Comments on: Difficulty with Asymmetry

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 04:44:31 +0000

In reply to Sandy. Sandy, thanks for mentioning that triple strand strategy for asymmetry + balanced weight. Very cool idea to play with! :)

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 18:29:05 +0000

Great topic. I have always loved asymmetrical design, but it does take a lot longer to construct. The balance is all important in asymmetrical jewelry and the tips folks have left are great ideas! Thank you all for sharing! Recently I saw a design for a necklace of 3 strands. One strand was symmetrical. The other 2 strands were asymmetrical, but identical. The “easy” balance was achieved by putting the strands in mirror images, one with the larger component on the left, mirrored with the other strand with the larger components on the right. Sort of a “cheaters” asymmetrical design, (that overall was symmetrical) but beautiful! (I hope that description made sense) Perhaps you could start with a similar design that would satisfy your need for symmetry, but would allow you to step closer to asymmetrical designs with guaranteed easy balance and use this as a starting point for viewing the possibilities! I’m sure going to borrow that idea and create something soon! So many ideas, so little time!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 23:46:25 +0000

In reply to Pim. Pim, thanks for sharing this interesting way to shake up ideas! I'm going to try that with my next project.

By: Pim

Pim — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 23:30:46 +0000

Hi Autumn,
I recently took a super fun mixed media course, a first for me. The canvas was on the table and we made several layers with collage, different materials and colours. During this process we rotated the canvas. So what was up/down was decided very late, before the more figurative painting started. Maybe this different thinking might help you shake things up? Just put everything you like in e.g. a round order on something you can rotate. Turn it so you can see it from different angles. When you feel happy with the look of it, then decide where e.g. a center piece and some other prominent pieces would best be added. And then start making the necklace.

By: Gayle Wheaton

Gayle Wheaton — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 17:35:40 +0000

Hi Autumn,
It’s a struggle sometimes to let go of the ‘perfection’ of symmetry. It wasn’t until I started teaching jewelry at my local store (2 rhyming words – where you have the freedom to teach the classes you want rather than National Classes of the chain), that I sat down to force myself to make something asymmetrical. I started with 2 chains – a regular curb chain with links large enough for bead dangles & a chain of large connected circles – and attached about 4″ of the circles to one side of the ‘center’ of the necklace. The difference in the chains made me have to adjust what I added. I used a focal with teal & red patinas and then picked up the red with a few small components and made a dangle with a cone bead cap and embroidery floss in red & teal with metallic threads as well. I kept adding bits & pieces until it was balanced with the accent colors but without repeating a component. When I do a demo at the store or wear it out myself, many people comment on how much they like it and the fact that you can look at it for a long time and still not see everything. What started out a massive challenge has turned into one of my very favorite pieces! So hang in there about designing with asymmetry – it’s definitely worth it.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Fri, 23 May 2014 01:02:27 +0000

Thanks everyone for your comments. I had a really pretty design in my head for asymmetry–then I fell asleep! ^.^ Figures… I have another one in mind now, inspired by Lady Mockingbird’s collars. Shopping time!

By: Angela Darmali

Angela Darmali — Thu, 22 May 2014 12:08:12 +0000

Hi Autumn,
I started with symmetrical designs, but then started playing with asymmetrical designs as well, and now I am doing both, depending on what materials I have available and orders/requests from clients (some people prefer classical designs). You can start by just inserting a different bead, or play with different bead shapes and colors. I suggest you use Google images search, just type ‘asymmetrical gemstone necklaces or asymmetrical necklaces. Hope this helps a bit. Best regards from Jakarta

By: Mitzie Crider

Mitzie Crider — Tue, 20 May 2014 17:23:10 +0000

Successful asymmetrical design must be visually balanced. There is nothing random about it. Asymmetrical design leads the eye around the piece and has more visual energy than symmetrical design. I start with the focal and pull out/make components that work with it, then start laying them out and rearranging them until I’m satisfied. Its a good idea to take photos of different arrangments to refer back to, until you settle on the final design. I take more time to design than construct an asymmetrical piece, but experience (confidence) leads to faster work. Deryn Mentock’s book is helpful (title below.) I recommend it.

