We're All Ears :: November Reveal :: Quotes

Hello earring peeps!
Sorry for the delay. Google has been messing with me and somehow froze my account - meaning I couldn't access this blog, my photos, my email - nothing! But I somehow found a way back in! Better late than never!

This month was a special challenge inspired by our friend and editor Loralee Kolton. She challenged ME to find a way to use quotes to be the inspiration. Challenge accepted!

I selected the quotes because they had a built in visual element to the words and because they spoke to me. I believe in wearing positive power mantras in my jewelry and this would be a very abstract way to do that. Only you would know that this is a representation of a powerful message. I like that bit of mystery.

So here are my four pairs of earrings. Which quote speaks to you?

 I was thinking literally of stars when I read this quote. But I don't happen to have any star shaped beads. So I decided to seek out shiny crystals. And that is when I spotted a strand of these fun two-hole beads. They are tiny, like little pinponts of light, and they have the most magnificent flash of an AB color treatment (very hard to photograph). I wanted them to have a bit of a shooting star vibe, but my 16 gauge steel wire was not cooperating. In frustration, I crossed the ends of the paddles I had made, which reminded me of awareness ribbons. There are people that I know that are facing insurmountable odds and grave darkness with many different circumstances. And this quote speaks to me because you cannot appreciate the light without the darkness. It is a hope-full quote and one that resonates with me to also be that star shining in the darkness for another.

I have a friend who is the most positive person I know. She exudes a bubbly optimism that is infectious and striking. She and her husband own a cabin cruiser boat that they spend all summer on and when she knew that I was making this quote into a pair of earrings, she told me she immediately thought of her maritime adventures. I was at first thinking of maps and journeys. But as I worked through that thought I realized that I would need a lot more time to make that vision a reality. What I next considered were compass roses and arrows and the concept of true north. True North is the direction along the surface of the earth that points directly toward the North Pole. It is a fixed point that orients your entire world. To be successful, you need to stay on track, and your "true north" are your guiding principles, your core values and your most deeply held beliefs that point you in the right direction. To be truly you, this internal compass guides your way. Finding your "true north" means staking your integrity, fueling your passion, and taking steps to journey toward your one true goal - and that is different for every person.

Initially, I wanted to make something triangular that would call to mind a mountain, with a bright shining crystal at the top. For me a mountain is uncharted territory, and although it may be a steep climb, rife with pitfalls and downhill slides, reaching that summit is a goal. I imagine that the view from the top of a mountain is glorious and filled with light. I found these odd shaped golden crystals that I loved. And then I spotted these little triangular bead frames. I tried to make those top heavy crystals balance on top but it just didn't work. I was about to give up when I noticed that one had flipped upside down. That is when it all came together. And it reminded me of this quote...and how a change in perspective can make all the difference.

Acorns are a very powerful symbol of growth to me. I have little bowls of them in my house, and one that I found on a walk in my car as a reminder that from the smallest seeds can come the largest trees. I knew that I had to use an acorn for this pair. I have these lovely acorn bead caps, but I always struggle to find a bead in my stash that fits them properly. Then I spied some long-neglected ceramic beads by MaryAnn Carroll. They have this band of the most yummy rust and apricot glaze and best of all they fit the caps! I remembered that I had a stash of enameled oak leaves from Anne of Gardanne Beads and modified some Vintaj oak leaves to add some layering. This quote reminds me that the growing is the thing, not the seed, not the tree. It is not where you start from but where you are growing to that counts, and the day you stop growing, stop learning, stop striving is the day you die. I have a lot more rings left in this tree trunk!

I hope you enjoyed my journey through some favorite quotes! Which one is your favorite quote? One of these or another one? Be sure to add that to your comment as I am a collector of quotes and this was certainly a challenge, and fun, exercise! Thanks to Miss Loralee for suggesting it!

Your turn! Add your link below and be sure to hop around to see what everyone else created! (LinkyTools will be open for one week, so get your post in!)

We're All Ears :: November Inspiration

So you can blame my friend and yours - Loralee Kolton - for this month's inspiration.

I was doing research on "The Hidden World of Seeds" after seeing this aptly named article on a book entitled "Seeing Seeds" by Robert Llewellyn. And then I spotted Loralee's awesome post about seeds and pods as the basis for earrings. (Wahn-wah!)

I told her that great minds think alike!

Even though Loralee indicated that she did indeed have more seed inspirations in her, I decided to switch gears. And in the conversation that we had she gave me a suggestion....

That was an intriguing proposition. (And words really ARE my magic!)

I love quotes and collect them obsessively. I have a most awesome page-a-day calendar (and if you have ever received an order from me, chances are that you received one of these quotes randomly tucked inside). I pulled together a collection of four different quotes from the past few weeks that spoke to me for various reasons and also had some sort of visual attached to them. Since I couldn't quite bring myself to select just one, I decided to let you choose.

For November's We're All Ears Challenge, choose your favorite of the four quotes and make a pair of earrings that illustrates that message. If you are feeling mighty feisty and really want a CHALLENGE, then do more than one...or even all four! I dare you!

And as Loralee said, "It would be exciting to see everyone's take on the same message!" Indeed!

Won't you join me? See you on Friday, November 17th for the reveal!

We're All Ears :: November Inspiration

Papilionaceae seed pods

The last weekend in October found me winding my way along the coast of Lake Michigan to the sleepy little tourist town of South Haven for the 5th annual Inspired by Nature retreat hosted by Heather Powers. This year the theme was inspired by the forest floor. One of the things we did was investigate the unique shapes of seed pods.

We were given instruction on replicating different species of pods and then painting them. Mine turned out quite alien looking, but they really do resemble something that is not of this world!

Mahogany tree seed pod

So I went in search of some more inspiration, and found that in the form of vintage botanical illustrations. This art depicts the form, color, and details of plant species, frequently in pen and ink or watercolor paintings. They were frequently published in books, magazines devoted to their study, and seed catalogs. I would dearly love to unearth a vintage book or magazine devoted to this commonplace art! I find it fascinating.

Seed annual, 1908

So this month, I thought we could honor the seed pods that might be all about us. It really has made me stop and search for these tiny treasures! Since the illustrations don't really have much in the way of color, my hope is that you will focus on the form of the pods, and let their shape be your guide for your creations. It will be fascinating to see where this one takes you!

Join me for the We're All Ears reveal on
Friday, November 20th!

We're All Ears :: November Reveal

So what did you think about that sweet little short animation?
 
I was completely enthralled by it. I watched it over and over and paused and pressed rewind so many times. I just wanted to zoom in and see it even closer! What I took away from that film were three things: the leaves and foliage on the mountainside and in the woods; the details on the outfit of the little girl; and the diaphanous wings of the creature. I sought to do something inspired by all three of these inspirations.

I loved this recent post that Miss Gloria just shared with us on how she approaches her task of making earrings for her reveal days. Since I really only get one reveal day a month, I like to make sure that I have more than one pair of earrings created for the challenge, and the way that Miss Gloria approaches her creative sessions is one that I quite like and decided to put into action: creating in your comfort zone and taking a risk. So for this first set of earrings, I focused on a tried and true design of mine: falling articulated color-filled leaves. Leaves are everywhere in this short...from the misty treetops on the hillside to the cool green vines snaking their way around the massive boulders. There seemed to be three different colors of the leaves: white and misty, rust and copper and fresh and green. I made a pair of earrings in all three colorways using at least 4 different metal patinas to hand paint each leaf before assembling.

Clearly, I love making these, as I have made them before in all the colors of the rainbow. I love that they are lightweight and dangly. I always sell out of them at $22 and my own personal favorite pair is periwinkle blue leaves. I must have eleventy-billion of these sweet little leaves, so I am sure that I could make you a pair if you like! ;-) Just ask!

 

The outfit of the little girl is intriguing... does it hint at a rustic peasant lifestyle? a bygone era? a faraway land? It has a decidedly ethnic quality to it, from the fur trim to the brocade to the beaded tassel (did you catch that?). I wanted to make something inspired by the beaded tassel, but found myself drawn to the ornate trim on the edge of her coat. I spied a little bag of some of my favorite Vintaj components in these sweet little flower designs and kept is quite simple. Long again, as that is how I like my earrings (could easily go shorter), with a faceted merlot pearl dangling. I employed a new-to-me trick I learned of making knotted head pins. I learned it in a little online tutorial and thought I would give it a shot. Pearls always have such small holes, and this solves my dilemma of how to string them in an elegant way.

And following along with Miss Gloria, I had to take a risk. The feathers of the mystical creature seemed like the perfect way to test that out. In my printer's cabinet pearl drawer I found a small compartment of small top-drilled stick pearls. I thought they looked a lot like feathers, so I set about trying to come up with a design that would mimic the look of the wings.

I played around with a little dark annealed steel wire to make a crescent shaped form. Then using a contrasting bronze colored wire (more out of necessity than esthetic), I wire wrapped the stick pearls to the form. At the bottom I dangled a crystal briolette, reminding me of the flash that the water made as it coursed through the creature. I even made my own ear wires, something I would like to do more, but rarely have the time. These were a risk for me in the unexpected shape and the complete handcraftiness.  I quite like the way they hang and hug the curves of my jaw line. I think I will explore this shape some more!

If you were inspired to create something based on the inspiration animation, please add your link below. And be sure to come back on Friday, December 5th for our next We're All Ears inspiration!

What inspired you about the animation Nebula? Do share!

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Leave kind, encouraging comments.
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We're All Ears :: November Inspiration

Okay. Trying something new this month. I was not sure where I wanted to go with the We're All Ears inspiration for November, so I went to Google and typed in 'art inspiration november'. Oddly enough, I found a site I had never heard of called Art-Spire. New follower, here! 

I scrolled down and mention of a short film by students from Gobelins caught my eye. Gobelins, located in Paris, France, is 'a pioneer school in the fields of digital communication, interactive design and entertainment.' Clearly, their students are quite accomplished since this was a graduation film for some of them.

So I watched the roughly 3 minute film. And I was entranced. I wanted to see more. I could definitely see this as a full length animated feature some day. Where did this creature come from? What purpose is it there to serve? Who is this young girl? What magical land does she live in? What is the message that this fim imparts? Watch this movie and see what questions it inspires in you. 

 

I think that this little short embodies the colors of late autumn and the mystical and wistful feel that this time of year always evokes in me. The hazy grey of the mist in the forest of tall dark trees. The olive green leaves clinging to the rocks and the soft rusty tones of the treetops on the hillside. The little girl's sort of ethnic-inspired coat with the fur and the embroidered trim. The mystical creature energized by the water to create wings to fly. Spectacularly magical. 

Below are a few stills from the animation to inspire you, but to get the full effect, please watch the film!

What inspires you about this amazing short animation?

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To participate in the We're All Ears creative challenge:

Make earrings inspired by this inspiration.

Write a post on your blog.

Add your exact blog post URL link to the
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Friday, November 21st.

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