Friday, March 8, 2013

Focus on Life: Week 10 ~ All Wrapped Up

Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is hosting a year long challenge which is... sublime... as you'd expect with such a studio name. The challenge is named 'Focusing on Life' and every week Sally is sending a prompt on what should we focus the following week.

This week prompt sent us in search of the many meanings of 'Wrapped Up!':

You have a prompt that has many different meanings, grab the camera and show us how you are interpreting "all wrapped up"!

Sally's challenge is one of the first that fits me like a glove: almost every week I had such a close relationship with her prompts, such a joy in finding and capturing the moments. But I think this week was beyond expectations - without even realizing, on Saturday, shortly after receiving her prompt I went in the attic and created this piece:

Wrapped up: copper, stabilized turquoise chips, OOAK pendant :: All Pretty Things


It is 'Wrapped up!' on many levels: of course it is a wire wrap (my first of this type), in the most explicit definitions. However - it has a deeper meaning for me. You see, inside, there are 2 turquoise chips (most likely hematite or stabilized turquoise): they are a gift from my precious love, my son. He bought himself one of those 'gemstone' vial (because just like his mama and grandma he's just nuts about stones) and when he got home he opened it and put a bunch on my desk: "Here you go, mama, these are for you, I am sure you'll make something nice with them!"

Wrapped up: copper, stabilized turquoise chips, OOAK pendant :: All Pretty Things

I moved them on my desk from place to place for a good few weeks now - knowing I want to make a special container for them. And a few days before Sally's email came, I had the idea forming in my head.

I'll be honest with you: when I went into the attic to make this pendant, I wasn't thinking of Sally's 'Wrapped Up!' (in fact I had something else in mind :) ). However, when I was done I was surprised to find myself holding this week's perfect piece. And to have to wait for a full week to show it!

Wrapped up: copper, stabilized turquoise chips, OOAK pendant :: All Pretty Things

Thank you, Sally, for this wonderful challenge: every week I find new things about myself :)

And thank you, my friends, for stopping by and having a nice chat! Please remember to visit the other participants - I'm sure it will be a fine party, wrapped in love and beauty! As usual, the gathering is at Sally's


27 comments:

  1. Perfect way to be all wrapped up. I love your piece.

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  2. Hi Alicia,
    I love it! The stone chips are so beautiful all wrapped up in copper. My imagination sees a Sea Horse. Love it, love it, love it!
    Therese

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  3. Love your wire wrapping, it's a wonderful interpretation. And such intricate work. Very pretty, and a great photo subject, too!

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  4. The turquoise and copper are lovely together.

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  5. Alica that is so fantastic! Beautiful and like you were waiting for the prompt. Love it:)

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  6. Ah, love that faith. He was right of course. I especially love the effect on the bail portion. I can't even imagine the ninja fingers you need to accomplish this. It's a beautiful vessel for a special moment.

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  7. Wow, what a beautiful and special piece! And you're right, perfect for this week!

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  8. Your son never ceases to amaze me! What a thoughtful child you are raising! And I bet its all because you appreciate all his loving gestures in special ways like this. LOVE the pendant!

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  9. Such a lovely wrap and so very special because your son gave you the pieces inside.

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  10. I love the treasure you created to hold the gifts from your son!

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  11. This is a beautiful piece with a lovely story to treasure. I feel the same way about Sally's prompts. It's good to find new things about myself.

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  12. I don't do a lot of wire wrapping ... It's fun being forced to think out of the box every week! I'm sure you will treasure that pendant and the memories it brings every time you wear it!

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  13. What a beautiful piece, and one that holds a special place in your heart! What a wonderful son you have to share part of his treasure with you. I've tried wire wrapping but the wire seems to not like me.

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  14. This is what came to my mind when I read her prompt!! Alas I don't have my wire. But I'm so glad someone did this. ; )

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  15. This is so lovley on so many levels! First, because it holds a special gift to you from your son, and secondly because it's a 'first wrap' of this kind for you - and a super great one at that!! I love this!!

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  16. Wow, that's amazing! So sweet the little tokens we get from our children!

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  17. Your wirework is stunning Alicia! and what a beautiful way to create a memory with your son. Love wrapped up - bead wire style :) ... it's perfect

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  18. Children can be sooooo sweet sometimes.....but I DO LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your piece. I sooo want to get into wire wrapping more. I think they are beautiful to see. Keep up the good work...and kiss your son!

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  19. just beautiful - the post, the photos and the exquisite piece you created :)

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  20. Really beautifully wrapped...and how special to come from your son too...I love wire wrapping simply because it gives us a way to display and wear our little treasures...

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  21. Gemstones 'all wrapped up' in wire. Your work is wonderful. Maybe you can teach me how to do it some day. Can I bribe you with some of my grandmother's peonies? *smile*

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  22. Thank you, ladies, for your kind word and your encouragement. I love each and every comment - and I try to personally answer to each. Sometimes life gets in the way :) please know I am thankful!

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  23. A FIRST ATTEMPT!!!!! I can't imagine what will come from your hands when you get "good" at it!!! But surrounding those gifts from you wonderful William, am sure it warms your heart to have it and will for many years to come.

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  24. Alicia your post this week is great. A perfect fit for the prompt. Isn't wirework fun?

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  25. I'm so impressed with your little sweetheart and what you created with the stones he gave you. A perfect prompt for this treasure.

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  26. All 'wrapped up' in love. How fitting and such a perfect piece.

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