Whimsical: AJE Earring Challenge 33/34

Week 33 was posted here: Summer Color Surprise Bonus Earrings.

Week 34:

These sweet focals look like carved or perhaps burn-decorated wood. They are actually faux-wood polymer clay bracelet components, with the design stamped and antiqued, by Rebekah Payne of Tree Wings Studio (yes, "home of the oh-so-cute Sleepy Critter beads"). I have simply strung tiny glass beads on beading wire and hung my design on handmade "Dressed-Up Earwires" by Shelley Graham Turner of Tori Sophia (shop on vacation right now but check back later!) 

Visit the AJE Pinterest board often for new designs!

AJE August 2013 COM Reveal

Last month I took a chance and threw my name in for a Component of the Month on the Art Jewelry Elements blog. Each month one of the contributors has a turn distributing a set of their own handmade components, and August was Melissa Meman's turn to offer her "Molten Morsels". You can read about her creative process on this post. I was beyond thrilled when Melissa let me know my name had been drawn at random!  

Before I received my Morsel, I thought about using some Vintaj patinas to add a little colour. When I saw how pretty and elegant my butterfly looked in its delicate antiquing, I decided to use it as is. It is such a great size and classic look, this is one of those times I had many more design ideas and had to pick JUST ONE!

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"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

Maya Angelou

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"Butterfly Armour"

I wire-wrapped some earthy lamp-work beads by Julianna Cannon in 20g brass wire, then strung them on 8mm double curb chain in gunmetal. I was looking for a touch of drama while playing on the contrast in Melissa's component. For neck comfort and a little extra length, I made a short fabric-covered cord in coordinating colours. (I guess even in an über-metal design I can't resist a little fiber LOL.) My necklace is about 27" so I can slip it on easily.

Melissa, thanks for including me in this month's blog hop... I had a great time! *UPDATE: Since you asked, Melissa, this is the back of the pendant with the embedded rings!*

You can also read Melissa Meman's blog Art. Life. Love., and check out her Etsy shop, Melismatic Art Jewelry, where she sells enameled components and rosaries, in addition to her own line of jewelry.

Check out the rest of the participants for the AJE Component of the Month blog hop for August 2013:

AJE Contributors

Melissa Meman   Art. Life. Love.

Jennifer Cameron   Glass Addictions

Jenny Davies-Reazor   Jenny Davies-Reazor 

Francesca Watson   Francesca Watson Designs 

Linda Landig   Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings 

Kristen Stevens   My Bead Journey 

Lesley Watt   The Gossiping Goddess

(apparently Lesley's morsel is AWOL in the mail)

Sue Kennedy   Sue Beads

         

Guests
Perri Jackson   Shaktipaj Designs

Hope Smitherman   Crafty Hope

Monique Urquhart   A Half-Baked Notion

Deborah Read Giveaway

Seriously, I wasn't PLANNING on posting today, after two posts yesterday and blog hops coming up both Saturday AND Sunday coming up... but I just HAD to share Deborah Read's giveaway. Check out this beauty:

Go to this post to comment and win; the draw will be October 1st, 2013. Crafted from 18g copper, almost 2" in diameter, and etched with Deb's own zentangle pattern, it also features one of her engraved dichroic glass pieces.

Summer Color Surprise Bonus Earrings

Just a quickie update on my Summer Color Surprise blog post. I had set aside a couple of the Joan Miller Porcelain rings sent by Lisa Lodge, together with my chunky Ghana recycled glass by Soul of Somanya. (I am getting braver pairing beads that are not completely matchy-matchy in size). Strung on 1.5 mm purple leather, earwires made by moi from anodized niobium in dark purple. Have I mentioned lately how fond I am growing of purple LOL.

Week 33

Visit the AJE Pinterest board often for new designs!

AJE August COM Reveal on Saturday

I was thrilled to find out that my name was drawn for this month's Component of the Month from the Art Jewelry Elements blog. I am usually hesitant to jump into anything that involves waiting on the mail... delivery to my part of Canada can be slow, and the reveal was only a month away. But when I saw Melissa Meman's "Melismatic Molten Morsels", I couldn't resist. I was one of the three lucky AJE fans, and before I knew it, Melissa's amazing butterfly morsel was in my mailbox!

Can you tell I'm excited? It is SOOO much prettier than any photo can show. Click on this link for a preview of ALL the components Melissa created. Make sure to come back here this Saturday morning, August 31, 2013, to see the wonderful designs the AJE team members and three guest designers will reveal. See you then!