Mojo Challenge - Week Eleven - Characters Welcomed

 "Create a piece of jewelry inspired by a celebrity or pop culture character.  The character can be from a TV show, movie or book.  Fun, right? Ask yourself - what would she wear and go to town making it. "

Click here for more details.

 

 



Not sure why, but I have been fascinated for a very long time with trying to design something for Wilma Flintstone.

 

I really don't know why I decided to work with horn. Maybe my decision was based on the idea that animal horn would have been available in the "modern stone age". Maybe my decision was based on the idea that animal horn would be a good choice as an alternative material, since stone is so heavy. Also, everyone knows that Fred loved Wilma very much. That's why I am pretty sure that he would have given her a second necklace to wear for special occasions. It's easy for me to believe that Wilma would have worn something upscale when she attended a special occasion with Fred, like a dinner hosted by the Loyal order of Water Buffaloes.

 

The very rustic vintage silver that I used, may likely be a bit of a stretch for anyone to make during the "modern stone age", but I like to think that there could have been a talented maker of unique jewellery (someone a lot like me) living in Bedrock at that very special time. And just like me, that jewellery maker needed something to connect the pieces together. After all, Wilma deserves to wear something special, whenever she went out on the town of Bedrock.

 

 

 

 

I am happy with this piece. It did start out with the chain in the back but I think I prefer it in the front. I feel certain that Wilma would agree with me. I hope you do too..

 

Hope you like it. Enjoy!

 

 

A Great Day In Kananaskis

Yesterday was a great day -  we headed into Kananaskis Country for a wonderful hike....

And stopped at Barrier Lake / University of Calgary Field Station ....

After a liberal application of bug spray, we set off to see fields of yellow lady slipper orchids....

Imagine the side of a hill covered in clumps of these amazing flowers. We saw an amazing number of wildflowers along the trail. I have included a few here.

 I also have a fascination with tree bark...... (just two photos - there were a lot of trees after all)

On the return portion of the first loop, we discovered we were on the Trans Canada Trail. Unfortunately we were unable to find where this portion of the trail went. There were only 3 markers, so it was not very well marked.

This site was used as a WW2 POW camp to house German prisoners. The building was one of the original guard towers from Camp #130.

We also had the pleasure of meeting this young deer - he was bigger than us and heading in our direction. He waited patiently, staring at us, until we had turned around and headed back down the trail. He began to follow us for awhile and then he headed off into the woods. Only after he had left for greener pastures, did we turn around and proceed up the path.

Thanks for visiting.

Mojo Challenge - Week Ten - Fashion & Beads

"Create a piece of jewelry inspired by your favorite clothing catalog or online store."

 

This entire weekly challenge has been fun and challenging. I have found it difficult to keep up but I do intend to finish all 12 weeks. (Just 2 more to go.)

This pendant speaks to my love of metal as well as very simple pendants. Simple hammered disks with just a hint of torch fired patina left, waxed to stop any further change in patina, connected with a small jump ring. I would wear this pendant with architectural pieces of clothing. Maybe black? or something strapless where this would lay against your skin. Some of my favourite clothing designers include Eileen Fisher, Kaliyana, or maybe eskandar. They all have a similar esthetic which I love. I enjoy the mix of metal and leather cord. Polished but still with a tribal hint. I like to call this style URBAN TRIBAL.

Thanks for visiting. Enjoy!

We're All Ears: JUNE Challenge

The challenge this month uses the photo below as inspiration. Click here or here for more details regarding the hop. I really enjoy this hop each month and I try to participate no matter what else may get left by the wayside. I love to wear earrings, but making them is another matter. This hop has really helped me to become more comfortable with the process of designing and then making my earrings. Thank you EARRINGS EVERYDAY for this challenge.


Guggenheim Museum: Source

I love visiting the Guggenheim and am inspired every time I go, because there is always something new and different to see. This is a perspective that I am not very familiar with, since I hardly ever look straight up, but I find it to be intriguing. Spirals like the one in this photo are a favorite of mine. I have been working for some time trying to perfect my wire spirals. I know that I am improving, but I feel that I still have a long way to go in my efforts to form copper into a spiral that is perfect.

This pair of earrings is made from 14g copper, then patina-ed. I have dished them so that will appear to have the same perspective as this photo of the museum walkways.

Thanks for visiting. Enjoy!

Bracelets

Bracelets / Bangles

Is there a difference to you? In my humble opinion a bangle is rigid where a bracelet is "softer".  I have always been a big fan of both but since I have large hands bangles have always been an issue for me. That has to be one of the big benefits of making my own. :)  My wrist is pretty normal in size but my hands are large. (Took after my Father on that one unfortunately.) I am in love with the arm party or stacked bracelet trend. I try to keep the stacked bracelets to a minimum though since I find it difficult to wear too many at once.

Just finished this turquoise bracelet. I am going to post more bangles / bracelets on Wednesdays for the next few weeks ---- come back and see what I come up with.

Thanks for visiting.

Tuesday Eye Candy

Wow! It has been awhile. I have been occupied with family issues. I am easily distracted and will use most any excuse to delay my jewellery work.

But it is time to get back in there and do what I love. I have been all over the map. Stacking bracelets, tribal pieces, found objects, sleek wood, more and more earrings. I have been loving most of what I am making but it not of a style. Decided I need to let that go. "If I like it I will make it" is my new motto.

I like to explore and try new techniques. Glitter, gold leaf stones, why not? Diamonds with plastic? I really admire artists who work in a "style" and I know I have talked about this before but...... embrace the difference -

Do you make jewellery for yourself that is different from what you make to sell? I often find I do not have any pieces to wear casually. So..... I made some casual jewellery. Lots of layering pieces, I love them but they do not sell..... Maybe it is the display? Maybe it is the wrong audience? Maybe, maybe, maybe..... Maybe don't worry so much and just make what you enjoy?

I hope to have some enamel pieces ready to show you next week - in the meantime here are some new pieces I have been working on ---

Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.....