Welcome! Its that time of the month again! I seriously dont know where time has gone… The Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month is an event I look forward to! … and yet always feel rushed…
Sue Kennedy of SueBeads provided a lovely ruffle edged lamp work bead this month. Seem like I have been thinking this over for ever – and suddenly its time! It has to be finished!
I was happily out of my comfort zone with the colors. Orange and olive. The shape of the bead was a bit floral to me, and I knew I wanted to place it “flat” so the whole bead would show… Here are my sketches:
I try to use words more and more in my work – this is no exception. I found a quote by Marcel Proust that touched on the friends I have made in AJE and the floral associations I had formed with the bead.
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
Here is a close up of the bead and the copper washer I have framing it. The spiral wire will be the soft rivet to hold this into the polymer I am planning…
The polymer: I wanted to use the orange and green again, and embrace a palette that isnt my usual. The polymer is 2 layers, textured, hand painted. There are copper tube rivets at the top, and two dangles at the bottom. (There was supposed to be one. I drilled off center. Now there are two. )
The necklace echoes the colors – yellow jade, a seed pod, carnelian, and mystery stones – agate? Jasper? (I hate when I dont label it all carefully after the rush of shopping at a show…Sigh.)
The back of the piece, stamped with the quote. It is upside down when worn – another adjustment I had to make. But if you are showing the piece to someone while wearing it – it is convenient to simple turn it over instead of flipping it up… ( Nice way to justify… )
I love using Sue’s beads. Last year we were table neighbors at Beadfest Philadelphia in August. The time is coming soon… hope we are neighbors again!
Please share your thoughts! I am working from home lately and love to have some Internet time to chat… Stay tuned for next months AJE CoM – organic ceramic earring pairs by yours truly!
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
Gorgeous!! I love the polymer piece you made to go with it, beautiful!!!
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Thanks Kristi – that crazy polymer! It just keeps cropping up!
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I love that you added to the disc to make an even bigger focal! Super cute design 🙂
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Thank you! I tried to take pix of it on – but I was super hot and sweaty. It wasnt pretty… 😛
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This piece is really nice – love the clay backing, and your 2 dangles! Creative way to solve off-center drilling.
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Thanks! I love dangles – and usually do one or three. This time… what can I say?
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Jenny,
You did a beautiful job with the lampwork bead. I love how you used the different components in the design. It really lets the bead stand out. If you did not point out your mistakes- no one would have known!
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Thank you – its such a great bead it was easy to be inspired.
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This is stunning !!
What a great Idea to make it into a bigger focal
And the way You did it
Just perfect !! earthy feel 🙂
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Hi Birgitta! Thank you. We have to stick together, you an I – Earthy girls!
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Such a gorgeous and meaningful necklace!!! I love every beautiful detail of this piece, including the fact that it’s based on one of my favorite quotes. What an incredibly special design!
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Jenny! So pretty! I love the color combination. You totally stepped up to the challenge.
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Thanks Melissa – it was a color challenge for me! I gravitate to more analagous palettes usually…
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I love how you infuse meaning into every piece you create…The design is gorgeous. The polymer backing is amazing. Thank you for being part of the team, we love having you.
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Thank you Jen! That means a lot to me!
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That is so so beautiful! I love the layering with the copper and the polymer clay. Beautiful colours, and I love the quote you’ve used too.
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Thanks Jo – these days there seems to be copper and polymer in everything. My new favorite things.
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I love this. The way you showcased the disc with the copper washer and the clay disc is wonderful. And the pops of color in the necklace and the dangles (I love dangles) really make the disc shine. So cool.
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You created a beautiful focal when you added your polymer clay work. The chains you use work really well with it. Well done!
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I would have never guessed you weren’t comfortable with these colors—you did a fabulous job! Love the polymer addition!
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Cool – glad the polymer meets the approval of a fab polymer person! Thanks!
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You are a true artist in every sense of the word and your work always astounds me! I love the quote…LOVE IT…and the beautiful and creative way that you have turned this beautiful bead into a Keepsake. Wow!
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Thank you Patti! I thank you for your kind words – what a great way to start a Monday!
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Jenny I love when you show your process and I love your necklace! Hope we’re neighbors too!
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Thanks Sue! Booth numbers are up – but I havent looked… fingers crossed
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