Each of my creations truly does begin with a tiny flicker of a vision, and many come from pieces or parts I have purchased from other creators. If you follow this blog, I'm repeating myself here, but I have my favorite artists - those who never disappoint. Their work provides me with so much positive energy, and joy through the process. The necklace below started with an incredible pendant from Staci Louise originals, which I then wire wrapped so I could layer on one of her incredible bronze pieces. I also painted a metal leaf to dangle off the bottom, with a Czech glass flower, rondelle and round. This piece feels like it has a lot to say... if I listen carefully. LaShell Wyskochil sari silk for a soft drape of a necklace.
I also wire wrapped around the ribbon just above the pendant to keep it close to the focus. I really liked the dimension it added without being too much.
And, below, some earrings I put together to go with. The beads all jumped out at me as I was piecing together the design. The light purple color of each is hard to see in this photo, but you get the idea -- they are truly yummy! Czech glass and some swarovski crystals with some enameled C-Koop heart locks I'd been saving for just the right project. Ahhhhhh, really beautiful together with the copper.
And then... one more raku pendant shot below with the gorgeous earrings, making it a set. These are a design by Michelle McEn, from a 2015 Beadwork magazine. Good thing I keep ALL these magazines chalk full of inspiration. I was thumbing back through my stack... and came upon this pattern using pellet beads. So many fun shapes of beads anymore... I can't keep up, but always love trying new beads and designs.
No great excuses for my absence from my blogging, other than life getting in the way and time being more limited. Life has a habit of doing that now and again, but I'll do my best to get myself back on track as I love my creative time so much, and I've been missing it so... here we go...
Last fall, I had continued on the raku trail because I love the rugged pendants with copper wire, coupled with the softness of the sari silk fibers from LaShell Wyskochil. These pieces were made for special people. I find the wire wrapping to be so relaxing... that is, once I get over my fear of it. Each one takes on a life of its own, which spurs me on to try another, and another, and another!
and of course, all good raku pendants need something to go with, like a bracelet or earrings. Here are a few of what worked as compliments. The colors were so delish! Copper heart is from Green Girl Studios, and the design for the earrings is from Svetlana Chernitsky published in a 2015 special edition of Beadwork magazine.
I seem to be doing free form odds and ends of late. Nothing planned or too extreme, just fun as they come to mind. Looking through bead magazines and just starting to bead or stitch. I tried to do a loom project, but since I don't own a loom, I tried both brick and square stitches, and had to abandon both midstream. They were not working out like the loom picture! Imagine! So, I settled on doing odd count peyote and just went where it took me. It's free form alright... but I love it! Hard to get outside that "form" or "pattern" box for me, so always worth the time to just let 'er go where she will.
This free form necklace matches the more patterned, yet still with a hint of free form, earrings from an earlier post, which were my own design. The colors are so lovely...
Another raku medallion in patinaed copper free form wire wrapped glory. Can't say enough about the beauty of the medallions. The colors are ever changing, depending on the light, and the messages on the back of each one, wonderful as well. "I am Courage" inscribed on the back and this beautiful winged heart fits it perfectly. The siri silk ribbon also provides a nice balance to the size of the medallion. It provides a bit of imperfect softness. (Reminder that I purchased the Raku medallions at my local Dragonfly store. I am uncertain of the artist, but they do lovely work!)
A fun new style for me - 16 gauge wire hammered and then wrapped at the top and along the bottom with 18 gauge, leaving a few wraps loose to hang dangles from. I also added dangles inbetween the loops to even it out. Love the look of this and with the siri silk again - a black and blue gingham pattern gives it some whimsy.
Some earrings to match of course!
More raku! I love it -- and what's better for Valentine's than a big heart with so many beautiful colors pouring outward from the center. The colors of the glaze truly do change with the light. You'll see that in the pics below. Unfortunately, this is the last of my Dragonfly purchased rakus... boo hoo. It's also part 2 of my last post - more wire wrapping to embellish, encompass and compliment a flat back medallion with no holes. I added a necklace of wonderfully dyed siri ribbon from LaShell (Etsy shop) in two coordinating colors and tied it to a clasp on the end. Very easy and soft to wear.
This next pic highlights the change to more copper/orange tones, with the purple and blue at the top. Ooh la la...
I purchased a couple Raku medallions a few years ago from one of my favorite locally owned stores Dragonfly. I absolutely loved the size and coloration! Fast forward to now, and in searching my rather large stash of "special" pendants and other beads, they popped up and yelled... me, me, me! Ha. So, I was feeling the creativity and decided I'd do some wire wrapping, which doesn't always go perfectly! But, on this particular day, the force was with me. :) I started by shaping and hammering some patinaed 16 gauge wire for the outer round and then used that as my base for attaching the pendant with 18 gauge wraps. On a really great day, as we all know, creativity can flow with such positive force. So... here are the wire wraps from that day. I hadn't determined what I would do for a necklace on either one, but eventually did make a leather strap for the horse medallion, which was perfect. Unfortunately, that beauty has galloped off to a very happy new home, so no picture available to show the leather. Also, some earrings to match below.
The coloration and coating on the drops in the earrings below (from Fusion Beads) are so gorgeous and really pick up some of the same tones from the Raku medallion. I also used some 1-hole lentils for a bit of add'l design.
And for my next wrapping, an incredible Staci Louise Originals Day of the Dead pendant. The design of this piece, along with the colors, is so unique! Love it and I must say, I'm thrilled with my wrapping ability on that ONE GIVEN day. :)
