Thursday, 22 January 2015

Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques, Linzi Alford of MagPie In The Sky, Part One

This is my favourite place in the woods, 5 minutes from my home.
 The primeval greenery and reflections in the water are inspirational!


This is ME! Totally NOT asleep- just engrossed taking photos.
Pic Credit Danny Fowler

I'm Linzi Alford of MagPie In The Sky, and am "proper chuffed " to be here with you for the first of three blog hops that will be the Build a Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques.
 
Firstly a bit about the challenge, (click to read  Brenda's Blog post about the challenge- opens in a new window)
 The challenge is really an education from Brenda Sue of B'sue Boutiques where she will give us all (and we number nearly 60 from all over the world! ) the benefit of her considerable experience in the business  . There will be 3 Hops that span three months .
   All of us will be working hard to create a line of jewellery and have a coherent thought process . Coherent ? Me ?
   At the end, we will reveal a complete line of jewellery with a minimum of five pieces all individually designed and constructed from start to finish by US .


So let me begin by talking about ME - a bit about myself and my background, and why I decided to be part of this challenge.
I am from the NW of England,  Miss Potter country for those who have seen the film- I live on the edge of the English Lake District ,beautiful lakes and mountains.
I am lucky enough to have been making jewellery for 6 years now and  write regularly for UK  jewellery magazines.
Am EVEN more lucky to have had my first jewellery making project book published.  <insert shameless plug HERE  >

I am also very appreciative to be part of the B'sue Design Team  and have written a few tutorials there if you look next time you are on the site.
I love nature inspired pieces but also like the weird quirky and Steampunk too. I am a notoriously messy worker- like to be surrounded by LOTS of stuff - sometimes my 3 cattens "help" by rearranging things for me. Without me even asking. Occasionally onto the floor- see previous post the Importance of Putting lids on - a cautionary tale!
hard at work! photo credit Danny Fowler

Here I am sat at my GINOURMOUS desk


As a designer I think we are NEVER done learning- and Brenda has a LOT to teach us. So I decided to participate in the Challenge to give myself a boot up the backside and get on with making some jewellery lines to sell. 

So without further ado- this is what I am working on for the Challenge.
 I am developing an idea that I have used before- but always intended to expand a LOT on as there is so much scope for it.
Here is a bracelet I have made in the past- this one is called Dappled Light - using segments of my own photographs under resin and components from B'sue Boutiques.

Dappled Light Bracelet .Photo credit Danny Fowler

So.. here are some photos I have been cutting up ..................



 Looks like something is occuring here ........................



To see what I make remember to come back in a month for Hop 2!

And now please go and see what everyone else has been up to, remember to try and leave a comment  so we can all see who has been visiting ! 

Here is the list- Get Hopping! 


Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O'Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O'Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Melida Boman
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law



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83 comments:

  1. WilyWolverine22 January 2015 at 23:59

    What a concept--using your own photos and B'sue's mounts and all. Lovely green bracelet!

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    Replies
    1. Miss Swish23 January 2015 at 07:30

      Thank you - love the greenery very inspiring :)

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  2. Susan Bowerman, Woodside WireWorks23 January 2015 at 03:47

    Linzi, I cannot wait to see your line. What a great concept. It is going to be fantastic. I enjoyed my visit to your blog!

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  3. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 04:52

    As a nature lover myself I can not wait to see your creations. What a fabulous idea!

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  4. Susan ~ Killam Creative23 January 2015 at 05:07

    Ooh, this will be fun! I love that you are bringing two sides of your creativity together.

    Cheers,
    Susan

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    1. Miss Swish23 January 2015 at 07:32

      OOh yes- I enjoy photography almost as much as making jewellery !

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  5. Michelle Mach23 January 2015 at 05:51

    Great idea to use your own photos to help put a unique stamp on your designs!

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    1. Miss Swish23 January 2015 at 07:32

      thanks- lot of copyright free images to use that way ;)

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  6. Nike E. Bottalico23 January 2015 at 06:24

    really awesome & cannot wait to see!

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  7. Lori23 January 2015 at 06:26

    You do such amazing work!

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  8. MadScientistsDesigns23 January 2015 at 06:51

    Love the bracelet, Linzi! Can't wait to see what you're working on. :-) ~Elizabeth

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  9. Unknown23 January 2015 at 07:01

    Great blog, Linzi! I saw your photo jewelry in your book, and it's definitely something you should make more of. I can't wait to see your finished line!

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  10. Melissa23 January 2015 at 07:13

    What a beautiful theme! Just lovely.

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  11. Freestyle Elements23 January 2015 at 08:16

    What an awesome and creative idea!! I love what I have seen, and I definitely want to see more. Your components will make some fabulous jewelry. Gina H

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  12. Unknown23 January 2015 at 08:47

    Greetings Linzi ~ BRAVA! Adore your concept and creation! Really looking forward to your reveal of all the pieces in your line! My brother Scott lives in Devon (near the Moors). I will hopefully visiting there this summer (as I've never been yet). Cheers ~ Sandie

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:44

      Thank you- how fab that you are visiting this year , I love Devon though have't been since I was a kid!

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  13. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 08:54

    Love what you have selected for your design .. your Blog is wonderful .. Jann

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  14. B'sue23 January 2015 at 10:34

    WELL DONE, Linzi, and LOVE the photos.....couldn't help myself, pinned a few!

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:45

      Thank you Brenda, Cheers for the pins- I need to get pinning too !

      Delete
  15. Cynthia Wainscott23 January 2015 at 10:55

    Lovely idea for a line and your bracelet it's so eye catching, using your own pictures just makes it even more special

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:46

      Thank you Cynthia- love taking photos nearly as much as making jewellery!

