Snippets from a bead artist.

3.01.2013

Freeform Again - Runestones and a Giveaway


Finally!!  The third piece in my trio of freeform is done!  I started this while I was working on my Choose Your Own Adventure pieces (which are in my previous post; a blog hop hosted by my lovely friends Mandi Ainsworth and Karen Williams), when I intended to have a trio of bracelets to reveal on the day, but I only managed to finish two of them - and this one decided it had to be a necklace instead.  I have to listen to the beads when they yell at me that loudly.  So more soup was mixed, and off I went. Here is Runestones.


I am so happy with this necklace.  It was a wonderful piece to work on, and looking at it now still makes me feel happy.  I love the colors.  I love the feel of it.  Not just the feeling I get looking at it, but actually touching it - it's very textural and fun to stroke.  The fringe on this one also lays just how I wanted it to; I used OneG to string the fringe and do the small bits of peyote, and it's very swingy and drapey.  The center-most fringe is a peyote strip, which has a bezeled Amethyst claw at the end.  Hanging from the focal stone is another center fringe which is tipped with a gorgeous copper freshwater pearl, also bezeled.



During the process, I thought of a beautiful, fictional woman whom I can't even rightly describe... long hair, with beads and braids and dreads and plain, brushed wavy locks mixed in, a flowing dress with medieval three quarter length sleeves,  charms dangling from many bracelets, three large stoned rings on her slender, well kept hands, bending over a wooden table laden with scrolls and candles and jewels and leather journals, smooth polished bones, chunks of raw amethyst and rusted keys.  In my mind's eye, this necklace was the result of a prophecy of some kind, the stones frozen in their tumble as they revealed their secrets...


The main body of the necklace is made with freeform peyote stitch, which connects to each of the embroidered focal stones.  The amethyst 'claws' are on top of the base, and woven to it with more strands of peyote.  The clasp is hand fabricated copper from one of my favorite metal workers and was custom made for me.  I tried it on (OF COURSE I tried it on!!!!) and it's magnificently comfy and wearable and feels yummy on the neck, with nothing poking in or sticking out (which I always worry about when I make fringe or 'spiky' edges).


My Runestones necklace is made of a huge bead soup mix which includes the faceted Sugilite focals, the oval Sunstone beads (which have a glorious sparkly glitter-like matrix up close), amethyst 'claws', freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, copper metal beads, vintage and modern glass and every kind of seed bead I own.  There are dagger beads, drops, Czech cathedral crystals, Swarovski and cubic zirconia drops, faceted AAAgrade Amethyst beads, bugles, cubes... on and on.  I hunted and pecked and used anything that looked like it might be talismanic, or that looked like it belonged.


I still have some soup left over, in fact!!  Most of the bigger stones and such were used in this, but there are still some gorgeous things left in the soup, including two of the faceted Sugilite, some of the awesome Sunstone, and a carved Amethyst bead.  I would really like to celebrate the completion of this project by giving away the remaining soup.  I intend to add in a few more seed beads, and a few more crystal drops to round it out a bit, but below is the picture of the soup I'll  be gifting.   Leave me a comment, Teddy will pick a name.  :) :) :)


And, just because - - - a pic of what the back looks like.  :) 


UPDATE - Giveaway is closed now, 3/3/13 - Teddy will pick a winner in a  few hours!  :) :) :) Thank you, everyone who commented!!!!!!!

65 comments:

  1. Sure hope you pick me! I'm a huge fan!

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  2. I LOVE THIS! I have no words for how much I love it!!! SO beautiful, Nancy!!! I love all your pieces but I have to say, this is my new favorite!

    A M A Z I N G!!!!

    Janine

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  3. I love your creations! I also really enjoyed reading about the fictional woman! PLease, write more stories ...I could actually see her at the desk with her leather journals!
    I am so happy to see all your beautiful artiful designs!
    xo Deb xo

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  4. This is gorgeous Nancy! I'd love to win your soup!!

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  5. Gorgeous necklace and I loved reading your post!

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  6. Hi I love the colors of this collection pretty and I love Teddy bears so hopefully Teddy will pick me :) would love a goody bag way over here in the states
    Thanks Tammy Norton

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  7. beautiful. I love the flow of this piece. Of course, Amethyst is y birthstone, so its a favourite of mine. Great work, and truly inspiring

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  8. I <3 it........sumptuous is the ONLY word I can think of

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  9. I am blown away by the finished project! The stash of beads we all saw at the hop became this magnificent beauty. Bohemian, gorgeous, exotic. And Fringe!

