Let the Games Begin

    Welcome to the Game of Thrones Jewelry Challenge, hosted by Heather Powers of Humble Beads.
    With the highly anticipated season 5 premier almost upon us,  Heather Powers dreamed up this challenge to help those suffering from withdrawal pass the time. The idea was to create something inspired in some way by the series of prized books, now turned into an award winning television series.
    I must admit that I've never actually read the books, or seen the TV show. I stopped watching TV all together about 5 years ago.
    However, I never need much of an excuse to rise to a challenge......and then, well, there's dragons!

"Mother of Dragons" 

    For anyone who is a fan, or even aware of the series, it's probably pretty obvious who my inspiration was.
    For those who are not, this is Daenerys. Last surviving members of the House of Targaryn, and rightful heir to it's throne. She was also the wife of Khal Drogo, a Dothraki warlord, leaving her to rule his people upon his death. Lastly, and most important, she is the mother of 3 dragon hatchlings!

"When my dragons are grown, we will make waste of armies and burn cities to the ground."

 -Daenerys 

    All I know about Daenerys I have learned from google search, but here's my impression of her:

    Daenerys started out as a very frail and vulnerable girl, who was heavily taken advantage of. She has been through hell and back, and has come out the other side a strong and powerful, take no prisoners, total badass of a woman. A genuine force to be reckoned with.
    She is definitely NOT your stereotypical princess!

    I created the "Mother of Dragons" necklace to encompass the enigma that is Daenerys.  A delicate image of etherial beauty, combined with a pillar of strength, and unrelenting determination. 

    The center ceramic art bead focal was made by Birgitta Lejonklou of Angel Whisperer. It was gifted to me as a prize for winning the Blogger/Non-Blogger challenge last year, and has been patiently waiting in my bead box for the perfect inspiration. 

The dragon's wings were form folded and synclasted from copper sheet metal. I had initially intended to polish them to a shiny copper finish, but then decided that the charred and oxidized look of the metal was perfect for dragon wings. 

    I made a beaded chain of an organic mix of gemstones. Etched eye dot Agates, rough Carnelian gemstones, Picture Jasper, Howlite, a ceramic art bead by Grubbi, and terra cotta dragon hatchlings. 

    The dragon focal itself is adorned with gemstone tassels of Mookaite, Tigers Eye, Czech glass blossoms, Red Jasper,  and a titanium coated Quartz crystal point. 

   

     I had not actually seen this picture of Daenerys and her dragon before creating my piece. I was quite impressed with the similarity of my vision. 

    As an additional element of the series, I wire worked a link in the shape of the O from the logo and worked into my beaded chain. 

    I finished the back off with a leather strap and a copper hook through a terra cotta wheel. I was not real pleased with the leather strap. It seemed to polish of an application for the organic look I was going for. I ended up reworking the back with a much softer piece of leather tonight, and feel it flows much better now. I will add an additional photo of the rework when I have some daylight. 

Please make sure you head on over to Heather Power's blog to see the beautiful jewelry she created, as well as the list of blog posts links for all the other participants. 

    I hope you have enjoyed this tour of Westeros and Essos, 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Peace, Love, and PyxeeDust! 

    As promised, here is the updated photo with the more organic leather strap.