I'm ending out the month with a special piece that I made for myself. I've been needing a long necklace to wear with sweaters in the winter, and wanted something in pastels. So I pulled out Nan's aqua heart that I'd been hoarding all months and began.
I've been collecting beads I've made, along with a few lampwork orphans from favorite artists. A resin rosebud, a slab of pink Peruvian opal, a couple of aventurine leaves, a Thai silver heart, and a large lavender Cubic Zirconia round joined all the beads. A couple hours of wiring later, and I had this:
To make the double prong at the top of the bead, I ran two pieces of 20 gauge wire together and created ONE wrapped loop for the bottom of the bead. I then ran the two wires up through the top, made a loop up high, and wrapped the neck down about six times. That gave me the links I needed to create the profile I wanted.
For the bottom of the pendant, I used a Hip Chick Beads sterling charm that says "Just Be You". This will remind me to focus on being true to me, to not worry that I'm not perfect, to just be the best person I know how to be, and that everything should turn out OK if I do that. The ceramic heart reminds me to love myself for me, and to not try and change who I am to fit a mold I don't fit into.
This necklace is also special to me because I made the majority of the beads. I made the necklace with no clasp -- it's just long enough to put over my head with no trouble. The square bead between the two aventurine leaves marks the center back of the necklace.
I'm super-pleased with this piece, and think it's a great one to end the month with. I'm incredibly grateful to Nan for her artistry and talent. I hope you've been inspired by her work, and will stop by her store soon!
To visit Spirited Earth, click on the following:
Shop: Spirited Earth
Blog: Spirit Rattles
Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and writes the blog An Artist's Year Off. She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.
24 comments:
yummy, Lori...that is just beautiful!
Love it - great colors. long necklaces are such fun!
What a great treat for yourself ! I always say I want to make this or that then don't seem to find the time. Good for you !!! ( I am jealous)
Ah, this is beautiful. When I first looked at it I thought this is a perfect blend or bridge between some of your earlier work and what you are doing now to challenge yourself in new directions. I've really enjoyed seeing how you've worked with Nan's pieces. I hope you'll continue this series of work.
I love this cup of bead soup! The pastel colors are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful. I love this feature. Keep doing more!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Very pretty Lori, looks like it is dripping with juicy color, the transparencies in the beads are awesome with the Nan's work! Gorgeous!
Those colors are beautiful. Very pretty.
wow i so love this piece..and it's especially nice that it incorporates so many of your own lovely beads..
this has been so much fun for me to watch you create with my ceramic beads..
and inspiring as well..
thanks so much
Lori, Your work is amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful and I love how creative you were with that 2 prong wire wrapping :=)
Shannon
What a special and beautiful necklace for a special and beautiful person!
Wow. I love long necklaces. I think it is great that you'll be keeping this one for yourself, after all, it is full of special components...the words of inspiration, and YOUR own lampwork beads! This one is beautiful, Lori!
Very lovely compilation of pastel colours and gorgeous beads!
Oh Lori all the pieces from Spirited Earth were amazing! This one is stunning and having first hand knowledge of your wire work I can see how much you put into this!
Note to all~ If you want a piece of jewelry with wire in it Lori is the girl for you!!! I have seen a lot of jewelry and her work is put together fabulously!
Hugs
Lori, this is just a lovely necklace, it is so nice to be able to create and wear something that you have actually made the beads yourself. I love it!
Jackie
One day I want to own a store and I would love to have your jewelry pieces in it.
You inspire me.
One day I want to own a store and I would love to have your jewelry pieces in it.
You inspire me.
Lori, you've created a gorgeous necklace--the beads are spectacular! I love the special reminders you've added and would have to say this piece truly reflects lots of love!!
What a beautiful piece! And so very cool that so many of the beads are yours...
This is just fabulous! I love the pastel color palette!
Hi Lori, beautiful necklace, it seems very happy! Take care, Riki
I love all the thought and meaning that you imbued in this necklace. I have some beads from Nan, too, and you have inspired me to get busy with them!
I think it is wonderful that you are using ceramic beads in your work. I enjoyed the interview about you today on the Beads-of-Clay Blog. Lovely pieices all of them. I have also enjoyed learning about your educational adventures with your young son. I think having a child happy and challenged in school is number one on my priority list as a parent. I am gald you were able to accomplish this. And lastly, thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. Most appreciated.
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