Year of Jewelry Week 8: Violet and Happy Accidents

On February 12, 2012

I really hadn’t intended so early a tussle with week 8, yet, as I searched through the list of Year of Jewelry 2012 themes, I found next week’s theme “Violet” stuck in my noggin when I started work on this ring. It is the curse of the inspired that no other work gets done but that which was inspired first, so I knew I needed to get this out as fast as possible or end up stuck in some strange creative rut.

Constructed on a six-wire woven shank, I seated a violet 8mm Swarovski crystal bead in the core of oxidized silver-filled waves. But despite the deliberate finished look, it was a happy accident this ring (available for viewing here) happened at all.

You see, once a year I order materials in bulk, so only minor emergencies will send me to the nearest craft store for supplies. And, added to my list this year, a much-anticipated bulk purchase of silver-filled wire. The only problem is that it arrived in a 22 gauge spool instead of the 20 gauge I’m absolutely positive I ordered. Sigh. I thought to myself “Well what am I supposed to do with this? I don’t use this gauge” and was ready to return the spool when I realized perhaps it’s a serendipitous happenstance and the universe is sending me a sign. I took a chance on what could have been an expensive mistake, and I’m happy to say I’m thrilled to the very marrow of my bones with the endless possibilities I see!

If I’d returned this wire for my typical 20 gauge, I’m sure the added bulk would have detracted from the manageability of the size of this ring, perhaps going so far as to make it uncomfortable for the wearer given the continued coiled design around the shank. I know bigger is not always bad, but I specifically aimed for something a little more…. demure, to fit the delicacy of the week 8 theme.

So, in short, what was the lesson here?

Give your mistakes a chance to elevate themselves into happy accidents. You never know what you might get.

Now I’m off to make one in red! Happy weaving everyone!