Friday, November 16, 2012

Therese's Birthday Surprise Reveal

Well, this is the big day!!  A few months ago Therese sent some of us bloggers, people she's met in person, a beautiful cab and 4 coordinating beads.  She gave them as a gift to us and ask us to participate in her birthday challenge.  We could decline and just keep her gift.  But, who wouldn't want to participate?  What a great idea and how generous of Therese!  I can't speak for all, but I was honored to receive the gift and to be asked to participate.  As I said, today is Therese's birthday and the day of the reveal.  So, without further ado, here is what I made.


In my previous post I talked about wanting to do cold connections with a cab and metal.  When I got Therese's gift in the mail I knew what I was going to do with the cab right away.  The pendant in the last post was connected to the metal base with wire.  I wanted this cab to show up without the wires detracting from it.  So, I used a piece of copper, which I cut so that the base fit under the cab and the prongs would fit over it.  I riveted the copper to a sterling base and oxidized the whole thing. 

Here's the pendant in a better picture.


What doesn't show up well (I was having camera issues) is the color in the patina.  I used liver of sulphur gel in really hot water and heated the metal before I dipped it in the solution.  The heat gives you some really interesting colors.  This one took on some blueish tones which are perfect with the cab.  I was thrilled by this because it enhances the cab and beads.  For the necklace part of the piece I made wavy connectors to match the design in the cab. 





You can see some of the wavy links, along with the chain of jump rings  and the clasp.

This was such a wonderful challenge.  I so enjoyed making the necklace because I kept thinking of Therese and her kindness and generosity.  This necklace will always be special to me because of that. 

Therese, I hope you have a wonderful day today.  You're a very gifted jewelry artist and a kind, giving person.  Have a great birthday, and thank you for including me in your challenge!

Here are the other participants.


Amy Severino         http://amybeads.blogspot.com

Christine Altmiller    http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com

Kristen Stevens       http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Lola Surwillo           http://beadlolabead.blogspot.com

Marla Gibson          http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com


Therese Frank        http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com


 

11 comments:

  1. Maryanne - you are amazing! I just love to see the places your are going with your metalwork!!!! This is such a unique and cool bezel and really shows off the cab. I love the way you mimic the swirl in your pattern with the necklace chain and the clasp!

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  2. Maryanne, I LOVE IT!!!!! Did I say that loud enough? You really did all the right things to keep the beads the star, but the supporting metal work really compliments the Golem set. Behind everything great is a strong support. Gorgeous! I would be basing my outfits around this for a long long time :-)

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  3. Thank you Maryanne, for your kind words and for playing along in this challenge. I love what you did with your cab it is sooo you! Enjoy your beautiful creation Maryanne.
    Much love,
    Therese

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  4. Ohhh that is awesome! I love it! I love metalwork and I really like how you set everything off together so perfectly. A true marriage of ceramic and metal! Stunning!

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  5. Very cool! Love the wavy links the best I think.

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  6. This is such a great necklace! I love the prongs/setting you used. What a great use of cold connections. I also love those wavy wires. You did such a great job with everything!

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  7. wow! I love the cold connections to show off the cab, that's so pretty. I wish I could see the patina, but I can imagine it. I don't work with wire, but I love to see what others create. Beautiful job!

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  8. It is stunning!!! I love how you showed up the cab and the beads and all the wire work!!! Great job!

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  9. Wow, it's beautiful! What a wonderful patina you got on the copper - the whole thing is gorgeous!

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  10. What a unique and brilliant design! I love all that texture and how beautifully the beads are showcased. Really lovely!

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  11. Gorgeous! I love the (deceptive) simplicity of the setting, which really lets the beauty of the Golem bead shine. You'll get lots of attention and compliments when you wear it, for sure!

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