New Singular OOAK Piece

You know Murphy's Law when you don't have time to create but the muse decides to go bananas and throw a bunch of ideas at you?  Well such is the case with this new piece.  Last year, during our busiest time for work, my muse decided that enough was enough and send me into a tail spin.  I sketched furiously out my designs and set it aside. Then I pulled out beads I wished to use, made notes and bagged it all up for a "free" day.  

Um ... so 11 months later, whilst in the process of forcing myself to work through my piles of unfinished projects, I set about working on this new piece.  Let me tell you ... I have ummed and ahhed my way through the whole 9 days it took me to complete it.  It certainly didn't come together as easily as my last two :(

Here's a snapshot of the pendant:

Top to bottom - altered brass bullet casing, my own enamelled round, my handmade faux wooden polymer clay connector and a delicious array of dangles including Scorched Earth's intoxicating "Galaxy" porcelain drop, fibre, brass, stone, bone, wood, and kyanite. 

I was loving the vibe and I knew what it meant for me, but I was stumped as to what to call it.  It didn't fit within my other series and I knew it was to be a stand alone piece.  So I put out a post on my Instagram and Facebook pages asking for some help.  I had a few wonderful responses that sounded like they would suit, but still didn't fit with my initial "vibe" of the piece.  I'm so grateful for those comments as they steered me in the right direction.

After chatting with a friend about my stumpedness, and putting the suggested names passed him, he asked me what the piece meant for me, specifically the bullet casing as I've never used this type of material before.  I couldn't answer him directly as I was unsure why I was drawn to it as guns and bullets make me terribly uncomfortable.  Through our conversation, I discussed with him my longing for how it used to be.  Meaning the importance of handmade and how we, as a society, these days, have a "right now" mindset.  Let me explain ...

Whatever we want is at our fingertips.  For example, you've plans on a Saturday night and, as life is so busy, you only decide Friday night what to wear.  You don't have that piece of jewellery that's just right so you go down to the likes of Diva and pick yourself up a cheap, mass produced piece that suits ... for right now. Our need is satisfied instantly.  Now there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.  It's convenient.  And often gets you out of a spot.  But ... for me ... I find this sad.  My old soul yearns for times where the jeweller would spend many months making a piece using his/her own hands and simple tools and that piece would be handed down through generations and still hold meaning. And still be important.  Not just junk.

So ... we arrived at "The Death of Handmade".  It sounds depressing but the intention isn't so but to just raise the awareness of how important it is to support handmade.  It's more than just the tangible item you're buying.  You're also getting the love the artist has for what they do; their energy and something of meaning which, in my opinion, is priceless.

Here she is hanging:

... and a completed view:

Enjoy your week :)

Working Through The Pile of Unfinished Projects - 3

Earlier this year, I completed a black and white drawing of my Nature Beings with plans to enlarge it on canvas for our home.

I always find after finishing a project, I am inspired to create another, however, not right away.  Some of my black and white designs have taken more than 10 hours to complete so not only does my mind need a rest, but so does my hand and neck hahaha.  So instead of losing the idea, I made a rough sketch so when I was ready to do another, I knew what I wanted to do.

Incorporating the fluid shape found in my Nature and Spirit Being drawings, and also inspired by my love of the Mother Goddess, her form began to take shape and I was excited.  For me, the Mother in my drawing represents peace, openess and enlightenment.  I had finished her form and wasn't sure if she'd remain in black and white form, or if I should incorporate a splash of colour.  After consulting Heath (he is the most awesome soundboard and is so great with colour combos), he really wanted me to leave it black and white and to fill the white space with my "eyes", a common theme found in all my drawings.  

So off I went.  Now this is a slow going process.  The "eyes" are major hand cramp territory and so I can only do short bursts of an evening.  After about 4 collective hours of work, I realised the background sucked ... ughhh ... big time.  I wasn't happy with how it looked despite Heath insisting it was awesome.  So here is my predicament - I've already spent 6+ hours already so do I give up now or see it through (even with gritted teeth) to the end.  My <erm> lovely husband insisted he loved it so that it was going up in our bedroom.  <Face plant>.  Please ... no!  

