Challenge of Music Blog Hop

Chopsticks!!

What do you think of when you hear that word?

Chinese food? Probably.

But in relation to music, certainly you hear the childhood piano favorite, "chopsticks", playing in your head.

As a child, I wanted to learn to play piano. I took lessons, but could never get my left hand to do something different than my right hand (am I alone with this one?) But I could play Chopsticks. Because both hands are doing the same thing, but in the opposite direction. Then mid-way through the song, they do the same thing, but a couple keys apart. This was easy for my child hands (and brain) to "master". We played chopsticks until we were told to "knock it off!!" by the adults in the room (then we switched to "Heart and Soul" - another easy song for the piano). As an adult now, I can see where more than a couple minutes of chopsticks would make you yell "knock it off!!".

Liberace plays it in this youtube video, like I have never heard it before: (wow!)


And here is what I discovered on Wikipedia about Chopsticks (it's a waltz - who knew?!):

"Chopsticks" (original name "The Celebrated Chop Waltz") is a simple, extremely well known waltz for the piano. It was written in 1877 by the British composer Euphemia Allen under the pseudonym Arthur de Lulli.^[1] Allen, who was the sister of a music publisher, was supposedly only sixteen when she composed the piece, with arrangements for solo and duet. The title Chop Waltz comes from Allen's specification that the melody be played in two-part harmony with both hands held sideways, little fingers down, striking the keys with a chopping motion. This name suggests the piece should be played in 3/4 (waltz) metre, although it is also commonly heard with the stresses as in 6/8 time.

On to my creations!!
***Obligatory apology for the photo quality. I was forced to use an indoor light box, which is no substitute for natural sunlight***

I knew when I decided to use this song I would need to make some decisions. Should I go with an Asian theme? Or a childhood theme? Or make some thing that represents the two halves of the song?
Rather than make a decision, I went in all directions.

My first photo is the childhood theme. When I think of "chopsticks" I think about being that kid at the piano! I'm not a bracelet fan, so this can be worn either as a bracelet or a necklace. Simply remove the length of chain and wrap the charm bracelet around your wrist! Lots of plastic kid charms and pixies, a bottle cap bead, a vintage red celluloid heart and wooden mini yo-yo.



Above the dog it says "I'm in the doghouse"

Next, I got to thinking about the Asian influence this song had on my thoughts. On a recent visit to Erin's etsy store, I saw her Asian inspired simple truths, to compliment the monthly painting at Art Bead Scene Blog. Serendipity! - It was perfect for what I had in mind. And the colors would be perfect too! In the meantime, I've had an Arizona iced tea can on my workbench, waiting to test my disc cutter. The can is fairly thin gauge, and it cut like buttah! My "plan" was to dap my discs into bead caps, but I now realize (after mutilating unsuccessfully dapping a couple discs) I do not have the right kind of dapping block for that - something to shop for, like I need a reason to shop ;-)
OK, plan "B"!
It took me a while to figure out how to fold them, but I made mini fortune cookies out of my discs! I absolutely love them! But then, my pendant arrived, and, while I love it, the colors were more subdued than I imagined they'd be. My fortune cookies are too bright and don't look good with it.
OK, plan "C"!
I happened to have an Asian brass fan sitting out on my bead desk (from Trinity Brass, I think), so I designed my fortune cookie necklace around that. I am actually quite happy with it. I have enough fortune cookies left over to make a bracelet too! (someday)


Faceted fuscia Jasper, Brass Fan, and my little fortune cookies!

 

 Of course, I made earrings to match!

I case you're wondering, I did not slide tiny little fortunes inside the cookies - but I could!

But what about Erin's beautiful pendant? Not to worry. I had strawberry quartz beads that matched wonderfully.
Now, this was another one of my ideas for Chopsticks...if you count the number of chain links on this necklace, it's the same number of notes in Chopsticks:
123456.123456.123456 (clasp) 12.12.12345.12345.12.12.

(plus, you might have noticed that I chose the stick version of Erin's pendants, rather than a round one or some other shape - get it? chop STICK)

18 links per side, represent the two "halves" of the song

Strawberry Quartz and sea glass, adventurine, Lucite leaves, and the lovely Simple Truths pendant

Lastly and also serendipitously, last weekend I stumbled across a bunch of chopstick I had bought, back during my auction-going days. They are petite (about 6" long) and beautiful, with mother of pearl inlay. So, at the last minute, I wanted to try to make something with two of them. This is more of a experimental necklace, and not really meant to be worn. I may add to it, but this all I had time to do. I think it has potential. The chopsticks alone would be beautiful stuck into a hair bun.
 

