When I read the September topic for the Art Elements Design Challenge that Caroline gave us, I was completely confident that I would rock this. I have made leaves and leaf patterns both in wire and beads before, and I even thought that this time I would be able to make more than one piece.
BAM! Unfortunately this is not a "I did it" BAM, but a "life gets in the way" one.
So this is the part where I'm getting to the cheap excuses, in this case work and health or rather a combination of both which tends to kill off not my creativity, but the ability to transfer my ideas into actual pieces. For example I saw some wire crochet leaves in fall colors before my eyes, but after ripping one up twice I didn't feel like another attempt.
I even forgot that I had started making something that I put on my manikin head to decide about a clasp and embellishments.
Just a few days ago I happened to see it again (and I walk by that head all the time!) and had planned to work on it some more yesterday after coming home from work, but due to a stranded train it took me three hours to get home, and all I wanted there was something to eat and sleep.
This morning now I wasn't even sure if I liked it at all anymore without some major changes. Now I'm afraid it's going to move to the Drawer of Eternal WIPs which is not a good place to be, I've heard ;-)
I'm glad that I'm not standing - well, actually sitting - here without having anything to show.
I love making these kind of leaves, they are great to use in earrings, pendants or necklaces, and it's always fun embellishing them with what I can find at the moment.
Here I used chocolate brown freshwater pearls and matte carnelian beads for that perfect fall feeling. After all fall is my favorite season!
Now here's the good stuff, a list of all the other participants in the challenge, and I'm sure they'll be showing a lot more. I'm already looking forward to going through all the posts and pictures!
Please have a look, I know you won't be disappointed!
Guests
Alison - Alysen - Anita - Beth and Evie - Cat (that's me ;-)) - Dawn - Divya - Hope - Jill - Karen - Kathy - Laurie - Mary - Michelle - Sarah - Sarajo - Tammy
AE team members
Claire - Cathy - Caroline - Jenny - Lesley - Marsha - Niky - Susan
your leaves are lovely, I do admire wire wrapping as I found it so difficult when I tried it out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill. I refused doing it for a long time and don't even remember why ;-)
DeleteLove your wirework, they're beautiful. Thanks for joining us fo rthe challenge!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caroline!
DeleteI love those! The placement of your pearls so that they follow wearer's movement is another detail that I love. Al.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! I'm crazy about dangles and love movement in earrings myself, so I'm naturally drawn to make them like that :-D
DeleteYour wire work is amazing - I love the accents of the pearls and carnelian beads. I agree with you - fall is my favorite season with all of the different colors.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI looked out of the window with my cat today and noticed how the leaves on the pear trees behind the house start changing colors. Maybe I should take a picture every day now.
I didn't think of it because there were so many wasps that Ponder and I decided to get back behind glass again ;-)
I hate that things didn't work out better for you. However, those wire leaves are pretty are awesome on their own. Here's hoping you have more luck soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hope :-)
DeleteI just didn't give myself enough time. If all else fails, I can cut it up and use the individual parts, so at least nothing is wasted.
For someone who had some challenges to deal with in getting her challenge piece completed, you sure came through like a champ! Whether you are crocheting, wrapping or weaving, you are a natural when it comes to taming the wire, Cat. Love the earrings - they are just perfect for the fall season that is upon us. No more excuses about not making earrings as and you have definitely figured out how to make two matching components, lil' missy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dawn - I guess. I'm always a little afraid when you call me lil' missy ;-)
Delete:-*
Cat, I love your leaves as well! I love your wire work - I really can't do it, I love seeing what others can do!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sue!
DeleteI know what you mean, I'm the same with off loom bead work that others do!
I love your leaves, especially after I consciously decided not participate for one or another of the above reasons plus a craft show. BTW, leaves would have been perfect for it and I now regret my decision but I was inspired by those wire woven leaves and will try to make my version :) The beads are just perfect for the season, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rozantia!
DeletePlease let me know when you have to show something, I'd love to see it!
Your wire working is wonderful. I love your leaves. Pearls are a favorite of mine so your leaves are extra special with chocolate brown pearls. Perfect for fall!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI have been sitting on these pearls for so long, I'm glad I started finding the right project for them.
Life can really be a pain sometimes, but serendipity threw those in your path and now we can all enjoy seeing your beautiful work! Thanks for posting them and participating. Hope for no more stranded train delays for you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for all wishes, especially the train one ...
DeleteIt's probably good that life keeps reminding us it comes first.
I think we can all empathize with life getting in the way of our plans. The woven wire leaves you created are gorgeous and you turned them into perfect fall earrings.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Tammy!
DeleteI really hate when real life gets in the way of our creative life! Sorry you didn't like the direction of your original plan. We can all relate to that. I do love your wire wrapped little leaves. They do make great earrings. and the freshwater pearls really add the perfect touch.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy.
DeleteMaybe I'll have the perfect idea yet to save it, if not that's how things work out sometimes :-)
I love your leaves. Great job.
ReplyDeleteI think your wire wrapped leaves are super. I especially like their 3 dimensional quality. Gives them such a presence!! I hope you will participate again.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!
DeleteI hope I'll find some more time in October!
I love these! I wish I had the patience for such intricate wire work but I just end up with a mess of kinked and tangled wire!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lesley. I wish I had the talent for what you do! :-)
DeleteI love these wire leaf earrings! Your embellishments are perfect. And I am envious. I haven’t yet mastered that particular wire-weave.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Michelle!
DeleteNot need to be envious, I'm sure you'll have this down in no time!
They're lovely, Cat, and the pearls and beads compliment the leaves beautifully! As always, you rock the wirework.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment, Anita! :-D
DeleteI love your leaves and how dimensional they are! Great Job! And we all know life gets in the way! (I am just now finishing looking at all the blogs!)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alison!
DeleteYes, it sure does, but then again life always comes first, right? We'll just have to deal with that! :-)
Yes, the drawer of eternal WIPs is a bad place to be stuck, which is exactly why, I am sure, you'll finish them to your liking soon. The leaves did turn out great, so there's that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure, but I started into a challenge with a friend of mine. I finish a really old one, and she does, too. We'll see how that works out ;-)
DeleteThank you!