Tuesday, November 10, 2009

For the Lady of the Castle of the Plucked Eye and Heart...

I re-read some passages from Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke and kept coming back to the scenes with the Lady of the Castle of the Plucked Eye and Heart. I probably should heed my mother's warnings of never reading before bed, because I had the strangest dreams about that particular realm in Faery. When I awoke, all I could think about was what the Lady might like to wear and then I set out to make a necklace to suit her.

In my unearthed box from Artbeads.com, I found a box of different colored Hemp Cord. I normally don't work with fibers very much, but wanted to try it out. I like the rustic quality the cording provides and the earthy tones it comes in.

Below is the necklace that I made with the Lady of the Castled of the Plucked Eye and Heart in mind.


I knotted the hemp cord and then wove champagne-colored Soft Flex Extreme Flexible beading wire through the knots in the cording and strung up the faceted pearls. To this I added wire-wrapped Swarovski crystals, chain, and a mixed media focal I made from patinated natural brass filigree, a watch crystal, resin, watch cogs, vintage sequins, and a tiny eye collage with gold-leaf. The mixed media focal was one of the charms from The Charm Club I hosted last go around. I dangled more Swarovski crystals from the focal and a Candice Wakumoto bronze heart from my online shop. To close it up, I used a sterling silver toggle from my family at Green Girl Studios. I think the silver tone goes nicely with ABx2 finish on some of the crystals.

Above is a close up of the focal of the piece. I think the eye and heart motif and blood red Swarovski crystal teardrops go without saying.

9 comments:

Lynn said...

Snappy piece!

Jenny said...

I just ordered that book this morning - having realized it was a glaring omission from my library. Having seen the necklace I am all the more intrigued...

Unknown said...

your beaded chain takes my breath away. No matter how I enlarge the picture I still can't believe them, beautiful piece

Jean Hutter said...

it is awesome!!!!!!

Azure Accessories said...

Wonderful piece...I like the different textures, gives it a rustic but still elegant feeling!

Cheers

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! I'm going to cross post from my blog. :)

Andrew Thornton said...

Thanks everyone for your mighty fine comments. I have been on a jewelry streak... making... making... making. The unpacking hasn't been happening as much, but I am happy to ride the wave of creativity and make until my eyes are bloodshot and my hands are stiff and my back aches and only then... when I'm wore out... finally go to bed.

heather noye said...

Beautiful necklace!

And I LOVE that book!!! Yes, I think the Lady of the Castle of the Plucked Eye and Heart would wear that necklace.

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