The topic for this week's Jewelry Artisans Community Oldies but Goodies Challenge was Bollywood. It was a little ironic that just last night the only TV channel showing Bollywood movies withdrew from the German market.
I'm not really that surprised. While I have watched my share of Indian movies (not just Bollywood) before that channel was even started, it does get annoying to be offered the same movies and soap operas over and over again, mixed up with a little cooking here and there. I would have loved to see documentaries as well, programs about the culture, the history ... I'm digressing, sorry.
Bollywood stands for dance, song and rich colors. I can't give you dance and song, but I do have colors for you.
1 and 4 The Crafty Chimp
2 Cat's Wire
3 RioRita
5 My Bijou Life
Sometimes things just come together. This time I picked Preciosa Ornela Twin Beads, those are two hole beads, from my stash. As you know off loom beading is not necessarily my world and I only do it rarely.
Twin Beads and the loom are not close friends, however. I had to think of something else and decided on a simple stitch (without being sure it was Herringbone, but that's what it was), but several colors that would go nicely together. These colors were clear with an orange lining, a transparent pink and a lovely topaz with AB finish. The seed beads that I thought would pull all of those together are gold lined crystal.
After beading for a while the necklace took on a Bollywood feel to me. I don't know if it's the lacy look or the color combination or both, but being a bit of a Bollywood fan I really liked the effect, so I kept going and going until I had enough for two lacy strands.
I do like when a piece has a mind of its own!
This is so addictive! Yes, I watch Bollywood, yes, I own a saree that I have never worn and yes, I love bangles, but I have to admit I have a problem with the sound they are making if you wear many and bangles have to be worn in abundance, right?
So I was sitting there looking at my colored wire, looking at my stone beads and the small candle in my brain started to shine, a little flickering at first - which is why the first one became a children's bangle - but then I really felt I was on to something here.
I hope I won't be the only one to think that. Do you know this feeling? You are all enthusiastic about something, you do a little happy dance and all your soul and thoughts go into this project, no matter what kind it is. You are excited to show others and then the bubble blows because you get a polite "Ah yes", "Mmh-mmh" or something else along that line. Sometimes these experiences stick to you like glue, sometimes you shake them off. I learned it is important to always do something for yourself in the first place and then maybe the spark is gonna flow.
I had fun making these bangles and I am sure they won't be my last, I'll just have to stock up on beads and wire. What a sacrifice! Shopping for beads and wire is one of the hardest thing to do, well, at least if you don't have the money to say you take everything ;-)
Today we were at a minerals and fossils fair. I took the tall guy along because of his wallet, eh, I mean because he is the perfect companion for this. He headed off to hall 7 immediately where there was an antique fair. He found something, I found something, we are both broke, but happy :-P
And here are the first bangles with round beads, I also made some with chips. Not Doritos! Red goldstone and rock crystal. Not as tasty, but they sparkle more ... Eventually they will pop up in one of my shops, too - in a few days, I guess.
Sterling silver wire and labradorite
Copper wire and brown tiger's eye
Copper wire and red tiger's eye
Green coated wire and light green Chinese jade
Hot pink coated wire and rose quartz, bangle plus hoops with copper earwires
I am sure the banglemania will go on now that I have new beads ... gotta hurry, my hook is calling me!! :-D
