Saturday, January 26, 2013

Focusing on Life 52 Photos Week Four - Create


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It's week four of Sally's Focusing on Life 52 Photos.  This week we were challenged to create something. I make jewelry, but I thought that would be too easy since this is a challenge.  So what to make?  At lunch I was reading an old issue of Victoria Magazine and came across a feature on Sharyn Sowell who made cut paper silhouettes, and I just had to try my hand at this intricate form of art.

I got my inspiration from a greeting card, drew it on a sheet of art paper, cut it out and attached to to a black background.  I have to say it was very difficult to cut those tiny parts out at the bottom.  Of course I didn't have sharp scissors, and my fingers got sore very quickly. Possibly the old 'practice makes perfect' would apply here, but I think I'll pass on this form of art.

Since time was running out I cried Uncle, threw in the towel and made a piece of jewelry.


I love to see the bright green tips of plants poking out of the ground, signaling springs eminent arrival. This necklace was made with a gorgeous asparagus pendant from Mary Harding, pretty Czech beads from    Arte Bella Surplus, and Vintaj chain and components.

'Ushering In Spring'




 
Thanks for visiting.  Please check Sally's Blog to see what everyone else created.

30 comments:

Mary Harding said...

I always love reading your blog Alice and maybe you can imagine my surprise when I saw the gorgeous necklace you created using my Asparagus pendant. Wow!! You have given it such a perfect context and meaning. I am blown away!! Thanks so much for honoring my favorite garden veggie. Actually all my veggies in the garden are my favorites but asparagus is extra special to me.

lynsey said...

Lovely, Lovely necklace, and I really like your paper art so pretty

Juli Cannon said...

Woah, I'm duly impressed with your cutting skills. The tiny sections couldn't have been easy. Well done!

Beautiful necklace as well. <3

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

Oh, that paper art looks like fun! I think your first attempt would look awesome in a picture frame and slapped on a wall! But your necklace with all of those beautiful elements - it really is breathtaking!

Shel said...

Oh, too funny! I love that you told us you threw in the towel and the scissors and created jewelry!! Although, at least you tried to do another form of art and that's huge in my book (and your piece looks really good from what I can see!!) The necklace is awesome, you've made Mary's pendant really shine for sure!!

Meeling said...

I adore that necklace!! It just sings of Spring!

(I'm #41 this week)

AntiquityTravelers said...

Good on you for giving the cut art a try! I'm afraid I'd be clipping right through stems and stuff! Lovely necklace and what a gorgeous pendant - LOVE that

Courtney Breul said...

I had to chuckle, so many of my projects don't always turn out as I envision in my mind. :) Your necklace is so wonderful! Bright and cheerful.

Karen Williams said...

Kudos to you to trying the paper cutting! Your flowers turned out better than you think. :)

And your necklace is lovely. This time of year, we really are all thinking of spring, aren't we?

A Polymer Penchant said...

"Asperagus, asperagus, put it on your table. Asperagus, asperagus, only if you're able" possibly the lamest song ever - I think it was from that show ALF when I was a kid. Anyway, became a family joke and now I can't see Asperagus without singing it. lol it's a beautiful necklace that's got me giggling at myself here in the quiet. thanks Alice!

Unknown said...

I can see why you were inspired by paper art. What you did is lovely! Oh to think of spring arriving.....what a hopeful and beautiful necklace.

Pearl and Pebble said...

I have a pile of towels on the floor if it's any consolation! I too am intrigued with stencils but have never tried my hand at it. Good thing it didn't work this time for you because your necklace is gorgeous! I love Mary's work and this pendant is just lovely.

Beti Horvath said...

Don't know how hard that was to cut, but it looks worth it from here. I here they us sharp pointy embroidery scissors for that work. The necklace is fantastic. Spring!!!

Alicia said...

If you enjoy the silhouettes craft - I would suggest to get yourself a paper cutting mat and a paper cutter, the one that looks like a pen with a blade (sorry, I really don't know the name) - those will help a lot with the intricate designs and small areas :)

I love the silhouette a lot! I hope you continue and share :)

The necklace is beautiful too.

Mary Lamoray said...

LOVE!!! that necklace!! I like your paper cutting... I know how you feel though...I have tried this in the past and it's just not in me. I absolutely love the craft and have lots of them from my ATC trades... But I have to throw in the towel too on that one! :)))

Mary K. McGraw said...

I think your cut out card came out really well. I know how hard it is to cut out in tight space. Really like your necklace also.

Cyndi J said...

Well, you tried something new and found out it wasn't for you. You wouldn't have known that if you hadn't given it a shot. Your fallback position of a necklace was well worth it. It is fantastic!

Tanya said...

I think your card is lovely. I would not have guessed it was a first try. Definitely get a sharper scissors and try again!

I know how you feel, though. Most of my projects that sound so great in my head don't work like I thought they would and it is so easy to just throw in the scissors, so to speak.

Your necklace is beautiful and also a wonderful work of art.

Annette said...

I've always wanted to try the paper cutting too. I know it's not as easy as it looks like it would be, but it's great that you tried something new! The necklace is just stunning!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Alice,
I would give up the tiny sharp scissors and paper to make a beautiful necklace any day too.
I love Mary's bead it make a nice focal piece to the necklace.
Therese

Becky Pancake said...

Good job for trying something new and showing us the result even if it's not what you expected. Your necklace is appropriately named. I'm not seeing spring yet. It's been below zero all week. You necklace sure makes me dream about spring though.

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

The cut paper silhouette that you made is really beautiful-what a work of art! Sorry to hear that the unsharp scissors cut the task short. Although, it looks finished to me! The necklace that you created is equally as beautiful.

Lola said...

I love that tried you something new even though you may not have gotten the results you wanted. Personally, I think both the silhouette art and your necklace are beautiful!

Anindita Basu said...

Beautiful necklace Alicia. I love the swallow - rejoicing for spring and kind of inviting - come fly with me ...and the asparagus pendant...The color combination is great.

And oh yes, that paper cutting thing..I think you did pretty good. Got to check it out I feel. Never done it. Thanks for the tip of that pen blade.

It's a sunny day here in Walnut Creek, CA . Dita.

Lori P said...

Are you kidding me? That paper cutout is amazing! I love it. And, of course, I'm loving your necklace as well. Beautiful work on both projects.

Bobbie said...

The furthest I ever got with paper cutting was to make paper snowflakes -- your silhouette is so much better! And I absolutely adore the asparagus pendant!

LoriF said...

Oh Alice, I LOVE that card! Just the way it is, I think it's just beautiful...as is your necklace. You are all so talented!

CraftyHope said...

I think your silhouette is pretty darn cool. I bet those pieces inside the stems was super hard.
Your necklace is really beautiful. I absolutely see what you mean about the little sprigs poking out of the ground. Your necklace personifies that so well.

Bits of Learning said...

Alice, the necklace use created is beautiful! Very fresh and I LOVE green! As for the cut out silhouette, WOW!!!! It's fantastic! My fingers ache just looking at all that cutting!

Anonymous said...

You did great...I love the cutout design. Your necklace is perfect too!