Monday, August 13, 2012

A touch of autumn

I know, I know... we haven't even gone through summer yet... however - we've just returned from vacation and on our way back (through the Appalachian Mnts) I was reminded once again that time does not stay still, no matter what we do. A tree here and there would start rusting its leaves - while I love the colour of fall (especially here, in Canada, where the maple trees explode with unbelievable shades of red), I simply don't want summer to end, it's too soon!

But I think this next necklace is quite in the spirit of those trees I just admired.

Do you remember when I found the ceramic treasure at the store not long ago? There were 2 sets of ceramics, one green, one a beautiful blue/teal. I thought I will use the blue first - but after Kristi's Big Hole Challenge, what was left on my desk but the copper I used for the necklace. And everyone knows copper goes perfect with green, especially since the green ceramic beads were speckled with copper.

Ceramic beads are heavy and I wanted to make a long necklace, no stringing involved - so out came the wire jig, the pliers... swirl, swirl, cut... swirl, wrap, bead, swirl, wrap, cut... repeat many times, until this came out:

A touch of Autumn: copper and ceramic beads, wire wrapping, necklace :: All Pretty Things

It is quite a pleasure to wear (although it was quite hard to create the wire charms on the jig: the copper is much harder than silver to work with, and the jig decided it won't cooperate and it would pop the charms every turn I took) - not as heavy as I was afraid it would be, long and with exquisite curves around one's neck, and the colours - oh, my, I am in love with copper right now :)

This is a picture of about half of the necklace, to give you an idea on how it falls: look at the shades of green and rust, aren't they delicious?!

A touch of Autumn: copper and ceramic beads, wire wrapping, necklace :: All Pretty Things

While making the Bead Soup set you know I decided to make the 'beach' ring - and I suddenly knew how I want to use one of the disk beads left (I had a few beads left, but since the necklace was very symmetric, I wouldn't add them to the mix, thought I would make a bracelet):

A touch of Autumn: copper and ceramic beads, wire wrapping, ring :: All Pretty Things

I swear that ring took a lot of patience: the copper would just not behave itself... I almost gave up, but at the 3rd attempt I managed to get a decent-looking piece :) At least I am happy with it.

One more view of the necklace:

A touch of Autumn: copper and ceramic beads, wire wrapping, necklace :: All Pretty Things

Lesson learned: each metal has its own personality and one should better learn how to get along with various materials :) Luckily for me - I adapt quickly and I love challenges.

How do you overcome challenges? (they don't have to be jewelry related, there are challenges everywhere you turn :))

9 comments:

  1. Love the dark green with copper and the wire design. Great choice.

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  2. I love working with copper too. It is such a nice color when given a patina. Really like how your green and copper necklace turned out. Of course green is my favorite color.

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    1. :) Of course you'd like it! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  3. Alicia - I just love your wire work! you can whip up wonders on that wig jig of yours :) Beautiful!

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  4. I had an unusual challenge this month: I was waiting for some beads to arrive from a designer in England. She had sponsored a design challenge using polymer clay strawberries. We are supposed to reveal on Monday. Of course, my beads have not yet arrived!! So this weekend I thought I would design something anyway, something the strawberries could be added to later (if and when they arrive). I made a little copper bracelet, sort of generic, while looking at a PICTURE of the beads. This was a first for me... I usually need lots of hands-on time to design. When I saw your copper findings, it reminded me of the challenge. I also love copper and find it is so warm and intimate, perfect for many rich colour beads. I think you did a great job pairing the green ceramic and beautiful copper wire swirls. A longer necklace seems to pair well with heavier beads as it helps everything to drape properly.

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    1. Oh, that's a challenge, indeed, Monique! I gather your strawberries didn't arrive in time... looking forward to seeing the result when you get them :)

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  5. Foarte reuşit acest set-- nu că altele n-ar fi, dar ştii slăbiciunea mea pentru ceramică, sub orice formă (mi-ar fi plăcut să pot realiza chiar eu diverse din ceramică: mărgele, vase, vaze, mozaic, ...)
    Nu mai ai ceva din acestea şi să faci şi un pandantiv, cercei-- mai degrabă gen clips, mi se pare că ar fi mai bine decât cu agăţătoare-- şi să poată fi purtate în diverse combinaţii ? Au şi o culoare teribil de frumoasă !
    Succes !

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