Friday 30 November 2012

AJE November Component of the Month - Designs Reveal

I am taking part in two blog hops today - if you are looking for the 'Challenge of Colour' hop you will find it here.

You might recall that this month it was my turn to provide the components for the Art Jewelry Elements (AJE) component of the month challenge. Well today's the day that the 14 team members and AJE readers reveal what they've done with the bronze snowflake they were sent, including me. There were two designs for this component and this is the one I had...

Component available at THEA too

When I started thinking about what to do the first thing I decided was that I didn't want to go down the traditional route of using a pale palette as you might expect for a snowflake - odd I know since I designed it but there you go. Instead I wanted to do something darker, more exotic and dare I say it - a little bit sexy. I had an idea forming in my head that involved black chain and some dark iridescent beads so the first thing I did was to paint the recessed area with black patina to give more contrast.


I also made a bail by looping s section of bronze wire, bending the ends at right angles and feeding them through the hole from the back and splaying and flattening them at the front.


Then came three sections of black chain which I added to the back by attaching jump rings and to these I attached the three fat, oil slick iridescent Czech glass drops I'd had in mind from the get go - so far so good.


But then I got  a bit stuck. I had been thinking of this as a long necklace with the component suspended from black chain and something else to give it some oomph but at this point I didn't know what the 'oomph' was. I had a vague notion that I had some black silk somewhere so I started rummaging but couldn't see it anywhere, however, what I did find was a length of the most beautiful deep red and back sari silk that had in fact been gifted to me last Christmas. So out it came and I started to play and what do you know... it worked itself perfectly into my vision of a vampish Christmas party accessory. So this is my finished piece which I've called 'Snow White's Alter Ego'.


I've said a million times I'm not good with sari silk but I do actually like this and feel I might finally be making some progress. Ultimately fairly simple but quite striking, I have an image in my head of this being worn by someone like Helena Bonham-Carter to accesorize a mussed up ball gown, mad hair  and DM boots!  What do you think...?

My apologies that these photo's are less than brilliant - I've just realised that the digital magnification had been reset on my camera so some of them are a bit grainy. Now I'm off to see what everyone else has done with their snowflakes - just use the links below to join me:


Lesley

11 comments:

  1. Stunning love the way you conected it and the bright red ribbon is amazing very christmasy!

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  2. You are so right, I can totally see Helena wearing this! I do love the total effect, it's quite stunning. Your components are so very versatile. Now I'm off to see the rest of the group.

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  3. I can definitely see Helena Bonham-Carter wearing this! Although perhaps not when she's playing the Queen Mother :) It's a beautiful necklace Lesley. Thank you so much for the gorgeous snowflake you sent me!

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  4. Lesley, that is gorgeous! And, soooo SEXY! I love the name you gave it and I was really interested in the way you connected it through the hole. I found this to be a very challenging piece to work with and most of my ideas were scrapped for one reason or another. You have used it in such a beautiful way. Yes, you are making great progress with the silk, it looks gorgeous and absolutely perfect here. Great job! And, I want to thank you for allowing me to participate in this challenge as one of the WINNERS of this beautiful component. I really enjoyed participating and look forward to doing it again.

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  5. Such a vampishly elegant design Lesley. I does exactly what it says on the tin! I love it! Claire x

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  6. You already know I love what you made but um I'll say it again... I love what you made!

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  7. I love how you made the loop on the back out of wire. Also, I have been struggling to use patinas. I like how you painted the recessed area. It turned out great. You have a wonderful holiday necklace.

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  8. WOW! I love your post, and this piece sure is a show-stopper! I love the name of it too! Thank you so much for sending us this beautiful piece to make something with!

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  9. I was loving it already and then you hit me with the name! Yes! Dangling in her Snow White décolletage !! I love the deep red and bronze together, very rich and warm. Ingenious bail, also...

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  10. How fantastic!! LOVE the ribbon!! <3 <3 <3

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  11. YOUR pieces are stunning!!! 'Count me as a follower!

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