Inspired by Winter Challenge

Today's the day for the Inspired by Winter Challenge
hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime.

Sally challenged us for find beauty in the midst of winter.
 

 
 
The Challenge:

"Let's get out of the winter rut!
Let’s create a beautiful piece of jewelry inspired by Winter!
The beautiful shimmer of new fallen snow.
The muted colors of nature as it awaits Spring.
The yummy browns of that hot cocoa you slowly sip to warm your bones.
The deep greens of the evergreens.
and the bright red berries from the holly bushes.
Get Inspired!"
 
Well, having spent New Year's in the White Mountains of Arizona and after also having a week of 21- 32 degree temps in the desert (that's kinda rare for Phoenix!), the snow and ice scenes were still fresh in my head!


The fountain in our backyard froze over a couple of weeks back!

 
So, I created "Ice Crystals"

 
 
 
The colorful faceted crystals remind me of the beautiful colors that still remain; greens, golds, blue/greys, etc., and the clear quartz crystal slices remind me of all the icicles.

I hand knotted some large, faceted, clear quartz crystal slices and some fancy, faceted glass crystal rounds together on black silk and then finished it with one of my hand crafted, sterling silver claps.
 
 
 
 
Thanks so much Sally for offering up this wonderful Winter Inspired Challenge,  it's been a creative way to view the season!
 
Hop on over and see what everyone else has created for the Inspired by Winter Challenge, won't you?

**I'm away at the Gem Show and will hop/comment on
everyone's pieces when I return on Monday!**
:-)
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Winter Wonders!
Cheers,
Posted by
Labels: , , , , ,

21 comments:

  1. TanyaFebruary 7, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    That is a wonderful necklace. I love how the colors on the glass contrasts with the clear crystals. That is definitely a show stopper.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Donna BradleyFebruary 7, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    What a beautiful necklace! You've captured the look of the icy fountain perfectly. I lived in Phoenix for a short time, and I would have been very surprised to see ice there! Crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Empty nester at lastFebruary 7, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Love the "ice". It really does show a winter feel! Awesome piece!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary K. McGrawFebruary 7, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    I really like how the colored beads look with the transparent faceted crystals and also like that you knotted the necklace with black silk.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Such an unusual combination of colors, and works so wonderfully together. Love the clear flat crystals!
    And thanks for show us your fountain of icicles! Imagining you were shocked and delighted at the same time when you saw it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. stacilouiseFebruary 7, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    LOVE your fountain pictures! And your pieces is very wintery, love the pop of color from the pearls too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ChelleFebruary 7, 2013 at 10:41 AM

    I love how your story and necklace go together.. very beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bits of LearningFebruary 7, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    Shelly, WOW! I love the big crystals you used and the jet black AB beads are the prefect accent. It's funny because you wouldn't think that you would use black in a Winter inspiration, but it was one of the first colors I was playing around with too. I think that it represents the sparkles and prisms of the icicles perfectly! Thank you for participating in the hop!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AntiquityTravelersFebruary 7, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    So elegant Shel! I love the crystals and offset with the colorful dark faceted beads. Very, very pretty

    ReplyDelete
  10. re-makerFebruary 7, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Deliciously icy... I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Patti VanderbloemenFebruary 7, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    This is beautiful! I have seen a few pieces in this challenge where the designer chose quartz - and I just love how mimics ice! I agree with Tanya - the glass boldly contrasts with that quartz, creating such a beautiful affect! Very cool pics of your fountain, too! Hope you enjoyed the Gem Show!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Therese's TreasuresFebruary 7, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    Hi Shel,
    I love your necklace it is beautiful! It is so like the pictures of your frozen fountain. It almost looks like it would be cold to touch.
    Therese

    ReplyDelete
  13. dreaminofbeads / SAS Jewelry DesignsFebruary 7, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    I love the picture of your frozen fountain and your necklace is perfect. I love hand knotting.
    Sonya

    ReplyDelete
  14. ReginaFebruary 7, 2013 at 6:44 PM

    Lovely, I think it captures the icy scene perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mary LamorayFebruary 7, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    This is beautiful! Love the metallic beads!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Adaptable Kay February 7, 2013 at 9:13 PM

    I think you captured Winter beautifully in that amazing necklace! It's very simple, but so elegant with those large crystals and complimenting smaller, round beads ^.^

    ReplyDelete
  17. LolaFebruary 7, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    Stunning necklace Shel! I bet it looks fantastic on!

    ReplyDelete
  18. KarinFebruary 7, 2013 at 10:42 PM

    Lovely work! The colourful glass is a great contrast against the iciness of the crystals.

    ReplyDelete
  19. JenniFebruary 9, 2013 at 5:20 AM

    The fountain photo is amazing.. don't think it ever gets that cold to do that here. The necklace is such a good choice of beads..I love the little dash of colour to light those icy slices up.. beautiful job.
    jenni

    ReplyDelete
  20. JennyFebruary 10, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    The crystal is so perfect, and so stunning. I love the simplicity of your design that lets it remain in center stage!

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownFebruary 11, 2013 at 1:55 PM

    Absolutely fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for sharing what you have to say - I love hearing your comments!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)