Friday 30 November 2012

Snowflakes - AJE Component of the Month

As this is my first month as a member of the Art Jewelry Elements it's the first time that I've taken part in the Component of the Month challenge. The November challenge was set by Lesley Watt who designed a brand new component for the occasion - bronze snowflake discs.


I love the snowflake that Lesley sent me, but it definitely set me a challenge! As soon as I opened the parcel it screamed "Christmas ornament!" at me - which was not useful as this is supposed to be an art jewellery challenge. So, I sat it on my desk for a couple of weeks, laying different beads, pieces of leather, cords etc etc next to it and did come up with a couple of ideas. My favourite design had an enamelled ruffled disc in the centre of the disc with beads on twisted headpins holding it in place and a bail passed on this one going through the middle - and but the bail just did not sit properly without pushing the enamelled disc out of the way and I was worried that the enamel would get chipped as the wire rubbed against it. So it was back to the drawing board.

And all the time the snowflake kept yelling "ORNAMENT!" at me (in big shouty letters just like that), partly because I make my Mum a new Christmas ornament each year, and I knew that if I did make a piece of jewellery out of it I would only take it apart and make an ornament anyway......so that's what I eventually did! (I did check with Lesley that that would be ok first though)


I based it on the ornament I made for Mum with Mindy Macgregor's sweet chicken bead for Easter. I've used Lark's Head knots to make the loop at the top and Half Knots for the main section. The cream bead is Czech glass, the small round bead is a ceramic bead that I've had for years so I can't tell you who made it! The red heart is a lampwork bead made by Laura Sparling. I think if I made it again I'd probably leave the cream bead out, maybe add another red ceramic bead instead, but I'll let Mum hang it on her tree for a year first!

To see what everyone else has created with their snowflakes, please visit:



11 comments:

  1. There's no arguing with a component sometimes Jo - it's best to just give in gracefully. I love your ornament design, it has a kind of Scandinavian feel to it and I'm sure your mum will love it too. Thanks for taking part in this challenge.

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  2. Yep arguing with a component is never good once they start screaming! I love your ornament!!!

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  3. Jo, that is a beautiful ornament -- and an ornament is nothing but tree jewelry so I think you did just fine. Very creative and I have found that when a beautiful hand-made component (that is just chocked full of Lesley's spirit by the way) screams "ornament" (or any other thing for that matter) when you first see them, you might as well listen - it is your muse talking and a muse is not a force to be challenged you know. Great job!

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  4. Beautiful Ornament! I have to say mine never once said ornament to me, funny how they speak differently to each person.

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  5. It's a fabulous ornament! I was challenged by this component too!

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  6. Hi Jo,
    You made a beautiful ornament with your component. Like everyone else said no arguing with the component when it knows what it wants to be. Jean said it best though an ornament is tree jewelry. You Mom is going to be very pleased with this one I have a feeling.
    Therese

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  7. I love it Jo! What a great ornament! I hadn't even thought of an ornament - it will look great on your tree, or even as a window charm!

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  8. I am glad I wasn't the only one hearing "Ornament" loudly in my head! I love it, it's so delicate even though the snowflake is larger. I see a grouping of them hanging in the window....as the snow drifts down outside.

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  9. This is great! Your mum is going to love it!

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  10. Let the beads speak I always say! Great ornament! Glad you went outside the box!

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  11. Lucky mum! She gets new jewellery for her tree!

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