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Friday, August 21, 2009

Summer Colors

The latest reader's challenge given by Objects And Elements threw me into a tail spin. The theme: Show us your Summer Color. How do you incorporate turquoise, lime green, hot pink and luscious popsicle-cool color into your handmade jewelry pieces?
I knew I had to use some of the gorgeous recycled silk sari ribbon offered in their shop. It is quite alluring and easy to incorporate into my designs.
"Flying South"
.....was born out of an etched copper pendant I designed. I added dimension using one of my etched scissortails; along with Susan's long nuts & screws and copper tubing, which I oxidized.
Yes, scissortails. You may call yours a swallow. They are scissortails to me, as this bird was always present in my childhood. I remember them so vividly sitting on top of the high wires in the part of Texas I call home.
I used platinum with orient nugget freshwater pearls. Here you will see more O&E pieces. See the tiny nuts and screws below the pearls? These were generously included in the class supplies given to us by Susan in a class I took with her earlier this year in Santa Fe. But, if you visit her shop, you will find all kinds of objects and elements, just like these!
The
bronze bezel was definitely a fun piece to use as my nest. I took more of the silk, winding it up and lovingly filled the bezel, just as a mother bird would do making her own nest.
How many times have you seen a bird's nest with fiber woven thru it? Mother birds are quite the engineers. They do as we do, use what they have and don't waste a single thread!
Do you remember the vintage mother of pearl buttons I found at Uncommon Objects? I used one here as the toggle for my silk loop. It matched perfectly with the pearls.
Now fly away and make your own summer color pieces....
.......before the end of summer catches you!

27 comments:

Paula In Pinetop said...

OMG this is over the moon cool !!!!

Man, you are one talented woman !!

sharon said...

This is THEE most gorgeous thing I have ever seen Diane! Jaw dropping gorgeous!!

Fanciful Expressions said...

Oh, Oh, I LOVE that pendant!! The whole necklace is gorgeous, Diane. But, that pendant is a showpiece.

Carolyn

Carmi Cimicata said...

Diane! Love this necklace!

Charlene said...

I have NEVER done etching & would love to learn. Where did you learn the etching technique? Soooooooooooo many classes & things to learn. Makes my head spin. Have a great weekend.

Sharon said...

Okay, I am speechless at the moment, let me take a deep breath...okay...this has got to be the most gorgeous necklace I have ever seen. The colors make my mouth water, and the adorable scissortail and its fluffy, fluttery nest? Shut up!

You are supremely talented and I have got to take a class from you!
Whew. I need to calm down...

beautifullybrokenme said...

Diane - this is absolutely gorgeous - there is no other word for it! Beautiful workmanship -

:-) Molly

Tammy's Treasure Chest said...

It is STUNNING! and absolutely perfect!

Chris said...

Diane~! This is such a great piece!! the colors, the elements that you chose and the pendant ROCKS!

Riki Schumacher said...

Oh yes, yes, yes....I love this piece, and love the multi-levels, birds, and design! Way to go Diane, so full of texture, technique, color. Just fab!!

Dale said...

This is fantstic! Good luck on the challenge. I really like the way you used the recycled sari silk here. I just picked some up in Singapore's Little India, and can't wait to use it!

The Joy of Nesting said...

Diane,

You have done an incredible job of instilling the end of the summer in your piece. It's August and the bright neon colors of summer are fading and aging. They are taking on the patina of the last of the season. It's absolutly amazing all the emotions you have been able to convey!!! Those feelings you have when you gaze at the last of the roses after they have been sitting under the hot,dry sun. Once blushing plump perfect petals are now slightly limp and browning on the edges. Just perfect Diane just Perfect!!!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Cindy said...

Diane
Your challenge piece is so light and beautiful. I really like the soft colors and the raised bird. You must be so proud of this one! :-) Have a great weekend.

Stories They Tell said...

Diane, I just love how you have raised the scissortail so she is flying! Everything else is gorgeous as well but that is the best idea I've seen in a while! And beautiful, beautiful colors!

Anonymous said...

this is stunningly gorgeous! one of the few great wonders of the world!! wow! i utterly adore this and the pendent is... just simply amazing!

Deryn Mentock said...

Oh! What a lovely piece, my friend! This one has it all. I love the etched metal pieces you used. Perfect!

Diane said...

Thank you ALL for such kind comments on "Flying South".
Now, all I ask is that you vote for me beginning tommorow, the 24th. Just go to the O&E website:
www.objectsandelements.typepad.com
Voting is the 24th - 26th!
Thanks~
diane
xoxox

rivergardenstudio said...

This piece is beautiful... and definitely like an August garden... Roxanne

Jen Crossley said...

WOW this is sentional piece I love it
Jen

Stephani Gorman said...

Love ,Love, Love this!!! I have been wanting to order those birds! Very cool Diane! :)Stephani

Diana said...

Gorgeous, Diane! Your flying scissorstail is spectacular. Love all of the yummy elements you combined to design this piece.

Diana

TesoriTrovati said...

That is such an amazingly cool piece! I love the dimension that the bird has flying above the etched copper. So very lovely.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Narrative jewelry said...

This necklace and its pendant are just a "merveille" Diane.

Vote is done.

xoxo

Daryl said...

How lovely .. and summery and perfect pick me ups during these dawg days of summer ..xo

Susan Tuttle said...

the colors and textures are luscious!

how did your daughter's soap dispenser turn out? hope she had fun:)

xo

Diane Schuller said...

beautiful work Diane and so enjoyable reading about your thought process with it too.

Cindy said...

Happy Birthday, Diane...hope you have a great day today!! :-)