Not exactly sure why, but I've been feeling like painting lately. My youngest just got a great new set of watercolors, and so she and I have been playing around with colors.
This is a second in a series I've been working on called 'Water Life.' The first was an iconic bridge in the Portland area, and this is a landmark shipwreck on the coast of Oregon called the Peter Iredale. The ship ran aground in 1906 and its rusting hull is still standing out in the surf creating one of the more iconic views that I know.
This is near Astoria, which is where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. At what is called the 'mouth of the river' it is 4 miles wide, which makes for an enormous body of water crashing into the sea. It causes one of the worse bars (the Columbia Bar) to cross in the world. A bar creates large standing waves that make it incredibly rough to cross. I have crossed the Columbia Bar once in my life, and I can tell you it was a calm day, and I'll never do it again.
I was trying to figure out just exactly how my theme for this month was going to come together for Alicia's challenge of 'seasons.' Then it hit me. The beautiful rose quartz that Alicia gifted me would be absolutely perfect for that Downton Abbey look, which I also know that Alicia has a fondness for all things Lady Mary. Truth be told, I just might have a slight fondness for Mathew.
I decided to create a piece that I thought would fit into Lady Mary's wardrobe. What fun would it be to see her wear this! I love the designs of this era, and think it is fantastic to see how the show is influencing styles today... it is the return of elegance in my opinion.
The rose quartz cabochon is framed with black agate. The rest of the necklace uses rose quartz rounds, black agate, midnight sandstone and large onyx rondelles. It is a simple pattern, but I was looking for a statement piece that Mary might wear. Sometimes I love the drama of matching light and dark stones, and the pink in this feels so romantic to me.
I had to also include a mood board to show you the many sides to Lady Mary through the seasons of Downton Abbey. This one is for you Alicia - enjoy! Now to see what the rest of the seven artist's created please visit: Alicia (our host), Christine, Emma, Monique, Sally and Therese.
Belly dancing has a long history, but one that seems a bit fuzzy when trying to figure out exactly when it originated or by what culture. It can be found throughout the Middle East, but also ancient Roman and Greek cultures. It has both a folk, or social significance as well as a deep history in performance art.
What ever its origins, I love the color and movement of the jewelry and costume. I love the rhythmic sound to the dance and the musical beat the dancer makes with the sway of the costume. I've seen this type of dance performed live several times, and usually just stare in wonderment as to how they dance that way. It truly is such an art.
You'll find these pictures for my mood board, and several other inspirational pictures on my 'Dance' Pinterest board. Gotta love Pinterest for grouping, organizing and inspiring thought as I work through designs.
Last week I showed you a bracelet that had the same colors and brick-beaded triangles. But in this one I switched up the design to give this piece a whole new feel. By adding chain and briolette drops (lemon quartz) I get a Middle Eastern vibe to this pattern. I also wanted to echo the triangle pattern in the bead work that runs along the choker in the overall design through a netting of chain. This was a fun piece to make, and fun to wear to add a little excitement to an outfit.
