When this impromptu blog hop was suggested a couple of days ago I had a couple of doubts. I knew I didn’t have any art beads that obviously fitted the subject matter of this month’s Art Bead Scene challenge image.
(Edmund Dulac - illustration for ‘The Little Mermaid’, 1911)
But also - can I admit this? - it’s not an image that’s entirely to my taste. Also, I’m not a great enthusiast when it comes to mermaids and other mythical creatures. But I wanted to play along and take part in the challenge with the rest of the team. So, I decided to be led by the colours and some of the textures and shapes, rather than focusing on the narrative content. In concentrating on the colours, I found Brandi’s colour palette post really handy. I started with a pair of earrings.
I received these scrummy turquoise droppers from Scorched Earth earlier this week. I’d left them on my bead table because I knew I was keen to do something with them. I’ve added some faux coral lampwork beads from Glass Bead Art. They have all sorts of colours swirled through them; primarily, they’re a plum colour but there are also purples, blues, reds and creams.
The frayed sari silk bow and the copper twists (from Cinnamon Jewellery) nod to the fronds of seaweed in the image. I’ve listed these earrings here on Etsy.
I had planned to use some of my precious selection of Carolyn Saxby‘s fibre beads to make another pair of earrings. They seemed a perfect match for the many shades and textures in Dulac’s painting. However, I didn’t have two in the right colours that matched in size. So, I decided to use just one as a pendant focal instead.
Along with Carolyn’s bead, I’ve used a lampwork barrel from Helen Chalmers, some patinated chain and a hammered ring from Grubbi, and some of my own patinated chain. It’s a fairly simple necklace but it’s a style I really like to wear so I think I’ll be keeping it for me. Now I’m off to see what everyone else has made. I’m anticipating some great designs!
Mary Harding
Rebecca Anderson
Ema Kilroy
Claire Lockwood (you are here)
Humblebeads
Love your earrings and necklace. They fit the colors and feel of the painting beautifully!! And what delicious color combos you made. Gorgeous!!
Your jewelry captures the colors, textures and feelings of the challenge photo. Great work, love them!
Gigi @ Old World Patina
Lovely pieces Claire. I think you found inspiration! I love the earrings!!!
For not being fond of the inspiration I think you did a fabulous job. Your pieces are wonderful and I love the variety of beads you used. Those earrings are amazing!
Seriously, that is awesome! I love that you didn’t go literal with your translation but let the colors and textures be your guide! I adore that long tasseled necklace and would definitely rock that! Enjoy the day. Erin
Your interpretation is wonderful!! Awesome earrings.
Claire for not being inspired by the painting you sure did create an amazing inspired creation. Those earrings are beyond beautiful and capture the colors and underwater feeling of the painting perfectly.
I am totally in love with those earrings. That gleaming aqua color has to be one of my favorites. The necklace is also a style that I love to wear so it would get a lot of use around here.
Gorgeous designs and colors…I love both the earrings and necklace. I would never know you didn’t care for the painting!
I love that you didn’t do a literal interpretation but let the colours speak to you. those earrings are gorgeous. what a great idea to use a single unmatched bead as a pendant . I usually try to find matching pairs for earrings and am frustrated when i cannot do so. this is a great way to use those orphans - maybe this bead wanted to be the star not part of the chorus line.
Beautiful interpretation!