etsymetal Project Runway Challenge, Season 9, The Finale

It's hard to believe that another season of Project Runway has come to an end... The etsymetal team has been following along, challenging ourselves weekly along with the PR designers. This week we learned who the Project Runway winner was. 

Our final challenge was to create a mini collection. With only a week to design and execute, it was challenging, especially at this time of year when we are trying to fill orders, and get work to the galleries. Check out the etsymetal blog for all of this week's entries!

My goal was to put together a 3 piece collection using those materials I really enjoy working with such as Nevada boulder turquoise and pearls. I've also popped in a rose cut diamond on the pendant. All pieces are fabricated in sterling silver with 14kt gold accents. The cognac diamond is set in 18kt gold. 

  

  Pendant featuring Nevada boulder turquoise, keshi pearl and cognac rose cut diamond

             Earrings with Nevada boulder turquoise and freshwater pearl

        Ring, Nevada boulder turquoise and freshwater pearl

You'll find these 3 pieces in my etsy shop for only a short while!

Coming up next on the etsymetal blog is the newest challenge surrounding the new Project Accessory.

I'll have to skip that challenge, but do stay tuned to the etsymetal blog for that one. And remember, you don't have to be a member of the etsymetal team to play!

etsymetal Project Runway Challenge, Season 9, Week 12

                                                                                           Imperial jasper with carnelian drops in sterling and 14kt gold

For last week's Project Runway challenge the designers spent a day on NYC's Governor's Island, in search of inspiration for the creation of a mini collection. For the etsymetal challenge, we followed those same guidelines, using Governor's Island or a hometown park for our inspiration.

My neighborhood park, Maddax Woods, along the Willamette River is a constant source of inspiration and rejuvenation, not to mention our go-to dog walk destination... Goat Island, in the first photo, is a Great Blue Heron rookery. Flores is imploring me to hurry it up!


My challenge entry this week is a pair of earrings using a gorgeous pair of Imperial jasper in mottled greens evoking the cool understory along the path. The beautiful red band running through it reminds me of the Willamette river that borders the east edge of the park as well as the beginning of our Fall colors. The conical carnelian drops, echo that color perfectly!

                                                                      
Our final challenge will be to do a mini collection, just as the final 4 Project Runway designers are preparing to show their collections at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Stay tuned for that! Meanwhile check out the etsymetal blog with all of the current and past team challenge pieces!

Etsymetal Project Runway Challenge, Season 9, Week 11

Things have been pretty busy here lately in my little neck of the woods, and I've had to miss the last 2 weeks of the etsymetal Project Runway challenge. (You can find some cool entries from past couple of week's challenges on the etsymetal blog if you're so inclined...)

Last week's show "For the Birds" challenged the designers to create something inspired by one of these 4 birds brought into the studio. 

And, as you can probably guess, the etsymetal challenge traveled along a similar flightpath...

I looked through my collection of stones and found a wonderful piece of ocean jasper with a colorful,  graphic design. I set it in sterling silver with 14kt gold bits and a stylized "tail".

Fun challenge this week!


Next week's challenge: "The Final Challenge" . In this episode, the designers were tasked to create a mini collection emphasizing their overall fashion vision. They went to Governor's Island in NYC to find their inspiration.
The etsymetal challenge: create a piece inspired by the sights on Governor's Island. Or, visit your local park and pick up a little inspiration there.
OK, we'll see what happens...
Meanwhile, see all of last weeks entries here!