Finished jewelry always has a starting point. It might be a maker’s love for a particular material, or a creative vision that just won’t leave her imagination.
For Susie Sheftel, it was hoppy toads. After a trip to Mexico – where she fell in love with a painting technique used on Oaxacan wood carvings – she started painting intricate, colorful frog designs on river rocks.
Back home in her kitchen studio, Susie started transferring the first Schneblies design into elaborate, colorfully painted canvases. They found buyers at a local art gallery, and Susie began to wonder, “what next?”
The Oaxacan style that inspired Schneblies is full of small details, shapes and loosely arranged patterns that suggest physical movement. The more Susie sketched and illustrated, the more she saw the frogs as 3D in her mind’s eye.She decided to take the next step, turning Schneblies frogs into charm necklaces.
Susie quickly discovered that her choice of materials had a real impact on the aesthetics and personality of the jewelry. Metals like brass and sterling silver were great for showcasing lines and etchings, echoing the illustrations more closely. And the addition of Swarovski crystals in a pavé setting gave Schneblies texture, and mirrored the effect of frogs emerging from water with droplets clinging.
Today Susie has turned what was first a design hobby into a full-fledged jewelry and art businesses. But still the crafty spirit moves her in new directions: she recently tried her hand at embroidering, and created a cool Schneblies jean jacket. Sorry guys, she’s keeping this one.
Where does your creative inspiration come from? Have you found that starting with one craft project almost always leads you to another?
Win Win Win
For your chance to win this Amazing Necklace visit their website and sign up to the Newsletter. Come back here and tell us who you would like to win this for. It’s okay you can say yourself, we won’t judge. Competition closes September 1st 2016
Use discount code craftgossiplove for 10% off your order and free shipping at schneblies.com. One per customer, expires 10/31.
Love the frog. Beautiful work
Superb piece.. I want to win this for my elder sister who loves beautiful handmade jewelry n always struggles to find unique pieces.. She’ll b delighted to wear this ????????
I have a dear friend who LOVES all things frog. She has nothing nearly as lovely as this Schneblies pendant frog. I’d love to win it for her delight
Love these little frogs! Sharing site with my friends, but I definitely want to win it for myself!
I love frogs!
My daughter would love this!