I was never a fan of “Gilligan's Island” but as a child who read everything she could get her hands on, my favorite stories were of the sea, pirates and being shipwrecked-- “Swiss Family Robinson”, “Robinson Crusoe”, “The Black Stallion”, “Treasure Island”. I love that game that goes “who would you most want to be marooned on a desert island with?”
The idea of exploring an unknown island where you might discover anyone or anything has captured the imagination of storytellers for centuries and, given the recent huge popularity of “Lost” on TV, it shows no signs of slowing down. What will we find-- lost treasure, hostile inhabitants, a wormhole into another galaxy? The possibilities are endless.
Summer in the jewelry design community usually brings lots of pieces that reflect our passion for sun and surf. I'm a rocks-and-crashing-waves kind of beach person, not a sun-worshipper-- freckles and red hair don't pair well with Sol's sunny assault when July comes around. But I love beachcombing and tide pools and weird seaweed and beach glass and old metal and stones and shells.
So when I set about finding elements to use with a little experimental focal that Douglas made, my thoughts turned to mermaids and shipwrecks and things that have lain under the sea for eons. I adore the color aquamarine so slices of Impression Jasper from Lima Beads (link) set the color palette this time. I had a random collection of polymer beads that didn't make it into other pieces and had some thematic affinity so I began to fill out the strand with those and picked up the color of carnelian along the way from Douglas' focal.
Following instructions in a MissFickleMedia tutorial, I heavily patinated some bronze African rings and added those to some patinated droplet fringes. Rough carnelian rounds from my favorite Etsy seller in Vermont, One Piece at a Time paired nicely with discs of Roman glass from Happy Mango Beads.
The bracelet to match (sometimes I just have to) is in process but the earrings came together quickly.
Picture yourself wearing the necklace and some tiered, white, ethereal gauze creation, walking barefoot along the beach at sunset and looking forward to an intimate dinner with...........who would you most want to be marooned on a desert island with?
this is stunning... i can just imagine you making all of the tiny decisions, laying things next to each other and pondering their contribution and balance... gorgeous - i love the earrings so very much as well...
ReplyDeletei love the worn, unearthed look of course, but your color choices and the balance of weight vs. delicacy, solidity vs. movement keeps the eye moving and appreciating each element...
Gorgeous. Each element is a work of art that draws in in, and as a whole they sing together. The colors and the textures, and the choices of how to assemble have me looking again and again, wishing for that kind of talent.
ReplyDeleteI love your work! I agree, my work does take on more of a seasonal theme when the lazy days of summer hit. I just wrote a blog post on jewelry inspired by summer flowers. I love your beach theme, fabulous!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Lori D.
Atlanta
While this is a stunning design, it is the thought that went into each and every component, each bead, and the perfect placement that always blows me away with what you make. There is a lot of soul in your pieces, Miss Christine, that I feel that most are lacking when they create. That is what I love most about you. There is a story behind every corner when you are making something and that is what makes this so special. I think that all those colors are what I bought up at the Bead & Button show this month. I love this timeworn look and the ancient modern feel. Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeletelove, love, love the archaic look of this piece!
ReplyDeleteawesome pieces!
ReplyDeleteChristine, I really enjoyed catching up with you today! And just visiting your blog and seeing this summer-themed post is so timely, being at the beach now and all. :-) Oh yes, I would love to wear these beautiful pieces as I walk barefoot along the beach in some "tiered white ethereal gauze creation"......ah, it all sounds so romantic. Except with 4 boys in tow? :-) I love how you staged the jewelry on the sand - just perfect!
ReplyDelete