Czech Dragonfly bead from Maya Honey

Rather than copy the list here, please go to Erin's blog post here to see the other participants!

Thank you, Erin, for hosting once again. This challenge proved to be a bit more difficult than I thought it would be, but I'm happy to have been a part of it. I'm anxious to see what everyone else has done!

3rd annual Challenge of Color

Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati hosts challenges throughout the year. November is traditionally the challenge of color. I always love this challenge, because it forces me to create out of my comfort zone, and I usually like what I've created for this challenge. I tend to design monochromatic jewelry, maybe because I feel it's more wearable, but also because I'm not good at pairing colors together. This challenge leaves me no choice.
The palettes are very special. Please see Erin's blog for a full explanation, so it's not repeated here.

My palettes this year (she gave each us two to choose from) were opposite each other. One is yellows and deep reds and browns, the other icy blues and greys. Erin asked us to pick one of the palettes, so she knew how to list us for the blog hop. I had told Erin I chose "Greenland Coast" for my palette, but when I sat down to make jewelry, "Erongo Massif" came out first. So, I have pieces for both palettes.

 

 

 

Erongo Massif:

It just so happened that I made this enameled focal and matching enameled beads BEFORE I got my palettes! The red beads are much darker in real life. They are those "Red Velvet" crystal beads that were all the rage a while back. (I have tried to retouch them, to simulate the deep rich red color)

 I created the focal using a vintage copper art deco stamping. It's quite heavy (gilding weight) and has little indentations to glue chatons in. I made a hole in the center indentation, and wired my "flower" to it. The larger red crystal was just barely bigger than the opening in the center of the flower, so I used 2 smaller crystals under it, for support (I don't want it to go inside the flower). The focal is heavier than it looks, but it lays ok when worn. Maybe I should glue some red chatons in all those little indentations.


This is a good look at the art deco base.

 I am in love with this enameled piece! Yummy!!

 

 

Greenland Coast:

This one took a bit longer, just because I had to make all the wire wrapped dangles. This is loosely  inspired by Barbara Lewis' Floral Cascade necklace. In fact, many of the enameled beads were made for my own floral cascade necklace, but did not get used. It just so happens, they matched my palette. I made all the dangles, and had them laid out to go onto a chain, but going around the neck (like a charm bracelet). Then I thought "What if I made it into a lariat type necklace?"

So, that's what I did.

Materials include my enameled beads, Vintaj chain, hematite crystal rounds, silvered crystal rounds,  crystals rondelles and smaller AB crystal rondelles.

 The necklace does not have a clasp and is one long length (maybe 28"?). One end is brought over the other in whatever position you want. This allows the wearer to "tie" it as long or short as they like. It can be "tied" in the center, or to one side. It's a lot of necklace, and is not for everyone, but I really like it.

 Once tied, it's a luxurious amount of beads in the middle - I love it!

 

Earrings to match. My enameled beads and the same silvered and AB crystals that were used in the necklace.

And another pair. They look like Art Deco hot air balloons to me. Up, up, and away!

A big thank you to Erin for organizing this challenge again, and Brandi for the fabulous color palettes. They both put a lot in to it, and we all get a lot out of it!

Thank you Miss Erin and Miss Brandi!

 

Please visit the other blogs (it is a blog hop, after all!)

Rather than copy and paste the long list of blog hop participants here (there are 80 of us!!), click here, to go to Erin's blog post.

 

Come fly with me...

I am always happy to get some unsolicited inspiration. I received an email from a friend who was looking for a piece of jewelry with wings in it. She needs to buy a gift for a friend that is a pilot.
Well, of course I have some wing components in my stash!! I was only hoarding them, but it's time to let them go!
Actually, this first one is not that old. I just got it last month, from Erin Prais-Hintz. It was from the simple truths sampler club. It's actually perfect for my friend's friend. I put it on a fairly substantial chain, because the pendant is substantial. It's about 1.5" square, and has a nice weight to it. I added the extra wing at the clasp, which can be worn in the back, or on the side. Simple, but the pendant is the star of this one!

The next wings I found were from Earthenwood. I actually bought them somewhere else, on sale. So I bought all 3 colors available.

First, the white wing. I used some black and white polymer beads and an acrylic bead, along with some cool bead caps, hematite small rounds, and grey matte glass pony beads.

Acrylic is just a fancy word for plastic. Still, I like the bead, but I'm not in love with that seam!

Next up is the green wing. I used the same bead caps as above (I just got them and I hadn't used them before) with some faceted fire agate beads.

