I recently read a line in the sidebar of the Earrings – Everyday blog. It goes like this “Earrings Everyday hopes to inspire those who make earrings and adorn those who love to wear them!” It is not a new addition to their sidebar but it is the first time that I have actually read it. For someone who reads a lot, I clearly do not read enough. The line also bears connection to this post and my recent Frida Kahlo earrings.
We’re All Ears :: November Inspiration – Quotes
Those who read Ms. Erin’s posts on the EE blog or ABS blogs would know that she is a wordsmith. Even her comments on blogposts are beautifully worded. I am a fan of her components (and her finished jewelry ofcourse!) but I am a bigger fan of her writing. So much so, the first time she commented on my blog, I was over the moon. The Tesori Trovati (treasures found) Simple Truths components that she creates have the most amazing of words stamped on them. So for this month’s challenge Ms. Erin has challenged us to take inspiration from one of the four quote calendar images below and translate them into earrings.
Whew! A Challenge indeed!
Chart your own course
Though I liked all four of them, I was stumped when it came to translating any one of these quotes into earrings. I thought I could use dark blue stars for the first quotes but then it sounded too cliché. I thought of doing “grow” with components of increasing value but it sounded even more boring than the first idea. I couldn’t bring myself to make them.
My favourite of all four was C. “When everything feels like an Uphill battle, just think of the view from the top.’ Since this quote really resonated with me I badly wanted to use it. So I thought, and thought and thought, but alas nothing – not one visual came to my head. In the end I picked B – “Chart your own course” and went with the first image that came to my head. That of Frida Kahlo.
Frida Kahlo
Frida KahloFrida, in my opinion, is the icon who epitomises the phrase “Chart your own growth“. She used (and portrayed) her pain – both physical and psychological in her work. She derived strength from her roots, her culture which I believe helped her stay true to her aesthetics and style. She was resilient and strong. She was politically active in a masculine way while showcasing the exotic feminine. The plethora of portraits that she has done seems to ask the “Whom am I?” question over and over again. When I think or talk about Frida, I dislike using the word “Despite her…” but rather use “because of”, for I believe that the need to justify the pain in her life is what made her have a memorable, fruitful life. It is what I think created her legacy.
This is a sentiment that I truly understand for whenever I am in pain or chronically depressed the only thing that I ask myself that what can I do to make it worth my while? How can I turn that moment of suffering into something fruitful?
Frida Kahlo Earrings
I had made a pair of Frida earrings that I made earlier this year for the June ABS Art bead necklace post. The beads were from Priscilla beads. Incidentally, in the beginning of this month, the earrings were sold and left me with an urge to create another pair for myself. Sometime back I had come across an image of Frida by Tracy Andrews and made a bottle pendant out of it (above). Sadly it still remains and UFO. So Frida was at the back of my head even while I was contemplating other inspirations for this challenge. Having zeroed in on Frida, I used the same image as in the bottle necklace to create charms. They came out looking like glass or ceramic (the photos do not do them any justice) that I loved them. I made another pair to sell.
Top: ABS Challenge beaded earrings – Sold | Bottom: Frida dangler earrings – for sale
I chose pink miracle beads, coated crystals and a combination of artistic brass and natural brass wire to compliment the antique brass bezel settings. Incidentally, all three Earrings have pink accents in them. Maybe, I am going into a pink phase as I have recently bought a good load of pink fabrics too.
Frida’s creations (including her look and style) has inspired many others to create. Likewise this inspiration like many others before, has inspired me to make jewelry for both myself and to adorn those who love to wear them.
Do follow me to the Earrings Everyday blog to take a look at what the other participants have made. In the meanwhile do tell me in the comments, how you visualise these quotes. What images come to your mind when you read them?
I hope you found it interesting
Cheers
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