December Art Bead Scene Entry - Uncle Sam Necklace




Chrysler Building
Architect:  William Van Alen

The December Art Bead Scene Challenge is inspired this month by the Chrysler Building designed by William Van Alen,  considered a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture.

When I saw the photo of the design inspiration this month, I was drawn by the repetitious patterns in the building's design, and that song from the Chrysler commercial about Detroit, which seems to run constantly through my head these days. You know the one.  It features a choir in the background and has a wicked beat.    

I created the pendant using a digital image of an iconic symbol of the U.S.A., Uncle Sam, which I encased in epoxy and  framed in an antique silver plated brass donut which mimics the layers found on the round face of the building and has a repetitioius, embossed pattern.  The filigree "prongs" framing the pendant have a very art deco look and feel.  The red Czech glass cathedral beads have silver tipping which mimics the triangles on the building.

You can read more of the fascinating history of the Chrysler Building at the Art Bead Scene website.

My "The Littlest Christmas Angel" Entry Chosen as the Editors' Pick for the December Vintaj Challenge!

Alas, I did not win the popular vote in Vintaj Natural Brass Company's December Challenge, "Victorian Christmas."  That honor went to Sunny Berrington for her design, "Being Merry Is the Key To Christmas," but I am absolutely thrilled to announce that my entry, "The Littlest Christmas Angel," was chosen by the Vintaj Editors as their favorite design this month!  

I love working with Vintaj components, and am so pleased the Editors thought my design worthy of this special honor!   Thank you so much!  And thank you, too, to everyone who voted for my entry.  I appreciate everyone's support!

Lynda

The Voting Is Open!

Whew!  My entry in the December Vintaj challenge, "Victorian Christmas" was accepted and voting has begun.  There are a lot of beautiful entries this month.  I hope you will vote for your favorite, even if it isn't my entry, although I sure would appreciate your vote for #9!   Thanks, friends!

Vintaj Victorian Christmas Challenge

The Littlest Christmas Angel - My Entry in Vintaj's Victorian Christmas Challenge

One last piece of Christmas business to attend to, my entry in Vintaj's December challenge, the theme of which is "Victorian Christmas."  

I was on the Vintaj website yesterday, looking for the name of a filigree piece I was working with, and decided to click on the December challenge link and see what the theme was.   When I saw Victorian Christmas, well, you know I had to enter, since I am ALL about Vintage Victorian!  

I have had these little angel images for two years.  I originally purchased them to make some special Christmas ornaments to give as gifts that year, but couldn't bring myself to use them.   They have been patiently waiting for me in a file folder on my laptop ever since.  When I realized the deadline to enter was noon today, I frantically started searching for something to use and remembered the angel file.

The angels in this collection are all children, and are all dressed in Winter white. The graphics are gorgeous and feature Winter white and little bursts of color:  Evergreen, baby pink and sky blue.

The images evoke a range of emotions: Delight and joy at the innocence of the children and the magic of Christmas past; but also sadness to realize the child has wings, and so has departed this Earthly life.  These images have special meaning for me, as my sister lost her own little twin angels a few hours after they were born in the Summer of 1989.  

I wanted to highlight the Winter white theme, and added Czech and Chinese crystal in various shapes and finishes to symbolize glittering snowflakes.

I created bead caps from vintage rhinestone button frames given to me by my friend Lucia Hsu. I molded them around 12mm cushion cut Czech glass AB crystal rounds, and topped them with Vintaj Foliage and Vintaj Filigree Bead Caps.  I created the chain by linking Vintaj Blossoming Duet Fastenables, to which I glued Swarovski AB crystal flatbacks; and more bead stations made with the filigree and foliage bead caps.  I created the pendant bail from Vintaj Fanned Trellis Filigree and a 15mm jump ring. I finished the piece with a length of Vintaj Ornate Chain and Lobster claw clasp.

Now, I haven't heard that the editors at Vintaj have actually accepted my entry.  They have to look at how much Vintaj is used and that sort of thing.  I will be really embarrassed if they don't include it in this month's entry pool, won't I? 

Silver Scottish Tartans to Cap Off the 2011 Holiday Collection

I have been a busy little bee lately, so busy that I didn't get to execute as many designs for the 2011 Holiday Collection as I would have liked.  I capped off the collection with some Scottish Tartans framed in Silver.  Don't tell anyone, but I think I like the silver better than the brass.  The colors in the tartans really pop against the silver background, and they are very festive. 

Bonnie, just a note to tell you the Velveeta Fudge was such a hit.  I made 2 pounds for Thanksgiving, and it was scarfed up in 15 minutes.  It is decadent and addictive.  I have shared the recipe with upwards of 30 people since Thanksgiving.  Word has spread.  Velveeta Fudge has become viral!

I am still waiting on my copy of the Purple issue of "From Polymer To Art" to arrive, so I still haven't actually seen the tutorial I wrote for it, but I wanted to thank everyone who has sent me their congratulations, so THANK YOU, everyone!

I am now energized and itching to get back in the studio this weekend and create something new. 

I have a few orders to fill, including some family orders for memory pendants embellished in brass and silver, which I am very excited to try.  This will be an image transfer weekend, but I am also going to try and sneak in some time to write a couple of quick tutorials, hopefully on how to create more of the faux bone special projects (you all have just torn through the projects in the new tutorial!) and a few more quick projects using other techniques.