It's time to reveal what I've been working on since I first posted this photo. You may remember I threw out a challenge to you, here. I found this photo on Pinterest, originally posted on Interior Alchemy. The second I saw this photo, I was inspired by almost everything about it...the textures, shapes, mood and luscious colors. Personally, I love working off a bit of a challenge and so...amongst the plaster and paint that has taken over my world, I found a few moments to work on my own piece of jewelry, inspired by our lovely photo:
"A Minor Ornamentation"
This piece is so named because of the black beads I used near the clasp and the overall mood of the piece. The beads are old and awesomely timeworn and I believe they're mourning beads, made either of glass or jet.
Back in the day, a widow was expected to remain in mourning for an extended period of over two years, and dress accordingly. The first stage was a period of a year and a day in which only dull black clothing was worn with no decoration or jewelry. The second stage of mourning lasted for about 9 months and "allowed for minor ornamentation by implementing fabric trim and mourning jewelry." This phrase "minor ornamentation" intrigues me and seemed to fit right in with the theme of my piece...a little bit dark and quite spiritual. The third phase of mourning was called "half mourning" and lasted about 3 to 6 months. During that time, more ornamentation was allowed and color was slowly re-introduced. It's all pretty fascinating to contemplate.
For me, God is a manditory part of mourning...the only way to get through it and overcome deep sorrow. I had to represent this in my piece so I included a few spiritual elements; these two enameled religious connectors...
...and this vintage crucifix. Of course, the deep raspberry color faceted pearls and ruby fit perfectly with the inspiration photo.
For the focal, I used this lovely old cut steel, mother of pearl brooch. Yes, I know...in the video I say "steel cut" at least twice. I don't know what's wrong with my twisted little brain. Maybe I've eaten too many steel cut oats.
In any case, this brooch is perfection. Look at the spikey, gothic-ish bezel. And the colors...yeah. So, I made a little video of my design process. This piece came together quite beautifully and pretty quickly and I thought you might want to roll along with me as I created it.
My plan is to list this piece on Etsy, eventually. My shop there desperately needs updating and attention but, with my house in such an uproar of remodeling, I've just put it off. So if, indeed, you're interested in this necklace, drop me an email.
I challenged you all to join me in making a piece of jewelry inspired by the photo and you rose to the occasion in amazing ways. I've been so inspired by the jewelry you've created! And now, I'd like to present some of the lovely pieces my challenge participants have created. If you participated in the challenge and don't see your piece here, go to my original post, here, and leave the link to your piece. Or, leave your link on this post. I'll continue posting the finished pieces, here on my blog, as the links come in over the next couple of days (so make sure you check back!) and randomly draw a winner for the prize pot by Friday.
Thanks for playing with me!
Christine Damm (Stories They Tell)
Oh, yes...and here's the goodie pot:
Good luck!
Deryn, what an amazing post. Your finished necklace is stunning with each component as important to the over all design as the focal. Your choices were so perfect in echoing the feel of your inspiration piece - just gorgeous! I enjoyed seeing all of the pretty designs made by all of the participants. It's neat to see how everyone interpreted the original picture in their own style.
Posted by: Cindy | Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 12:29 AM
Deryn, I just watched your design process video and loved it. Fascinating to see the process at work. Plus your necklace is spectacular. Everyone did a great job on the challenge, too.
Posted by: Cynthia@OrnamentalStyle | Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 05:52 PM
glad to see the black drop glass put to such beautiful use. a lovely piece...
good luck with the kitchen upheaval!
Posted by: nina | Friday, October 21, 2011 at 01:02 PM
Your necklace is fabulous, Deryn! The brooch you used as a focal is a sensational find. And I have been drooling over all the eye candy that was created for this challenge - such talented ladies, such wonderful pieces!
Posted by: Renate | Friday, October 21, 2011 at 09:58 AM
A Minor Ornamentation is gorgeous!! The challenge participants pieces are also lovely!!
Posted by: christine | Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 06:36 AM
loved all the pieces! hope i make the next challenge in time!
Posted by: kathy ward | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 11:04 PM
I liked the story behind your piece. Nice piece. In fact all the design challenge pieces are great. It would be hard to pick a favorite.
Posted by: Kay | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 06:36 PM
I love knowing the background of the pieces that people create-- it makes the appreciation of them so much more complete. Probably my only knowledge of mourning practice came from watching "Gone With the Wind" as the ladies of her Southern community gossiped about Scarlet dancing with Rhett at the ball while she was still in mourning clothes (which she worn a lot as she went through multiple husbands!) Your piece takes us through grief, resignation and acceptance while remaining beautifully romantic and elegant. The restrained color is enhanced by the dark glimmer of the m.o.p and jet. Thanks for all the eye candy-- wonderful interpretations of the challenge by everyone!
Posted by: Christine Damm | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 05:07 PM
Awesomundo! I love your creation and even more your story.
Posted by: Sue Trump | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 03:22 PM
I will send you the link tonight! I just haven't had time to write a thing. Love what you made! Very gothic and mysterious. That mop focal looks like the murky insides of a crystal ball to me. Enjoy the day!
Erin
Posted by: Erin Prais-Hintz | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Well, I'm having all sorts of computer issues. Sorry for the delay. Here is my link: http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/2011/10/deryn-mentocks-inspirational-challenge.html
Posted by: Shirley Moore | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Oh Deryn I LOVE the new piece! A Minor Ornamentation indeed - it's really, really beautiful. I especially love the raspberry accents, it just sets off the entire thing and that centrepiece is GORGEOUS. How much is it going for?
Posted by: Shuku | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Beautiful...all of them!
Posted by: diane cook | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 10:50 AM
A Minor Ornamentation is a gorgeous piece, Deryn!
It's amazing that one photo can inspire so many different, yet beautiful designs!
Posted by: katalina jewelry | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Beautiful......all of them!
Posted by: carla fox | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 10:05 AM
My, my! What gorgeous creations. Love, love, love what you've all come up with.
Posted by: Ann Faircloth | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 09:38 AM
Deryn, your piece is just gorgeous!!! Everywhere you look the eye is greeted with something lovely.
I love how you tied a bit of history to naming your piece. And thanks for that little lesson on the practice of mourning.
I think Jennifer's link might need to be fixed...I couldn't get it to work.
Posted by: Alice | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 09:12 AM
OMG! Each of these pieces are so so beautiful! Just breathtaking. I adore your piece Deryn, and really appreciate your explanation of the mourning. I have some victorian mourning pieces made of hair, but never got around to really researching what it was all about. Thanks for a wonderful challenge!
Posted by: sharon | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 08:46 AM
Hi Deryn, I've done a lot of painting challenges, but this is my first jewelry challenge. Thank you...it was a lot of fun!
http://reverieandrevival.blogspot.com/2011/10/bernice-necklace.html
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 08:03 AM