And lastly, the rust wing. I decided to use the lone copper filigree bead that was hanging out on the desk. I went through my copper stuff, and found the fire patina'ed curved tubes. They look so pretty in the baggie together, but it's really hard to pick out just one! But I finally picked this one. Then I picked a pretty clasp - I think it goes with the filigree bead.

And, just because I was on a roll, I picked up this mother of pearl butterfly that has also been languishing on my bead desk. Picked out an enameled bead and flower to match. I thought I had made the necklace all lop-sided, because the butterfly doesn't hang straight. That's always the challenge doing asymmetrical designs. But after I switched things around, and it still hangs wonky. I think the thickness of the shell is uneven, so one side is thicher/heavier. Either that, or the hole is not in the center. Either way, I'm probably stuck with this one for a while!

Still, it's pretty.



That hole looks like it's in the center!!??!!??!!

I sent the wing photos to my freind - she liked all of them, but she's buying the simple truth pendant - it really is the perfect necklace for a pilot!

Simple Truths Celebration Blog Hop

You know her.....you love her.....Miss Erin of Tesori Trovati and Simple Truths has done it again! She has found another way to inspire me (and others) by hosting the Simple Truths Celebration blog hop. She knows we are all hoarding our simple truths from the sampler club. Who could blame us? They are little works of art in a bezel!! So, she challenged those of us with a hoard of them to get creative and make something with them. I was really trying to get them ALL made into jewelry, but I fell a little short. I still have a few to use, and more just arrived this week (July sampler club!!) But here they are, in no particular order. Oh, also, I'm not going to give long descriptions or materials list, since there are quite a few!! :-)

My very first simple truth! I won it at ABS blog! Lucky me!

Be Happy. And can you believe I won this one too?? How lucky can one girl be?

That's Life! This is from the sampler club.

Make a Wish. This is possibly my favorite, AND this necklace was published in the Apr 2012 Bead Trends! 

Bicycle. This one being silver was a challenge for me, but the ceramic beads I found in my stash matched it perfectly!

MORE! MORE! MORE! (a la Billy Idol)

Owlet. From last October sampler club! Again, silver is challenging for me, but pink is so fun!

Queen Bee. I decided less was more with this one. The photo does not portray the grey opal Swarovski beads very well.

A closer look!

Sow Seeds. I mixed 3 colors of peanut beads to pull out the colors of the flowers.

Happy Ending. Erin gave me this one as a gift when my "Make a Wish" was published! So Sweet, Miss Erin!

Holy Crap - you mean there's more?!?!? Yeah, there's more!

No Fear. Sampler club from the winter, I don't remember which month.

A close up of the pendant. I added a little bead cap to the wire wrapped bail.

Nature. Last November, Erin asked us for what we were thankful for (and why). We all received one-of-a-kind pendants that month!

A little bit closer look

Unique. The faceted Blue Chalcedony in my stash matched this one perfectly. Obviously, I've been hoarding this since last winter! (it's a snowflake, not a flower!)

The wording on the back!

These are yet to be used - resting comfortably in my stash. The little Stars and Stripes are new arrivals!

Did you make it to the end??

Well, all I can say that I am happy I joined the sampler club - just look at all the pendants I've gotten! I always get compliments whenever I wear any of them.
If you do not have any Simple Truths of your own, Miss Erin is having a give away. One lucky winner will win a 3-month subscription to the simple truths sampler club! Make sure you visit her blog and leave a comment to win!
Enjoy visiting the rest of the other bloggers!

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

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

Marcie Abney

Christine Altmiller

Elisabeth Auld

LJ B

Lori Bowring Michaud

Shannon Chomanczuk

Cece Cormier

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Malin de Koning

Beth Emery

Michelle Escano-Caballero

Erin Fickert-Rowland

Therese Frank

Amy Freeland

Tanya Goodwin

Stephani Gorman

Amy Grass

Beth Hemmila

Kristina Johansson

Jennifer Justman

Tari Kahrs

Susan Kennedy

Ema Kilroy

Kathleen Lange Klik

Kirsi Luostarinen

Paige Maxim

Beth McCord

Natalie McKenna

Alice Peterson

Cat Pruitt

Bobbie Rafferty

Johanna Rhodes

Cynthia Riggs ****YOU ARE HERE****

Sally Russick

Sarah Sequins

Amy Severino

Staci Smith

Kristen Stevens

Lola Surwillo

Stefanie Teufel

Sandi Volpe

Holly Westfall

Shaiha Williams