thank you for stopping by to help erin siegel and lorelei eurto celebrate the launch of their new book 'bohemian-inspired jewelry'! the common thread that runs through the projects is just that - the use of fibers... and i was honored to be asked to contribute 3 pieces...
remember summers filled with friendship bracelets & macrame knots? well, summer's back and and so are the fibers... only now they have grown up to inspire your more sophisticated taste... i had been using fibers in my work, but the invitation pushed me to try new things... one of those is waxed irish linen thread... it is perfect for knotting and comes in various ply and really wonderful colors...
asymmetrical designs are my personal preference - leather on one side, waxed irish linen on the other... for me, fibers are a beautiful balance to the strength of metal...
unfolding
it is interesting to look back over a year ago and see what i was designing for the book, then see what has stuck and how it evolved...
here i have used silk straw, irish waxed linen thread and cotton cording...
i encourage you to pick up the book, try some of the gorgeous projects and see how the techniques allow you to add depth to the way you are currently working... i think that is really the beauty of a good book - when the inspiration of the projects and the technical information are balanced... another nice thing is that fibers are rarely expensive... you can get smaller lengths from the great sellers you will find listed in the back...
the pendant i designed for 'beyond the moon and stars' is available in my etsy shop, complete with the wire links i thought created a great flow with the fibers... it has been made with a special font to commemorate this exciting event -
thank you so much for stopping by - if you haven't been to the kick off post at beadingdaily.com, i encourage you to go there... you will find a great giveaway (involving a polyvore challenge) along with links to the authors and contributors plus some fantastic designers!
you can find the book here and here
the ebook here
and the blog lorelei and erin set up for the project here
you can find the book here and here
the ebook here
and the blog lorelei and erin set up for the project here
HI Maire! Great post today, thank you so much for participating in the blog event and being a super contributor to our book! I hope that the other projects continue to inspire you throughout the season. Enjoy the blog hop today!
ReplyDeleteLove your projects and the book is gorgeous...it drew me back into beads again...and I am using some of the the techniques with wire...can't wait to see where that goes!
ReplyDeleteLove your pieces, Marie! There's so much interest to them. The book looks great too!
ReplyDeleteoooh! i just love love love that new font you are using. it feels so authentically maire to me! and your projects are truly some of the most inspired. that necklace is really amazing to me. the handcrafted goodness just shines. and i have been enjoying making my own take on these projects and will save yours until i have more time to play. so happy for you to be a part of this! enjoy the day.
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What a great earring idea for the crescents! I was so excited to see what you contributed to this book as you have been infusing your designs with fibers and linen for some time now and I love that about your work.
ReplyDeleteThis book did not disappoint and I hope to expand my own skills practicing your techniques.
Warm & Fuzzies,
Shan
LOVE LOVE LOVE your pieces in the book! Especially the pendant--you are right, fibers are such a perfect foil for metal, and you use them so well. The earrings you created are helping me get up my courage to use more fibers in my earrings too, they feel so botanical to me! Like little magical radishes or something, with little gems hanging off their roots. I love how you wrapped that section of leather with the cording in the bracelet too--now I want to try that too! I love the waxed linen against the leather--I have a pile of Irish waxed linen in various colors I haven't used yet (from White Clover Kiln on Etsy)--this gives me so many more options!
ReplyDeletewe are star stuff... thanks for the reminder. as usual, amazingly beautiful "stuff". =)
ReplyDeleteI just adore your use of fibers in all your work! The necklace you designed is gorgeous and seems to describe you in a moment of time. I always love to see where you spin off to next while weaving all your threads together. xoxo beth
ReplyDeleteYour work is so beautiful and unique. I love the lily piece in the book. It's fun to see how your work has progressed.
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are just gorgeous! I love the 'we are star stuff' pendant. Congratulations on your contribution to this wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work MJ! Can't wait to get my copy of the book.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the publication of your beautiful designs! I especially love the star stuff necklace, it's sublime!
ReplyDeleteI think I don't have to tell you how much I love your work - your use of fiber always surprises me - done in ways that I never would think of... and always beautiful, delicate, strong.
ReplyDeleteLove the new font!
Your designs are some of my favourites throughout the book - I love the beautiful earrings especially. They are next on my 'put my own spin on them' list!
ReplyDeleteMJ - just adding my congratulations to others. I love that you are able to take the hardness of metal and combine it with the suppleness of fibre - design tension that is whole. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteWell, now I really have to get you some of that horsehair-- I know you will use it in your most wonderful and unique way. I love your contributions to the book-- the authors are lucky to have you in it. Your style goes beyond commercial and superficial to use materials that are not precious in themselves but can be elevated to create unique embellishment for your stunning spiritual metal pieces. Your designs are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteOh Mary Jane- your contributions are drop dead gorgeous- I absolutely love them all! The bracelet is so ME!! I'm just so excited for your part in the creation of this amazing book. Your talent is leading you in so many directions for creativity--
ReplyDelete" things" are still coming along with our project!
I will be in touch in a few weeks-
Vicki
Great work, Mary Jane! Your use of the fibers with the copper metal are so right on! I'm glad your work was included in this book so that more people can share in the delight!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing how far your work has come! It is really gorgeous and unique! Congratulations on being published in Lorelei and Erin's book. That is so cool!
ReplyDeleteExciting work! Congratulations Mary Jane! I LOVE "we are star stuff".
ReplyDeleteYour jewelry brought a unique deeper aspect to the book that was important to have represented. Your work has a spiritual awareness to it that resonates with me. Your designs speak to the soul and the spirit of us all. Thank you, Mary Jane!
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