"Modern Expressions" hitting the shelves soon

I am very anxious about seeing my books on the shelves of major bookstores soon. Some websites are promising to ship the book on December 20th and with that, lots of questions keeping pile up the back of my head. I want to know what would be my friends first impressions, magazine editors and of course the general public. Will friends be honest?

I have been relying on online reviews as a guide when I start thinking about buying a new electronic, booking a hotel, going to a new restaurant or bar. There is a lot of anxiety on my side on how my work will be seen by readers from all over. Am I ready for the downs, if they come?! 

I have been always very sensitive to negative comments about my jewelry line that at the end I take all personal, and it's very difficult not taking a negative comment about something made by you as personal, because there are lots of time and love involved on creating - even a commercial work.

Surely, there is no other way to learn all about those doubts if you don't put yourself out there and just let it happen when it is supposed to happen.

And talking about rejection, here are a few of the designs that were rejected or better saying, were not selected to be part of  the book, because they did not look like they were made by the same designer who made all the other designs chosen to be on Modern Express. A book needs to show coherence like all designs might to be linked to your book concept. 

Above, a necklace that combines dyed shell, yellow and red tiger-eye, turquoise, 3 different shapes of leaf charms, chain (of course) and very cool metal beads. It's simple and the inside asymmetrical strand reflects a trend that is very stron now; I have been doing asymmetrical designs since the begining...great 2 see all over the place. I have not done anything with this design and have not changed a thing about it. I like it and it'll probably be sold on of these days. I added a double strand of green faux-suede cord in the back.

Above, a bold triple layered design made of black brass links and lots of crystals by SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. I mixed jet and crystal red magma large holes roundelles- Article 5040, sew-on leaf stones and polygon crystal silver shade beads. Black filigree metal beads and black acrylic rectangle links adds texture to it.

I like to work with interesting findings because to me that's what DIY should always be. Making yourself something fabulous, easy and fast. Two sections are detachable so it can be worn just as a "Y" shape necklace/lariat. Fun, edgy, trendy and still screaming my name. I have not done any change to this piece either.

Last one, is a casual-chic necklace that takes me to the girls from streets of Rio- it's a typical girl from Ipanema casual necklace. Leather combined with textile, natural seed  and stone (a bold single carnelian). It's architectural and basic. It's a great accessory to complement that jeans, t-shirt and hells combo.  Here is the thing: this is the only one that I will change a little. The knots made with sparkling thread should be bigger. I will re-do it using more of those with more volume. I personally did not like the result throughout the leather strand, but love the whole look and colors.

Yes, I do love my creations.

Did you know that the cover design of "Modern Expressions" was rejected twice buy two magazine editors? And then I did not change a thing about the design at all. Whatever is supposed to be it will be, regardless the odds.

Beijos!

Nando.

All designs and images by Fernando Dasilva © 2010.

Swarovski Ambassador Training

Many times writing for a blog obligates you to be current as much as possible...I like to be current and fresh when I can make that a spontaneous and gratifying act. My career is not well disciplined and I don't manage my time very well. I was in Brazil for a month, from end of August to almost end of September dealing with personal issues and little bit of work.

I got back one day and the next day I flew to Cranston-Rhode Island to be part of the Swarovski Ambassador Training. After I got back I had to dedicate all my time to finish new designs for a customer and, two weeks after that, I was in Mexico City working for a manufacturer. So time went by so fast that I did not manage to blog from the road and add all the news from Swarovski earlier on this space, and that's why I am doing it just now.

The CREATE YOUR STYLE with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS division was launching the Innovations  for Autumn/Winter 2011/12. It was a fabulous event! A group f designers got together for the first time to bond and to talk about trends, new ideas, projects and goals. The Swarovski team treated us like family and we all felt really good about our partnership with Swarovski through the CREATE YOUR STYLE division.

I personally feel honored by having one of the most luxurious brands in the world sponsoring my design projects and endorsing my creative vision.

As fars as the products, the new shapes of beads stones, pendants and more and more, and the new colors pleased a lot my personal aesthetic.

I am a huge fan of yellow and smoky shades, so the new "Crystal silver night" and "Sunflower" gave  me plenty of inspirations. 

Crystal silver night = Elizabeth Taylor,  Cate Blanchet 

Sunflower = Julia Roberts, Jenifer Lopez

For some reason I made a small board with names of world celebrities that those two new colors remind me of and I came up with those. It's not important if in real life those colors are not appealing to them, but it's exciting for my creative process that those colors takes me to that world of beauty, glamour and stardom that those ladies exudes when walking the red carpet. This is Swarovski on its roots.

Many of the new shapes are extremely cool but here are my favorites (among the sample I got it) : lol

The ethereal existence of a butterfly now translated into a incredible and deep stone...joining the family of pendants and beads. 

It can't getter more Irish than this one...an universal symbol of luck, we Latins love it! Can't wait for bigger sizes so the cuts can be really noticed.

