More trade beads, a few pearls, and a couple of vintage bead connectors added onto this old brass perfume bottle are all that this one needed. The beads that look slime green are really yellow though, again having color issues in taking pictures. With each one of these necklaces that I make, I learn something, even if it's a mistake (cussing the whole time at the cost of silver that I just cut off & tossed to fix it) it's one less issue to deal with in the future-I hope! Those that claim to have this, or anything as far as that goes, all figured out & can do it perfectly everytime, they make me nervous. As soon as we stop learning, or stop stretching ourselves to make something work or stick to the tried & true all the time, have stopped growing-not only as an artist, but as a person. Hmmmm, wonder where that came from and why. I honestly don't know, so we'll chalk it up to being tired.
I'm having fun with these little lampwork bird beads, and I love the stones in this necklace-and can't find one of them anymore! Will have to do some digging around, because I really do like using it.
This is the second necklace that I've made using a salt shaker, and there's a funny story behind it. When I met the wonderful Annie Lockhart a couple of years ago, it was at a Nina class held at Valley Ridge. Apparently Annie was wearing a similar necklace during class, which I didn't notice, but obviously did subconsciously. Right after I made that first one, I saw Annie's for sale & was horrified that I had "copied" her, we each had our own spin on it, but still I felt bad. So I called her, told her about it, and in typical Annie fashion, she just laughed. See, we share the same birthday and the same wierd sense of humor, and maybe, just maybe had a similar idea in this case-we'll never know for sure. Right after that, I saw a salt shaker necklace on Etsy (no, I don't remember who it was) that was a direct knock off of the one that Annie did, right down to even giving it the same name! And the person that bought it was another gal from the class that Annie & I were in, the one where she wore the necklace. See what a small little circle this art world can be? At that same class, Nina liked Annie's idea so much, that she asked if she could borrow it, of course Annie said yes, and then folks accused Annie of copying Nina's idea. Still with me? My point in a round about way is to give credit where it's due, as Nina did for Annie, and I did for Annie, and round & round we go. My wire wrapping was taught to me by Nina (thank you, thank you!!), the salt shaker idea apparently from Annie, and some other wire work from the publications of Sharilyn Miller, which by the way, are worth every penny & then some. The rest of what I do---who knows where it comes from? Sometimes I even wonder myself! And once again tonight, I don't know where this all came from! So to end this one a good note-enjoy this shot from our garden-and don't forget to contact the Flying Pig if you're interested in these necklaces, almost forgot to say that part-I really am tired!
Love that bird bead - am taking it with me on Thursday when I go play with glass again. And the chipmunk! Alas, altho treed we don't have any tho Maryland does have them some places. Finally - beautiful jewelry and the photography and background inspired. I learn so much coming here!
Posted by: Tammy Vitale | September 23, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Lovely work... I love the key that you incorporated! I wouldn't have known that the item below it was a salt shaker... what a clever idea... whose ever it was! LOL That is a good story about giving credit and paying attention to where things come from out of our heads... I sometimes do that I think... subconsciously use something I've seen somewhere and think it's from my own head. Most things aren't nearly as unique as we might think they are. I always try to give credit as I'm usually so grateful when someone shares a technique with me. It's sometimes easy to forget to do that though and it's good to be reminded from time to time. Love those new necklaces... gorgeous!
Posted by: Pam | September 23, 2008 at 09:24 AM
How funny is it that I went to an antique store for the first time in my life ever yesterday (I know, I can't believe it either!) with the purpose of trying to find a small vintage container for a necklace?
Speaking of getting it all figured out, if you have a cure for not actually forgeting to attatch a bead to the actual necklace before wrapping the final loop, you just let me know. The current necklace I am working on, I have done that 5 times and I'm not done.
Some thing must have to be learned over and over and over and over.
Posted by: cheesehead with sticks | September 23, 2008 at 12:35 PM
They are beautiful necklaces!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | September 23, 2008 at 04:52 PM
oct. 24th? That's my Jade's birthday! he will be five! that is so cool that it is your birthday, too!
love the necklaces, your work is beautiful and can't wait to have a piece of it! ;-)
have a wonderful weekend! xo
Posted by: misty | September 26, 2008 at 10:49 AM
hey girlie....miss you! fixin' to watch this vp debate...will catch up with you soooooon! sending hugs...me
Posted by: annie lockhart | October 02, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Those are beautiful necklaces! And I just love the photo of the squirrel!
Posted by: Laurel | October 22, 2008 at 11:02 AM
So cute! So shocking and great! It's so lucky for me to find your blog! I love this post with lots of information! All that here catch the of fashion, which are lovely designs!
Posted by: Jordan 2 | April 27, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Lovely necklaces.
Posted by: Mothers Birthstone Necklace | May 02, 2010 at 04:47 PM