Wednesday, February 16, 2011

ABS February Challenge

by Barbara Lewis 


I was so inspired yesterday by Erin Prais-Hintz's post at Art Bead Scene about their February Challenge based on a painting by John Singer Sargent called "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose" that I could not let the month go by without submitting something.  It's not only a beautiful painting but the colors are some that I've been working with in the studio.  Before I go further, here's the bracelet I made for the challenge.  It's a piece I call, "In the Meadow" and it allowed me to play with some goodies I brought back from Tucson ... and I swear making it today lowered my blood pressure ... but more on that later.  


"In the Meadow" ...
Green Girl flower dangle and toggle, rose crystal, labradorite, torch-fired enamel, and beryl


"In the Meadow" (detail)
Down at the end of my aisle at To Bead True Blue was a young lady named "Kia."  I could have buried myself in her pile of beads and never come out.  She cuts all of the stones herself.  These little pale aqua stones accenting the laboradorite are a small part of a set of beryl stones I bought from her.  She explained a lot about beryl but what I remembered of what she said was that aquamarine, emerald, and morganite, etc. are all part of the beryl family.  The tear-dropped and faceted abacus stones will appear in a future piece, but these little ones seemed perfect for this setting.


This is the first time I've worked with Green Girl components and I LOVE THEM!  Wow!  What took me so long ...  The torch-fired enamel is a new color that we're presenting for the Spring called "Old Lace."  It's perfect for any time of year, really ... it is sooo feminine ... like a vintage tea rose.  Contact me for more information on specials we'll be running on our new beads ... while I get the information on line at our website.


I haven't had a chance to make jewelry in weeks ... As much as I love enameling beads and other components, when I "create" jewelry, I lose myself.  It's a state of relaxation that I cannot achieve easily, which is why I need to do more of it!  On March 17, I have a Trunk Show of sorts at Buttons, Bangles and Beads on Historic Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach.  If you're in the area from about 11 a.m. to about 4 p.m., we can talk shop, you can pick my brain on enameling, everything I have is yours.  I'm sure this bracelet will be accompanying me. :-) 

11 comments:

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

The bracelet is gorgeous! The colors are so perfect for the challenge piece!

SueBeads said...

Gorgeous bracelet! I also enjoyed the posts about your trip to Tucson!

mairedodd said...

so very beautiful - as soon as i saw it in flickr i felt happy for you... i know how hard you have been working and it must have been nice to let go and be carried by something that inspired you... all of the elements are lovely - that labradorite is so special - so deep it looks to be almost spectrolite...

Crazy Mama said...

i love the simplicity of the overall look, but when you do look closer there is really a lot of detail. this bracelet is very well done and beautiful.

VanBeads said...

It's a beautiful bracelet, with beautiful components! Don't you just love it when a piece just sort of "makes itself" right before your eyes?

TesoriTrovati said...

Yummy! I did that little treasury as a kick in my own pants, but if it kicked you in yours that is a good thing too! I have yet to sit down and do anything with this, but if you can do it, so should I! So happy that the Muse is alive and well with you!
Enjoy the day.
Erin

SummersStudio said...

I feel calm looking at this. Just imagine if I were wearing it. It's beautiful and I am so happy you were able to take a relaxing break from all of the hard work you've been doing.

Patty said...

Barbara, your bracelet is stunning!

Artisan Beads Plus said...

I love it, Barbara! I think I will try to come up with something over winter break next week!!!! YAY!!!

DArsie Manzella said...

This is so pretty! I like the wandering path that takes it out of the round. Nicely done.

ClickNCamera said...

Perfect name for a perfect bracelet...perfection!

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