Hexagon sew-on stone - another modern and somehow futuristic.  

Lucerna bead - soon it's going to be in the list of favorites of may designers. Amazing cut and substantial. Architecturally modern.

Sphinx eye stone. wow...sexy, misterious and intriguing...it's time to start setting stones.

The next pictures are few of the trend flags of the fabulous and magical world of  SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Atumn/Winter 2011/2012.

acrylic, crystal meshes and crystal yarn

trims, crystal rock and crystal fabric, new additions to the "fusion concept" family

feathers and crystals

last two showcasing a froting, icy trend, a mixed of fur, fabrics, crystals and subdued shades

Pictures by Fernando Dasilva. 

Trend flags by CREATE YOUR STYLE with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS  © 2010.

Garlan Chain Company

I came back from Mexico in a such golden mood and since then I have been creating lots of new designs exploring metallic combo and sometimes spotlighting a single mettalic color as well like on this necklace below.

I love the styleof this chain. It has a classic and substantial look that takes me back to old Hollywood glamour.
I wish I had big vintage pearls to add to the composition but I decided to use crystal red magma SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS large Twsite Sew-on Stone and carnelian links. The chain itself is the focal point so I did not want to do much. I wanted a statement piece, strong, retro and feminine.
I glued  some jet crystals chattons  for an extra pizazz. Garlan Chain Company has an extensive line of chain, in many styles, sizes and plating can be done as the customer want. Unfortunately the company onle sells to wholesalers and distributors but you can always find it through the best jewelry findings suppliers around the country. 

Check this out:

First is the necklace on a flat surface.

Second picture shows the necklace on a mannequin...great accessory for any Fall/Winter outfit. 

It pairs well with a head to toe black outfit, or a chocolate brown and others dark earthy  shades. Actually caramel would make it very chic as well.

Pick small earrings and add a stack of antique gold bangles.

Be sassy and have fun! 

Fernando. 

Design and photos by Fernando Dasilva  ©  2010.

Fernando Dasilva for John Bead Corporation

I have been developing a business relationship with John Bead Corp. from Canada for almost 3 years. We've meet during one of the CHA Shows when I was working at the Beadalon booth. Luckily our relationship has grown and after almost 2 years I finally started creating designs for them extending it to a partnership...I am basically creating samples pieces featuring most of their fabulous and well assorted line of jewelry supplies.

I have had the chance to visit with Wyatt their headquarters in Toronto and we both were mesmerized by the size of it and by the warmth reception we had. I think that works with nice people is half way of a successful result.

Those designs will be featured at some point on the "design gallery" on their website www.johnbead.com and eventually in other medias. 

I made a selection of my favorite ones to showcase not only my artmanship but the incredible selection of jewelry components that can be found in the market but many people don't know. I serious did not know about them away back and it's always important to have great sources that enable designers and hobbyists to turn into reality their inspirations.

And the best of all is that the design on the cover of my upcoming book showcases findings in sterling silver by them and is structured by more fabulous products that became a must have on my designer table - stringing wire, wire guardians™, bead bumpers™ and the fabulous and versatile polyester chain by Beadalon - the source for the high tech components ever...the first source. 

"Azzuro" - exploring textures in shades of blues and focusing on a large slice of agate as a pendant.

"Nine drops"- club time - a hip and young piece using lots of chain( not, not me?!) and an unusual color combo. Padparadscha SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS adds light and edginess.

"Iced branches" - simplicity of lines showcasing large bugle beads and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS STAR BEADS. Silver and light gold to cheer up the upcoming season.

"Tranquine"- I explored a technique Wyatt taught me recently and I played with sizes and dimensions of Czech peacock beads accented by pink silk knots. Tierra Cast rings hold the fairly heavy piece together.

"Forest nymph" - actually always romantic on my design daily basis but we must be all in one...I found those filigree leaves at the JB showroom and couldn't let them go...a attach crystals and turquoise beads using silk and connected all leaves using resign links.

"Pearl vine" - circles of multicolored pearls inter wined together...SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Cubes Beads break a little the circle mood. Frosted or white matte chain adds lightness to it.

"Victoria-regia"- named fater a huge Amazonian water Lilly this piece don't look like the flower itself but it's equally luscious and eye catching. Czech peacock dagger beads or drops are the highlight...I mixed blue and green and use #* carded silk blue with green beads and vice-versa...just to make it more intricate..technique is similar to the one used on  "Tranquine". Tierra Cast oval hammered links brings fun and artsy to the bush like section.

"Big love" - Well, life will not be complete without an entire piece highlighting SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS - on this piece lots of sparkles mixing Crystal Red Magma large hole Roundelles and large Heart Pendant, Siam Flower Pendants, and hues of Indian Pink and Crystal Silver Shade.

Red is always IN !

Designs by Fernando Dasilva for John Bead Corp.

All designs and pictures by Fernando Dasilva © 2010.