      Delete
  16. Pamela23 January 2015 at 11:08

    Very cool idea for a line, Linzi! How special to use your own photos ... it's going to be so unique! ;)

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:47

      Thank you Pamela, I love photography almost as much as making jewellery :)

      Delete
  17. Melida23 January 2015 at 12:00

    Neat idea!

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  18. Unknown23 January 2015 at 12:07

    Love the line idea and your blog. Love love love your book. So glad I found you though B'sue's Creative Group.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:47

      Thank you Janet and am so happy you like my book !

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  19. DragonzWench23 January 2015 at 12:08

    Hi, lovely idea with the photos. Looking forward to seeing more.
    Cheers
    Lynn

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  20. Unknown23 January 2015 at 12:23

    Great blog and post, Linzi! I love your idea for the challenge, combining two things you obviously enjoy. I can't wait to see what you create.

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  21. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 14:20

    What a unique theme Linzi - using your own phots. Love it!

    Those focals are gorgeous!

    Marica
    Bead Lovelies

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:49

      Thank you Marica- I am a keen photographer as well as a jewellery maker :)

      Delete
  22. Unknown23 January 2015 at 14:34

    Your work is inspired and inspiring. The trees and woods have always drawn me. Kansas isn't known for trees, but we searched for 8 years and found a haven of them in the middle of the wheat-fields. Your work reflects so much beauty. Thank you for sharing it with us and for helping us along the road at the same time.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:50

      Thank you Teresa, glad you found your own oasis of greenery :D

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  23. ParisienneGirl23 January 2015 at 15:04

    Linzi. your nature-inspired jewellery is beyond lovely ♥ ...and using your photography is brilliant. Cheers to your continued success!

    ~ Lori
    ParisienneGirl

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  24. Sweet Willow Designs23 January 2015 at 16:17

    Linzi, that a beautiful location and how inspiring. Using your photos in your jewelry is brilliant. Can't want to see the final line.

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  25. Sweet Willow Designs23 January 2015 at 16:17

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  26. Sweet Willow Designs23 January 2015 at 16:18

    Linzi, this may post twice 'cause I couldn't determine if the first went through. The location is beautiful and inspiring. Using your photos in your jewelry is fantastic and I can't wait to see the line.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:51

      Thank you ! I am very lucky to live in such a beautiful place .

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  27. Sweet Willow Designs23 January 2015 at 16:19

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  28. Unknown23 January 2015 at 16:57

    Loved reading your blog :-) What a clever way to preserve your favorite memories, can't wait to see your finished pieces!

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:52

      Thank you Monica :) I love how versatile the resin is!

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  29. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 17:11

    Great blog post, Linzi! Love your photos! I'm sooo jealous! The Lake District?!? Seriously?? LOL!! I have the Miss Potter DVD :*

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:53

      hahahah yes , REALLY the Lake District- it's beautiful even on a rainy glum day like today (gotta keep those lakes full!)

      Delete
  30. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 18:06

    Love the idea! I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:53

      Thank you - I am looking forward to the rest of the challenge.

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  31. Kat BM23 January 2015 at 18:12

    love the colors of the cabs, can't wait to see your line

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  32. Carole23 January 2015 at 18:26

    Great idea to use your own photos.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:54

      Thank you Carole- I always have a great supply of images that way !

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  33. WindDancerStudios23 January 2015 at 19:03

    Great idea, I don't think I've ever seen jewelry done quite like this and am looking forward to seeing the rest of your line!

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  34. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 19:23

    Good Luck, Love your idea, can't wait to see more. You have a lot of nature to work with.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:55

      Thank you - yes- lots of nature inspiration right at my door here :)

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  35. Unknown23 January 2015 at 20:18

    What a great and unique idea of combining your own beautiful photos into jewelry! Can't wait to see more :)

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:56

      Thank you Mary- it's such an endlessly customisable combination :)

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  36. Unknown23 January 2015 at 20:41

    You are so talented, nature is something most people are drawn to, I love your Jewelry and using your own photos is brilliant! Can't wait to see your pieces in your line. :D

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  37. Unknown23 January 2015 at 23:38

    I so want your bracelet! I look forward to seeing your finished line.

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  38. Tammy Adams24 January 2015 at 09:41

    Fabulous idea. Each piece will be unique to you, even if you make them by the dozens, because they're your photos. Looking forward to the finished line.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:58

      Thank you Tammy- yes is very hard to replicate exactly even if I wanted to - means each one is special :)

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  39. Unknown24 January 2015 at 15:03

    Lemme try this again! Love your work and your book, Miss Linzi! Those cabs are fabulous and totally YOU. Can't wait to see the next phase. p.s. Gimma that desk! ;)

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:58

      Thank you Renee! hahahah I LOVE that desk even though will have to take door & frame out to move it !

      Delete
  40. Unknown24 January 2015 at 17:37

    oooooh, I want one! What a terrific idea and I can't wait to see more.

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  41. coral24 January 2015 at 18:46

    I love your idea of cooperating your pictures into jewelry. It's so unique and personal.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 02:59

      Thank you Coral, it's lovely to be able to incorporate my own photos into jewellery :)

      Delete
  42. Anonymous24 January 2015 at 20:12

    Cool idea utilizing your photography! Looking forward to the next stages of your work.

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    1. Miss Swish25 January 2015 at 03:00

      Thank you - I am looking forward to the next stages too!

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  43. Unknown25 January 2015 at 08:00

    Hi Linzi!
    Congrats on your book girl!! You are SO lucky to have such inspirational Beauty right outside your back door!! Just amazing!! Am loving those Resin goodies you have going on! Cannot wait to see the pretties of your line!
    XO
    Liz

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  44. Unknown28 January 2015 at 05:18

    I love your idea. I have photos of sunrises that would really work for this idea. I have your book too. I'm impressed with all the information and beauty packed in it.

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