Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Jewelry Designs from Nature Challenge

Heather Powers recently announced that her book book Jewelry Designs from Nature will be hitting the big craft store shelves! So to help her celebrate, Art Bead Scene is hosting a challenge. Ten artist were chosen to receive a packet that contained Humblebeads featured in the book, a poem, and an inspirational photo.

I was ecstatic to be chosen! This challenge was perfect for me as I love the outdoors and draw much inspiration for my pieces from nature.

my inspiration packet


The photo has a wonderful visual linen texture, warm, rich colors of gold and rust with a cluster of deep purple grapes, prime for the picking and is paired with the poem October by Robert Frost (see below). My component is the falling leaves cuff in a deep plum, almost steely, color and while I love this component, my favorite part is the manner in which Heather has duplicated the texture from the photo onto the component. These little attentions to detail are why I love handmade!

While creating this bracelet, I pulled from both the photo and the poem. The colors and texture of the photo spoke to me as well as a few keywords from the poem...leaves, wind, crows, sun, mist, amethyst. I endeavored to incorporate all these elements into my piece. The cuff is the focus and beside it, a small cluster of wire wrapped pearls to represent the grapes. Lots of wire wrapping and a pearl wrapped in a herringbone weave to emulate the twisting and twining of the tendrils. A couple of Czech glass beads were chosen both for their colors as well as the spiral motif, representing the wind. Finally, the leaves, I sawed out a couple of leaves from copper sheet and textured them to mimic the focal and added a couple Czech leaves. The toggle clasp was created and textured with a linen like pattern and stamped with a leaf motif.



I'm thrilled with the bracelet...love the colors, movement and it's lightweight!

I'd love to know you're thoughts on my interpretation of the photo and poem. And be sure to join me and check out the other artists who participated in this challenge.


October
by Robert Frost
O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake, if the were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--
For the grapes' sake along the all.

Shelby

18 comments:

  1. What a beautiful poem, and bracelet you made to tie in with Heather's focal. It all ties iin so well..your addition of the leaves and copper clasp so lovely. Such beautiful colours, too.
    Jenni

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  2. I really like what you did with this challenge! Love the leaves you made. I would not have thought to put pearls with that focal but I love it!

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  3. I love the way you incorporated so many gorgeous colors into this bracelet. It's stunning!

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  4. Much thought and creativity went into your work. Beautiful job, congrats.

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  5. I was amazed at the artistry. Love the design, colors, texture, everything.

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  6. Beautiful clasp and bracelet. Very earthy and elegant at the same time.

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  7. Genius! So lush and rustic at the same time. Your leaves are brilliant! And I love how the clasp mirrors the focal. Love the contrast between the pearls and the other elements. This is SO evocative of autumn!

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  8. Wonderful!!!! The mixture of components blend perfectly together into one beautiful and balanced piece. The clasp is brilliant and an integral part of the design. It is also VERY wearable - I'd wear it in an instant. Fantastic!

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  9. Shelby you perfectly captured what I was hoping from the challenge - a piece of jewelry that truly reflects the inspiration from the poem and photo. I love that you picked elements and techniques to reflect the wind and winding tendrils. Your handcrafted findings add a wonderful touch to the finished piece, every part of the bracelet is something special.

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  10. Your bracelet is lovely...I love your copper leaves, envy your talent lady! Perfect interpretation.

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  11. Beguiling to see the colors (and shapes) of the grapes still there in your pearls beside the darker leaves. It reminds me of what I love about October.

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  12. Gorgeous interpretation of both the picture and the poem; the addition of your own handcrafted pieces adds the perfect touch; the colours and mix have a very organic feel: a beautiful Autumn bracelet!

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  13. This is soooo pretty. Every element complements the next. Your leaves and focal are perfect, the colors are lush, detailing outstanding. Beautiful interpretation!

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  14. Oh my goodness! You seriously cut out those leaves? That is brilliant and matches the inspiration bead perfectly! I love this hop. So many wonderful interpretations out there. The fall is my favorite season and I look forward to those dancing leaves. Enjoy the day, Miss Shelby! Erin

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  15. Really gorgeous!! All of my favorite elements and colors. Fall is my fav. time of year as well, just love it.

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  16. Your bracelet is so autumnal, textural, colorful, and beautiful! It is my favorite of all the nature creations. My post is finally up after a blogger nightmare!

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  17. Amazing!!!!Love the contrast between the pearls and the other elements.Wow interpretation.Look at some of my collections
    Oorbellen Parel

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