I haven’t participated in the Art Bead Scene editors blog hop for some months now, but I’ve pulled out the stops and joined in this month. Each month some or all of the Art Bead Scene editors join with the readers in making jewellery inspired by the monthly challenge image and participate in a blog hop to share their makes.
Still Life with Shells, (1640)
Balthasar van der Ast
This painting has really grown on me. It’s funny; when I decided that I’d make sure to take part this month, the planned challenge image was actually a different painting. I really liked it and when, because of doubts over the copyright, it was pulled at the last minute, I was a little disappointed. But, like I said, I’ve found this painting increasingly intriguing. I like what it does with the rubric of the still life. You initially assume it to be a faithful study of shells and other natural forms, but then you find, with a closer look, that there’s something subtly fantastical about it all. I also really like the colours, along with all the patterns and textures of the shells. I did an Etsy picks post last week focusing on these features, and, in the pieces I’ve made, I’ve been very much lead by them. First up, a pair of earrings:
I originally picked up the little bits of twig I’ve used here for a different pair of earrings. They didn’t work in that design but I was very pleased to have them to hand to use in this pair. In the Etsy picks post I featured a pair of lampwork beads from Naos Glass. I’ve actually had some of them in my stash for an age and this seemed like the perfect occasion to use them finally. I’ve teamed them with some of my carved porcelain drops.
Next I went for a necklace. This was prompted by me wanting to use one of these shell pendants that I got ages ago. They were one of those purchases where you don’t think to check the size, where they turn up and they’re much, much bigger than you imagined? Well, I made the necklace, but I decided the shell pendant looked a little cheap and uninteresting next to everything else, so I’ve swapped it for a Scorched Earth pendant, which is far nicer.
Why must necklaces be so tricky to photograph? I followed this up with a bracelet that is also rather resistant to having its photo taken. Oodles of art beads in this one.
Another of my Etsy picks was a set of Marsha Neal’s ceramic points. Again, I’ve got a little collection of these which I’ve been a-hoarding quite some time. So for my final pair of earrings, as with the Naos glass, I made myself put some to use.
I’m rather tempted to hold onto some of the earrings but I’m keeping up my self discipline and all these pieces are now listed
on Etsy.
Here’s the links to all the other participants from the team:
