Saturday, April 18, 2009

Marilyn Monroe Can Keep Her Diamonds

I much prefer earthier and more colorful stones. I was tempted to use these photos as my photo of the week because they were such a challenge to set up, but I wanted to be able to talk about a Finished Object for a change instead. I wish now I had used a higher f/stop for better focus throughout the photo, but even in natural light they got too dark without a flash.

No, what I *should* have done is get my tripod, but I was too lazy. Sigh...

These are free-form wire wrapped pendants -- I have so much fun wearing them! The one on the left is an older piece, an amethyst crystal point caught in a cage of 14 gauge silver wire embellished with beads. The dangle is two more amethysts and a silver spacer.

The pendant on the right is a fluroite wand. I dropped it on the floor and broke it about half-way through wrapping it, but I couldn't bear to throw it away and waste all that silver, so it just sat there on my beading desk. I finally decided it was pointless to just let it sit there getting in the way, so I glued the stone back together and finished wrapping it as my UFO challenge for this month. I can't even see the fault in the stone any more, and it turned out so pretty. I just need to get a chain for it yet.



I purchased this piece from the artist who taught me all I know about wire. Her name is Emily, and unfortunately she doesn't have a website, so this is the only example I have of her work that I can share. Her style is very free form, but still manages to have a rhythm and flow that reminds me of Art Nouveau detailing.



Here is a detail view of the Kyanite and Aqua Aura pendant. If I could afford it, I would own much more of her work, but I am satisfied to make my own pieces.



Because I am a collector by nature, I have quite a few stones waiting in the wings to be wrapped in their turn. I've been saving the partially faceted and polished piece of citrine in the upper left -- I think I hear it calling "Me next please!"



I should probably be ashamed to have so many raw materials just lying around waiting to be used, but I just like HAVING them, so I'm not. :-)

9 comments:

Jacque Uetz said...

They are all so beautiful Judi, I can see why you would want them laying around to look at I do that with fabrics,ribbon and fiber...you have such a talent..

Jennifer Rose said...

lovely work :) its always fun to wrap crystals. I have about a dozen rocks that I should wire up one day soon.

Linda Fleming said...

How pretty! Your wire wrapping is gorgeous.
As for tripods- I keep mine set up in the living room so I can grab it quickly. If I kept it folded up in its case, I wouldn't use it as often, I fear.

Courtney Short said...

those are all so pretty.. I am really getting into wire wrapping.. I got this great video to do a wire wrapped tree of life.. so much fun.. better be glad I dont live closer, I might come snatch up some of those lovlies waiting to be wrapped :-)

Courtney

MaryO said...

These are so pretty! Both yours and Emily's. I can understand why you enjoy wearing them.

Serena Lewis said...

OH, I adore crystal pendants and your free form wrapping is exquisite, Judi! How talented you are!

sandy said...

These are gorgeous!!

Shashi Nayagam said...

Beautiful jewelry.

HElen said...

Nice work!
Beautiful stones and you did a great work! Looking forward to new work of yours!