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Thursday 24 March 2011

Necklace Tahiti - ABS Challenge March

Art Bead Scene's inspiration piece for the March challenge is a colourful painting by Paul Gaugain, which he painted on Tahiti where he lived for many years. It is the colours that really struck me with this piece. They are so bright and ... well ... yes colourful. Everything in the picture is just bathing in strong sunlight. There is a calm and relaxing atmosphere also which I wanted to capture.
I was looking through my bead stash for suitable pieces and found this beautiful porcelain flower pendant by Tracee Dock of ClassicBeads and ClassicElements. And please look closely at the close-up picture further down at the absolutely gorgeous use of glaze. That is a master at work who has done that. Multi-dimensional perfection. Yes, the pink, the green and the yellow was colours I lusted for. Perfect! And the honeysuckle pink coral rondelle beads I bought almost two years ago, when I had just started to buy bead from Etsy. Listen, I have a secret to reveal. I have a weakness for pink. I have many many many many pink beads. But I do find it is kind of hard to use them though, without creating a too sweet piece. Musn't be too sweet I think.
Ivory seed beads I have had for about 25 years are strung on 2 strands of Superlon cord and in between the coral beads. The beaded toggle ring I made myself a couple of weeks ago whilst learning to do beaded rings. Turned out nice I think with the two colours of the seed beads. What a lucky coincidence it happened to fit so perfectly in this piece. I made a beaded toggle bar also, but I wasn't pleased with how it looked in this piece, so I decided to give it a try to make my first own handmade hammered brass wire toggle bar instead. That and the Superlon cord which I wrapped many laps around at the attachment points adds just an enough bit of a more rustic feeling to the sweet I think.
And here is the beautiful painting by Gaugain.
Go to ArtBeadScene's flickr group page to see more contributions for this challenge.

24 comments:

Doreen said...

I think this turned out really lovely! I especially like it with the white blouse. Great job! Where did you get the pattern for the beaded ring? I would love to make some of those.

Anonymous said...

Mycket snyggt, gillar dina associationer och tankegångar

Lisa Godfrey said...

I love this necklace! I have to admit, I have a weakness for pink too but I agree, you have to be careful or it could end up looking like it's for a little girl. You did a beautiful job and I would wear that necklace all the time! That pendant is gorgeous!

SueBeads said...

Very nice necklace, Malin!

Pretty Things said...

OMG Malin, I LOVE it! I would wear the HECK out of that, all the time. I have so many things it would go with.

Third Eye Gypsy said...

This is beautiful, Malin :) It really does have a nice free spirited island feel. Love it with the shirt.

Sally Anderson said...

This is gorgeous, Malin! I love it. And would really love to know how you did the rings. Is there a pattern somewhere? Thanks!
Sally

Barbara Lewis said...

Did I hear you say we were going to Tahiti?!!! Let me shut down the computer and pack! This is a darling necklace ... so soft and beautiful. I just love everything about it. The bead toggle ring is a gorgeous closure to a fine piece!

Christina said...

Malin, it is just lovely!

Angel Whisperer said...

Just one word:
PERFECT !

Malin de Koning said...

Oh my, thank you for all nice comments! The beaded ring was in a magazine, let me get back on which one. Basically make the inner ring first, 4 rows of peyote with size 11 beads. Then do 3 rows on each side of that with a larger bead, I think these are 8/0. It will start to curl outwords kind of. Zip up the edges. You have to experiment with your bead sizes. I made another ring where I chose too small outside beads, didn't turn out perfect. It kind of got a bit wobbly. This only showed at the very end of the zipping up. Also try cylinder beads for the outside. I haven't done that myself, but that's what the instruction said.

Rebecca said...

Malin, this is gorgeous! I love everything - the beaded ring, the pendant, especially the addition of that cute wee leaf. You've done an amazing job and I (not really a very pink person!) would wear this all the time as well. Brilliant!

steufel said...

Stunning! Great interpreation, Malin!

Marian Hertzog said...

This is very pretty! I think the pink is perfect and you have pulled out the softer colors which also feels serene... great job! I love that you used beads that have just been waiting for this moment! It is important to have a great stash to choose from!

MiddleEarthsJewels said...

Lovely and fresh..warm and earthy at the same time. So enjoyed your post..the beaded ring is perfect..have to try that. The honeysuckle pink is such a wonderful color..currently one of my favs, too. Oh, I and crave czech beads,as well!
Thanks for the kind words on my blog..:)

Anonymous said...

Yum! Love every part of it!

Linda Landig said...

This is a gorgeous interpretation of the painting. It's sweet without being silly. Love the pendant! Your handmade toggle is the perfect finishing touch--congrats on doing such a good job with new techniques!

Doreen said...

Thank you, Malin, for the info on the ring. I think it adds such a nice touch to the necklace.

Lucid Moon Studio said...

I love this necklace, and I wouldn't even consider myself a "pink" person! It looks so tropical and fresh. I love all the elements - the cording, seed beads, leaf accent, colors, toggle - it's all great. I would definitely wear this ALL the time! Great job!!

Heidi Post said...

Malin, that is a fantastic piece! I love the way you used the cord with the seed beads in between like that - very cool effect. And you're right, that pendant is quite a lovely piece. Congrats on your toggle bar - it looks like you did a perfect job. And I like the little green leaf off to the side. Yay!

TesoriTrovati said...

Loving this! I love the mix of textures and colors. They harmonize so well. That beaded ring is fantastic. I was going to ask where you got it! Suits this painting so well. I need to find a time to create something myself for this one.
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Jenni said...

That's a really pretty necklace, Malin. A very tropical look focal and your toggle adds a really creative touch to it all. Can't believe you had the ivory seed beads for 25 years!
I love the additionof the leaf to the side, gorgeous.
Jenni

Malin de Koning said...

I found the magazine. It's Bead Unique, issue #27, winter 2011. So hopefully you could still buy it. Page 36. Otherwise drop me a line and I'll send you my own version. Coz you didn't believe I followed the tutorial to the letter, did you. ;-)

Eleanor Snare said...

What a fantastic interpretation of the necklace :) Your blog and some of the shops you recommend has inspired me to start purchasing more interesting, art beads - and I recently bought some of those turquoise leaves from Two Scoops that you've used in your necklace!

I haven't entered the ABS challenge this month but hopefully will do so next month: great entries!