New Singular OOAK Piece

I love this time of year where the ground is covered in a smattering of autumnal hues after the leaves have danced from their limbs and the morning dew so prominent, everything around us appears to twinkle.  The garden is slowing down as we head into the early part of winter and the brisk mornings make getting out of bed that little bit harder.  We're having to start a fire as soon as we get home as the daylight promptly turns to night with the chill seeping in through the large amount of glass windows.  This time of year, my most favourite part of the evening is when all around us quietens and all is finally done for the night.  We sit down for a brief time before bed in front of the fire, winding down with our cat at my feet whilst I weave.  I've slowly been working on some weaving - a project I had started before we moved house which will be a year ago in a couple of weeks.  I look forward to sharing it with you once the fabric is complete.  I find weaving to be something which allows me to shut off my busy mind once the loom has been warped and each thread is deliberately pulled and beaten in place to create straps, which are then hand sewn together, emitting the true essence of handmade.  It's an enormous task, but one which I enjoy immensely all cosy mosy in front of the fire.  

Studio time has been quite limited as we've been getting home quite late over the past few weeks.  I've very slowly been able to work on a piece, again embodying my love of nature in my artistic statement type style.  I made the callistemon flower bead awhile back.  Creating the cup part where the stamens normally grow from was a lesson of supreme patience as I would tend to squish a few.  It was inspired by the Australian native callistemon for its silky stamens in deep, rich and vibrant colours, for its nectar-filled cups attracting Wattle birds and New Hollands to feed upon, for the beauty of its seed pods and ever changing foliage.  This bead in turn inspired this piece "Nature's Way - 2".  

I used my handpainted focal bead to represent the Callistemon flower pod; handmade beaded leaves to represent the ever changing leaf colour in Autumn; a Tagua nut, wood and ceramics as earth elements; and Dupioni silk to represent the fact that the plant looks rough from afar, but the foliage and flowers are silken to the touch.  All components are bound together by my favourite vintage bronze wire and measures 52cms around the neck, with the pendant being a further 15cms.  

Wishing you a great week ahead!

New Piece from the "Hint of Tribal" Series

Awhile ago, I handpainted some wooden pendants with two feature beads to each pendant as part of a component kit I was trading.  A couple of them sold, but I kept my favourite of them all in hopes to use them in a piece.  Like with many of my pieces, the materials I wished to use sat waiting (the story of my life!) until recently, where I've been on a major creative push.

This piece wasn't created from a story, an expression, a feeling or something I saw which inspired me, but simply, texturally.  The pendant was my favourite for many reasons: it inspired a painting using the same texture as the feather; the design came so naturally that once it was finished, I literally jumped for joy and it prompted me to extend on the idea to sell the kits; and more importantly, I loved painting it so much that each time I hold it, it makes me smile.

I had made a cute wirework bail which was perfect for the chain to pass through which was sprinkled with some wire wrapped seed beads.  Next, I added the feature handpainted beads, a singular Tagua Nut cube, Czech glass and some Mykonos Greek ceramic spacers, all wire wrapped together.  I finished it with a hand macrame and seed bead neckpiece and wirewrapped embellished clasp.

It measures 40 cms from the base of the neck to the bottom of the pendant.  It is quite light-weight and texturally delicious!  I love how the pendant pops, all the other pieces add to its warmth and the soft cashmere blend neckpiece completes the piece.

Completing this piece was a triumphant moment for me as it was another design I'm seriously proud of.  It was also the last piece for me to complete from a collection of designs and materials to use I had grouped together back in 2015.  Yep, laughably, it takes me that long to get around to finishing things!  But I trust in myself enough that one day my ideas will transform from a sketch, to singular objects that will connect together so meaningfully and materialise into something a person will one day wear against their heart. 

When I test drove this piece, I felt the energy of my love of creating it almost like a protective shield, so this piece naturally became a part of my "Hint of Tribal" series. 

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 Singular OOAK Piece

Wow, what a wonderfully productive weekend!  I love the weekends where stuff gets done, with time to play and socialise, and great quality sleep thrown into the mix.  It gives me that energised jumpstart to the new week ahead.

On Saturday, after getting all the household and business to-dos out of the way, I spent the afternoon cleaning the studio whilst figuring out what to work on next.  I was feeling spritely so I put on the Bob Marley "One Love" tour and an hour and a half later, this is what happened:

New swing tags for pieces I've recently completed using my handcarved stamps ...

... unpacked and hung all my pieces ....

