Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists - Reveal #2 ~ featuring Christine Altmiller

Welcome to the 2nd reveal of The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists.  If you're new to the CC7A blog hops, you can read about how we became in one of my previous posts: Introducing the CC7A.

February is hosted by lovely Christine Altmiller, she chose 'Round and Round' as a theme and sent me these beauties:
Round and Round ~ The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists : beaded focal by Christine Altmiller :: All Pretty Things
I loved them the moment I saw them - the colours are so elegant (pearled grey and sparkly royal blue) and Christine's adornment is absolutely gorgeous.

Seed beading was out of question for me - as this past week has been a little bit of a crazy one (one paper presentation, one assignment due, and 2 other papers due... and that was only on the school's side!), I knew I'll never have time to attempt any beaded rope.

Rummaging through my boxes I found glass pearls in 2 shades of grey (no blue, unfortunately) and decided they'll work the best. Then - you know the deal: the TV on (side note: I am watching lots of Star Trek - The Next Generation with William right now, we've finally introduced him to the series and he was completely hooked after the 1st episode - they aren't even in order!), click-click, snap-snap, wrap-wrap... I decided to keep it simple and long (I have something with long necklaces right now :) ).

Round and Round ~ The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists : beaded focal by Christine Altmiller, wire wrapped chain, pearls, silver, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things

I've used the 2 rings as well - you'll see in a moment :)

Round and Round ~ The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists : beaded focal by Christine Altmiller, wire wrapped chain, pearls, silver, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things

The pictures of the finished necklace aren't very good, as I just finished it last night and I had no decent lighting (and no energy to figure something out). However, I decided to embellish the focal just a little bit more, to tie my beaded chain into the whole concept (the oval focal was lonely at the end of the long chain, or so it seemed to me).

Round and Round ~ The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists : beaded focal by Christine Altmiller, wire wrapped chain, pearls, silver, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things

For some strange reasons I added a clasp - although the chain is long enough to slip it over the head easily... Don't ask, I have no explanation - maybe my brain just wanted to bead 2 more elements?!

Round and Round ~ The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists : beaded focal by Christine Altmiller, wire wrapped chain, pearls, silver, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things

This is how it drapes in real life - beautifully! And yes, it is asymmetric - my brain could not cope with symmetry apparently.


"Lady Mary" (inspired by Downton Abbey): Round and Round ~ The Creative Continuum of Seven Artists : beaded focal by Christine Altmiller, wire wrapped chain, pearls, silver, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things

Looking at this last picture I realize it looks a bit BOHO :) I wonder if it's the tassel or the beaded focal. Or maybe both.

It needs a name - I just can't think straight at the moment (my apologies, I am also a bit sick - a cold - on top of being overly tired, but this too will pass, I'm sure!).

I would like to thank Christine for being such a gracious host - and Sally, Theres, Cynthia, Emma, and Monique for playing along.

Thank you, too, for stopping by today! I hope you have enjoyed this new adventure - and please make sure you visit the entire group (it's a small one).

Christine Altmiller (February host)
Alicia Marinache <- you are here

Update [March 1st, 10:23 pm]: After realizing it's Downton Abbey that subconsciously inspired me, and because I love her to bits (with all her imperfections) I decided to name the necklace 'Lady Mary' :) Here's to the lovely Michelle Dockery's character!

16 comments:

  1. Oh Alicia~you have made me Such A Happy Girl by adding Fringe to the focal!!! It is always my belief that fringe makes everything better :-) You made a gorgeous piece...your wire and pearls and clasp all are a perfect compliment to these rings. There was something so freeing about weaving focals and letting other people decide how they should be displayed. I thought I would struggle sending it out undone, but it was a great feeling! Thanks for asking me to be a part of this :-) And I hope you feel better soon. You have been one busy lady this past month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine, it was a true joy to work with your focal - and I love that you are happy I added the fringe. To be honest - it didn't look right until that very point :) Thank you for being part of the group!

      Delete
  2. Hi Alicia,
    Wow you did a fantastic job of highlighting Christine's beautiful component, I love it. The dark and light gray glass pearls was just the right touch in the chain and also the tassel.
    Therese

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you, Therese! It sure looked nice today - I wore it right with the grey turtleneck (the one in the picture) :)

      Delete
  3. I am wondering how you fit in all your "life stuff" these days, Alicia :) Your whirlwind visit to Europe, returning to university, on top of the usual...

    Your design is so elegant! You may have noticed how so many designers are creating "Downton Abbey" styles :) I am picturing this long, long necklace adorning one of the more daring ladies of the 1920s! The pearls are so classic, but the way you have incorporated the other elements says, "Be warned... I am SO much more!"

    Jealous of your asymmetry skills, girl ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aah - that's it... I *love* when others can see what was a subconscious reason! It is Downton Abbey, you're right - I've been meaning for months to make something Mary would wear... and that's where the length comes from too, I didn't realize until you (and Sally, and Cynthia) mentioned it :)

      Thank you!

      Delete
  4. That blue Christine sent out is so gorgeous. Love your finished piece and incorporating the extra circles just finishes it off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is, indeed - I am sorry I didn't have some pearls in that metallic blue... but I might get some - just to admire them :) Thank you, Janet!

      Delete
  5. Alicia, the necklace you created with the beautiful components from Christine is gorgeous! I love the wire work (You have inspired me to pull my wire out and get to work!). I know you said you get a BOHO vibe, I get more of a proper Downton Abbey feel, this necklace would be gorgeous paired with a corseted dress!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! As soon as Monique said 'Downton Abbey' I knew that's the answer to my question of 'what style is this?!' :) Hehe, glad I've been of inspiration, my wire is always very close-by!

      Delete
  6. Oh my word, so many papers all colliding at the same time, that is nuts! I hope at least this week the pace settles a bit. I don't blame you for not wrangling seed beads along with the madness. I love making a necklace long with no need for a clasp and smiled at your pretty inclusion. The asymmetry is the perfect bit of tension to the very ordered focal and elegant palette. The fringe, I have to agree with Christine, it makes everything better! Beautiful work and I'll just take the chance again to say thanks so much for letting me play along!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I know - that's because I decided to take that vacation in the middle of the term, silly me! At least I am breathing a little bit of space now :) Thank you for understanding why the seed beads didn't come down from the attic! I must agree with you and Christine on the fringe - before adding it, the necklace was looking 'meh!' :)
      Oh, thank *you* for being willing to play along (and bringing Averleigh and the ice horses too!)

      Delete
  7. How do you get it all done? And still put so much into this beautiful necklace! I agree with the rest of the team - very Downton !!!! And LOVE love that style!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL - I don't! I have a huge list of TODOs and things go up and down as deadlines come and go. Plus I am using the excuse of watching STNG with William as 'mommy and son' time (it is, the questions he's coming up with are out of this world!) and I just sneaked in some wire-wrapping :) bad mommy!
      Thank you ~ I love Downton style too :)

      Delete
  8. Alicia your necklace is wonderful. The fringe accents that beautiful focal perfectly. You are not a bad Mommy for sneaking in wire wrapping. You are including what pleases you and brings out your individual character and talent.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I appreciate and love to read your comments!