I participate in monthly challenges as help channel my creativity and help break boundaries. The constraints or rules set by the challenge help me think of new ways to play the usual. I follow the constraints most of times, occasionally bending the rules to suit my style. Then there are times, however rare they may be, where I follow the rules only in spirit. This post and its contents is an example of one such discontinuity – a break of unity. Maybe, I have been reading too much Focault, I don’t know. But influenced by his methodology of documenting the discontinuity, I am revealing Berry based bead necklaces for Art elements January 2020 theme challenge based on berries.
Berry based bead necklaces
Well, that rolls off your tongue doesn’t it? I have loved alliterations ever since I discovered them as a child. Hence I could not help but name this post berry based bead necklaces. But that is where the berry begins and ends – in name alone! My initial idea was to pick three berries – Blueberries, cranberries and gooseberries and make pieces inspired by a berry each. I promptly collected glass beads in blue and maroonish red for the first two and glass pearls for the third.
I was looking to make simple pieces and succeeded in making them too. But only after I completed all three of them, I realised that they did not resemble like anything that could had been inspired by berries. After cursing myself saying “What sorcery is this?” That is when my tired brain noted my error. All the three berries have surface texture – both tactile and visual while the beads that I had chosen were plain and smooth. I had been so focussed on the colour that I forgot about the texture. There begins and ends my tale of discontinuity between the inspiration and realisation. Knowing this, I resigned myself to taking pictures for the post here. If you want to see my previous work on Blueberries (yes it has texture on it) check our this Blueberry jewellery post.
Blueberries
The blueberries glass bead necklace has three focals. The pendant is a wooden button, elaborate with faux polki work. The other two focals are called Victorian beads (metal with a colored stone). This necklace is for sale.Â
Cranberries
The moment I saw three strands of glass beads in rich garnet colour, I knew that they could become a three strand short necklace. Aside from the fact that they look like pomegranate pearls and not berries, the beads add a deep colour and the necklace hugs the throat wonderfully well. The dori, though in black make the piece adjustable in length to accommodate various outfits and necklines. The earrings are a bead cluster with pearl accents. This necklace and earrings set is for sale.Â
Gooseberries (amla)
The third berry that I picked is amla, nellikai or gooseberry. Unlike Blue berries and cranberries which I tasted only in their dehydrated forms as they are not local, amla is a berry that I love and love. Its sweet yet tangy taste complements everything from curd rice to candied treats. In this necklace, I have used glass pearl, tiger’s eye beads and Czech glass beads. I made the pendant as well using seashells and a wooden base that I painted.
I made this necklace for my mom to replace a jade necklace that broke. In the 10 years, she had had it (since I made it for her), I had restrung it twice. So I was bored and I had to make a new piece.She wore it with an offwhite saree of mine and got loads of complements including a couple of “we should ask Divya to make us interesting pieces like this” from a couple of relatives. I guess, then its a success.
I added a pearl each to a pair stud earrings from abroad. My mom loves pearls and used to big pearl earrings when she was younger. She is unable to wear drops or studs with drops any longer because of her sagging and hypersensitive earlobes. Cue shamrock shaped earrings lifters and backers to the rescue. These are hypoallergenic and keep the earring in place. It works well for light weight studs with drops that have a rod back (without screws). But the plating is very dull unlike ht picture. Still, I am planning to buy more soon.
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