I love all things raptors, so I was super excited when ? announced that the February Art Elements Theme of the Month was raptors. As I started digging through my art bead stash, I discovered that there was a shocking lack of biodiversity in my raptor bead collection. In fact, I only had owls... but what a lot of owls I had to choose from! Dare I say that I have a parliament of owls??
My initial idea was to use just a bit of some of my favorite leafy chain at the front of a necklace with an owl pendant centered on that length. I eventually settled on a little grey-blue owlie from Gaea that I got from her a while back in a destash bundle. The loop on the top just sat the best with the leaves on the chain without getting lost. Playing on the colors of the pendant, I chose some Amazonite and plated druzy beads.
Next up, I just had to do something with one of my friend Erin Prais-Hintz's sweet polymer clay owls. This one is called Minerva. There are a few different shapes and colors of plated druzy beads in this one to go with her metallic finishes. I also mixed in some Czech glass beads and plated hematite (boy, do I wish I'd grabbed a few more strands of that since I've pretty much used them all.) I love the overall neutral look of this one but the druzies give it a bit of pizazz!
As I looked at this fun multicolored owl face pendant and rounds set that I bought from Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio, I knew that I wanted to play with the glaze colors and use some colored leather. Leather means I needed large holed beads... luckily, I had some faceted Amazonite beads and some wooden saucers that worked nicely. I also grabbed a few vintage Miriam Haskell Japanese glass beads that I bought from Allegory Gallery a month or so ago. I finished the back off with brass chain. I thought the leafy bead and filigree shape added to the woodland feel of this piece.
Last but not least, another necklace featuring one of Michelle's pendants. I just love the glazing on this little guy and it was fun pulling beads to go with it! I wrapped a little bit of copper Parawire around the loop on the pendant. I was apparently in a stringing mood and pulled together a bunch of Czech glass that I separated with some copper colored seed beads.
Thanks for stopping by! This is a blog hop... check out what everyone else was inspired to make this month!
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Wow SaraJo! You have an impressive collection of owls, I just love them! And all of your necklaces are wonderful, it would be hard for me to pick a favorite!
ReplyDeleteYou have a great collection of owl beads! Your necklaces are all great! Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou really do have a parliament of owls! What a collection. You picked some great owl pendants to make your necklaces and the selection of beads complement each one perfectly.
ReplyDeleteSo much cuteness! You definitely have a parliament of owls. :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection! Had to pick a favourite although the first one is definitely my colours.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great to have the stash to make wonderful pieces like these?
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy and beautiful crowd of owls in those necklaces.
What a fabulous collection of owls. I love what you did with them, especially the first leafy piece.
ReplyDeleteWonderful necklace designs! They are all perfect pairings of the art beads with the neckline and very wearable works of art. The colors in the Minerva necklace make it especially perfect as an everyday piece that could go with so many colors.
ReplyDeleteOh, gracious, you absolutely have an amazing assortment of owls. I'm still surprised I didn't even have one. And, each and every one of your necklaces is a stunner. They each are perfectly paired with a chain that matches their personality. Wonderfully done!
ReplyDeleteLooks like both you and I have a parliament of owls and I had to chuckle when you said you didn't have any biodiversity!Everyone of your necklaces are stunning. I love the leaf dangle on the last one.
ReplyDeleteAll of your pieces are equally enchanting! I've often wondered how to use the leafy chain & you've done it tastefully. Alysen
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful collection of owl beads! It must have been hard to chose which ones to use... and "break up" the parliament! But the results were so worth it! The necklaces are so different and unique, all fitting the owl pendant in their own way! Really, really wonderful work! Also in the first necklace: The tiny leaves are such a cool element! They give the impressions of a bunch of feathers, just love it! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pieces of wearable art. You have a wonderful knack of pulling together colours. The first necklace with all those leaves is a really stunning piece.
ReplyDeleteI love the different kinds of owl beads you own! And I love what you did with them - your selections of colors and components to go with the owls is just perfect. I can imagine many, many more wonderful creations originating from this particular stash.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection of owls you had to play with! Your designs are beautiful I love how well you use the beads to enhance the focal! That first one has to be my favourite, I just love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that you've got so many owls and that you were able to come up with so many beautiful designs to incorporate them into your work! I love your design sense :)
ReplyDeleteSarajo - what a wonderful collection of owls! I love what you have done... but anything with ammonite will always get me... Glad you could join us! Sorry i was a bit late to the hop!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful jealousy worth collection of owls! Love each of the necklaces, colors and beads used!
ReplyDelete