As a contributor in the fall issue of Stringing magazine, I was invited with other contributors to participate in the Stringing blog hop. As part of the hop we will be blogging about what inspired our featured designs along with links to the other participants. And there are prizes too boot! So here is my story... and I'm sticking with it!
Summer is almost over and I am beginning to feel the long summer days growing shorter as we head into fall. It's amazing how fast time is going. It seems like just yesterday I sent in my submissions for the fall 2010 issue of Stringing magazine. In reality it was earlier this year. Because magazines don't just materialize the day they are due, and are planned well in advance, you are required to consider seasons that are not the one you are living at that moment. For that reason, getting in the mood for the season you are not currently in can take a bit of mind tricking especially when all I wanted to do was think about springs light and airy textures and colors. I can remember sitting in the kitchen looking out at our giant California live oak and thinking "Fall. Fall. Fall." to get myself in the mood. When that didn't work, I ended up going through my big supply box and pulling out a few of the silk cords that I've been hoarding for the last few years in colors that seemed fallish to me. The infinite heart pendant used in the project has been a favorite of mine and has been hanging around the studio for some time. It needed to, as Rachel Zoe says, "Have a moment."
For myself, having almost all of my beads and supplies out and visible helps me put things together, much to my tolerant husbands chagrin. I tend to "monopolize every surface!" with my beads. What? you don't like looking at them 24/7? What do you mean they are getting in your food? Eat around them I say! Eat around them! When the design muse is around to play, who am I to say "pack it in"?
Being a lover of blue and brown, the teal silk begged to be next to the copper chain and who am I to argue? Copper in general reminds me of fall and it is a budget friendly metal which I am all about! The trickiest part was getting the cord ends even and not having one side longer than the other. I was sure the cord was going to get snagged. Luckily it didn't and if I'd been thinking about it properly instead of just jumping in with my excited eyes closed, I would have thought to measure the length of the chain and the length of the cord and found the middle of each to know when to stop threading it! Well now we know!
My favorite part of putting something together is having that light bulb moment when the colors, shapes and textures come together and just feel right! Yum!
I hope you get a chance to check out the other designers blogs and remember to leave a comment because each comment (one per blog) is worth a chance to win the prizes! The prizes are a new Connected Heart pendant with matching beads, the fall issue of Stringing, and a goodie pack of filigree, gemstones & other findings from Rings & Things! If you are curious, the rules are posted on here on Michelle Mach's blog. BONUS! Leave a comment here and you will be entered to win one of the new connected hearts! Link to this blog post from yours and double your chances to win! Just leave a comment with your link! Enjoy and good luck!
49 comments:
I love the teal ribbon. This is such a beautiful design.
I think having my beads out. It keeps me beading and inspired. Having them tuck away neatly would only squash that motivation.
Your choice of elements combine together so well and the focal is fabulous! Love your sense of humor!
I'm always a sucker for silk!! the color in this necklace is awesome, and I LOVE charm necklaces. Your work is such a great addition to Stringing!
Somehow, you made teal seem like a new discovery! I'm just starting to use silk and love it! Goes great with your hearts, hint to random guy! That connected heart is really making me think! Love it!
Love your necklace! I love that teal and brown combo, too, so it really jumped out at me when I saw it...I like that you also mentioned how hard it can be to create a "fall" piece when it's SO not that season outside...I think you did a great job! :o)
Yummy! Teal and brown are one of my favourites too. This is a lovely design and looks so wearable. I'm enjoying this blog hop!
LOVE this amazing piece!!! I will be screaming FALL FALL FALL once I move back to FL this is my favorite time of year. I will blog about it as well and come back with the link. I love all the textures in this! Great work!
So pretty! I love the "moment" too!!!! I really like these colors and those are some exceptionally lovely beads:)
here is my link: http://creativeflutter.blogspot.com/2010/08/gaeas-ceramic-bead-and-art-studio-blog.html
I have to have my beads out and I love your new hearts.
Thanks for your prizes to giveaway! I love your gaea canaday!!! but it would be fantastic to win one of your hearts.:-))
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com
I love the color combo too. You made me laugh out loud when you wrote "monopolize ever surface with beads" that is the same argument I have in my house! LOL! They're everywhere!
I love the new heart design - you add that little flourish/curly-cue in such a clever way - such personality! Love it!
I love that teal silk! It's my favorite color. Very pretty piece!
Hi Gaea! Thank you so much for your generous donation to the prizes for this blog carnival. They are in the most yummy colors!