The Jewelry Maker’s Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects

By: Kathy Joyal

Kathy Joyal — Tue, 20 May 2014 15:08:38 +0000

Hi Autumn
I too find it very difficult to do asymmetry…in anything. Drives me batty!!! But I started with bracelets and since it was smaller, it made it easier. Think size, colour and textures as well as numbers. I still find necklaces way more difficult but not as much as before I mastered doing bracelets. When I start “playing” I always make sure I have lots and I mean lots of choices in front of me…this really helps. The very first time I made an asymmetry bracelet it was black lava rondelle beads with shiny silver spacers and shiny onyx round beads…someone bought it off my wrist. No kidding!!!
Good luck with your designs.

By: Nina Gibson

Nina Gibson — Tue, 20 May 2014 14:51:24 +0000

I love asymmetry in jewelry. I find that you can achieve it while still having balance. For example, in a necklace, try something that clasps in the front with a beautiful handmade clasp on one side of a round (balanced) pendant and put 1 or 3 (an uneven #) beads on the other side of the chain or larger beads in a beaded necklace, which will balance the look of the piece. For a lesson in asymmetry and balance, study Alexander Caulder’s mobile sculptures (and jewelry!).

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 20 May 2014 10:54:26 +0000

I struggle with asymmetry too. Things must be symmetrical, orderly and balanced, right? But wait…the same is true with asymmetry. Only instead of ‘like’ elements balancing, it is ‘unlike’ elements. Then the randomness looks orderly and ‘flows’ naturally. I’m still working on it myself but asymmetry is beginning to come a bit easier for me. Try starting with a symmetrical layout on your bead board, then randomly swap out a few elements for ones that are different. The results might surprise and please you.

By: Barbara Jacquin

Barbara Jacquin — Tue, 20 May 2014 10:01:01 +0000

Although I don’t use beads in my jewelry I find to be true the general rule that the eye lingers on assymetrical creations but passes over symmetrical designs. I leave the classical stuff to the shopping center jewelers and strive for originality. It comes gradually. Peruse jewelry made by creative artists in books or on the web; it’s mind-stretching.

By: Natasha

Natasha — Tue, 20 May 2014 09:39:08 +0000

Hi Autumn, I feel the same about symmetry 🙂 I find with any asymetrical or “random” patterns I have to carefully construct a pattern to look random so that it balances but not in a symmetrical way. You can do this by taking the symmetrical design and just turn a few sections around or if you are using different sizes perhaps use similar colours in the right places to create the balance or vice versa use similar sizes or stone shapes but different colours. I hope that helps 🙂

By: Autumn

Autumn — Fri, 09 May 2014 04:28:10 +0000

Thanks Noreen. Between work and school I haven’t had a lot of time for making jewelry (which means little stress relief!) but I think I can find time to “throw” a design together. It’s a lot easier to work on asymmetry when I have to work over a number of days. That way there’s no way I can focus on one design. Hmm. Maybe a pearl-gemstone necklace, mixing smooth beads and chips. Mixing textures, colors and materials is a way to “jump in” I think.

By: Noreen

Noreen — Thu, 08 May 2014 00:27:16 +0000

Hi Autumn. I’m Rena’s Mom, and she thought I might be able to help with your asymmetry issue since I have the same issue of wanting everything to be evenly balanced and symmetrical. In the crafting I do now I find I’m not so fond of how things look when they are symmetrical. However, when I first became aware of how much I liked perfect balance, I began making an effort to avoid symmetry. At first it was really hard because things didn’t look right to me if they weren’t balanced. So I would go back and unbalance them. But I really had to think about it and make an effort. It gradually became easier, and now I find I prefer asymmetry, though I still have to sometimes remind myself because symmetry is automatic with me. It helps if you use odd numbers or amounts. For example, use 3 pink beads, 2 blue beads, and 5 purple ones. That makes it harder to balance perfectly. Perhaps what you make seems ugly to you because it isn’t symmetrical, where to someone else who doesn’t require symmetry, it would be beautiful.