When you collaborate with another artist it raises the bar for both of you. Back in August I was approached by Cynthia Tinapple, editor of the Polymer Clay Daily blog, who asked me if I would be willing to work her beads into some jewelry. Cynthia explained that she was taking a trip to Nepal to a remote village and bringing her love of polymer clay to the women in that village to teach them how to translate their unique and splendid culture into beads and baubles that they could sell. She doesn't consider herself a jewelry designer and was seeking a lush design to showcase her beads to the Nepali women. I am so glad that she found me!
When I saw the Pinterest board that Miss Cynthia was creating with all of the global influences for her beads, I jumped at the chance to work with her beads. She sent me a treasure trove of beads to work with that look as if they are Nepalese textiles come to life. Each is painstakingly crafted from multiple canes and embedded with teensy-tiny little mirrors and no-hole beads placed just so with a tweezers. One of Cynthia's inspirations was a Moroccan lantern shape. I loved the shape and set out to create a pair of earrings out of steel wire, aluminum leaf dangles, brass bells and tiny garnets in a frame around these spectacular art beads. I call these long lovelies 'Laila' and I am delighted that right now they are on a journey halfway around the world to inspire women that I will never meet to believe in the power of their amazing cultural gifts.
Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her new line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.
Wonderful story! The earrings are a glorious example of what you were trying to put forth! They have a wonderful cultural feel to them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story, and lovely earrings. I'm going to have to check out Cynthia's blog now, thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You really captured the spirit of those gorgeous lanterns!
ReplyDeleteStunning earrings Erin! What an inspiring story too. :)
ReplyDeleteReally really beautiful! Again, you are so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteVery exotic and sexy earrings! Those beads look to me very culturally authentic! Polymer clay would be a great medium for this style of bead, as you could wear them in earrings without them being too heavy. I have some similar beads in a more traditional material and I think they would be difficult to wear as earrings because of their weight. Although I think it might be a challenge using polymer clay with a low-tech oven, because of the precise temperature ranges required. Maybe there is a brand of poly clay out there that is more forgiving.
ReplyDeleteLOVE these!! Those polymer clay beads are too die for and you used them to perfection!!
ReplyDeleteYour work is fantastic. I love reading Cynthia's blog because on it I am introduced to people like you who I might never have found on my own.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great way to start my day.