December 28th, 2010
Contemplating the Cha Cha
In an effort to mix up my artistic repertoire I’ve become obsessed with making cha cha jewelry. Nope, I’m not talking about the Cuban dance – although I bet those dancers would look fierce wearing one of these. What is cha cha? It refers to a wearable piece with fringes and clusters of charms, beads, and other goodies. As a designer, it’s so much fun to play with different combinations. What colors will play off each other? What kind of textures, colors and materials can I combine harmoniously? These works of art swing and jangle, everchanging with the wearer’s movements. I love how they reveal different surprises according to how the charms settle. Many pieces that I’ve seen in this style tend to be cheery, sweet and whimsical. But of course, I like to put a dark spin on mine! Also, if you have leftover orphan beads, cha cha jewelry is a great way to use them up! Here’s some of my work.
1 – 2: In 2008 I first experimented with a different style for me, resulting in the Radioactive Riot bracelet. Several of the charms and shaped beads are handmade by me, including the syringe, pills, and star. I also used a bunch of vintage plastic and glass beads I had lying around.
3 – 8: Drawn back to cha cha a couple of years later, the Death and Bubblegum collection features pops of color topping creepy skeleton maiden cameos. So far I’ve done Black Lung, Blue Baby, Noxious Green, Barbie Pink, Red Queen, and Snow White Witch. What color next? Hmm, maybe a nice gray or purple. A few of these are still available at www.etsy.com/shop/gearbunny.
9 – 10: My newest cha cha bracelet is inspired by that classic fairytale, Alice in Wonderland. However, things seem amiss there lately. At first glance one sees candy, leaves and flowers. But what’s that lurking under the petals… venomous spiders? Arsenic capsules? Poisonous mushrooms? Maybe Alice isn’t in Wonderland, anymore.
It’s really simple to make your own cha cha bracelet. Begin with a bracelet-length chain and clasp – create it yourself or purchase one premade. Using pliers, attach headpins and beads or charms of your choice. It can be as minimal or lush as you like.
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Hello… I make jewelry.
And I am a multifaceted beast! I currently sell my work under two pseudonyms. My Gearbunny line is where I express my punky, industrial, cute and morbid side. Here you’ll find polymer clay jewelry and accessories. I mainly focus on necklaces, charms, pendants, bracelets, and earrings, but I have been known to branch off into hair accessories and brooches. My inspiration comes from club and music culture and weird, quirky thoughts that pop into my head. I have been creating jewelry as Gearbunny since 2006.
My jewelry alterego is LapinJade (ooh la la, that’s jade rabbit, in French). Launched in April of 2008, it’s a newer endeavor. My LapinJade jewelry features sterling silver wire-wrapping and original silver pieces that I’ve forged myself using metalworking techniques. The versatility of silver is very inspiring. I also use various gemstones and precious materials. Overall this is a more elegant, classically beautiful line.
Gearbunny and LapinJade are both equally ME, so you’ll find updates for both on this site!
Currently I sell my work on Etsy, a fantastic virtual marketplace for all things handmade. Visit Gearbunny here, and LapinJade over here.