I have my first jewelry ensemble showing at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center in Dunedin, Florida. It is the Member/Student Show for 2008. The show was brought to my attention by a great friend and fellow jewelry artist, Stacy Perry of Hodgepodgerie . She is the wire jewelry artist that teaches classes at the art center. (Click website link for class schedules.) Her work is absolutely amazing and I am thrilled to be a part of any show that she is part of as well. Lucky me, she's taught me a thing or two! The jewelry ensemble I created specifically for this exhibit is a step outside the box. I always like to take what is normally an "ordinary" design and push it to make it even more special and unique. The pictures are not great...my fault for being the procrastinator I am and completing the set the day before entries were due....AND as luck would have it, the weather was not cooperative for my usual Florida Sunshine photos.
The special thing about this super chunky charm necklace...it is a multi-tasker (story of my life as a busy Mom of 2 boys)...the pearl necklace "extender" can double as a 16" necklace and the large link charm part doubles as a charm bracelet. OR put it together for a whole new look with a long charming unique necklace. The handcrafted matching hook clasps really make a statement of completing the overall look. The aqua lampwork bead was the lone inspiration. The entire design stemmed around that little bead (made by me at my torch).
The earrings are an unusual design for me....asymmetrical. Normally, I have a really hard time with anything being out of symmetry. So, I embraced the challenge I gave myself to try something out of character for my designs....they turned out better than I could have hoped.
And lastly, the materials I used were nothing but the best....all sterling silver components, genuine aquamarine, Swarovski crystal, freshwater pearls, cubic zirconia & my own lampwork. The ensemble is for sale at the museum. The show starts March 7 and runs through to April 27.
