thanks so much for the shout out and the kind words! I'm always eager to see color palettes others make, and yours is stunning. I'm into the darker, richer colors right now, too.

Have a wonderful day!

[navleen]

Great challenge this! I'm going to make something right away :)

Thanks Deryn

[Shirley Moore]

Oh, I so can't resist a challenge. Especially those colors! Count me in, I'm feeling all swoony and romantic already! :)

[Alice]

Love the room you chose as your inspiration. I'm a bit jealous that the piece was formed so quickly in your mind. That rarely happens for me.

This sounds like a fun challenge--I hope I can get something finished by the 19th. I'm off to check out the www for an inspiration room.

[Shuku]

All right! I'll play - that's a definite inspiration room and it'll force me to Do Something rather than languish in creative depression.

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Squee! That is so my color palette and I love all the details in this inspiration. I don't know that I will have time to do this, but I will certainly try! (My one and only show is on the 18th!) But just for the chance to win some swag from you, it would be worth it!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

[sharon]

What a temptress you are!!! Count me in!! This sounds like fun and something different...I need a diversion. Once again, your generosity is amazing...thank you Deryn.
BTW, the inspiration photo is over the top GORGEOUS!

[Christine Damm]

"Twas a dark and stormy night and I was tucked up in my brocaded alcove drinking my Lapsang Soochong with a splash of brandy waiting for my tall-dark-and-handsome to arrive at the castle in his coach".... oh, I think I do want to play! I haven't had the chance to do anything really romantic lately so this is perfect. Maybe I'll break out that resin I've been hoarding?? Thanks, Deryn-- nice eye candy!