Saturday, September 6, 2014

Anchors Aweigh Blog Hop

an·chor
ˈaNGkər/
noun
  1. 1.
    a heavy object attached to a rope or chain and used to moor a vessel to the sea bottom, typically one having a metal shank with a ring at one end for the rope and a pair of curved and/or barbed flukes at the other.


I was one of the lucky people chosen to participate in this wonderful blog hop hosted by Rita of Toltec Jewels. We were given two charms made by Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Beads to use to create a jewelry piece. I was so excited that I was chosen.  Now that you have read the definition and the background on this blog hop I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves.  

This wonderful Cabochon was made by Sandy Spivey
Another View

And Finally The Charms! (and my little chair)

My Best Friend Redah Modeling the Necklace

How the anchors tie into the piece.

I really found using charms a huge challenge in bead embroidery.  So I focused instead on what an anchor means to me.  To me an anchor is the piece that while may not be a focal point, it is probably one of the most important parts because it is what holds everything together.  The Strength of the piece so to speak.

This is probably my most ambitious bead embroidery piece that I have ever made.  I like it, but I don't love it.  It really feels to me that I was trying to hard to make an amazing piece and it fell a little flat.  The great thing about an experience like this is that I can look at it and see what I would do differently next time, as I continue to grow in this medium.  Regardless, I am glad that I joined as I learned about not only what I don't like, but more of what I do.  I have always wanted to be Sue Horine when I grow up.  Now, I really think I want to come up with pieces of bead embroidery that you can wear everyday, not just for special occasions.  

Be sure to check out all the other lovely creations that were made using these wonderful anchor charms.  I have to work till this afternoon but I will be checking all the blogs once I get home.  A special thank you to Rita for hosting this wonderful hop!

Featured & Honored Artist:        Diana Ptaszynski


Diana's Shop:                           Suburban Girl Beads

Diana's Blogs:                          Suburban Girl Studio
                                                 Art Jewelry Elements

Hostess: TJ                               Jewel School Friends

Bobbie Rafferty                         Beadsong Jewelry

Chris Eisenberg                         Wanderware

Heather Richter                         Desert Jewelry Designs

Michelle McCarthy                    Firefly Design Studio

Kathy Lindemer                         Bay Moon Design

Dini Bruinsma                            Angaza by Changes

Cynthia Machata                       Antiquity Travelers

Kathleen Breeding                     99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Linda Younkman                       Lindy's Designs

Robin Reed                                  Artistry HCBD

Marla Gibson  (you are here)     Spice Box Designs

Gina Hockett                               Freestyle Elements

Renetha Stanziano                      Lamplight Crafts

Marianne Baxter                          Simply Seablime Jewelry        

Christina Miles                             Wings N Scales

Marybeth Rich                            A Few Words from Within the Pines

Shai Williams                              Shaiha's Ramblings

Cheri Reed                                  Creative Designs by Cheri

Monique Urquhart                      A Half-Baked Notion

Jennifer Reno                             Musings of a Crafty Jenny

Shirley Moore                             Beads and Bread

Tammy Adams                           Paisley Lizard

Melissa Trudinger                       Bead Recipes


Peace and Love <3

30 comments:

  1. I LOVE your design....You perfectly captured the theme. I don't think it fell "flat" at all. It is a beautiful piece and I would proudly wear it. (I found your blog while visiting blogs of the Blue Fantasy Blog hop challenge in which there were some that also participated in the Anchors aweigh blog hop

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. And thanks for sharing where you found my blog at. It is always nice to know! Cheers!

      Delete
  2. Wow! Such a beautiful necklace and so wonderfully made, your bead work is amazing! Love how you have added the anchors to the back of the necklace such a great detail!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely piece! I think the charms anchored your piece just beautifully! Bead embroidery is so intricate and detailed, and you did a wonderful job with both. My admiration and appreciation for bead embroiderers like yourself is boundless. Good job!! Gina H

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Marla,
    I think you did a fantastic job with the entire necklace it is beautiful I love the idea of putting the anchor charms in the back. I also like that you used a live model to show how beautiful it looks worn around the neck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Therese! It is always nice to hear such kind words from someone whose work I admire so much! <3

      Delete
  5. Beautiful beadwork. That focal is mesmerizing. And how fabulous that with the anchor charm placement, the back of the necklace is just as interesting as the front.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, Marla, your design is spectacular (and the the two charms are like a surprise bonus peeking out!) Your model did a great job showing off this amazing piece :) I imagine we will be seeing lots more bead embroidery here?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Monique! Redah was bit worried about her appearance as it was a last minute idea. She had just gotten off work. Yes there will be more bead embroidery coming.

      Delete
  7. fell flat? holy moly .... I must disagree with you there! This is stunning Marla! and the story with the anchors as the strength behind your piece is absolutely perfect! LOVE this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwww Thank You so much. It means a lot to me that a woman with your talent would love this piece! I am wishing you and yours well! <3

      Delete
  8. I love your necklace. It is beautiful front and back. I also don't think it fell flat, but I understand how it might not be exactly what you had in mind. I think many artists can have people oohing and ahh-ing over their work but still see things they would change. If you are this good now, I look forward to seeing future efforts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ann. You are correct. It really wasn't what I had in mind. I appreciate your encouragement!

      Delete
  9. What a great necklace! I can't see where it fell flat but we are always the pickiest on our own work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Shaiha! I Love your name! We are always our own worst critics, I totally agree!

      Delete
  10. What a very pretty, and original necklace! It really is a surprise, finding the charms at the backside. And wow, were you lucky to have such a great cabochon... It's very special, your design!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Dini! I am sooo glad you like it!

      Delete
  11. What a great idea to add the charms on the back of the necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful creation, love all of it! I dont think its flat at all, you created dimension and interest and the colors are perfectly matched to the charms. I think if there was anything to create it to be less "flat" would be to add a tiny touch of color, perhaps a pale yellow or orange that is in the color of the lighthouse...but I would not say it is flat...its BEAUTIFUL..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Marla I think your necklace is gorgeous. I don't see any part of it that I would change. It is very unique and creative. The charms in the back was a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the way you chose to place the anchors! It's so unexpected and beautiful to see the back of a fabulous piece adorned this way! Gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love lighthouses and that cab is fantastic with your bead work!! I think it is so beautiful! I love how you used the anchors in the back, it really makes the symbolism shine.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think the design you made is AMAZING! I am not sure what you expect if that design is falling a little flat??? Really Really wonderful! Have a Blessed Day

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is stunning! What a unique way to use Diana's beads! There is nothing flat about this at all!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is a showstopper necklace. Wonderful work that you do.

    ReplyDelete