Art elements November theme challenge is do with Fossils. Having worked with a polymer clay faux fossil before, I wanted to do something with Saligrama– the holy fossils worshiped in Hinduism. But I couldn’t get my hands on any fake ones and the originals are too religious an item to experiment with. I then chanced upon an ammonite mollusc shell. It looked like a shell that could leave its imprint on the sea bead and create a fossil. Thus was born my Mollusc and bead necklace for this challenge reveal of Fossil jewellery and fossil prints.
Molluscs
Mollusc is the general name given to animals with shells such as Bivalves (scallops), Gastropods (snails), and Cephalopods (octopus, squid, and ammonites). By studying their fossils you can understand evolution as you calculate the time scale required for it. You can also recreate the past environments in which they would have lived in.
Fossil Jewellery
To create my necklace, I spray painted my shell and dabbed some gold and Verdigris patina ink on it. The shell is embellished with rhinestone and pearl chain. Beads of glass, wood, shell, and metal in green, teal, blue and copper complete the necklace. Since the shell used is real, it is prone to breakage and must be handled with care. This mollusc necklace is for sale.
I tried making another shell based piece for the challenge. I was about to add an altered shell to a fabric cord when I made the mistake of making the hole drilled on the shell bigger. The pressure caused the shell to crack and break leaving me without a second piece.
Fossil prints
My second idea for this challenge was to photograph old pots and stones and edit them to show possible fossil imprints. But they looked too amateur. However, while I was editing my photos, I created an ammonite fossil motif on photoshop that I liked. With some size manipulations and rearrangement, I created the prints that you see in this post.
These are medium size – Square of A4 prints and I am offering them for free for anyone who wants to use them for print with credit. Just right click and download or mail me for the Jpegs. One is in brown and red, the second in olive green and the third is unsaturated – in gray. They show various levels of the fossil formulation process – decay, sedimentation, and petrification.
This month’s Participants
This is a blog hop reveal for Art Elements’ November challenge. Please visit the other participants to see how they have all interpreted the theme fossils.
Guest Artists Divya (me) Dawn Tammy Susan Cat Sarajo Beth and Evie Michelle
24 responses to “Fossil jewellery and prints”
Your work on the shell is fantastic, Divya! It never even crossed my mind to use some of the shells I have, too bad for me 🙂 The beaded cord is quite eclectic but the necklace is so balanced! Nice job on the print! Did you study Photoshop or are self-trained? Just curious, it looks too complicated for me.
Thank you. even I didnt think of shells until I saw a post on AJE on making clay shells. I was introduced to Photoshop during my undergraduate days but I continue to learn every day I work on it. Its the software that I am most comfortable with.
Beautiful necklace! I love how you treated the shell with paint and beads! Your prints are gorgeous, as well!
Thank you for your kind words Susan.
What a beautiful necklace!
I love how you worked with the shell, so pretty.
thanks Cat, I found fossils to be a difficult theme to work with. So I am glad that this necklace worked out
Thank you for taking me into an unknown part of your world. I had no idea about the sacred mollusks. The necklace is beautiful.
There are many myths regarding fossils in various cultures. I guess that mankind has always found them fascinating and magical.
Such a beautiful necklace Divya! I love what you did with the shell, such beautiful colours and it has a unique look to it. Thank you so much for joining in with this months blog hop.
Thank you for hosting this hop Niky.
The necklace is beautiful! I love the way you painted and embellished the shell, and your bead choices are fantastic.
Thanks Michelle. I was worried that I made the piece a little too bright in colour for a fossil.
That necklace is gorgeous and I love how you altered the shell. It somehow looks even more organic than an unembellished shell would. Your digital prints are great. I sometimes think I would like to learn to use Photoshop beyond cropping, resizing, and adjusting the brightness on photos. And then I never do because I convince myself that it’s too difficult.
I was skeptical about painting the shell. It began as an experiment. I am glad that it turned out well. Photoshop is the very easy software compared to illustrator or Indesign. You just need to patiently explore it.
The shell turned out beautifully! I especially like how you added the rhinestone and pearl chain; that is a great way to use it.
The prints are gorgeous! They’d make a really pretty set of note cards.
Notes cards is a great idea Dawn – Thanks you
The first necklace is beautiful. I love the colors you put on the shell and then the accent beads. The piece is simply stunning.
I am so sorry about your second shell!
The prints are an awesome idea – I like how they turned out.
Thank you both. Mistakes and breakages happen and it is a part of the process. But thank you for your compliments.
Hi, all your jewellery creations are beautiful! Are they for sale? If yes, how can one buy them?
Yes, Aarthi, I am sending you a mail with details and links.
Oh I love your prints! I saved a jpeg and plan to use it as my wallpaper. Thank you! The necklace is lovely I like what you have done to the shell! Thank you for joining us!
I am glad that you like them. I’ll email you full sized images
You were definitely braver and more inspired than I was by this theme! I like how you altered the shell for the pendant. So many layers of work. Excellent!
I am not sure If I was being “brave” or in a “make do” sort of mood. Either way, I am glad that it turned out alright.