**If you are looking for my bead soup reveal post please go here
Mixed media. That's the challenge for my guild (PCAGOE) for the month of July. Summer is always a time when I don't spend a lot of time in my studio. From garden cutivation and cooking up the bounty, to daily walks in the park and about town, to staying up late watching double feature movies and just simply enjoying life... the time in my studio comes in short bursts. When I contemplated this challenge, I knew I wanted to create something simple. I've actually been in the mood to go minimal. Perhaps it's the simplification of my life in summer that also makes me want to lead my art in that same direction, whatever the reason, it's where I'm at at this moment. I'm yearning for clean, simple design.
The idea that birthed this piece was entirely different from how it finished. I first created the half moon shapes by cutting out circles in gradations of premo blue pearl mixed with white. I draped these circles in half over a skewer and baked them. After baking, I played around with the pieces and realized that my initial idea would not work with these shapes and pieces... so, I kept playing until something that I liked came together, because frankly I was almost out of time, for the challenge deadline was within a day away. Next, I cut out pieces of a Tyvek® mailing envelope which I then connected together and dyed a blue color to match the polymer hues. I then assembled the central focal by connecting the Tyvek® piece to the largest polymer cluster. I also added a silver line detail around each polymer piece with a gel pen, and the edges of the Tyvek® are brushed with silver as well.
I strung the pieces on a length of upcycled silk sari material, and played some more to come up with the idea of various ways to wear this necklace according to how one arranges the pieces on the length of silk. One can wear the piece with just the focal in the front and the two smaller beads hanging as a pendulum down the back for a dramatic look:
(pardon my freckled back.. I need a younger, unblemished model!)
The second option for wearing is to move the small beads directly next to the focal and tie the sari ribbon at the nape of the neck at preferred length.
And the third option for wear is to slide those small beads up a little on the necklace, again tying the sari ribbon at the nape of the neck.
I really like the versatility of this piece. But I still have that original idea stuck in my head and it's much more minimalist than this piece turned out... I need to make time to get that one brought to life before it slides into the recesses of the creative ideas pit! So, what do you think of this new necklace design? Have you tried to create something in a minimal style? Leave me some comments and tell me your thoughts and experiences!
Mixed media. That's the challenge for my guild (PCAGOE) for the month of July. Summer is always a time when I don't spend a lot of time in my studio. From garden cutivation and cooking up the bounty, to daily walks in the park and about town, to staying up late watching double feature movies and just simply enjoying life... the time in my studio comes in short bursts. When I contemplated this challenge, I knew I wanted to create something simple. I've actually been in the mood to go minimal. Perhaps it's the simplification of my life in summer that also makes me want to lead my art in that same direction, whatever the reason, it's where I'm at at this moment. I'm yearning for clean, simple design.
The idea that birthed this piece was entirely different from how it finished. I first created the half moon shapes by cutting out circles in gradations of premo blue pearl mixed with white. I draped these circles in half over a skewer and baked them. After baking, I played around with the pieces and realized that my initial idea would not work with these shapes and pieces... so, I kept playing until something that I liked came together, because frankly I was almost out of time, for the challenge deadline was within a day away. Next, I cut out pieces of a Tyvek® mailing envelope which I then connected together and dyed a blue color to match the polymer hues. I then assembled the central focal by connecting the Tyvek® piece to the largest polymer cluster. I also added a silver line detail around each polymer piece with a gel pen, and the edges of the Tyvek® are brushed with silver as well.
I strung the pieces on a length of upcycled silk sari material, and played some more to come up with the idea of various ways to wear this necklace according to how one arranges the pieces on the length of silk. One can wear the piece with just the focal in the front and the two smaller beads hanging as a pendulum down the back for a dramatic look:
The second option for wearing is to move the small beads directly next to the focal and tie the sari ribbon at the nape of the neck at preferred length.
And the third option for wear is to slide those small beads up a little on the necklace, again tying the sari ribbon at the nape of the neck.
I really like the versatility of this piece. But I still have that original idea stuck in my head and it's much more minimalist than this piece turned out... I need to make time to get that one brought to life before it slides into the recesses of the creative ideas pit! So, what do you think of this new necklace design? Have you tried to create something in a minimal style? Leave me some comments and tell me your thoughts and experiences!
This is a fabulous necklace. I love all the different ways it can be worn. Before I read the post, when I saw the image on FB, I thought it looked like a big drop of rain about to fall from some clouds. The title is perfect. Great use of re-purposed items and incorporating pc. I can't wait to see what the "original" idea looks like when you find time to work on it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tammy, for the wonderful comments! Glad you like the title too, I thought it was clever! ;)
DeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteIts unique, simple and stylish. Loved the beads and color combination. The string and the beads at the back adds to the style. It happens to me too..start doing with something in mind but something else evolves at the end. Luckily the end product till now came better than what i had in mind :) I am a novice in this field and love experimenting.
Hi Anjali! Thanks so much for stopping by and for leaving such a lovely comment! Yes, often our art tells us what it wants to be and vetos any plans we may have had... it's always fun to just "go with it"! If you love experimenting, I'm sure you know polymer is a wonderful medium to be using and exploring new ideas! ;)
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