As part of my quest to work with patterns and colors that are inspired by Native American beadwork, I am also looking at bringing in items found in nature. Luckily for me, my friend Christine is slightly obsessed with hunting rocks. And she is kind enough to share them with friends. This one is from the shores of of the Susquehanna River in Tunkhannock, PA. She pointed out that it looks like the African continent, and I totally agree with her there. Isn't it cool?! She did a slight embellishment with paint, and then drilled a hole. Absolutely perfect for beading!
I started this necklace before the earrings, which I posted yesterday. The set is inspired by the colors she painted on the rock. I used the same diamond shape in both the earrings and the bale at the top of the rock. I also used leather to complete the necklace.
I did look up the significance of using a diamond in the pattern and found that it represents time and space as complimentary elements. It is like the partnership between night and day with the center point representing dawn. Dawn marking an awakening to new understandings. I do love the poetry of the old meanings. The simplicity and the honesty still work today.
Wow.. Learn something everyday.. Nice work, Cynthia...
ReplyDeleteO my, you've really caught that tribal, native American look. Gorgeous beadwork! I can just imagine this alone on a white strapless dress!
ReplyDeleteHi:
ReplyDeleteThe necklace is also very interesting,with the natural shape piece of rock.It compliments the earrings perfectly.
Warm Greetings-Halinka-
The shape of the rock is so cool! And the paint is a great finishing touch. Your finished pieces are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI like your Native American pieces. Using this drilled rock is a stroke of genius--it looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteLoving this set - beautifully done
ReplyDeleteSuch cool info - thanks for sharing. And you necklace (in addition to the earrings from yesterday) is Fabulous! Really great work.
ReplyDeleteLove hunting for rocks! My kind of thing ;o) Your necklace is stunning!
ReplyDeleteMy friend, I just read you comment! Bless your heart! That is kind of you! Your work is amazing and I am greatly touched ;o)
ReplyDeletewonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that your friend shared the rock she found! very cool!
Having had the opportunity to see and touch these finished pieces yesterday, I was really in awe of how easily you incorporated the rock into your design. The color of the rock itself is such a nice red clay color and your seed bead color choices were genius for this...keeping it incredibly interesting but not busy. The symbolism of the diamond pattern is so poetic <3
ReplyDeleteThat rock is Africa shaped! Very cool for your design. I never thought about the diamond shape's symbolism before. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery nice set, that rock does look like Africa!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful set!
ReplyDeleteYour necklace and earrings are beautiful Cynthia.
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