New Piece from the "Elements: Water" Series

On my work table I have clusters of beads I've pulled out whilst working on other projects that have piqued my muse to use "later".  Sometimes those beads sit, occasionally being picked up, turned over in my hand and then returned to its spot where it continues to sit for what feels like a lifetime.  Such is the case in this instance.  A wirework dangle, a lampwork bead and a ceramic droplet made by the wonderful Scorched Earth have been picked up, fondled, stared at, hoping the design would miraculously appear and yet they've been returned to their spot for two years and one house move.  

Two weeks ago, Heath and I wandered down to a local reggae festival where we crossed over a creek.  Stopping to see if it was running, I was so inspired by what I saw -- gently swirling water delicately gliding over and under sun-kissed river pebbles whilst dragonflies hover a bee's breath above the surface and the lyrebirds sound their meditative song through the magical shards of listening glistening amongst the tree canopy.  And when I returned home, I knew.  Finally!  And I finished it this weekend:

This one of a kind piece features my handmade polymer clay connector and spiral dangle, a Scorched Earth on Etsy bronzy droplet, seed beads, Acacia seed, coconut, lampwork, leather and hemp cording, Vintage Bronze wire and antique brass findings.

Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

New Piece from the "Elements: Fire" Series - Rebirth

These last three weeks have been tough. Energy draining physical labour and my body hurts.  It's this time of year when everything awakens from its deep slumber, where the sun shines when it's not raining and regrowth just leaps with vigour from the earth. And it's hard to keep up and not suffer physically from it.  As well with the change in the direction of the sun and losing an hour, I've not settled well into the coming of the new season.  So these last three weeks have been mechanical, groundhog-ish days where rest has been limited and bone-weariness has set in, and we're only halfway through the season <gulp!!>

During the snippets of spare time over these past three weeks, I've been very slowly working on a new piece from a design of last year.  During my normal creative process, what came to me was a description highlighting 'rebirth' and an image of a Phoenix arising from the ashes.  I knew which direction I wanted to head in and decided to redesign my original idea.  When I make a piece, everything is considered.  All items have been made or selected as if they're invisible jigsaw pieces connected in perfect harmony.  And this is why my pieces take weeks to complete <grin> and thankfully my prices don't reflect my labour hahahah.  Sometimes an item used has a specific meaning and other times, it's the overall vibe.  For this particular piece, its meaning was what was important and the description I received during my creative process was incredibly meaningful for me, "From the flame, rebirth occurs as the cycle of nature continues unemotionally".

So here is the new piece I'll be adding to my "Elements: Fire" series I've nicknamed "Rebirth":

Top to bottom:  A handmade pendant using my favourite combination of Starry Road and Scorched Earth ceramics, Havana Beads lampwork and my own polymer clay bead cap complimented with a selection of seed beads, a Rock Hound dangle and beaded leaves. The warm hues in the neckpiece completes this piece using Mykonos ceramics, Czech glass and seed beads paired in meaningful numbers for strength, protection and health finished with macrame and a handmade adjustable clasp. 

Enjoy the rest of your week!

New Piece from the "Elements: Earth" Series - Come Walk With Me

I used to dream vividly all the time - the types of dreams where your brain would sort through that day's events discarding the chaos and keeping the good stuff, but made no sense; or the ones which held hidden meaning with the answers revealed in waking life.  Then all my rememberance of dreams stopped.  Zilch.  Nudda.  I don't know why but for the last six years, I wake every morning with no recall save for a residual feeling or an extremely fuzzy, vague snippet.  For me, dreaming holds meaning and a level of importance.  Whether that's weird or not, it's bothered me for sometime that it vanished.

Since moving here, and feeling the most relaxed in my soul and mind for quite sometime, my sleep has improved ten-fold and in turn, I've had a few "figuring out" dreams mainly about my art.  I've been head down in a few projects of late and have been stealing every spare second to create.  After a monster six days at work last week, I spent a great deal of time in the studio on Sunday binge watching podcasts and working on another piece I designed last year.  And that Sunday night I dreamt.

I dreamt of rows of fruit trees, littered in blossoms, their perfume heavy in the air.  The breeze was cool and gentle, and the sun sat in the sky high enough to make everything twinkle.  I walked through these rows, with my face tilted towards the Aegean coloured sky, eyes closed, arms outstretched as my fingertips brushed the leaves as I strolled.  My heart was full.  I was at peace breathing in the life that is nature.  I whispered, "Come walk with me through the trees" and I outstretched my hand.  Then my alarm went off.

And so this was the piece I worked on before going to bed.  It now belongs in my "Elements: Earth" series with which I fondly call "Come Walk With Me".

Top to bottom:  Handmade flower connector using Czech glass, Trinity brass flower and my enamelled head pin; followed by my textured polymer clay donut backed with faux leather connector affixed with the smallest macrame I've ever done (3mm!); dressed with a mix of beaded dangles including a divine Starry Road spiral bead from Karen's Tulip set and Scorched Earth"s "Rock Garden" porcelain bronzy droplet (the glazes and craftmanship of these art beads are beyond amazing!!!)

This piece is finished with a 'Dupioni silk wrapped in wire' neckpiece and a handmade clasp.  This measures 48cms around the neck with the pendant measuring 16cms.  This is another piece that thrills me to pieces!  

Enjoy your week ahead!

New Piece from the "Elements: Water" Series - Sea and Sand Treasures

I am part of a wonderful Facebook group run by this amazing lady who makes the most awesome lampwork beads, art and metalwork.  Late last year, she launched an "Uglipeep Snowball" gift swap which didn't have a deadline and was all about sharing the love for no reason amongst her wonderful Uglipeep community.  I was so lucky to receive some amazing gifts, one of which by the lovely Karin.

