Usually the Art Elements monthly themed challenge is based on a component
created by one of the team members. This month the inspiration is a little more
free form. Diana Ptazynski has selected Insects as the theme. Here are all the details on the challenge
 |
| Cecropia Moth - Photo by Ashley Fly |
This particular challenge is not
limited to jewellery and is in fact open to any type of artistic interpretation
so long as it is an original creation. As it is the choice of my creative muse,
I have stayed with the jewellery theme. Digging through my inventory stash
I found 2 dragonfly pendants, one in earthenware clay and one ceramic, and
decided to make 2 variations on the dragonfly theme
This first one is centered on the ceramic
dragonfly created by Cindy Pack. With its rich earthy green and light brown
colours I decided to work with gemstones in complementary colours, selecting
green tourmaline in a coin shape and moonstone in the traditional round bead shape. As I
was laying out my pattern I realized there were hints of blue in that pendant
so I added square shaped durmortierite beads to the necklace. I liked the
colour combinations and the way the shapes add variety to the necklace
I used one part of a silver tone clasp
as a bail for the pendant, a silver plated lobster clasp and a gunmetal round
chain to complete the necklace. Both the bail and clasp were darkened with
gilders paste to fit the look of the design better
 |
| Dark Dragon |
The second dragonfly pendant came
from Jenny Davies Reazor and is made of earthenware clay with some lovely glaze
colours. I went much lighter with the colour palette on this one with rough
citrine nuggets, crystals in brown and green and copper for the bail, clasp and
finishing pieces. The citrine beads are tumbled smooth but because of the rough
cuts they don’t lie smoothly, giving a bit of a twisted look to the necklace
 |
| Twisting Dragonfly |
That sweet little pendant was
created for the 2014 Beads of Courage auction and is inscribed with the year
and the word Soar on the back, which is how this necklace makes me feel
 |
| Reverse of Twisting Dragonfly |
I have some of each of the
gemstones and crystals used in the necklaces and am feeling inspired to make
some matching earrings. Hopefully that will get done next week
Do see what
everyone else made. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day
Claire Fabian
Guests
Mona Arnott - You are here
Art Elements Team
Very nice - I especially love the earthy feel of the first piece.
ReplyDeleteI was happy with how they turned out too. Much as I like the lighter colours for summer, the darker necklace is probably my favourite
DeleteMona
I love your dragonfly necklace designs. They are both so different in color but both are very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Cathy. I was excited when I realised I had the two art beads to work with
DeleteMona
Very pretty necklaces! Thank you for joining the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana. It was lots of fun
DeleteMona
You found some lovely gemstones in your stash for both designs! I really love the mix of beads in that first necklace!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarajo. I was happy with out it came out
DeleteMona
Nice job Mona! Thanks for joining in!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. I had a great time
DeleteMona
What lovely necklaces Mona
ReplyDeleteThanks Niky. It's always fun to be able to play along
DeleteMona
Beautiful designs, I love your colour choices!
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline. The art beads were my muses for each piece
DeleteMona
They are really lovely and I love that you actually used one of Jenny's bead of courage! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire. It somehow got buried in the bottom of my inventory stash so it was a happy discovery
DeleteMona
Thank you for playing along with us this month! I love the pieces you were inspired and how the finished necklaces turned out. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsay. The broad category was fun wasn't it?
DeleteMona
Ooh - I am so excited to see! The blue gemstones really bring out the blue notes in the glaze. And well - I am a wee bit partial to dragonfly #2!. Gorgeous citrine!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny. It was such fun to do the 2 interpretations of the theme
DeleteMona
Your necklaces have a rustic worn-in feeling to them which is really great
ReplyDeleteThanks Divya. They do have that well loved feel to them don't they?
DeleteMona
Especially love the dark dragon...very moody :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley. He sure is moody looking.
DeleteMona
So pretty I too love Dark Dragon :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Laney. He was the first one I chose the beads for and the first one I put together
DeleteMona