Thursday, February 26, 2009

Merry-Go-Round


It's Merry-Go-Round time!!!!
This month, we're giving you an insight on how we do our respective crafts...



So I have chosen to show you how I make my 'I Left My Heart in..." necklaces (inspired by our Ruth by the way!!!). All I need is a few tools, a spool of thin wire and a piece of thick wire measuring around 20 cm. I did not know where I was going to 'leave my heart' when I started this necklace, normally I have a colour combo in mind as well as a place, but this one only started with the style of necklace, and the amethyst briolette you see in the first pic.







So I start forming the heart, a little loop at each end with round pliers, and the rest with my fingers. I just eyeball it. A little squiggle, and I start wrapping the heart... Three Madonna tracks later and I have to switch to Vaya Con Dios coz I can't keep up with the rythm!!! :) Madonna's great for cutting jumprings, but it makes me kink wire... Anyway, add the squiggle, 3 silver-coloured beads and the heart's done.





Looking for stones/colour/combo/place/theme, I'm digging deep, and I find a stash of fluorite chips I bought so long ago they could almost pass for vintage... All of a sudden everything comes together: tourmaline/amethyst/fluorite/aquamarine/ + Mythical + Arthur/Lancelot/Guinevere + Forest = BROCELIANDE (A forest in Brittany, which is where I come from, full of Arthurian Legends, Merlin and the Lady of the Lake). All these thoughts came all at once in a big PING-type idea. I have lost control... I'm in a frenzy now and wat to see Broceliande!!!





A few wraps and tweakings later, the pendant is done and the whole necklace is built. Now it's not actually finished, because the fluorite chips are too bulky and need to be wiggled to get through the heart, so I need to tweak again...





A few peridot chips, fluorite and quartz beads later and there you have it "I Left My Heart in Broceliande"... Thanks for visiting :)

Make sure you read all Merry-Go-Rounders posts this weekend!!!Direct links to Ruth, Lily, Sara, Agathe, Charlotte, Mariana and Andreanna's blogs are on your top right hand column!! Happy reading!

11 comments:

Mariana said...

aaah Im so trying this!!! thanks for showing us! i have so much work to do right now (thanksfully) but I want to try it soon...I ĺl show you later.
hey, how's that area of France for vacations?? We want to go to France in July (yes, every other dutch person invades France in that time of the year), and we like camping so we wanted to go somewhere woody... is it too rainy then??

Easterya said...

Thanks Mariana! Brittany's best in summer, so hardly any rain then - unless you're really unlucky... and that would teach you for invading... But I would say: you'll love it!!! Can't wait to see where you'll leave your heart!! If I can help with more photos or anything, just let me know. :)

meherio68 said...

I should think Britanny is your safe option if you are trying to avoid the next "canicule" (scorching summer heat). Verified in 1976 (by me- it was COLD) and in 2003 (by friends of mine who live in Saint-Brieuc) - though I would be curious to see Broceliande.
Going before August 15th is the key, but it will definitely not be like a Buenos Aires summer...

But anyway.
Fabienne I do admire the attention to detail that goes into your gorgeously organic necklace (I wish people realized how much time and care goes into making just the one "little thing"...) and your stones are always so beautifully matched!

Ruth said...

I just always love zooming in on your photos! You write this description as though you just bend and wrap and it's done! Then you look at the fineness and neatness of your work and it's astounding! I can't wrap wire around something twice never mind the countless times you do it.

Beautiful choice of stones for this. Want to look up BROCELIANDE now.

Lily Pang said...

Wow, this is really a simple but beautiful piece. Reading yours makes me feel that you are so easy with your work. It seems so easy to produce a great piece for your, but it is because the skill you build with the years and your artist instinct all put in use perfectly here.

Easterya said...

Thanks girls!!!
And Agathe, you're so right about Brittany being a gamble in summer, and I agree on the 'best before 15/08' too, so be warned Mariana!!

'fancypicnic' said...

Wow. This is SO pretty, it truly is. Shaping the heart...by eye??! So smooth and perfect!
Your pieces always have a certain magic about them - fit for princesses.

Thank you so much for sharing. Your enthusiasm is so infectious! xx

Mariana said...

we are so going to Brittany! We are looking for a nice camping place tonight!
Last year we went to Ardeche and it rained every single freaking day! I want sun and woods and beach and cider and good french food!

Easterya said...

Tall order Mariana: sun, woods, beach, cider, good food, BLIMEY girl, you don't want much!!! :D
Ok, woods, cider, good food, Broceliande's not bad, but the beach isn't close. How about a lake? And as for the sun, don't expect it and it will probably come out... :) I'll look up some places for you, and if you want some help with communications, just ask!! (I bet your French is up to it anyway!).

Andreanna Glamasaurus said...

Wow that is beautiful! And you make it look so easy which I am sure it isn't.

Sara Millis said...

Wow, wow, wow... love your necklace!

I love that your detail is so fine and delicate. Thank you for sharing how you do what you do.

Sara x