SOCIAL MEDIA

3/1/13

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:

Shel said...

Beautiful necklace Molly - just beautiful!

steufel said...

Molly, love that! And this focal - so cool. I admire Barbaras stuff, I'm drooling over every single pieces in her book.

Cynthia said...

Beautiful enameled focal, and necklace! I also torch fire enamel, but your enameling is so fabulous. Love the sari silk with the enameled pcs!

Amy S. said...

I love what you did with the torched enamel! Gorgeous!! The necklace is so pretty too - I love all the elements of this piece!

Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) said...

The blend of enameled metal with fiber is lovely and soothing, Molly, just like your inspiration piece. I am loving this Hop, where I am hearing both old familiar works, along with music which is new to me, such as this one. I am replaying it as I type (that's my M.O.) and it is even more beautiful and mesmerizing. Thanks for sharing your music and talent!

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

I love how the enamel on the focal pendant turned out and the whole piece is fantastic!

Maneki said...

Lovely music, lovely necklace! The softness of the song goes so well with the soft fibre in the jewellery.

Mary K. McGraw said...

Your focal is gorgeous as is your necklace design. Enjoyed the music.

Unknown said...

You're right, the instrumental is just so very soothing. Your necklace does it justice and much more.

Michelle Mach said...

Love the focal you created. I'm a little envious of people who know how to enamel!

EmandaJ said...

Wow! Love the pieces you created for your necklace and would love to play with fire sometime. You choices of color and material really speak with the music.

A Polymer Penchant said...

Oh the colours! I just love the focal you created with it's beautiful mix. I think you are right, it says summer in a easy and free way, just beautiful

Jenny said...

What a soothing mellow, pretty piece of music. Your necklace looks lovely - altho I respond to those colors with more energy - I can see how they are soothing as well. I love the enameled setting!

Cece Cormier said...

Great piece, both the music and the necklace. Love the enamels. Reminds me to pull mine out soon and make time to play.

Michael and Cherrie Fick said...

Molly, this is very pretty for spring. The focal is lovely. Then music is wonderful addition. So clever.

kmorgan said...

Loved your necklace! The colors alone are soothing but when incorporated with the silk, it all comes together.

One of the wonderful things about this blog hop, is all the fabulous music, new & old. Thanks for sharing yours, I really really like it!

Lola said...

Your lovely necklace speaks to me Molly! From the calming music you chose for inspiration, to the soothing color palette (my favorites) to the perfect name of "center." Beautiful!

Pearl and Pebble said...

This is a beautiful piece of music and very calming indeed! Your necklace describes it so well too. The colors are just lovely and your enameling is gorgeous!

TesoriTrovati said...

That design from Barbara's book is one that I admire greatly. I took her enameling class and would dearly love to have the right set up for doing it. The effects of the colors you chose is perfect for the song. The music builds softly and has a very ethereal quality. A propelling, a moving forward is in the repetition. I am so happy that you could join me in this Challenge! I look forward to seeing where this look back will push your creativity! Thank you for sharing this music and your art with the world. Enjoy the day! Erin