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  10. Oh Nancy! As I was reading your description, I kept thinking it reminded me of so many of the characters from the books I read. I could see her so clearly wearing this beautiful creation! As an owner of your bead soup (I confess it sits in a prominent spot on my desk, so I can admire it...) I would be so thrilled to win this gorgeous soup! And thank you for sharing this awesome necklace. It is true inspiration!

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  11. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, Nancy! I'd LOVE to have an opportunity to work with that wonderful soup!

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  12. Nancy...you've gone over the top again !
    Choose me...there's still fleets of snow in VT...I need color !

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  13. It is magnificent, I love it! and I love the story that goes with it, I can see that woman in this piece.

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  14. Gorgeous Nancy! You are a Goddess with a needle, thread, and bead soup!
    Therese

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  15. The tones and textures of this designs is gorgeous, love the synergy and flow - beautifully done.

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  16. I love this piece! You took me away to another place, just for a moment, with your story......you have a gift. Thank you for sharing :D

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  17. It is a beautiful necklace. I love the coloring and the story that goes with it. You did an amazing job. I always use OneG for fringe it really drapes so well. This challenge was a real winner for you!!!!!!!

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  18. Nancy, wow! What a gorgeous finished piece, and I love the image of the woman to go along with it. It just goes to show that jewelry art, like many other art forms, has its roots in storytelling. The stories that go with a piece are often as important as the aesthetics.

    Wonderful job, and gorgeous soup!

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  19. Truly gorgeous and Nancy at the top of her form. I'd love to be in with a chance of more soup the colours are just so inspiring! Pick me please Teddy!

    Catherine xx

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  20. Your piece is quite simply stunning, yet has a depth to argue it is anything simple at all. I love the colours, design and the texture. Would love to feel it. Sigh. Anyway, to win some of the leftover soup, so long as that's ok for an international person, would be somewhere near to getting that touch. ;-)

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  21. your necklace is beautiful! it looks like it would feel good "on" the weight and the drape, I just love t!

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  22. This is a stunning piece. I have never been courageous to make bead soup before, so using one already mixed by someone whose work I appreciate will make me feel less intimidated with bead soup; not that I would expect to produce an equally stunning piece though lol.

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  23. Oh, for GORGEOUS! I'd love to see what would happen if I were able to work with that bead soup...!

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  24. It's really beautiful Nancy. Your style is so recognisable, while each piece has a character of its own. Fabulous. Gail (OTTBS)

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  25. So pretty nancy, I think the woman you described would live in the desert wearing a flowing dress and a mystical sheer veilcovering the bottom half of her face. :-) an arabian princess maybe xx

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  26. Another fantastic piece Nancy your work just flows, and your bead soups are superb. You are truly inspirational.

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  27. Your work is amazing and I love your pieces.

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  28. Oh wowsers Nancy! Your soups are just simply divine! You are so generous offering up the rest of your bead soup! Wow, your work is such an inspiration to so many! Please keep up the great work, as you are such a special lady ;)

    Carol XXX

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  29. gorgeous as always and so envious of your freeformabilty....

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  30. This is incredible Nancy and such a wonderful blog too! These are some of my favourite colours too so I would absolutely love to win your soup! Congratulations on this beautiful work of art!

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  31. Thank you so so so so much!!!!!!! I'm so pleased that you all like her so much!!!

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  32. i loved your description of the lady you had in mind when you were creating this :D i think the necklace suits her beautifully :D

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  33. You have a wonderful way with words and an even more wonderful way with beads! I'd love to have half your talent. Please, keep 'em coming!

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  34. My very favorite colors to worth with. It's gorgeous, Nancy. I hope Teddy can smell my dogs on my post, and picks me! LOL!
    Sheryl Stephens
    Cool Moon Creations/shescool on Etsy
    The Babbling Beader
    Facebook friend and frustrated logger-inner - BAH!
    coolmoon@tds.net (stupid Google)

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  35. This is fabulous. I totally adore your inspiration, it makes me walk with you in a strange fantasyland... thank you for sharing with us, it is wonderful, amazing. Totally bewitching.

