Northwoods Creative Studio: blog hop

Friday, March 1, 2013

Challenge of Music Reveal

Erin Prais-Hintz of Treasures Found hosted this intriguing challenge. When I read it I thought "Hmmm, this is a certainly is challenging, interpreting music into a jewelry design, instrumental music no less!" The rules were that simple, yet it seemed complex to me. Finding a piece of instrumental music to inspire you to create a corresponding piece of jewelry.

First of course was finding a great instrumental selection. Mine I image is maybe more main stream than most, but we shall see as we hop to all the other blogs.

I have always liked jazz and swing, the beats and the dancing. The images of a by gone era they stir in me, a simpler, quieter, less hectic time. I would love to take swing dance classes. Hubby? Uh yeah, not so much, lol. I did get to go to a class with a friend when we were in NYC a few years back. I was only going to observe, but one of the instructors was sure I should try it. I was a tad nervous, but he was right I caught right on and had a blast. I have to say though, I don't know how you do this type of dancing without sweating,er glistening, yes glistening. A lady doesn't sweat (those of you who know me will no I'm not always such a lady though, lol)

So I set off to YouTube in search of my music and I came across this Duke Ellington standard, written by Billy Strayhorn in 1939. Lyrics didn't come until five years later and were sung and recorded by the legendary Ella Fitzgerald.

So what ideas does listening to this type of music stir within me then? Images of 1940's dance halls, women in dresses from the everyday to the more elegant. Days when women were curvy and weren't afraid to show it. Like these (from ReVamp and Daddy O's)...

So what is this stylish woman to wear with her dress for a night on the town? A choker seems to fit the bill. So I scoured my bead bins for colors and sparkle to accessorize one of these lovelies. Here is what I found and started. Swarovski bicones I decided were a must, they should shimmer beautifully in soft light.

I strung the focal and core beads on Soft Flex to start. The focal is some type of Jasper, though I'm not sure which one now. Then I began the flat spiral, added a longer chain so that it's adjustable. then added a Swarovski crystal dangle to the chain and made the clasp.

Sorry for the color of this photo, I realized after it got dark that the first was blurry. I tried to color correct but this is as good as it got.

Flat spiral close up, note the Swarovski bicones are larger closer to the focal.

Close up of Jasper focal.

Here's how the choker lies on the neck. Sorry again for the blurry photo. Although it's a bit more formal than I normally go, I think I will wear it Saturday to the Berks Bead Bazaar. The weight of it is very nice, substantial bit not too heavy.

Now get hopping to see what everyone else has chosen and created. I will be packing and hitting the road today, bit will hop along soon :).

Erin Prais-Hintz
Alenka Obid
Ali McCarthy
Alicia Marinache
Amy Severino
Amy Grass
Carolyn Lawson
Cece Cormier
Cynthia Riggs
Ema Kilroy
Emanda Johnson
Emma Todd
Erin Kenny
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
Gerd Andersson
Holly Westfall
Jennifer Justman
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jess Green
Judy Campbell
Karla Morgan
Kay Thomerson
Kristina Johansson
Lola Surwillo
Lynn White
Malin de Koning
Mallory Hoffman
Mary K McGraw
Melissa Meman
Melissa Trudinger
Michelle Escano
Michelle Bourbonniere
Michelle Heim
Molly Alexander
Molly Schaller
Monique Urquhart
Niky Sayers
Pam Farren
Rebecca Anderson
Sally Russick
Sharon Palac
Sharon Driscoll
Susan Kennedy
Tari Kahrs
Tracy Stillman
Veralynne Malone

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Lucite and Clay Blog Hop Reveal

Today is the big reveal for the lucite and clay blog hop I mentioned on Thursday's post. Sponsored by Lisa Liddy of Pine Ridge Treasures. Thanks to Lisa for putting this all together and mailing us all our little packets of bead awesomeness.

A quick reminder of what I received to play with, lucite in shades of pink. As mentioned in the previous post both lucite and pink are a creative stretch for me.

I created two pieces and as of tonite one is still in the works. My procrastination and sore hands kept me from finishing the third. Hopefully the third will be finished and added to this post tomorrow. First up in the completed category is a little pair of earrings, the remind of gasplant flowers. One of the advantages of lucite is how light it is for earrings! Too bad my budget is currently on a no new beads diet or I would be searching for more of these little petal beads.

Second on the finished list is a necklace, made with that pretty floral focal bead. I added some of my own lampwork in the way of leafy headpins and hollow beads. Then I added a 4 strand plaited ribbon "chain". I have never done 4 strand plait. The plait gave me a bit of trouble as I tend to do everything from cross stitch to braiding horses manes and tails in a very tight tension. Ribbon does not appreciate being worked tightly, and when you over tighten it buckles and puckers.

(Sorry this is a lil dark.)

The third and as yet unfinished piece is a bracelet. The headpins below will dangle from the wire wraps on the cuff.

While I finish up the bracelet, I hope you will hop along and visit the other participants. Be sure to stop by A Grateful Artist - Pine Ridge Treasures and thank Lisa for putting this together :).