Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Art Elements Theme of the Month July 2018: Seed Pods


Another fun theme challenge from the team at the Art Elements blog this month!    Jen Cameron has chosen seed pods to inspire us for July.

I immediately thought of some fun components that I got from Anna Bronze at Bead & Button last year.  They have a couple of collections that are nature and spice inspired that were just perfect for this challenge.  Now I had just the excuse I needed to play with some of my little lovelies that have been languishing.  Thanks, Art Elements!!

I'm not entirely sure what the Anna Bronze component that I chose for my necklace is really supposed to be, but it felt pod like to me!  I decided to pair it with a lantern/melon bead from Gaea and some brass bead caps with a chain tassel hanging down for the pendant.  I added links with coordinating Czech glass.  The back is brass chain and the whole thing is long.  This necklace is currently at Unearthed Arts in Waconia.


Next up I played with some star anise seed pods from Anna Bronze.  These little cuties have multiple holes (at the 4 compass points) so it seems a shame that I'm only using one, but I wanted the pods to shine!  I just made some little bead links with some fun little melon beads for a small pop of color.  I feel like the texture of the melons also seems seed pod like.


In addition to the finished pieces that I made, I did make progress on a couple of other pod-related projects.  During Heather Powers' Fairy Garden Headpins class at the Adornments Retreat I ended up with a couple of headpins with a pod-like feel.  One of the items I used for mold making was some sort of flower bud, I'm not sure what the other little guy really was, but I liked the impression it made!  They don't look like much in this photo especially since I haven't painted them yet, but I think they're going to be cool once I get them finished!


When I got back from the retreat, I went looking in the garden and yard for other items to make molds of... one of the things that I found were milkweed pods.  I've really never seen milkweed up close enough to observe it's life cycle before.  When I left for the retreat the plants still had some flowers on them but by the time I returned it was all about the pods!  I haven't gotten out the polymer clay yet, but I did make what I think will be a great set of molds.  I can't wait to use them!


Thanks for stopping by!  This is a blog hop so check out what everyone else was inspired to create!

Guest Artists:
Sarajo - You are here!
Art Elements Team: 

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19 comments:

  1. Raven the YarntisanJuly 31, 2018 at 6:25 AM

    I love the look of star anise! Those earrings are great. Lovely work

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  2. bairozanJuly 31, 2018 at 7:12 AM

    The necklace is so pretty, this bronze element is definitely some kind of a pod and it looks great with the turquoise melon bead:) I love the earrings with the star anise, these charms are so cool and realistic! Good for you for working on items from the retreat, it would be a waste not to finish them :)

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  3. JillJuly 31, 2018 at 7:13 AM

    Love the necklace and the star anise earrings are lovely

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  4. SueBeadsJuly 31, 2018 at 7:31 AM

    Beautiful jewelry, Sarajo, love the star anise earrings! I'll watch for the finished headpins!

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  5. CatJuly 31, 2018 at 7:36 AM

    Wonderful how you brought those different components together and you are right, those milkweed pod molds look as if they will be great, too!

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  6. Jennifer CameronJuly 31, 2018 at 8:46 AM

    I bet that was a really fun retreat! And you get to make your own original molds too. Very cool. I ADORE those star anise beads. They are beautiful and are perfect in those earrings. Thank you for participating again this month! Hope to see you again for next month's challenge!

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  7. baymoondesignJuly 31, 2018 at 10:26 AM

    I love your necklace. The colors and design are awesome.

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  8. SaraccinoJuly 31, 2018 at 11:53 AM

    I love the necklace and the earrings! I would wear both in a second! Colours and shapes are wonderfully balanced and I always am in for an organic and even little bit tribal vibe! :)

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  9. Tammy AdamsJuly 31, 2018 at 3:20 PM

    You used those components beautifully in your jewelry designs. They really shine as the focals. Your pod pins look fun and I hope too see your milkweed components when you get around to making them.

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  10. Cathy Spivey MendolaAugust 1, 2018 at 5:14 AM

    I love your necklace! Very pod like & beautifully designed. I would probably wear those star anise earrings everyday! Love those headline you created too. Can’t wait to see what you come up with using those molds. I really need to try mold making sometime.

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  11. AnitaAugust 1, 2018 at 7:23 AM

    Lovely components, and beautiful jewelry! I like your decision to let the star anise components shine by not overwhelming them.

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  12. JennyAugust 1, 2018 at 8:57 AM

    1. I need to save up for Anna Bronze shopping at BF. Star anise? Gorgeous. I like that you let them shine!
    2. Isnt making molds addicting?
    3. I love your necklaces - the Gaea bead is podlike too!

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  13. niky sayersAugust 1, 2018 at 1:29 PM

    What lovely designs you created I really like the star anise and can't wait to see what your moulds turn out like!

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  14. Lesley WattAugust 1, 2018 at 2:29 PM

    `Great designs - love the necklace.

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  15. Chic Chix and ChampagneAugust 1, 2018 at 3:08 PM

    Both of your inspired creations are a success! The star anise is super original. Definitely want to see your headpins and molded items once finished.
    Alysen

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  16. Divya NAugust 2, 2018 at 10:52 AM

    waiting to see how your moulds and pins turn out

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  17. CraftyHopeAugust 2, 2018 at 6:47 PM

    I love all your projects in this post! That necklace is my favorite, but the earrings are fab too. And, I can't wait to see what comes of your headpins and mold. I bet they'll be fabulous too!!

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  18. CarolineAugust 7, 2018 at 12:50 AM

    Gorgeous work, especially the star anise earrings... they're fun. Look forward to seeing more pod inspired work.

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  19. Dry GulchSeptember 23, 2018 at 9:31 AM

    Loving those bronze creations!

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