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  36. This is stunning! I love the necklace, and the description you made of the lady you had in mind - I can definitely see her in it :D

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  37. Stunning, I love your colour choices and the design.

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  38. I am so totally blown away by this necklace! I loved reading about your journey in making it and I thoroughly enjoyed the story of your vision of the woman wearing it. The fringe is fabulous and the palette is mesmerizing. It was a pleasure to read this post and to view this work of art!

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  39. What an amazing piece! The copper and purples are gorgeous. Your combo of freefrorm and bead embroidery really inspires me. Thank for the great creation story.

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  40. Nancy, that is gorgeous and I would love a chance to win the soup.

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  41. Hi Nancy...
    Thanks for having the giveaway! Your necklace, like everything else you make is beautiful and I love the colours you used.

    Laurie

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  42. Beautiful!! Love all the fringe and the colors you've chosen.

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  43. Nancy, this piece is a WOW! Years ago I bought a print from the artist, James Warhola, nephew of the famous Andy. James' painting shows a Medieval lab fantasy setting with three characters and loads of formula and rune books, beakers, etc. The woman in the picture is much as you describe and her necklace is a simple one that could be the beginning of yours! I'm going to try to take a photo of it - it is quite dark and mysterious - and can hopefully e-mail to you. Your freeform necklace speaks beautifully of your love for beads - congrats on a well done job. Jeanne

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  44. Love the story that goes with the piece and the colors you mixed are absolutely beautiful. You are very creative. Happy beading.

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  45. Beautiful! I enjoyed hearing about the woman in the studio with you. Listen to the beads!

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  46. beautiful Nancy I so love your work xx

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  47. As always a spectacular job ... Congratulations!!!

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  48. You hunted and pecked to perfection!! Everything definitely looks like it belongs and the visual you paint with words is perfect! XX I love absolutely everything about this gorgeous piece of beaded art <3

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  49. Wow, Nancy! Your talent and skill just amaze me. Sucb a beautiful job, and what a wonderful depiction of the woman!

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  50. Love the necklace. Wonderful design, great stones and fringe. You are an artist !!!!

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  51. Oh Nancy! How do you do this? All of your work is drop-dead beautiful and has so much to see! I love the colors and the variety of beads and the shape. In short, all of it. Lovely. I'd love to win your leftover soup!!

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  52. Amazing. You're very talented :)

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  53. Your necklace is absolutely stunning! I love the asymmetrical symmetry of it and the colors are beautiful.

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  54. I am so sorry I was unable to share your generosity with everyone. I love this piece and I can totally see her!

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  55. This is a totally magnificent piece. I just discovered the Facebook group, I don't even know how to comment there, but I am so glad I found your necklace, it is stunning. Very inspiring.

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  56. I think I'm too late for the giveaway, but I had to say "YUMMY"!!! The fringe knocks me out -- I am not nearly patient enough to do all of that, but it's so luscious....

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  57. felicidades por esa pieza tan maravillosa..

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  58. I have been away from my blog to bead for months, and I missed this post of yours. I was so pleased to find it today and read about your beautiful necklace. You have such a beautiful feel for bead soup and for freeform work Nancy. I love your random fringes as well. Just absolutely gorgeous my friend. Sorry to be so tardy in saying so!!!

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  59. WOW! I'm totally in love with this necklace. I'm a new beader soaking in all the amazing talent I see. maybe someday.....

    I’m part of the bead soup party. Looking forward to the reveals. I'm now following you. I have a new blog. Please consider following my jewelry blog. Thanks.
    http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com

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  60. What a gorgeous piece!
    I know I am way late for the giveaway, but just wanted
    to say what an absolutely stunning design.
    And, thank you for visiting as well.

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  61. Nancy, back around the late 1980's or into 1990's I was into jewelry making, even took a class on jewelry repair. If the equipment hadn't been so expensive I would have gone into jewelry repair and later designing and creating my own jewelry (still want to in fact). During that time I collected Lapidary Journal magazines and spent hours looking at all the awesome jewelry of amazing handmade jewelry. This piece you created here is on the level of those I remember seeing in those magazines and others. Girl, you should be proud! It is absolutely gorgeous!

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Thanks so much for leaving me a comment, it means a lot to me! Please don't be upset if I don't have time to respond personally to each comment - but be sure that I read each and every one of them! :)