3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

Erin Prais-Hintz — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:42:19 GMT

My assymmetrical pieces are the ones that garner the most compliments, although most people feel they are not bold enough to "carry off the look". I think it makes it all the more interesting to see that not everything is perfectly symmetrical. I set out with that in mind when creating and it is something forces my brain to fire on all synapses! I usually like to repeat some elements, colors or patterns from one side to the other to make it most successful. A new technique that I love is breaking a piece into 2-, 3- or 4-sections. In one particular necklace, I chose 4 sections of 9" each. I challenged myself to use a triadic color scheme for these 4 sections: purple, orange and green. I planned it so that it could be worn long, with whatever part in front you wish (I find myself twisting it around throughout the day), but when wrapped twice (about 18") that the opposing side coordinated in weight as well (i.e., no more than 4 strands between the two sides). I would love to share a picture of this, but alas, you will have to wait, as it will be in my featured artist section in a magazine in March 2009! Enjoy the day! Erin Prais-HIntz, Tesori Trovati Jewelry Collection

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

Jubeadilation — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:00:23 GMT

How about trying out asymmetry with earrings. How often have you made a necklace and thought of several ways to make matching earrings. Try one of each! See if anyone notices,,,, I bet they don't.

I'm amazed how asymmetrical earrings are hardly ever sold.

Hint: Try to keep them about the same length, but variations in width seem to work well.

Frances

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

Gaela — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:59:51 GMT

I work alot with gemstones and I believe that we were programed as kids to go symmetrical, remember learning "patterns"? I believe that it is because of that and the fact that I have a Pisces Sun and Moon, that I dislike symmetry so much. In the last year or so I started adding at least one Art Bead to everything I make, it doesn't matter if I've made it or bought it from another bead artist, I think that by doing that, that each piece has a special touch, a gift from someones heart that adds good karma to the piece, plus I believe in supporting our endeavor to create.

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

Jubeadilation — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:42:23 GMT

I love asymmetrical designs, and find it almost impossible to make a symmetrical one for myself, even if the difference is very subtle, like the one shown here:

jubeadilation.synthasite.com/About_Frances.php

I'm boasting about this one at the moment because it's just been selected in the Bead and Gem Show competition and will be on display in Sydney!

By the way I sell this design in kit form. Contact me through the website if you'd like to give it a go.

Frances

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

konowbrownell@gmail.com — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:54:29 GMT

I usually need some structure or else my project looks like my bead box threw up. I try to assess how much pattern, color, or texture I'm employing. I try to focus on two of the three. If I have all three going on, it just gets too busy.

Cynthia

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

TerriDoodle — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:16:16 GMT

Oh! How I've struggled to get out of Symmetry Mode!! I made and wore my first asymmetrical piece yesterday and loved it! I used the "no two beads are alike" method and strung them only on the left side of the chain.

great article!!

My magical local bead shop (www.beadoholique.net/...I am so fortunate) even has classes on the subject. If only I could retire from my day job and take classes as much as I'd like!

I admire you all and am proud to be a part of this community.

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

Goddessjoy — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:04:33 GMT

Thanks Monica! You've got some beautiful pieces as well!

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

MonicaP@10 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:51:02 GMT

Love your stuff Joy!

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

Goddessjoy — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:57:44 GMT

I started beading as a symmetry freak. I was downright obsessive with it. I realized, a few years ago, that it was a sign of my control freak tendencies. I slowly started making things that were asymmetrical as a way to break out of that pattern in my life. Now I rarely make things that are perfectly symmetrical! I make sure the piece stays balanced, and often use the same beads throughout a piece, just in a different order.

Here's a recent non symmetrical piece for fall.

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

MonicaP@10 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:49:40 GMT

I just received Simply Modern Jewelry yesterday and it is a great book! But I think I'll post a more detailed 'book report' on it and the other two books I ordered over in the forums later....

Asymmetrical designs are really fun. Like Mary said, it's also a great way to use up odds and ends, or odd numbers of leftover beads from other projects.

Some folks (friends and customers) really prefer things to be symmetrical, and as a Libra, you'd think I'd want that sense of balance all the time. For me it depends on the materials I'm using or the overall feeling I want for a piece.

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

JanG@25 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:45:42 GMT

Another simple way to be asymmetrical is to use a fabulous clasp, link, or focal bead and string it to the side of an otherwise symmetrical necklace. I remember one of Lisa Kan's wonderful long lampwork pieces strung with multiple strands of gemstones in an old issue of Stringing magazine. Setting the lampwork to the side instead of making a pendant out of it really made it stand out.

I like today's tips. I've done some asymmetrical pieces and found them a lot of fun. Now, I'm inspired to do more. Thanks!

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

MaryP@98 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:03:43 GMT

The easiest way for me to be asymetrical is the method I used just this week - lay a few of each of many different stones, beads, glass, etc (including leftovers from other projects) and keep placing them one by one on a beadboard.

Let your instincts guide your hand at each choice of bead. If they are all leftovers of favorite beads the choices will be easy, especially if no one bead is too small or too large compared to the others.

re: 3 Asymmetrical Design Tips for Beginners

LeslieY@2 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:43:15 GMT

I don't think I have ever broken the symmetry rut. These are good tips. Color could probably be used also in an asymmetrical fashion.