A butterfly lives only for eight days; a winged termite ant only for a day. Don’t they flutter their wings and fly? Don’t they live their life in enjoyment?” – Lyrics from the Pookuruvi song, Tamil Movie – Sundara Kandam, 1992.
Inspiration: Luna Moth
Everyday we get an opportunity to challenge ourselves, to do something new. But more often than not, we let those pass by. We make excuses and later regret not having lived life to its fullest. I seem to do this a lot lately. Infact, I almost let the March Art Elements March Challenge go without participating in it. I had all sorts of excuses ready. I am not free, I am not feeling creative, I have done a similar challenge before and I did not have the required materials. However, I came across a whole packet of UFOs. It made me look at the challenge differently. I decided to stop cribbing and try something creative inspired by the Luna Moth, the symbol of renewal and regeneration.
But before I talk more about Luna moths and how they inspired this necklace, here is a short story. I understand that this post is in bits and pieces, but trust me, it will all come together in the end.
Unfinished objects of the Creators.inc
Long long ago when the Earth was new, the Creator had a hectic job. She worked all day and all night everyday to create the multitude of species that abound this planet. Of course, the job was tiring but also interesting as she got to create samples of new species everyday which would then multiply (ahem procreate) to create more of themselves. This went on for centuries, with the creator becoming the Creators.Inc. More creators were hired to keep up with the demand to create new species. They were all highly competitive and wanted to outdo one another. They became bricoleurs who would create new forms using existing items in hand. Some attempts were successful, some failed, left by the way side and soon perished. The fittest survived, evolved.
Millenniums later, while the Creators.inc continued to function, it wasn’t what it once was. The new creators were competitive like their ancestors but lacked the patience to practice their creation skills. They wanted instant gratification, moulded perfection. After all, their food and drink was made at the touch of a button. So whenever a sample failed to meet their expectation it was relegated to the dark corners of their studio, unfinished. There it would wait until, a creator had enough time, patience and creativity to shape it a complete object.
But creators often forgot about these experiments and they languished. The creators spent time and resources in half hearted attempts to create something new – because they had to. The next big shiny thing was out there to distract them. Thus more UFOs – Unfinished objects were generated. They only got a life, if they were accidentally discovered by their creators during a rare process called cleaning. The unfinished objects lived in eternal hope that one day they will have a chance at rebirth, renewal, and regeneration.
Luna Moth Necklace – a UFO story
The UFO that I found while looking for another supply in my cupboard was the focal you see in this Luna Moth necklace. It is a coloured moth wire wrapped to a stamped and coloured copper sheet. A rhinestone focal added another layer to this mixed metal pendant. I made it in 2017 using the Pebeo paint coated butterfly that was once again – an UFO from 2016. Setting aside the fact that I had an ufo that looked like a green moth, I wanted to design a necklace that imbibes the spirit of the luna moth.
Did you know, that an adult moth lives only for a week (to procreate) and never eats? I bet it doesn’t complain either for it eats for a month as a caterpillar. To protect themselves from predators like bats, it swings its wingtips disorienting an approaching bat. Now that is what I call as winging it. So I winged the component as well adding beads, briolettes, and chain to make the necklace. The pendant of Luna Moth Necklace is around 4.5 inches similar to that of the wingspan of a real Luna moth.
My motive behind using an unfinished object to create a piece inspired by the metaphors of renewal and rejuvenation was to layer the meaning. Many of us designers, including me, think, that only new (freshly made) components/beads can make up a superior piece. By using previously made components we feel that it becomes inferior. But we fail to see the value in the effort that went into creating the piece. I believe that if we want to build a sustainable practice then responsible repurposing is the way to go. We could begin with our own UFOs. I would like to know you think. Please share your comments and feedback.
This month’s Participants
This is a blog hop. Please visit the other participants to see how they interpreted the Luna Moth.
34 responses to “Luna Moth Necklace a UFO story”
What a true story Divya! I think every one of us found her/himself in it. I do like to visit my UFOs more often than not and use them for my Mix and Match jewelry series.
I too, loved the story of the Luna Moth and the inspiration it was for your newest piece!
