Three Graces

In Greek mythology, the Three Graces are feminine representations of charm, beauty and creativity.

Botticelli's version of the Three Graces

In Norse mythology, the Three Graces take the form of the Norns, who tell a person's fate by reading their past, present and future.

 

Pagans honor the Triple Goddess, or Maiden Mother Crone, celebrating the different phases of a woman's life and the power that comes with each phase.

I love this plaque (but it's a pain to dust!)

 I've wanted to do a necklace inspired by the Three Graces for quite awhile.  Here's what I came up with:

Felting gave me the base that I wanted to show off these faux bone etched pieces, which I paired with resin faces.  I added charms and trinkets, bits of crystal and magatama drops for accents.  I found the perfect strap beads in my stash, using these etched spiral agate beads.  

I feel like I honored the spirit of the Three Graces.  Agree?

Balancing

Goal: to balance life with joy!

Introducing: Felted Necklaces!

What do you think?

I've had the layout for this piece in my to-be-beaded pile for quite awhile.  I just couldn't figure out what bead embroidery to use to highlight the art cabochons and rainforest jasper cab.  Since the felted bracelets have gotten such a good reception and feedback, I decided to try felting a necklace.

Love it!

One necklace led to another.  Of course!

And another.

The felt adds another dimension to some of these focal pieces that I just couldn't achieve with bead embroidery.  I love the texture!

What do you think?

Yikes!

It feels like forever since I posted anything!

But this is where I'm at right now:

The good news is: I passed French!  With a mercy B, but I'll take it!  Only 4 years of trying and 16 VERY intense weeks of study (8-10 hours a day, 7 days a week).  I've never worked so hard at anything academically before.  It was a very humbling experience.

I never did get the hang of verb transitions.  Le sigh.

Tuesday, Fall semester classes start.  I'm teaching 3 classes, assisting in one, and writing those pesky exams that I didn't work on all summer because of French.  I've spent the last few days making syllabi and setting up assignments.  Trying to think each class through so that the students actually learn something.

And, I'm getting ready for holiday season shows!  Whoo-hoo!  Right now, I have 5 shows confirmed, with the potential for 3 more (and a super secret, please please please let me get this account opportunity).

Honestly, I'm in my bliss.  I'm doing work that I love (with really long hours and very low pay, but...still, work I love).  I'm working on exciting new products, which I'll share soon(ish).  The summer weather FINALLY got hot!  Just in time to warm us up for winter.  I'm THIS close to being able to research and write on a topic that I'm so excited about.

And, I have moments to blog again!

And, football watching season is here!  (I grade and lesson plan and bead while "watching."  Mostly so I don't over-yell at the Detroit Lions.)

Life is good!

Did I mention - I PASSED FRENCH!

Art Inspiration - Gypsy

Maybe it's because I am a gypsy at heart, but I have always been drawn to images of the exotic, the bohemian - in fashions for women and in household design.  It's the wild, untamed spirit that attracts me.  And the patterns and layers and movement.  The mix of old and new.  The LACK of rules.

I love to use images that invoke this as focal piece in my jewelry.  My newest collar piece is a perfect example.

Found here on Etsy  (Sorry, no clue who I purchased this download image from.)

The gypsy inspiration also fulfills my love of textiles.  (Fans self)  Lately, I've been finding really cool embroidered pieces and old tapestries at estate sales.  Lucky me.  The patterns in these inspire my jewelry.

It's been a long love affair.

While this necklace is recent, I've had the cabochon in my stash for probably 15 years.

Finally put it to good use.

Paisley is a big part of my gypsy love.  Again, it's the patterns, the movement.  The lack of rules.

The focal image in this piece is a clip from an old book filled with paintings of gypsies and belly dancers.  I cut LOTS of images out of that book!  See how well the image pairs with mirrors and tinkling bells?

Here's a really old piece, maybe circa mid - 1990s.  A handpainted cabochon, random embroidery.  I'm not sure what happened to this piece...

Yes, I know that gypsy culture - as it's lived - has a very bad reputation.  No, I haven't watched the "reality" television show.  I'm sticking to my images of strong women.  And lots of patterns and textures, for my inspiration.

I mean, really, wouldn't this be a wonderful space to BE in?

From my Pinterest page

Meet you there!