ABS May Challenge Submission "Transience"

This month's Art Bead Scene Blog challenge revolves around the floral still life of Dutch Baroque painter Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder.  The painting is a beautiful still life of flowers in a vase sitting on a windowsill.  The painting has rich vibrant colors and interesting textures.  Paintings of that period usually had a religious them and spoke of the transience of life.  In the necklace I designed, I used a collage design, incorporating textures, shapes and colors.  I used a few different types of shells with varying shapes and colors.  I also incorporated a leaf and two keys.  One of the keys has a stamping of the word "Life".  I made the floral focal from a broken piece of china and I also made the green ceramic bead.  In one of the photos I placed the necklace in the shadow of a window frame, drawing from the inspiration of the still life on the windowsill.

A Well Wish for you...........Happy Mother's Day

I enjoy reading famous quotes - So I thought I would share a few of them with you for this upcoming special day.
 

A mother’s love is patient and forgiving 

when all others are forsaking, 

it never fails or falters, 

even though the heart is breaking.  

~Helen Steiner Rice
 
I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. 

Then I want to move in with them. 

~Phyllis Diller
 
A mother is she who can take the place of all others. 

~Cardinal Mermillad
 
There is only one pretty child in the world, 

and every mother has it. 

- Chinese Proverb

 

 

Happy Mother's Day from Purple Fish Studio

 

Spring Cleaning Reveals Forgotten Treasures

As the years go buy, Spring cleaning seems to take longer and longer and I am not sure if it's because I am getting older or I'm accumulating more than a reasonable person should.  I have decided to empty a box or two and try my hand at listing a few treasures on Ebay.  I have never sold on Ebay, imagine that...lol...so we will see how it goes.  I have listed a few lovely teacups from my personal collection.  I have listed the main picture a little differently, and I am not sure how it will fly, but I thought at least it will draw attention to the teacups.  It could work against me as well as I think I read someplace that Ebay items sell better if the picture is simple and detailed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330920504614&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330920528964&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330920407334&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330920436253&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330920450847&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330920467473&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

 

Vintaj Weeping Willow Challenge

Friday was submission day for the Weeping Willow challenge for Vintaj.  In researching for this challenge I wanted to look into folklore and the mythology of the tree - and my goodness, there are so many.  I read that the branches weep and droop, never to rise again, in response to the death of two lovers.  There is also the belief that the devil placed the tree to entice suicide.  The tree was also mentioned as far back in time as the Bible and even prior to that.  The tree has been used medicinally to cure aches and pains.  Whatever one believes about the tree there is certainly a truth in its beauty, with its graceful draping branches and beautiful form.  I love the dome of magical space created between the trunk and the branches reaching towards the earth.

This is the piece I created.  It has a beautiful simple line with the use of the Vintaj hoop.  I then wire wrapped Vintaj willow branches to the sides, added soft green glass, and a vintage crystal rhinestone.  I also added leaves and touches of Vintaj patina.  The piece is designed as a bangle.   Voting is still open for the challenge; there are a lot of beautiful pieces. 

Willow Wisp Bangle - Vintaj Challenge Submission

Art Bead Scene May Challenge -

The Art Bead Scene Blog's Monthly Challenge has to be one of my favorite.  Each month they post an inspiring piece of art.  Since I began following them a few months ago, they have posted beautiful historical paintings, many of which I studied in art history classes.  This month they have posted a beautiful still life painting of flowers by Dutch Baroque painter Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder.  Many of the still life paintings of that time represented a great deal of symbolism.  Flowers often represented the transience of life.  I am not sure which direction I will go in with this piece, but will post my progress.