Inspired by Reading – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Andrew Thornton, Inspired by Reading Book Club, Marsha Neal Studio, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs, Scorched Earth on Etsy, Second Surf

The October selection for Andrew Thornton‘s Inspired by Reading Book Club is Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  This is the third time I’ve read the book, and it was good each time.  That’s saying something!

The book is about teenager Jacob Portman and his journey to discover the truth about the strange stories his grandfather told him as a child as well as the unusual and frightening circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s death. Jacob learns about a mysterious parallel world and his own power.

In the past, I had a very narrow view of what was acceptable for me to use as inspiration.  How could I use a negative image or association in the book to make something I want to be beautiful?  But then I saw Andrew’s necklace for Swamplandia!,and I really loved it.  He included a whistle, which has a negative association in the book.  Andrew took something ugly and made it beautiful.

So this time I allowed the hollowgast to be my inspiration because that is the first idea I had when I thought about beads in association with the book.

I was originally just going to make something with spike beads to represent the horrible hollowgast tongues.  Then on reading further, I decided to also use a tooth based on their ghastly teeth that always show in a evil, snarling smile. From left, the spikes are from Marsha Neal Studio, Second Surf and Scorched Earth on Etsy. I believe the tooth is from a coyote.

This was a really fun project because I feel like I stretched my creativity, and this necklace looks very cute on despite the fact that it was inspired by a terrifying hollowgast!  Please visit the Allegory Gallery blog to see what others were inspired to make.

 

AJE December Component of the Month Reveal

Tags

Art Jewelry Elements, Gaea, Keith O'Connor, Miss Fickle Media, Rebekah Payne, Second Surf, Staci Smith, Sweet Olive Supplies, Tree Wrings Studio, Yuki Designs

If you have never visited the Art Jewelry Elements blog, you should do so immediately (but come back here after!)  There are multiple contributors writing “for jewelry designers using handmade and high quality components in their art jewelry” to quote from the blog.

Each month one of the contributors makes a component that is sent to the AJE team as well as several lucky winners chosen at random.  For December, Rebekah Payne of Tree Wings Studio was offering one of her speckle beads to each participant.  I was thrilled when my name was picked!  We were given a color choice, and I chose a lovely brown with white and orange dots.  Of course I got it and started trying designs right away and did not get a good picture of it alone, but here is a close up of it in action.

The original design I had in mind did not work out. But no worries because when you have a beautiful bead, you can use it so many ways.  I sketched a necklace and a bracelet and thought I would probably make the necklace. However, when I got to the beading table, as often happens, all that went out the window.  I still believe each sketch would have resulted in a nice piece of jewelry, but I was inspired by this ribbon.

The ribbon was tied on a package of beads I got from Staci Smith.  I get a thrill any time I can incorporate pieces of ribbon, extra beads or charms used in the packaging of something I have purchased.  The ribbon color was so perfect for Rebekah’s bead and the more bohemian feeling I am working towards in my jewelry making.  I spent a little time deciding which other beads I wanted to use with it and their exact placement.  I’m very happy with how the necklace came out.

Thank you so much to Art Jewelry Elements and Rebekah Payne for letting me join in the fun this month!  I always appreciate it when people list their art bead and other sources.  It has allowed me to find many wonderful artists and shops.  Here are the artists/sources for the other materials I used in addition to the speckle bead:

red aventurine nuggets: Sweet Olive Supplies
off white faceted ceramic bead: Gaea
orange raku bead: Keith O’Connor
faceted glass bead: Miss Fickle Media
copper clasp: Second Surf

Make sure to visit the other people who have done something wonderful with their speckle bead at the blogs below:

Guest Designers:

Stephanie – Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

Ann – Bead Love – You are here!

Karin – Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Melissa – Bead Recipes

AJE Team:

Karen – Starry Road Studio

Diana – Suburban Girl Studio

Kristen – My Bead Journey

Lesley – The Gossiping Goddess

Jenny – Jenny Davies-Reazor

Linda – Linda’s Bead Blog & Meanderings

Melissa – Melissa Meman… Art, Life, Love

Susan – Sue Beads

Rebekah – Tree Wings Studio

Caroline – BlueberriBeads

Recent Loot

Tags

Art Bead Scene Blog, Barbara Bechtel, Creative Impressions in Clay, Kristi Bowman, Kristi Bowman Design, Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, More Skye Jewels, Nancy Schindler, Rebekah Payne, Round Rabbit Extra, Second Surf, Tari Sasser, Tree Wings Studio

I haven’t made anything recently since I just got back from vacation.  I know a lot of people take beading supplies on vacation.  I do too sometimes, but this wasn’t that kind of trip.  I had a wonderful time and came home to a happy little bubble envelope in my mail.  I also got a few right before I left.  I thought it would be fun to share the beauty.

First, from my trip.  I had hoped to get some beading supplies at the flea market.  I thought buttons would be the most likely thing I might find, and I was right.

There were also some nice keys at another booth, but they were a little more than I wanted to pay.  I haven’t priced keys before, so I hope I’m right that I have the potential to find them for a better price.

Before I left, I had gotten my most recent beads from Nancy Schindler of Round Rabbit Extra.  I just love the matte finish on that turban bead!

I had also won this pendant, button and cabochon from Tari Sasser of Creative Impressions in Clay on the Art Bead Scene Blog.  I love the colors!

Just before leaving on vacation, I got my order from Kristi Bowman of Kristi Bowman Design.  The light wasn’t cooperating with me today, but these items are gorgeous.

Prior to all this, I got an order of a floral pendant and a jackalope bead from Rebekah Payne of Tree Wings Studio.

When I got home, I had an order waiting for me from Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf.

On the last full day of my vacation, I learned I had won a drawing for some pendants from Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp of More Skye Jewels, also on the Art Bead Scene blog.  I don’t have a picture yet, but I just wanted to mention it because I feel like the bead world is so generous, and I am very lucky!

I hope you enjoyed my tour.  I know I love reading a good “here is some of my stash” post.  The supplies are half the fun!