On the left is the gift bag made from a wonderful batik-styled fabric; in the middle are Karin's hand stitched beaded barrels and on the right is a ceramic pendant from Jubilee.

My instant reaction when I held the ceramic pendant was it took me to a sea cave where stories had been ground into the walls as reminders that many walked the Earth before us.  The texture of the pendant and its crumbled edge reminded me so much of compressed wet sand with its visible speckles of nature.  I knew this piece would fall within the Water element and I couldn't wait to get started.

In July, I drew out my concept drawing including the meaning for each part and set it aside.  Sometimes, I pull the beads and create immediately; others, it takes awhile.  And now, as of today, the piece I've nicknamed Sea and Sand Treasures is complete:

I used the Jubilee pendant and Karin's beaded barrels as part of the pendant, only adding Green Aventurine (to represent embracing the change of evolution - from cave dwellers to where we are today) and Indopacific glass.  My handmade wire sea pods represent the seaweed pods you find washed ashore, their kelp cages protecting the seeds of life within.  The Picture Jasper nugget and Fossilised Coral Agate for the imprints of life found embedded in rock walls that for many moons have been bashed by the sea, yet remain intact.  The Rock Hound pebble connectors for the preciously smooth gifts you find when beach combing.  I used the gorgeous batik-styled fabric when making my handmade fabric rounds as the print reminded me so much of water and sunshine.  Sprinkled with bone and brass spacers, ceramic, Czech glass and wire, I am overjoyed with how this piece turned out!  

Enjoy your week!

Available Pieces - Elements Series: "Fire" and "Air"

Here are the current pieces available for purchase at the moment in this series.  New pieces will be added to the collection from time to time.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  Combined shipping is also available.

FIRE: ONE

Now sold

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FIRE: TWO

Now sold

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FIRE: THREE

Length: 45.5 cms from base of neck to bottom of talisman pouch

Style: Over the head, no clasp 

Materials Used: Artisan Highly Strung handwoven talisman pouch and strap, Wood Jasper, Mykonos Greek ceramics, Toho seed beads, Vintage Bronze wire, brass findings

Price: $AUD55

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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FIRE: FOUR

Length: 37 cms from base of neck to bottom of longest dangle

Style: Clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Jamn Silk silk cording, Mykonos Greek ceramics, Irish waxed linen, Bronzite, Red Garnet, Mookaite, Carnelian, Mali clay, shell, Czech and Indian glass, brass findings

Price: $AUD25

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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AIR: ONE

Length: 45 cms from base of neck to bottom of pendant

Style: Over the head, no clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Highly Strung handmade polymer clay pendant and handwoven strap, lava rock, Mykonos Greek casting, Czech glass, copper and Vintage Bronze wire and spacers, Miyuki and Delica seed beads

Price: $AUD55

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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Please PM me on my Facebook page or send me an email via this blog should you wish to make an enquiry or an order.

Stay tuned for more items coming soon :)

Available Pieces - Elements Series: Earth

  

Here are the current pieces available for purchase at the moment in this series.  New pieces will be added to the collection from time to time.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  Combined shipping is also available.

EARTH: ONE

Length: 36 cms from base of neck to bottom of pendant

Style: Clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Painting With Fire recycled sari silk, Irish waxed linen, Czech glass, wood beads, brass findings, animal bone, Czech seed and peanut beads

Price: $AUD35

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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EARTH: THREE & FOUR (2x available)

Length: 44 cms from base of neck to bottom of pendant

Style: Over the head, no clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Highly Strung handmade polymer clay pendant and enamelled head pins, leather, porcelain, Czech seed beads, wood beads, fibre, animal bone, brass findings

Price: $AUD25

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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EARTH: FIVE

Length: 31.5 cms from base of neck to bottom of pendant

Style: Clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Highly Strung handmade polymer clay pendant, Artisan Clay River porcelain, Artisan Jamn Silk silk cording, Superlon cord, Green Garnet, Amethyst, Czech glass, wood beads, Toho seed beads, brass findings

Price: $AUD40

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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EARTH: SIX

Length: 42 cms from base of neck to bottom of pendant

Style: Over the head, no clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Highly Strung handmade polymer clay donut and charm, and handwoven strap, Irish waxed linen, Buri Buri nut, lampwork, Toho and metal seed beads, brass findings

Price: $AUD45

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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EARTH: SEVEN 

Length: 42 cms from base of neck to bottom of pendant

Style: Over the head, no clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Highly Strung handwoven strap, Irish waxed linen, Bronzite, Brown Sardonyx, Forest Path Agate, Green Aventurine, Mykonos Greek ceramics, porcelain, Czech and Indonesian glass, wood, seed and nut beads, Vintage Bronze wire, brass findings

Price: $AUD40

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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EARTH: EIGHT 

Length: 41.5 cms from base of neck to bottom of pendant

Style: Over the head, no clasp

Materials Used: Artisan Highly Strung handwoven strap, Irish waxed linen, Bronzite, Chocolate Jasper, Moonstone, Brown Sardonyx, Forest Path Agate, Mykonos Greek ceramics, Czech glass, wood beads, Toho and Czech seed beads, Vintage Bronze wire, brass findings

Price: $AUD40

Postage: 

Within Australia (up to 500 grams) -

Standard: $8.25

Express Post: $10.55

International -

Postage is calculated based on location.  Please PM me for a quote.

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Stayed tuned for more this coming Sunday :)