Art Bead Scene January Inspiration Challenge

The inspiration for this month is this playful poster “Imagine Tomorrow's World” created by Friedensreich Hundertwasser (born as Friedrich Stowasser) to mark the 50th anniversary of the IUCN, The World Conservation Union in November 1998. The proceeds of the sales went towards IUCN environmental projects. The poster was sponsored by the magazine Newsweek International, which used it for the cover of its special issue "Imagine Tomorrow's World" of November 1998, which made up part of the Newsweek issue of November 9, 1998.

 

“Imagine Tomorrow’s World”

Original Poster, orange version

by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

The first time I saw this poster my thoughts immediately went to the vibrant orange Lampwork discs that had been sitting on my bench since last summer. Fabulous orange discs spun thickly and coated with clear glass, they were made by Dragonjools of Toronto ON. The thickness made these discs different from any others I have seen.

I had purchased them with the intention of making a summer bracelet but couldn’t get the design right. Then I tried a necklace, and wasn’t happy with it either. I put the beads aside for a little while, which quickly stretched into months. This inspiration renewed my determination to use them in something fabulous.

I decided to approach with a fresh perspective. Where before I was using metal to hold and form the pieces, this time I took a softer approach and started pulling out the different types of cording material I had acquired. The black waxed cotton cording was the winner. Next it was time to add other colours.

I went with the lovely green Aventurine that had been in my hoard stash for a few years. It felt like a contrast was needed and that’s where the glass washers with their deep blues and purples came in. First pass at stringing the necklace was done but it just didn’t do it for me. I had recently purchased some Lampwork Glass Discs of varying colours from SueBeads of Pittsburgh PA. Going back to the poster, I picked discs in colours that worked, both with the poster and for me, and placed them randomly between the orange discs. I strung the necklace so that there would be lots of cord ends in front to dangle more glass washers from, and finished it off with antiqued copper clasp and extender chain.

Carnivale Necklace

There were a couple of the orange discs and aventurine rondelles left, just perfect for making a pair of earrings.

Carnivale Earrings

Now come and check out what everyone else has created.