Designing a bracelet for my aunt has been a refreshing experience, especially after the request my father made for his own custom piece. Now, with my mother’s request to create something for my aunt and grandmother, I felt inspired to capture the unique personalities and preferences of both. My aunt had a clear vision, she chose clear blue, lilac, and red as her colours. These hues struck me as a curious combination at first, left me in quite the predicament given that I had already used a lot of red in previous designs. After some thought, I decided to focus primarily on the clear blue since it was her top choice. My aunt’s connection to dolphins seemed to naturally bring to mind a blue that echoes the sea, vivid, calming, and full of movement.
As I began working with the clear blue, I found the colour reminded me of past projects inspired by ocean themes. Pairing it with lilac turned out to be surprisingly harmonious, lending a serene yet vibrant tone to the piece. Drawing on my experience with shiny silver spacer beads in previous ocean inspired designs, I added these as well to accentuate the fluidity of the blue and lilac. It was reassuring to see how my earlier creations were now shaping my approach, making it easier to visualise how certain combinations would flow together. My aunt’s preference for dolphins and the ocean’s energy made this pairing of blue and lilac feel truly authentic, embodying her love for the sea and its tranquility.
The final touch was incorporating red, which I approached carefully to avoid it overpowering the piece. After testing different shades, I chose a darker red, adding a hint of richness that would complement the subtler blue and lilac. This red, used sparingly, gave the bracelet a sophisticated balance, allowing each color to shine in its own right without overwhelming the design. The subtlety of the dark red added a touch of warmth without detracting from the main theme, and I felt accomplished in harmonising these colours, something I hadn’t initially expected to work so well together.
CONCLUSION
Creating this bracelet for my aunt became a rewarding journey in itself, helping me to better understand how to blend unique colour requests with cohesive design elements. Reflecting on this project makes me excited to start my next piece for my grandmother, as each family member’s piece allows me to explore different styles and connections. Each new bracelet brings me closer to refining my craft and understanding the powerful role of personal inspiration.