I will fully admit to struggling with my beadwork for the last 6 months or more. It's a combination of being overworked, overwhelmed, and just plain ready for a change of season! That being said, I'm incredibly thankful for our team over at the Art Elements blog for keeping me going every month, with at least one creative commitment. I try my hardest to participate every month, especially when my team mates are so kind to send me lovely components to work with.
Jenny's crusty battered polymer clay hearts are no exception! I think many of us creatives share a similar, hmmm, dare I say, revulsion? for the typical seasonal holiday themes. For sure, I find most of the seasonal store displays in February uninspired and trite. Hearts are not something I usually incorporate into my work without a specific request. I don't buy them, use them, or enjoy looking at them...but when I saw Jenny's take on a wounded and repaired heart, I couldn't say no! I mean, look at them!
I requested one of the dark burgandy ones, and when I started looking through my stash, I knew I wanted to incorporate some more brass to bring out the gold leaf and brass wires, along with doing some geometric beading to contrast with the organic nature of the hearts. I found these strange brass Greek theatrical wall mask miniatures while on a trip with a friend in rural Iowa...and everything just fell into place.
I wish I could tell you I had some kind of grand concept or plan. I can't though, it would be a lie. I just picked things that I felt worked together, and I'm really pleased with the results! I have a collection of masks and art "taxidermy" on my living room walls, and this piece will fit right in.
As the hanger is at the top of this mask, I had to use the mouth to suspend the beadwork and heart from. Using some 20g antique brass colored copper craft wire, I coiled the wire around the mouth and chin (messily!). I worked with short sections to avoid kinks, so when I was almost satisfied with the look, I cut a longer piece and folded it in half. To suspend the beadwork, I threaded the wire directly through one of the beads, allowing it to settle in the middle of the "U". Then I wrapped the 2 tails around and wove them into the back side of all the other wires for stability.
When it came to choosing beads, I dug around for something to combine the burgundy, brass, black and green of the patina on the mask, and combined textures so both the shine from the mask and satiny finish of the heart would be represented as well. I added six small Czech spikes to the outside for that sharper, geometric look. I also like that the slight metallic haze on the clear glass draws a little more focus to an element that might otherwise disappear into the background...
Since I had asked Jenny for a pendant, the wire on the heart was already included. I was able to rotate the loop so it faced sideways, and attached it to the beadwork in the section opposite the mask.
All things considered, I am quite pleased with the results! I hope you will hop along and check out what everyone else has made this month with Jenny's lovely crusty hearts. I'm off to do just that!
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