The 2nd Annual Challenge of Music Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the 2nd annual Challenge of Music Blog Hop!

The lovely Erin Praiz-Hintz of Treasures Found is the fabulous host of this unique and fun hop.  This is my second year participating, and I loved it as much this year as last!

The rules are simple: "Find a piece of instrumental music that speaks to you soul. The goal is to find a piece of music without any choral accompaniment, so that you have the freedom to interpret the colors, textures, shapes, movements and images that it evokes."

The song I chose is called "A Look Back" by The Album Leaf, and was written for the soundtrack for a documentary called "Torey's Distraction".  Here's the plot summary from the movie's Facebook page:

"TOREY’S DISTRACTION tells the story of three children with Apert Syndrome - a rare genetic condition that causes craniofacial anomalies and skeletal mutation. Torey Harrah, Emily Hogan, and Saige Blotske were born with fused skulls, fingers, and toes. Without surgery they risk lifelong brain damage and possibly death. 

Filmed with love and humor over ten years, filmmaker Tisha Blood provides an intimate glimpse into the transforming powers of science, family, hope and compassion."

Here's the link to "A Look Back" by The Album Leaf

The story behind the song is beautiful, and I would love to see it sometime, but it isn't why I chose it.  I was looking for a soothing, simple instrumental that would calm the craziness in me, and this one does just that.  In addition, I've been really trying to get back to my roots as far as my jewelry designs go, and I thought the title was very appropriate for that as well.

Without further ado, here's the piece I created:

"Center"

 I pulled out Barbara Lewis' book, "Torch Fired Enamel Jewelry: A Workshop In Painting With Fire", as I've been itching to get my torch out again.  In it I found a design that I really wanted to try out, which Barbara calls "Of Space And Time".  Pulling out my copper sheet and enamels, I made the focal in beautiful crackle white covered with transparent periwinkle (crackle white is my favorite enamel!).

focal detail

Then I pulled out my lime-yellow enamel, combined it with the periwinkle enamel and copper beads and made the beads for the necklace itself, which I threaded and knotted onto a piece of lavender-mauve-ish recycled sari silk.

whole necklace with accent chain and bead

I finished the design up with some antiqued copper chain and accent beads threaded onto handmade copper headpins.  The end result is a simple and colorful wear-everywhere summery necklace.

A big thank you to Erin for coordinating this hop!  There are a total of 48 bloggers participating today, so take a few minutes to check out their beautiful designs:

The Challenge of Music participants:

Erin Prais-Hintz - hostess
Alenka Obid
Ali McCarthy
Alicia Marinache
Amy Severino
Amy Grass
Carolyn Lawson
Cece Cormier
Cynthia Riggs
 Ema Kilroy (bowed out)
Emanda Johnson
 Emma Todd
Erin Kenny
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
 Gerd Andersson
Holly Westfall
 Jennifer Justman
 Jenny Davies-Reazor
 Jess Green
Judy Campbell
 Karla Morgan
Kay Thomerson (bowed out)
Kristina Johansson
Lola Surwillo
Lynn White (bowed out)
Malin de Koning
Mallory Hoffman
Mary K McGraw
Melissa Meman (bowed out)
Melissa Trudinger
 Michelle Escano
Michelle Bourbonniere
Michelle Heim (bowed out)
Michelle Mach
 Molly Alexander
Molly Schaller (bowed out)
Monique Urquhart
Niky Sayers
Pam Farren
Rebecca Anderson
 Sally Russick
Sharon Palac (bowed out)
Sharon Driscoll
Susan Kennedy
Tari Kahrs
Tracy Stillman (bowed out)
Veralynne Malone