Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Challenge of Music blog hop

Today is the day for Erin Prais-Hintz's Challenge of Music blog hop. I must admit, I signed up for this challenge with a little apprehension. I wasn't sure if I could be inspired by music to make jewelry.
 I really started listening to some of my favorite artists and songs. I originally thought I'd use a song by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, because his songs are like little stories, with vivid imagery.

But as I started to look around online for components, I kept hearing "Home" by Daughtry in my head. Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 5 years or so, you probably have at least heard of them. I love "Home" (this link is to a youtube video), Daughtry's second hit single. I listen to Daughtry while I work out at the gym, so I've heard all their songs repeatedly. I know every lyric by heart....

"I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me."

I thought about "home" and what it could mean...
A house to a person...
A nest to a bird...
Family.
I started buying components for "home", each one more perfect than the next. So, in no particular order, I'll show you my homes....

This first one features components from Captured Moments. I fell in love with the egg connector, and the bird nest focal. I am sorry to say that my camera was acting up for these photos, but you get the idea (they really do not have that pinkish glow)! I added some carved bone beads that matched the ceramics pieces perfectly, and a wire bead that reminded me of a nest. Finished off with some Vintaj bead caps and wire.

The matching earrings are made with flower connectors. They came as a set with the one egg connector from the necklace.

Next...
These wooden birdhouses are from ARTchix Studios. How cute are they?? When I saw them on the website, I immediately knew I wanted to layer them, so I also bought plain houses without the window, to use as the back layer. Of course, once things are in your hands, it doesn't always work out how you planned. My thought was to put a vintage image of a bird on the back layer to show through the window, add some wire or other fibers in the middle, and the birdhouse on the top. Let's just say that I don't have all the needed skills, or materials! I made the wire nest and eggs to hang behind, and I'm happy with it (I still did "layers").
The blue beads are faceted czech glass in 2 sizes. I also folded an antique brass leaf bail to use at the top of my house, just to give it a little something extra. Added in some antique brass bead caps and Vintaj chain too.

This is the focal, behind the scenes. You can see the wood burn marks on the back. It smells like a fire in the fireplace. I love that smell.

The earrings are smaller houses. I hung the little "egg" in the front. I thought they might not show well  if I hung them on the back of the earrings.

Last, but not least, is my third house (This is turning into "The Three Little Pigs" lol...)
Anyway. This raku house is from Oscar Crow on etsy. There are some really interesting things in that shop! If any one ever hosts a challenge for jewelry with baby heads, I'll be ahead of the game. (check out the shop, you'll see).
Anyway. I love this little house, with it's red door and window. I sat and stared at it for a little while. Somehow, it occurred to me to make a cumulus cloud over the house. I bent the cloud out of 20g wire, and hammered it, so it will keep it's shape. As I was fussing with the cloud, I happen to see the orange-red key in the corner of my eye. This key has been on my messy desk for about 6 months. It's just an old key that I smeared with red "Rub-N-Buff". I found some czech picasso glass beads that match and bent some bead caps to fit over them. And of course, Vintaj chain.


That's it for me. Thank you Erin, for hosting another fun challenge!
Please visit the rest of the brave participants, or go to Erin's blog!!
Erin Prais-Hintz












































26 comments:

  1. Over the top! Love all your pieces you have put together.

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  2. Wow, so many beautiful jewelry pieces! I'm so impressed! LOVE the pieces you made with the ARTchix birdhouses, bravo!!! : )

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  3. OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!

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  4. These are all amazing!!! I honestly can't decide which piece I like best! What I do know for sure ... Daughtry rocks! =D

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  5. Daughtry, oh yes, I love that song! And your necklaces? I just love them all! The pendant with the wire work on that last is awesome.

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  6. hahah - you're right - if someone doesn't know that song they indeed must be living under a rock! ;) But now - let's get to business....these pieces are truly amazing. I love your interpretation of the song, but I also simply love these pieces. They are all gorgeous, but I am really drawn to the wood houses with the 'eggs'. HOW CLEVER!!! The colors together are really wonderful!

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  7. You made three (THREE!) lovely pieces, and they all represent 'home' very well. I do love the song you chose as your inspiration.

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  8. Hi from Del.Co., PA (where I must be living under a rock)... Was a little sad you passed up Dave and Tracy, but I like what you've done instead, especially those bird elements.

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  9. Oohhhh love Daughtry!!!! Your pieces are just wonderful. I love love love your little red and white house and that key-AWESOME!!! I didn't know rub-n-buff even came in red:)

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  10. Beautiful jewellery! I especially fell for the turquoise necklace: lovely colour, delicate design and I like the little details with the leaves and bead caps.

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  11. What a great song to be inspired by. And each of your Home pieces are completely different from each other. But all hold the warmth of Home. I thought the first was my favorite...until I saw the second...then the third with that fantastic cloud and fabulous key! Love them ALL!

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  12. Great pieces! I paricularly like the wooden birdhouses mixed with the blue beads :)
    And I'm going to have to check out more of Daughtry - they're not big here in the UK (but I do vaguely remember Chris Daughtry on American Idol) so thank you for reminding me! :)

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  13. Shame those first pix are pink - b/c pink and Daughtry was a weird combo when I first looked. Sorry the camera wasn't cooperating. My fav is the last of the three. The house, the key, the unique bail... nice job!

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  14. All of your creations are fantastic. Looks like music can inspire your jewelry designs after all! I really like the wire cloud you created on the third necklace, very unique!

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  15. Lovely visual poems of home! Love the song too :) xoxo Beth

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  16. I love the second necklace. Very unstated with a nifty surprise

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  17. Even though all of the beautiful necklaces are different they all say home, perfectly! Love them all!

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  18. I am amazed by how many pieces you created for this!!! All of them are lovely! And that is a wonderful song :)

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  19. Cynthia, I always voted for Daughtry when he was on American Idol. I enjoy his song Home. I like that you made three different necklaces that represent Home. My favorite is the last one and you may think this is funny, but it is the use of the key that struck my fancy.
    Therese

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  20. Oh my, great song - and those houses - to die for!

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  21. I love Daughtry - awesome voice and lyrics! I love what you did with those houses! I especially love your final piece, but all of the pieces are fantastic!

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  22. Oh I love me some Daughtry! That boy can rock. And he is easy on the eyes too! "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it all" that is my favorite line from the song. But home is the place where you are always welcome, you can be yourself. I love your three little homes. All so different in feel. I have never purchased from these three places before and I will have to look into it further, so Etsy thanks you for that! I am delighted that you were able to participate with me in this challenge. I have enjoyed learning more about everyone's unique personality through their musical choices! I think you and I are very alike!
    Enjoy the day.
    Erin

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  23. Beautiful pieces. I love all of them. They really do symbolize "home."

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  24. I love the three interpretations of "home", but I think my favorite is the little wooden birdhouse with the nest - too cute!

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  25. Love all of the little houses -very cool!

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Thanks so much for leaving me a comment!