Now I don't know about you but when your other half genuinely loves what you create, despite you hating it, this ... is ... big.  I mean mine listens to me babble all the time about this or that and constantly has WIPs thrust under his nose for inspection/comment/praise teehee.  So continue I must for he wishes it so ;)

So after a "far out" long time, hand cramps and ink, she is done.  I love her despite my perceived flaw of the piece.  It's ironic when you think about it.  Perhaps it was meant to be in the end ...

Have a fabulous weekend!  

The Birth of a New Necklace Series - Update

So admittedly, I "ummed" and "ahhed" over how to connect these components together for a little longer than normal.  We've encountered rained out days so far this week meaning more days at home (last week, our work vehicle was in for repairs for almost a week!), but the upside to that was time to work in the garden, rest and ponder on these components some more.

I was nervous as I didn't want to marr the driftwood by wirework mistakes (as more often than not, the wire has a mind of its own - ha!).  I wanted to create a pendant that was structurally sound, asthetically pleasing and retained the vibe I was hoping for.  This is what I came up with (it only needed a redo once - yayyyy!).

The next step was to go through copious amounts of beads to find the perfect ones - the ones that spoke to me.  Ever since I was young, whenever I created, when I found the perfect "thing" to use, it would almost feel as though it was thrumming.  To this day, I still choose my materials this way and such is the case with each and every bead, paint or fibre used in my work.  What'cha think?  I'm excited!

Next was to make the necklace portion incorporating the clasp -

- and tahdah, after connecting it altogether .... introducing the first piece from my "Findings of Nature" series ...

This piece consists of a found piece of driftwood, a tree limb disc, a handmade polymer clay nature-inspired seed stick and a found stone handpainted by me and brought together by an eclectic mix of stone, seed, wood, glass, bone and Irish waxed linen in a macrame style.  All wood, stone and polymer clay has been baked, sanded and sealed for wear and tear.  All natural beads have been ethically sourced.

My heart is full!  I am completely stoked with the outcome, so much so I think I skipped in to show Heath hahaha. I'm so looking forward to start the process over for number two but more percolating is to be had. Am thinking a different colourway ... Stay tuned!

The Birth of a New Necklace Series

When out in nature - whether it be in my day job, working in the garden or venturing out with Heath - there is always something that makes me catch my breath, and stop to take a closer look.  From time to time, a small trinket from nature comes home with me to be added to my collection as a source of inspiration.  It might be a leaf where the texture or shape or colour catches my eye or a perfectly smooth rock that almost vibrates with energy when held in the hand.  My most favourite pieces are displayed in the corner of my workspace as being surrounded by meaningful and/or inspirational bits'n'bobs imbues for me the most perfect ambience to create.  

Here is one of my offering bowls - a leaf that fell at my feet when we first moved here which has the most glorious colourings; a stone so smooth and energy-filled; a cap from a gumnut I found in our garden which sat in a circle of dirt with nothing surrounding it; a succulent flower from my "Lavender Scallops" which blows my mind how perfect the colour and structure is; and finally, a gift of labradorite and crystal from one of the most soulful and kindred spirits I've met online - Julie of Uglibeads - all nestled in a handmade ceramic dish from Thailand which I bought on our honeymoon. 

Recently, whilst arranging a collection of items, my muse screamed at me "yessssss" and after a lot of percolating, my "Findings of Nature" series was born.  I've three one of a kind pieces planned thus far, the first of which will contain a found piece of driftwood, a tree limb disc from another project I'm working on, one of my polymer clay nature-inspired sticks and an interestingly shaped stone which I've handpainted.  Here is a sneaky peek:

I'm currently trying to nut out the best way to connect it altogether so it's structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing so am letting that stew for a bit longer as sometimes the drawing doesn't always work out hahaha.  But can't wait to share the finished result :)

Enjoy your week ahead!