Art Bead Scene April Challenge

This months Art Bead Scene Challenge has a beautiful, soft and natural piece as our inspiration. I think it has inspired some absolutely stunning and original pieces. 

Finches and Bamboo, Northern Song dynasty (960–1127)

Emperor Huizong (1082–1135, r. 1101–1125) Chinese

Handscroll; ink and color on silk; 11 x 18 in. (27.9 x 45.7 cm)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

John M. Crawford, Jr. Collection, Purchase, Douglas Dillon Gift, 1981

When I saw this beautiful piece I knew I wanted to create a necklace dripping with Bronze or Copper leaves with rich beads in earthy neutrals with splashes of that orange/red and soft green. I created a batch of Bronze Leaves out of Precious Metal Clay, collected all the beads together I thought might work in the piece and set out to make my piece. It seemed to come together quite naturally, I strung the leaves with lots of layers patinated Copper wire wrapped to create substantial bails for each leaf. Added amazing Lampwork beads between each one from BluHealer a couple of beautiful Glass Head Pins from Raida of HavanaBeads, threw in some bright orange Faceted Carnelian Nuggets, some Speckled Agate, Copper Chain and a handmade Copper Clasp and this is the result.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72909947/bronze-leaves-and-lampwork-dynasty

Please take a look at all of the other beautiful entries in this months challenge on Flickr

Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign