Part 1
My partner Kayla Potega http://www.teejewelry.blogspot.com/ sent me a vintage Chinese cloisonne ball focal with tassel in a lovely shade of green. Blue and gold faceted Czech glass beads, wooden beads, a mixed strand of green gemstone nuggets including Moss Agate, Adventurine, and Fluorite, silver chain, lacy silver art nouveau links, a silver colored botanical toggle clasp, and a silver coin charm with a dove on one side and stamped "PEACE" on the other. (see last picture)
I love the cloisonne focal. All things Asian really. So I immediately had ideas for a theme and where to go with that. I've been working on that for weeks. Making components to go with it, etc. I was then left with a whole lot of silver pieces and the wooden beads. I don't do much silver, so this is a challenge. I set these pieces aside and let them simmer while I worked on my main piece. So here I was 2 days before go time and I have no idea what to do with my clasp. This set was the last conceptually, but the first to fruition. I started tinkering and came up with a variation on my original theme, (you'll have to check back next week for the original theme, trying not to give too much away) and the set just flew together.
Introducing "Shambahla - a Place of Peace".
"Shambhala - a Place of Peace" Tibetan Prayer flag bracelet |
I used all the round silver links, and my toggle clasp in the bracelet. I also used some of the yellow Czech glass beads from Kayla's stash. Then I pulled an array of gem stones and an accented of vintage Chinese bells from my own collection. I punched extra holes in the silver dove charm to dangle gem stones there. Carnelian, Citrine, Honey Jade, Orange Chalcedony, Buttered Rum Chalcedony, CherryQuartz, Red Banded Jasper, Dragons vein Agate, Turquoise, Orange Jade, Aqua Terra Jasper, and orange creamsicle Quartz. All of the silver I have hammered to distress, and patinaed with liver of sulfer. My intent was to age it and make it look like Tibetan silver.
Then came the earrings. The Hamsa hand charm I used as an accent in the bracelet becomes the focal here. The "flower of life" symbol in the palm. This ancient talisman offers protection from the evil eye. Hung from the leaf shaped silver links. Sporting a prayer flag and a bevy of dangly gem stones.
I was done with this set at this point. I had used all the links and the clasp here, which is what I had set out to do. I tried to move on. Yet it kept asking for a necklace. What do I even have left to work with? hmmmm, I have a chain, and some wooden beads, and........... not much else. So I pull out my "silver" bin and start digging. I found this elephant charm I've had since.....high school maybe. He's a bell. Totally forgot I even had him. I wrapped him with some colorful Sari silk snippets and wired on some sparkly gem stones and voila
"Painted Pachyderm"
I love the way my little painted Indian Elephant turned out. An orange wooden "urn" shaped bead embellished with sari silk and vintage Chinese bells, tethers the chain. The wooden urn bead reminds me of the water vessels that women carried on their heads. Seems appropriate, and somehow regal balanced on his back. I spaced out a few chunky gemstones and some of the wooden beads on the chain on one side and wove leather in between through the links. The other side has a portion wrapped in sari silk fiber and wrapped with gem stones. Handmade clasp closure hooks right into the chain and has an adjustable length and features lots of dangly charms on both the hook and the extension.
I was initially unsure about the color combo, because I don't wear silver myself. It's a cold metal, and I went with a warm color palette. That made me uneasy. I've now come to think of it as Tibetan silver and the color of "monks" and I'm warming to the idea of how it all plays together with my theme.
Here's my soup from Kayla
Thank you to the hostess with the mostest, Ms Lori Anderson. I'll refer you to her site for the hop list cause it is soooo long. While you're there, why not buy her a slice of pie ; ) http://www.prettythingsblog.com/ Happy hopping! see you next Saturday for Part 2.
WOW. what you have done is incredible, the elephant is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great start you have made!
ReplyDelete~sigh...i LOVE what you have magically weaved with the soup sent forth...but the idea of creating a prayer flag with beads is brilliant...gorgeous pieces you have shared...much love light and blessings~
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pieces, love what you did with the elephant too.
ReplyDeleteI'm seriously in L.O.V.E with what you've done here Kelly! To say this is my style of jewelry would be a complete understatement! I'm very much in awe of the whole set and love that each piece, while having similar elements, are different in a small way :)
ReplyDeleteI seriously can't wait to see what you've done with that focal I gave you!!
awesome soup you made!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful soup ... beautiful works
ReplyDeleteLove the earrings ^_^
I love love love elephants, the colors of your soup... everything. Your pieces are def my fav..
ReplyDeleteNice group of pieces. I guess I'm going with most and focusing on the elephant. He's so cute in his little outfit:) Well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm partial to elephants too, probably because they are so clever and it's a Matriarchal group. I think the colours look great and it feels very spice road to me. I hear you on the frustration of running out of gas and being stuck just as you are on a roll. See ya next week :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice work love your bracelet
ReplyDeleteI love, absolutely love your pieces! How you used fabric and colors...amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat your reveal was. This was the second decorated Indian elephant I have run across and I love them both. I really like your set, the frayed flags are a beautiful addition, I especially like the earrings. Great job!
ReplyDeleteLove the colour and vibrancy of your designs! The elephant is great. Great bead soup!
ReplyDeleteVery creative!
ReplyDeleteReally creative use of your soup. Looking forward to part 2.
ReplyDeleteGood job using your soup. Your pieces are very creative. I will be back to see what else you do.
ReplyDeleteThe uniqueness and texture in each of your pieces really makes me smile. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you put everything together...great color and design. Very unique and gorgeous pieces!
ReplyDeleteLovely designs! The elephant is so sweet. And beautiful color combinations.
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