Tuesday, January 18, 2011

New-Found Courage

I think Santa gave me an extra gift this past Christmas that wasn't wrapped in sparkly paper and a perky bow.


"Animal Dreams Pendant"

It wasn't anywhere under the tree where I could see it and open it. Instead, he gave it to me in dreams, where I could turn it and enjoy it from all angles, in any kind of light I chose to view it. Like the Cowardly Lion, I got the gift of Courage.

My latest jewelry designs are the proof. New materials, new color combinations, new techniques. I can't explain where this new-found courage came from, but I'm reveling in it.


"Sponge Coral Bracelet"

I might have mentioned in a past post that I've joined the Etsy Beadweavers Street Team. This is a group of like-minded beading artisans, who nurture and encourage their fellow members. Each month there is a design challenge, and to maintain membership, we must participate in one of these challenges a year. The thought of this requirement had me tied up in knots. My designs usually happen as I work, a very organic process where I let the piece tell me what it wants to be. Whenever I've started with a preset design, something happens halfway through the project and it veers off in a new direction.

The idea that I'd have to start with a plan, and a theme I didn't come up with on my own was a tiny bit scary. But I did it. The theme for February was titled "Royalty Throughout Time". In my research, I found some images of reproduction Tudor pieces, loaded with gold filigree and dripping with pearls. Lovely. During a road trip this past year, I'd picked up some fabu-liscious 1930's French brass stampings and at the time I had no idea how I'd use them. I just knew I needed to have them. The result was my very first challenge piece:


"Tudor Brooch"

Voting on these challenges is open to anyone - Usually between the 9th and 15th of the month. I'll post a link when the poll is open.
~~~
This past weekend I finished up a project that had been on my worktable for a while. I combined this polymer clay cabochon with some bead embroidery, added a profusion of branched fringe, and a beadwoven neck strap. Meet my Woodland Nymph in all her glory:


"Woodland Nymph Pendant"

I have no idea what's next on my work schedule, but I'm betting that it will knock my socks off! All of the pieces shown in this post are listed for sale in my Etsy shop.


copyright 2011 Shibori Girl

14 comments:

artandtea said...

Hi Kate,

I found your blog through Facebook and am so glad that I did. Your work is in a word - simply stunning! I am also a mixed media jewelry artist who dabbles in free-form beadwork and also polymer clay. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring work!

Beadily yours,
Karen (Art and Tea)

Robin said...

Your work just keeps getting better and better Kate, you are so incredibly talented.

When you have a minute, I'd like to pick your brain about FB - I have a bunch of silly newbie questions.

-----------------------------------
My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

roseworksjewelry said...

Your work is lovely - and congrats on the lovely first challenge piece! I need to start mine...

Snap said...

Oh my goodness Kate ... you are amazing! the tudor brooch is wonderful and the woodland nymph knocks my socks off! Santa gave you a great gift!

Unknown said...

all are absolutely stunning!!!

Unknown said...

I find that these types of challenges truly inspiring and OPENing...

I'll enjoy watching this unfold

x..x
steph

Unknown said...

Gorgeous designs. I love the polymer clay cab you created for the first piece.

shiborigirl said...

Thanks Christine,

But that center piece is not made from clay. It is several different bits of colored sawdust separated by sterling silver wire. Then the whole thing was encased in clear resin.

I bought it at a neat little bead store on vacation last year.

Kate

rochambeau said...

Please let us know when the voting commences! I want to cast my vote.
All three pieces you share above are great Kate! Also, your new color pallet is very pretty. It's fun to work around themes. It gives a creative person a mission, like your beautiful Tudor Brooch may have never came into being if not for the challenge!

Happy Beading, friend!
May the creative force continue to be yours!

xox
Constance

somepinkflowers said...

kate
clearly
i have run out of adjective to describe your amazing work.

:-)

treasures
for all time...

i think your brain is
on creative Over~Drive
constantly...

i would so much enjoy
to hold theses pieces in my hand


some day...

Oh Let There Be Food said...

I admire all your work just beautiful!!!

Ivy Long, Edera Jewelry said...

Beautiful work! Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog--I'm now following yours :)
xo,
Ivy

Nabeel's Cosmos said...

In the second picture .. the color combination is just awesome. I love it ... very neat work.

SharDon Exclusives said...

Kate, your work is absolutely gorgeous! I love bead embroidery more than any other beading. When I do it I seem to loose all sense of time and relax going with the flow. Love the colors you have chosen. Happy beading,
Sharon
P.S. Are you going to enter OWOH giveaway again this year? I enjoyed it so much last year but haven't gotten anything made up "special" yet...