Fiber, Necklaces, Wire Work

Flying in Circles-Bead Soup Reveal

54 Comments

 

A prior post discussed bead soup and displayed photos of the lovely mixture of beads and findings that I received from Laura Demoya,  http://www.thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com/

Each of us involved in the bead soup event were given a specific date to reveal what we designed with the soup that we received. Today is my day.

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When I received the bead soup, I was intrigued by the little purple ceramic bird shown. It made me think about the little critters that pass by my window as I work. This bird was made by Pajego Art House http://www.etsy.com/shop/PajegoArtHouse?ref=seller_info and was intended as a clasp. I decided to use it as a main embellishment in the necklace rather than as it was intended. The round pendant in the center is from White Clover Kiln http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteCloverKiln?ref=shop_sugg .

Before telling you more about the necklace, I’d like you to know more about the birds outside my window. The large window in my studio provides a hazard for some of the birds here at the ranch. They fly under the front porch roof and crash their little heads into the window. As my cat has grown older and become a bit slower in catching the birds from her tree perch, she has learned that if she is patient and sits on the outside window sill, a bird may crash into the window and become stunned long enough for her to capture it. I’ve tried to tell her that this is cheating, but she just doesn’t get it. It often seems to me that the birds go round and round in uneven circles as they try to figure out whether or not they can fly right into my studio.

The aforementioned tale explains the conception of the shape of the copper wire armature as well as the name of the necklace. I freeform manipulated the wire to go around as the birds sometimes do in flight.

It seemed obvious to me that the ceramic bird should be wired onto the armature. Yet, this little bird had different ideas. Each time I secured it with wire, I then held up the piece and the little bird turned upside down. I tried various wire gauges, said both nice and then harsh words to the inanimate object, but to no avail. He still hung upside down. Then I spotted the ribbon Laura sent in the soup. After I wrapped this around the back of the bird several times, he finally stayed in place. (Notice this bird became a “he” bird when I started having trouble with it.)

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The rest of this piece needs little explanation as it was simply embellished with the beads as I wired them into place. It was a very pleasant process after I finally secured that bird right side up. The handmade chain in the back also sports bead links and a handmade clasp. The wire armature and handmade chain were dipped in Liver of Sulphur and then went for a couple of hours ride in the tumbler. At the same time, I dipped and tumbled the light gauge wire that I used for attaching the embellishments.

This was enjoyable to make and Laura afforded me the opportunity to work with ceramic pieces from another designer as well as to use crystals which I seldom work with. I used the other beads and sterling silver clasp in the other necklace shown below. The amethyst drusy focal for this piece is from Magpie Gemstones (www.magpiegemstones.com) Thanks to Lori Anderson for her grand organization of the bead soup project and for letting me participate.

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As for flying in circles . . . I fear I do a good bit of that inside my studio and I really should slow down and relax more before I end up just as confused as some of those poor outside fliers!

Numerous other designers are revealing their bad soup pieces today. You will find their addresses at the following http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html .

54 thoughts on “Flying in Circles-Bead Soup Reveal”

  1. Lovely wire work.Your pieces are very wearable and lovely to look at.Love and hugs Tanya

  4. The first necklace is absolutely stunning!! Love it, great design. I also really enjoyed the placement of the amethyst druzy crystal in the second piece. Wish your photos were larger though-would love to see all the detail you put into both pieces!

  10. I just love your work and especially your sense of color!
    Your work is unique and very apealing.
    jean yates

  21. Hi Karen!!
    Sorry for the late post but have been stuck in the hospital until shortly ago.
    OMG!!!!! You are so talented! I just love what you created with the soup I sent you.
    You had a great idea with the ceramic bird which originally was part of a clasp. WOW!
    And the wire wrapping. oh the wire wrapping! I hope to be like you someday. Amazing piece!!!
    Congrats!!!

  23. Oh I love them both-the first necklace is whimsical and kinda has a romantic feel to it. The 2nd necklace is the one I’d probably wear-love the use of the purple and the smoky brown pieces together! Needless to say , I love the wire work.

  28. Great story! Yes, I’ve found that both the cats and inanimate objects tend to misbehave and not listen to either the nice or harsh words. But it certainly looks like you won out, beautiful necklace

  30. Exquisite wire work. I am just beginning to dable in working with wire. More of a beader. But looking at your creations is quite inspiring. Check me out during second reveal.

  35. Wow – thanks to all of you who commented on this blog entry. I’m overwhelmed and appreciative of your words.

  36. I really, really like that first piece of yours. The loopy-ness of the wire and all your embellishments culminate in a really lovely necklace!!

  39. I too have birds often hit our windows and am dismayed by them seeing their own reflection and causing harm. I love your wire work. You created beautiful pieces.

  40. Love both pieces. And the story behind the first piece is great and really explains the little bird and the circles. Magpie has some great focals, beads, components and more.

  50. Thanks to everyone for such nice comments. Heather, the amethyst druzy pieces are at Magpie Gemstones.

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