Thanks Maya. When I read about you using your previously made flowers I tell myself that I should use my UFOs too but then promptly forget. I really takes effort to remember and reuse
A wonderful piece – especially for me reading about your thoughts and ideas going into it! I also have so many unfinished project, a lot of them hidden in boxes and drawers, in different stages of completion. But strangely enough often unfinished at the last steps… when the idea was born, the components created, the balance of the components achieved and all that is missing is the effort getting it all together in the end. I love that you took this theme challenge up to a personal challenge and I will try do to the same with the next theme challenge as well! 🙂
It is so encouraging to hear that Claire. I have boxes of unfinished objects and I realised that only by humanising them, I would be prompted to take an effort to finish them. I hope that yo uare able to bring to light some of your unfinished creations too
I absolutely Loved reading your post, so beautifully written and creative not to mention inspiring! Your Luna moth necklace is lovely! Thank you for this post!
Thank you for the kind words Niky
I love your necklace and the sentiment behind it…very timely too as next months theme is ‘repurposed’ so I hope you’ll join us for that.
Oh wow..I would love to join in. As you might have guessed I have too many UFOs lying around
Oh…I really love the story of UFO. This is perfect for this month’s theme.
Your necklace is a perfect example of the Luna Moth.
Thank you Beth and Evie. I have never seen a luna moth in real life and have know clue how it would look like. I am thankful that it turned out the way it did.
I always love reading your posts and today’s is perfect. I really relate to your story of UFO’s. I think your Luna Moth necklace is beautiful. I’m so glad you found this UFO and used it for the theme.
Thanks Cathy for your really kind words. I am glad that you could relate to it
I love the story and the thought behind it and the history of how the moth was born over the course of 2016, 2017, and now 2019. It turned out lovely. I often think the UFOs become even better once they’ve percolated for a while in your brain. Thanks for participating again this month.
Thats a very interesting thought Jen thank you for sharing.
Great post and a beautiful design… glad you made it 🙂
Thank you Caroline
I loved your blog post. The story you told about Creators Inc was spot on and a perfect companion for your beautiful pendant. I’m certainly guilty of expecting instant perfection from my creations and that stifles my ability to play and be creative. I appreciate your encouragement to pull out our half-created pieces and bring them to life. Your piece perfectly reflects the beauty and rebirth of the luna moth. – Sarah
Thank you so much for your honesty Sarah. I do hope that you get to finish your pieces soon.
Very creative use of the UFO, Divya, love the story behind its inspiration
Thanks Neena
A true statement piece, Divya! I love the design and the story behind it! Indeed, I wonder how did it end up unfinished 🙂 And, no, I don’t shy from old components and I would really love to finish my UFOs. This post of yours reminded me that before starting work on a new piece, I should check out the UFO box!
Frankly I didnt like the way the painted moth looked and I did not know how to string it. I left it for another day – which became a full year and then another year. Anyway, I am so glad that I have been able to remind you of checking your UFOs often. That was the idea behind the whole post.
Beautiful piece Divya. And an equally beautiful recitation! Next month’s theme is Repurposing so we’ll all get a chance to do that! As for my UFOs, they’ll have to wait a bit because I’m going to repurpose something and my UFOs are more like a continuing journey in my eyes.
Yes, Lesley had mentioned that before. Let me see what I can dig up and use for April. Thanks for visiting and commenting
I love that you revisited a UFO for this challenge – not only does it look good, but it inspired your creatively in prose as well! Wonderful!
It sure did. I like to think that the story is my contribution to the challenge than the necklace
I visited your post on Sunday and had to come back to it because I needed to take my time to enjoy re-reading it. You are such a great storyteller. I completely enjoyed Creators.inc. And the necklace design is outstanding. I have a box of UFOs (several, technically, separated by media and including some sewing projects) and pieces I want to do-over because I was never thrilled with how they turned out. I always manage to find shiny new pursuits instead.
Thank you Tammy. You saying that you reread the post means so much to me. I was very skeptical about the story at first. But I am so glad that I wrote it for seems to have touched a cord with a lot of people. I do hope that you revisit your UFOs soon.
Your story adds so much depth to this piece. I adore your writing style, and definitely look forward to reading more from you!
Your piece, as well, is beautiful. Your colors and composition flow so well!
Thank you for the motivation. I’ll try to write more on these lines
I love the focal and it is good to have it in circulation as a necklace! I have a number of UFO’s and I really think that there is a zen to some jewelry. UFO’s sit until they evolve with time, thoughts, and new found objects.
That is a fascinating thought Kathy. Do UFOs take on a life of their own, I sometimes wonder?
Sometimes inspiration hits us when we are least expecting it. I’m glad that you pushed through and made this fun UFO luna moth necklace. Good job!!
Thanks Sarajo. Yes, inspiration can be a fickle muse