Thursday, May 31, 2012

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.



19 comments:

  1. Beautiful necklace to go with the beautiful words! Love the moon on this piece! The beads are perfect! I need to read some of the Nancy Drew series, never have sort of forgot about them! SMILE!

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  2. I love the multistrands and the colors! Perfect piece!

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  3. I have always been drawn to the moon and I just love the snippets of the poem that you shared. That necklace fits perfectly with the poem and I am so in awe of people that can make multistrands sing. Bravo!

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  4. Oh how beautiful your piece turned out! It is romantic and inspiring, just like the poem. I love that moon beads, and yes, the kyanite does look like a planet. Well done!! thanks for commenting on my post as well.

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  5. A gorgeous piece! I love the shimmery colors of the stones, and that moon is fabulous!

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  6. This is a fantastic piece that really evokes the feel of the poem you selected! Wow! And that little moon bead is a perfect detail!!!

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  7. Your necklace is gorgeous and you captured the essence of the poem beautifully in your piece.
    Therese

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  8. All from your stash, that's wonderful. The moon is such a lovely puffed shape and you've used it so perfectly!

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  9. What a beautiful poem! I love that little crescent moon bead. Crescent moons are very powerful symbols to me. The imagery in the poem haunts me, the colors and the anthropomorphizing of Miss Moon. Thank you for playing with me in this Challenge! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  10. I wish I could find the entire poem! I have to go to the library now... Wonderful! THe moon is the most magical, mystical... Your necklace is lovely. Labradorite a perfect lunacy companion!

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    1. The entire poem is online - Just Google Anne Michaels/Skin Divers. There are several sites.

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  11. What a wonderful poem and I think you captured it perfectly! Love the multistrands and the moon pendant pendant!

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  12. That is a wonderful poem and I love your necklace. Beautiful!

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  13. You really captured the feel of the poem in your piece. I esp. love the moon bead. Great job!
    - Lisa Lodge

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  14. A lovely poem and an equally lovely poetic tribute in your necklace. I love how the individual components flow together so well.

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  15. That's a beautiful poem and a beautiful piece of jewelry to go with it!

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  16. What beautiful beads, what a great design! Labrodorite is a perfect choice, so lovely.

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  17. Oh my goodness, this is just beautiful! I love the picture you painted from memory, of the girl reading everything... and the poetry is just lovely. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  18. Great necklace!
    Pljewels.blogspot.com

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