Please check here for the 'Focusing on Life' challenge
Earlier in January I stumbled upon Tracy's intriguing 'healthy jewelry making challenge': we were to pick a powerful word or phrase and incorporate it in jewelry.
I meant to start working with words for a while - and this seemed the perfect time to do just that!
I wasn't sure what my word should be - but you know how I let words and designs pick me: it's much easier that way :) A few days after signing up, I had an urge to try something: I took a piece of 12 ga copper and flatten it down in a thin band... stamped the word on it, formed it into a ring, soldered it (twice: the first time I didn't pay attention and forgot to flux it... I was frustrated beyond words, the soldering wouldn't work!), buff & shine to perfection (my definition of perfection, anyhow :) )
.JPG "'Hope' wellness ring (copper, metal-smithed) :: All Pretty Things") |
| Hope & bloom :) |
I wanted to make a ring and that meant I had to keep the word short: somehow only hope came to mind. It is something I learned very young: keep up the hope and almost everything becomes possible. It's not that I struggle with keeping the hope up, it's simply that I love the concept of hope and since making the ring I didn't take it off (except at night). I'll have to make myself a silver one, I shine and buff this one weekly and I still have a nice green mark on my finger.
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| The tulip is almost ready to come out :) there is hope for spring! |
It's very irregular - and I love it for that! it is simply mine :)
I wanted to make something else - with my 2013 word ('bloom'). I got my new brass blanks from Lori just Thursday evening and I couldn't finish the earrings, and what's most annoying is the reason: I stamped and shine them nicely, I had tons of fun making the holes too... and I stumbled on adding the beads. It shows I don't work with brass / gold too much. No matter what gemstones I have tried, they didn't look good! If you have any suggestions at all, I would appreciate it - before I do my magic trick and up-down the boxes in the studio :)
Anyhow - here I am with my hope and my bloom: powerful words.
P.S. I managed to show you some of the real blooms on my desk right now too!
Thank you for visiting - please make sure you stop by the other participants and fill your wellness well!
Our host: makebraceletsblog.com
Those are both powerful words. Thanks for sharing this. I will check out the other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteNicole/Beadwright
Both of those are gorgeous. I like the idea of a ring. As for the earrings, I love the blue with them. Dark red might also look good. I know you will find something you like, though.
ReplyDeleteI love your ring and your chosen word of hope. I can see why you wear it all the time! You have inspired me to make one for myself! Hope is one of my top ten words..it's what keeps us going.
ReplyDeleteWasn't this a great challenge? I love your ring - Hope is such a small word with so much power.
ReplyDeleteI love the ring and you have it placed on the flower. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great ring and choice for a word - both are excellent!
ReplyDeleteNice! Pretty ring and earrings! Great word!
ReplyDeletewonderful ring! how great that you've ventured into metals and soldering! that is next for me .. if I get up the nerve. Colors... I agree with Tanya - red, or perhaps yellows like citrine
ReplyDeleteI have the Japanese for "hope" on my right shoulder, always looking out for me.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty...great words!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work Alicia, and I like the way you try new things. Also the way you photographed the Hope on the tulip. Hope is also a word close to my heart. You are surely blooming. Love Dita.
ReplyDeletePS: Alicia, you e mailed me last time I left you a comment. It was so sweet. How do you do this? I need to ask this perhaps via e mail and I have yours as you were my bead soup partner last time. I need to know these little things in blogging, my friend. Stay well. Dita
Hope and Bloom are great words! I love that you tried something new, that proves that there is hope, and shows the growth of bloom. Your picture of the ring on the tip of the tulip is pretty darn awesome! Thank you for sharing!Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ring and cute earrings! And your photography is delightful!
ReplyDeleteThey sure look nice on those rich purple blooms (african violets?) - some fluorite maybe? Or maybe a nice carnelian? Hope is a perennial!
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia. I am so glad you made a ring. That way you will always easily be able to see your word! Hope and bloom are both great selections! I like the contrast of blues/turquoise or pearls with the brass gold tones to finish off your earrings. Thank you so much for participating!
ReplyDeleteTracy
Apologies for being so late to comment, but I do love your choice of words, your ring and sweet earrings and your photos!
ReplyDeleteAlicia, oh I love your ring! It really is the perfect way to wear your guiding word daily, and to be inspired by it when you see it. Hope and Bloom are great words to live by....we all need hope to get us through, and by Bloom, I am inspired to make the most of each day.
ReplyDelete