Inspiration

Deryn has been working through the projects in this book...

And she challenged her readers to work through the projects along with her. So when I was out last weekend I ran across a copy of Mary Hettmansperger's book and picked it up. I like her style. She uses a lot of organic, rather industrial bits of metal in her pieces. I like this very much. While I can appreciate very fine stones and delicate work, I am more often drawn to pieces which show they were wrought with an artist's hands.

I was especially enticed by this particular piece...

I could immediately see that it would be very simple to make and would require next to no tools. I also thought of many ways to adapt this technique to other pieces. So I set out to make a necklace but I got tired after enough for a bracelet. While the technique is easy, it is a bit of work on your wrist and fingertips. Using pliers would make it easier on your fingers but I liked the tactile quality (you can watch t.v. while making it if you use your fingers). So I made a bracelet..

 

Since this was the first time I was trying this technique I decided to use a silver-plated wire. And, I didn't have even one seed bead in my house. I've never worked with them. I typically use big chunky beads so this was a nice change for me. One thing I learned is that if you are a big twister, you will break the sections off rather easily. I tend to have a heavy grip on tools (and an accelerator. it's just my personality. i'm all or nothing with most everything). I want to achieve a consistent twist throughout which led to over-twisting which led to breakage. It's fairly easy to add new wire if one breaks but it isn't much fun. And, to be completely honest,after I took these photos I wore the bracelet and it broke and I found it in my bag. I'm thinking it would be much better with a bigger gauge wire and beads that will accommodate it.

As for the colors, I decided on a monochromatic palette. I went with a silver bead to go with the silver wire. Upon finishing the bracelet I decided it needed a bit more. Just an extra something. I immediately thought of Van Gogh's Irises.

Van Gogh is a constant inspiration to me. And this beautiful painting, one of his first when he was in an asylum the year before his death, often sets me to thinking. What of all the blue flowers and the single white? It speaks to me. Hence my bracelet has one tiny red flower.

It is a nod to Van Gogh and to each of us who feel a bit separate from the crowd.

Thank you, Deryn, for a fun and inspiring challenge. I might not have discovered Mary's wonderful book without your help.

Comments

[maigirlz]

It's a stunning bracelet in it's simplicity!

[MyGemStoneBox]

What a lovely piece! eSMArts team is truely talented~ Best to you,
D
http://mygemstonebox.blogspot.com

[Dale]

Wonderful wonderful work here. I really like how you did the one red flower. I often admire Van Gogh's work, and feel much the same as you do, admiring the one pop of colour amid the monotone... that little spark of different that makes things delicious.

[Deryn Mentock]

Well, of course, you started at the BACK of the book! What a rebel you are! Your bracelet is absolutely lovely...a little tiara for your wrist.

[Carolyn Mallin]

Beautiful bracelet. It's so very delicate looking. I'm inspired to try my hand at it. I'm so far behind in the challenge but am working to catch up.I'm looking forward to seeing what else you may come up with for the challenge. You do really lovely work.

Carolyn

[Molly Alexander]

Beautiful job! You certainly took on a challenging project to start out with! I love that you chose beads that are so similar to the color of the wire - it gives the piece a totally different look from the example in the book. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your pieces!

- Molly

[theresa]

nice touch having one red flower. I do love work that shows the artist's hand.

Loved the 4th of July photos too.
xoxo

[barbara burkard]

once again...and always...simply divine!!! hugz

[wendy humphreys]

Loving the bracelet and the one red flower.
So cool, it reminds when I used to receive
flowers it was always red bouquet with one
white rose. Thank for sharing that infor.
~xo~
Wendy

[ruth rae]

I hope you had a great trip!
you do know that we did this wrap in one of the pieces for our book :)
yours is just stunning my dear!
miss you! will you be coming out to see me at the quilt show? I will not be able to have our book just the copy with me and some of the art :(

[Diane Cook]

Great work and inspirational post. Have a way to go to get to this one, but must! Thanks for sharing~

[Stacie]

Really nice work and I too, love the red flower...