Simple Truths Celebration

Erin Prais-Hintz has posed another challenge, this time using our Simple Truths pendants that have burrowed into our stash and gotten way too comfortable!  Erin generously gifted me with a charming Woodsy Owl.  Who wouldn't want to keep this little face around, no doubt full of "deep thoughts"!

                                                            So sweet!

I had a name in mind and wanted to try stamped copper pieces in one of the strands.

I would have preferred smaller jump rings, but that brought the pieces too close and they overlapped.  Note for next time.  We learn with each piece, right?

I love having a supply of copper clasps, ready to use!

And now we're ready for the whole show!

"Listen to Wisdom"

I was happy to have a copper leaf from Art Beads on hand to remind us of the woodsy theme.

Here are the earrings!

These were inspired by the "Sculpted Bird Earrings" in the Spring 2012

Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine.  They're just the look I wanted!  I will

make more of this style!

Thanks, Erin, for providing the motivation to give life to our Simple Truths pendants!

I'm under huge pressure to produce jewelry for this Thursday, following last Thursday's success at the flea market.  This will be one of the best things I'm showing!

Since this post refers to wisdom, I'm including this wise advice:

" As you journey through life,

Choose your destinations well,

but do not hurry there.

You will arrive soon enough."

Please visit the other participants:

I didn't have time to figure this out, sorry it's not clear!

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com Sharon Misuraco http://goinoffthebeadinpath.blogspot.com/ Tanya Goodwin http://pixiloo.blogspot.com Alice Peterson http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com Rebecca Anderson http://songbeads.blogspot.com Chris White http://dzeyenrstudio.blogspot.com Cherrie Fick http://designsinthelight.com Rosanne Garvison http://fabfibers@blogspot.com Shelley Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/ Mary Harding http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com Lola Surwillo http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com Michelle Burnett http://reverieandrevival.blogspot.com Kirsi Luostarinen http://kirsiluokorut.blogspot.com Paige Maxim http://pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com Kristen Fagan http://www.creativestash.com Cynthia Riggs http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/

Your comments are like gems and can be hoarded on my computer forever!

The Challenge of Literature

Erin Prais-Hintz invited us to join her Challenge of Literature and design some jewelry inspired by something we read  that "speaks to us personally."  Avid bedtime reader that I am, while many of you are burning the midnight designer's oil, I could surely jump in on this one!  Starting with the Nancy Drew series, I have read mainly mysteries, FBI themes, and Michael Connelly-type books.  But I also enjoy Anita Shreve-style books about people's lives and challenges, which reminded me of a character in one of those books,  (sorry, no title or author remains in my memory) a young girl, who suddenly discovered poetry, and stayed in her room for days until she had read everything available by Anne Michaels.  I was immediately inspired by the quotes from the poems that struck this girl's heart and started taking notes.  So I was ready! when Erin posed this challenge!

From  Anne Michaels' poem, "Skin Divers":

    " Because the moon feels loved, she lets our eyes

     follow her across the field, stepping

     from  her clothes, strewn silk

     glinting in furrows.  Feeling loved,

     the moon loves to be looked at,

     swimming all night across the river."

The girl was elated to read this, because she watched the moon over the river outside her bedroom window!  The resulting necklace is "River Moon".  I know, it's the reverse of "Moon Ri-i-iver", but it had to be!

         Labradorites, pearls that are actually silvery, chain, and a "moon" bead - all from my stash!

The beloved "moon".

A kyanite planet, perhaps?

Different backgrounds and lighting, but I'm thinking different camera!

The moon is such an amazing part of creation!  No wonder it has inspired

art and literature forever!

Click on Erin's name above for a complete list of participants!

Here's another "moon" thought from further on in the same poem, "Skin Divers".

"The moon touches everything

into meaning, under her blind fingers,

then returns us to cerulean

aluminum dawns."

Thanks so much for visiting and I appreciate your comments!  Hope you enjoyed this brief journey through the night.