There is a reason art students are required to study history - there is a vast source of inspiration from ancient times, other cultures and what artists have created in the past. This week we are going to do a little research for our assignment and create something new while borrowing from the ancients.
Your Assignment:
Create a piece of jewelry inspired by an ancient design using modern materials. What's ancient? Let's anything before the Renaissance. Head back to ancient Greece, Rome, Africa, China or India for a serious dose of inspiration. Don't forget Celtic and Viking jewelry designs too. There is literally a whole world to explore!
Tips for Making the Old New Again:
When I was in art school our library had a copy of the History of Beads. What an amazing book. I would spend time recreating beads and jewelry based on those styles found in ancient Egypt and Rome.
Visit my Ancient Jewelry pin board for some inspiration.
So off you go - do some googling or head to the library for an afternoon to find your inspiration. Once you find your inspiration decide what modern materials will best translate your inspiration into jewelry.
You can use replicas of ancient materials, you can use wire or metal to forge a design, you can use materials that used by ancient cultures like lapis, carnelian, jade, turquoise. Or if you have a stash of old beads, like African trade beads or Roman glass pull them out.
Or you might try to replicate an ancient material. Check out this awesome tutorial on faux Roman glass using polymer clay. Here is a tutorial for faux jade.
Share your progress!
If you write a blog post about your Week 9 Challenge share the link by clicking on the blue button below. If you don't have a blog leave a comment here to let me know you participated in the Facebook group this week.
What is the Jewelry Mojo Challenge? Click here to read all about it. Can you still join? Yes! You can follow along and do all 12 weeks or pick and choose the ones you find inspiring.