Looks like brownies to me with teal chips. Wouldn't it be great to have colored chocolate chips? (I suppose that would be M&Ms...I must be hungry!)
I love your piece and the inspiration. It is so hard to get into the opposite season's mood when you are smack dab in another.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
Enjoy the day!
Erin
P.S. I linked to your blog in mine! http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2010/08/blackbird-sat.html
I love Stringing Mag. Just bought my subscription. I loved looking at your beads at your Etsy shop. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hugs, Diane http://dianeglass.blogspot.com/
I just hopped here on the blog hop - what fun! Your design is very lovely, as are your beads!! I became a follower of your blog!
I love this piece, in fact it is one of the pages that I dog eared for inspiration! I love your work :)
Beautiful necklace! Gorgeous colours! Can't wait to get my hands on the magazine!
LOL - I was taking over the house too, until my husband conceded his garage space to me. wise man!
Gads, but I love your new connected heart and beads in those yummy chocolate and teal colors!
Your fall necklace is elegant and earthy,just beautiful!
Love the simplicity of this piece and of course the focal element is beautiful. Would love to win that cool heart focal, too!
Erin S
I have to admit - this was one of my favorite projects. That teal is yummy to begin with, but when paired with the copper and brown, it just rises to a whole new level. Plus, I loved how this necklace totally said "Fall" to me, but without using the more traditional orange/gold/green fall color palette. Great job!
LOVE your polka dots Gaea!
Beautiful design! P.S. I'm in love with the heart!
Your heart design is so cool. I love your work!
Very nice - looks like the beading muse came through for you!
Wow that silk is a knock out with the copper. Copper is awesome!!! swopemelmel@aol.com
Gaea, I love your work. So beautiful and joyful. What a great donation for the prize giveaway too! Congratulations!
Love how you used that silk...especially because you didn't measure!! haaaaaaaa I do the same thing--the whole "just figure out the finished length first" thing doesn't work for me! haaaaaaaaa
Thanks for sharing some of your great beads for the giveaway!
Jen
Yumm-o! These are great. I love TEAL!
Emanda
You are so funny! Eat around them I say Eat around them I say! What a hoot! My kitchen table was always covered and my poor family could never eat there! Your necklace is lovely and fall worthy!
What a great combination of colours! I love how well the deep teal contrasts with the bright copper. A necklace I would wear in a heartbeat :-).
Ah, the mix of tough metal and soft ribbon. My favorite combination.
Blue and brown is one of my favorite color combinations. This necklace is so wearable--suitable for autumn, but still light and airy with the ribbon for those weeks in between summer and fall when the calendar doesn't always fit the weather outside. Love it!
Thanks for joining the Stringing blog carnival (and donating such a beautiful prize)!
Brown always looks so nice with blue or green colours. This i no exception.
One thing I like about your necklace is the "hook clasp-type" swirl you've attached the pendants/charms too. Never thought of doing something like that. (Plus the shape in a way echoes the flowing, wavy ribbon and chain.)
simply beautiful!
First thanks for the possibility of winning beautiful beads. The magazine looks incredible and I love the fact that you all support and encourage each other. Beautiful simple design and love the idea for softening the chain while adding color.
Your necklace is so pretty! I love your beads, I just bought some from your etsy store and cannot wait to see them in person!
Love your colors and the textures in your beads.
Vikki
Beautiful design and color combination!
I love what you said about the beads being everywhere and eat around them....that is how it is at my place....24/7 is good with me...tee hee!!!!
Love your beads!!!
Perfect. Earthy, feminine, strong. The pendant looks like one you want to touch.
itmelodie@yahoo.com
Love the combination of materials, love the colors and the silk ribbon is just perfect to tie it all together!
Lovely necklace! The colors are perfect. As a matter of fact...I have a sweater that this necklace would look great with! I am sooo ready for fall:-)
OH!! I just LOVE your necklace!
I know what you mean about having to have everything out, I do the same thing. I'm a very visual person. . .
Great job!
YES! someone understands the need to have the goodies all over the work desk. :) My hunny says how can you work? hehe Your beads reflect a love for nature. I love how you capture mother nature. I look forward to following you and your creations.
Blessings,
Terry
Your necklace just hits the spot! Teal and copper are one of my favorite combos and I don't tend to go for fussy necklaces. Yours is just right!
Thanks so much for the lovely comments and thoughts! I hope every one enjoyed the blog hop! Congratulations to Nicole Keller who won the Carnival blog giveaway. Congratulations to Cynthia who won the Connected Heart from my blog!
Wow, these are all so amazing
http://www.photoshopclippingpath.us
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