What I’ve been up to lately, Covid-19 edition.

As so many blog post start, “sorry I haven’t posted in awhile”, so begins this one. Most of my non crafting energy, since my last post has gone into building my website, which I hope you’ve had a chance to look at www.RichardBradleyDesigns.com . Meanwhile, during this new era of Covid-19, I haven’t been doing any craft shows and I’m learning to make my business more “virtual”. So, in the spirit of virtual marketing, I present to you my first self made fashion video.

An Update To My Creative Challenge

So my 12 week creative challenge is moving along at a steady pace, I’ve been concentrating on more elaborate pieces which take more than a day to complete, that’s why I no longer post every day now.  For today though, I thought I’d share these two pieces that are coming together quite nicely.

I’m calling this the “Warrior Angel” tiara.  I may add a few elements to it still and there are some tiny rings soldered every here and there for hanging beads from, I like my jewelry to have moving elements.  I’ve been wanting to use these cobalt blue stones and spiral beads for quite some time, there’s many old stones and beads hanging around my studio just waiting to be used in just the right design, some of them I’ve had for more than thirty years.  I think I’ll have this gold-plated, if the stones stand out too much after plating, maybe I’ll enamel the leaves like I did in this mask. 

The other piece I’d like to share is a brooch that will be part of a necklace.

This one is a commission based on this piece. 

The customer wants something more colorful, with a biological theme and in a silver plate.  I hope she likes it!

#MyPinkPlanet

Days Twenty One Through Twenty Four Of My Creative Challenge

I’m moving right along with my twelve week creative challenge, I’m just making things a bit faster than I can photograph them so bear with me.

For day 21, I made this necklace from an old watch case I found somewhere amidst all the junk I’ve collected over the years.  I think I’ll finish it with tones of silver, gold and raw brass.

On day 22, I made this Venetian style cross necklace, carnivale is coming up in February so I hope to have a series of masks and jewelry to show for the occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which brings us to this crystal carnival mask I started on day 23.  I think I need to add a lot more dangling beads and chains, but we’ll see.

And finally for day 24, I struggled to make my way into the studio and I have only the beginning of a renaissance style necklace to show for it.

That’s all for today, I hope you’re following me on FaceBook and have a chance to check out my ETSY shop? In the meantime, take care.

#MyPinkPlanet

 

Days Nine And Ten Of My Twelve Week Creative Challenge

Although my intention was to make something each day of my twelve week creative challenge, for these two days my creative energy went into the setup and presentation of a very successful holiday craft show. Here’s some photos of my booth…

It’s pretty much the same setup as most of the shows I do, but this time I added a little side table with some specialty items.

In doing a show like this I find the full review of my recent and past work coupled with customer input to be a great exercise and I ended the day with a good amount of inspiration.  I probably won’t have a post for day eleven due to the exhaustion I feel at the end of this amazing event.

#MyPinkPlanet

A change of venue

I’ve been asked to participate in a group gallery show, and since I’ve grown a bit tired of making production jewelry, this seems to be the perfect opportunity to let loose and create some more sculptural pieces.  So, here we go.

The first is a concept piece I call “Husbandry”

I have two thoughts going on with this piece.  

One is in how I find the idea of bodily adornment in relation to self-image, and as a mark of intent, goal, or achievement to be so curious.  Whether it be to enhance one’s beauty, self-confidence, or status, the pursuit of wearable objects to achieve these goals are how the title of this piece came about.

The other is the symbolism involved with the romanticized heart representing love and all that it encompasses verses the literal heart as a body organ.  The romantic heart associated with living happily ever after, and the anatomical heart associated with just living.

As with many of my pieces there is some wordplay and visual puns going on here.  I invite the viewer to ponder the idea of a crystal heart-shaped cage, containing an anatomical representation of a heart, flanked by sprays of jeweled flowers, and the significance of its wearability.  

 

 

The first time my work was shown in an art gallery, it was in a Venetian carnival mask show at the Museum Of Fine Arts Boston, in which I took first place.  This is that mask…

So, out of nostalgia, and as an expression of my creative journey, I thought it fitting to do another mask and see how far I have come as a designer and fabricator.

I call this piece Camouflage,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have an ongoing fascination with the imitation of nature by the use of man-made materials, and the idea of improving on nature by the same means.

In this piece I’ve used the format of a mask, something typically used to hide or disguise one’s identity.   In creating an elaborate network of representations from nature, I then gilded and bejeweled it so as to create a conspicuous object of opulence.  Much of my work involves puns and wordplay which is how the title of this piece came about.  

And finally, if anyone reading this is going to be in the Providence area within the next month, well, here’s your invitation…

The Gothic Chain Mask

This time of year, around Carnival, I seem to get subconsciously inspired to make masks.  Here’s one I call the Gothic Chain mask.

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I like the way the yards of silver rope chain can look so elegant and veil like on a woman, yet on a man the same piece has a strong warrior look.  Unfortunately, I have no female model to my avail, but here are some photos of me as your model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a link to my shop if you’d like to check it out.  My Pink Planet

The “Enchantress” Mask

In Providence Rhode Island, the city where I live, there’s a wonderful monthly event called Gallery Night Providence.  Once a month about 30 of the city’s major art and craft galleries are open late and there are free guided bus tours throughout the city.

This month Gallery Night Providence had a fund-raiser, part of which was an auction of Halloween masks created and donated by local artists.  Well, being a great fan of Halloween, Gallery Night Providence, and mask making, how could I not participate.  So now, here are some pictures of my entry…

I’ve titled this piece “Enchantress”!  Here’s some detailed pictures,

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So?  I’m eager to know what you think, please comment.  Also, as always, be sure to check out my etsy shop and I’d love it if you were to “Like” my Facebook page too!