Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Sanctuary, Sanctuary

Sounded like an angel singing somewhere
Sounded like an angel singing
'Sanctuary, sanctuary...let me be your
Sanctuary, sanctuary...
When you cannot find the light
Of your own shining star
I will help you to remember
Who you truly are...'

--'Sanctuary', Joshua Kadison


Listening to Joshua Kadison's 'Venice Beach Sessions' in a somewhat contemplative mood after a few weeks of creative block resulted in this piece, inspired by his beautiful song 'Sanctuary'. That and I'd wanted to try the very interesting wrapped pod pendant I'd seen on Deryn Mentock's challenge piece - I don't have the book but I thought it might be worth a try, and it was!


Sanctuary: 18ga and 22ga copper wire, 20ga silver-plated wire, felt, glass and acrylic seed beads, vintage faux bronze pearls, vintage gold beads, foil glass twist beads, brass bead caps, gauze ribbon, bugle beads, Swarovski black pearls, mixed metal findings, Czech fire polish crystals, faux green pearl, vintage crystal chaton montee.



I wrapped the pod out of felt after a few trial and errors, filled it with some beautiful green Czech fire polish crystals, a faux pearl and a spacer. It came together very nicely after some skirmish with the wire, and I added a sprinkling of red seed beads for colour. It reminded me of being wrapped up and safe. I added a crystal dangle to see if it would look better, and I think it did.



I chose a rather earthy palette for the beads - somehow, Sanctuary brought up images of peaceful oceans and sky, so I used colours that I thought might reflect that. I sprinkled it through with a few vintage golden seed beads too, like sunlight.



For some contrast to the strung beads and to soften the necklace profile somewhat, I added a length of ruched gauze ribbon gathered with a series of seed beads. Couldn't resist putting in a tiny little vintage chaton montee dangle at the edge of the connector, just for colour!

I might add a little tag with 'Sanctuary' on it, but I'll wait for my font printouts tonight before I do that. All in all, I'm pleased with this! I do need to find a model to wear it so I can photograph it on a stand...hmmm, I need to start looking around for a mannequin at this rate unless I can find some other creative ideas to photograph necklaces.

Addendum:
...And I wound up photographing myself wearing Sanctuary, just to give an idea of how it falls. Not the greatest shot in the world, but it will do for now. The entire necklace measures approximately 16.5" from top to dangle.

6 comments:

Kenny Mah said...

I think it'd be very interesting one day just to see you in action, crafting one of your beautiful pieces on the spot.

Art in motion, as it were. :)

Alessandra Sorrentino said...

Yeah a step by step would be lovely to watch!
This is a really cool necklace. What a talented gal you are shuku :)

Swati said...

Shuku, I love this...it is so different from the usual style of work or technique. Wonderful!

Shuku said...

Kenny: Hey, that can be arranged over Hari Raya if you want. :) I'll just port my stuff over somewhere!

Ale: Thanks Ale! I've been asked to do that actually, but I haven't got a photographer on hand, and the way I work is embarrassing at times. 'Where are my PLIERS...I had th-- oh. I'm sitting on them.' Etc. :P Your pretty gatto would love to play with my beads I'm sure...

Swati: Thank you! I'm glad you like it, I was happy with it too when I got done finally. Took long enough!

Snickering Corpses said...

The wrapped pod is really very fascinating. Well done. It has a certain intricacy and delicacy while being rather simple and unpretentious. Which description makes no sense together but seems fitting all the same.

Mei Tan said...

Hi Shuku, I see Deryn here :) Anyway, I am passing you the "One Lovely Blog Award" - its at my blog here - http://wireblissmei.blogspot.com/2009/10/long-overdue-blog-awards.html