... and finished this new lovely - yet to be named:

This piece features my handpainted polymer clay stick and wire pendant, my cocoon connector using a gorgeous Vintage Rose coloured lace, Czech Glass, Mykonos ceramics, silk ribbon, The Spacer Queen lampwork and a beautifully flashy labradorite.  

Am not sure what I'm going to work on next.  I'm itching to get my paints out and also finish off a piece of wall art I've been working on so I may have something different to share in my next post.  I hope you're enjoying seeing what I'm working on, as much as I am creating them.

Have a wonderful week!

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 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 :)

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!

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!

Designing A Piece of Jewellery - How It All Comes About

When I plan to create a piece of jewellery, I can be inspired by a word, song, colour, shape, bead, person, essence or an image that zaps in and out of my mind.  If none of this happens, I go through my design sketches in hope something draws my attention.  I get asked from time to time where my ideas come from, and most of the time it's hard to describe that my inspiration is an impression - an old relic unearthed by Archaeologists, a piece of silk representing the connection between nature and man, an organic seed of a tree in South-East Asia or using old traditions in a contemporary setting to be that little bit different.  I follow my heart when I create mostly for the love of creating, as when times I've created with the intent to sell, everything went awry.  The piece just didn't work.  And I certainly can't create when I'm in a negative space.  Creating for me is deep and has intent.  This is why, I guess, I don't name my pieces but group them into series with only a few having their singular story.  My hope is when a piece of mine has a new owner that he or she connects for their own reasons just as I created the piece for mine.

Elements Series

I started off with my "Elements" series seperating pieces into themes for Earth, Air, Fire and Water.  I've always been an elemental girl, someone deeply connected to Mother Earth and all she offers.  I feel my most grounded when I'm barefoot, connecting directly with the earth and in times of despair, I find myself drawn to water - for its calming, for its clarity, for its cleansing nature.  I'm least drawn to the Air and Fire elements, despite understanding their major importance in life.  As with everything though, you need all four for there to be balance.

This is how this series came about - an opportunity for me to push myself creatively, trying to step away from my go-to colour palette (something that comes together naturally) and work with all new colour combinations and components to achieve a similar goal.  I obviously didn't succeed in my self-challenge as the pieces in "Earth" are more abundant than the others.  Perhaps it's my inability to connect, however, I do plan, in the future, to continue to build on the other three elements.

My favourites of the series:

 "Elements - Earth" Series

"Elements - Air" Series

Hint of Tribal Series

My "Hint of Tribal" series came about through my fascination of eons past where items such as clothing were created through means of necessity rather than for pure consumerism.  For example, weaving by hand fabric for clothing was a must as this was the one means of production.  The Vikings, for example, couldn't just "pop" down to the shops when a shirt became irreparable; a time where animals were respected not only as a mode of transport but for what else they could provide in the means of food and warmth.  

So my definition of tribal isn't just that of what we see in today's styles.  It is one of a time well before technology; a time before mass-produced items; a time where necessity items were made with love, care, respect and for the longhaul. The "hint" or essence - a time where everything and everyone mattered, had a place and weren't overlooked.

My favourite of the series: 

Sling-On Series

My "Sling-On" series is certainly less deep.  For me, it's more about ease and comfort.

I love wearing necklaces but there are those times that no matter how beautiful a piece is, the clasp at the back of my neck drives me insane.  You know, like those killer heels that are so sassy but by the end of the night, your toes have dropped off haha

So sling it on and off you go - easy wearing, relaxed and different.

This is my favourite!  So light and gorgeous:

Singular Pieces

As mentioned above, there are times where I really connect with a piece and in the creating stage I see a story unfold.  Here is an example of my story.

This is "Nature's Way"

Nature is such a beautiful thing - how from one minuscule seed reliant on perfect germination to grow and thrive in hopefully the correct environment to then be beautiful and bold and then go into survival mode and bolt so that the cycle can start again.  Working in nature has made me truly appreciate the pure beauty of the world around us.  All we need to do is put down our phones and open our eyes :)

• The necklace strand represents the DNA of the plant nestled in the seed.
• The seed in this piece represents the beginning (or the end) of life. 
• The wire loop below the seed represents the connection the seed has to earth - without it, there is no life.
• The enamelled bead represents gloriously chocolate earth filled with richness and humus providing the best starting point of life.
• The Czech pressed coin represents the sun which all plant life photosynthesise to thrive.
• The beaded leaves represent new growth.

If anyone is interested in the available pieces in my albums on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HighlyStrungCreations/), please PM me :)