Summertime - June's theme challenge

Summertime and the living is easy...*

For me - I hear Ella. Maybe Janis Joplin's version is more you? Norah Jones?

The very phrase reads in my head as a slow drawl, unhurried, redolent of heat and relaxation. 

I confess that  I am writing this post after a Memorial Day weekend at the beach that was relaxed and unhurried; marking the beginning of the summer season. 

Summer isn't all beach! So many wonderful treats and traditions of the season. 

So for our theme COM this month - the team decided to keep it easy, breezy... 

What does summer mean to you? 

Diana: "Beachcombing at the shore ... wading in the rolling surf and searching for treasures on the beach. I also don't mind a relaxing, sunny day in the pool with the smell of bbq cooking."

Caroline: "Lazy summer evenings...when the heat of the day is gone and you get the warm and fuzzy end of day sunshine. Love it at home in the garden or sitting outside our tent on holidays.

Jennifer: "Nothing says summer more than sitting around a fire at dusk with friends and a bottle or two of wine, the lightning bugs out, kids catching them and temporarily putting them in a jar, making s'mores, or playing ghosts in the graveyard or flashlight tag."

Karen:  "Not wearing shoes. I couldn't wait for it to get warm enough I could start going without shoes all summer"

For me ( and Susan agreed) the beach is a definite summer tradition. I have always lived a few hours from an ocean, either one, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Jenny's "Summer" collage. Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, crabs, done right in Old Bay, were and essential  summer tradition. They still make me think of my grandfather to this day. 

Still looking for inspiration? Check out "Picturing Summer" a compilation of art by Tor.com

The  theme challenge details

1. Goal - Have fun! Try something different! Be inspired by any of the myriad aspects of summer! Make something that fits within this theme. This can be an artist bead, a component, or a finished piece of jewelry. There is no give away this month but you are free to use any artist bead/component in your design.

• You must have an active blog. 
• Email and blog address requested in comments. 

2. Share/Reveal - Reveal date Thursday, June 30th!

If you would like to be included in the blog reveal at month's end, please email Lesley at theajewellery (at) sky.com Include your name, blog name and address... Since this is open to all, this is the most efficient way to be included. Plans change... this confirms your participation in the reveal/blog roll. Emails need to be received by June 28th to be included. (Commenting here is not a guarantee of inclusion in the blog roll on reveal day)

See you then... and don't forget the sunscreen! 

Footnote: 

The song "Summertime" was composed by George Gershwin in 1934 for the opera/musical "Porgy and Bess" which came out the following year. 

Lyrics: Summertime, and the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, Don't you cry

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But 'til that morning, there ain't nothin' can harm you
With Daddy and Mammy standin' by

May Component of the Month Giveaway and Challenge - Baby Cabochons!

It's my turn to do the Component of the Month, and I have selected Baby Cabochons!  Since everyone here at AJE is mad for seed beads, I thought these would be a good challenge! 

Of course, you don't have to use seed beads - you can bezel set these as well.  I'm sure you can also come up with even more uses for them!  These cabochons measure between 9 and 12mm.  They vary in height as well.  Do you want to play?  Here are the rules: 

• I will give away 2 sets of 3 baby cabochons (you will receive a random set) to 2 winners selected randomly from those who leave a comment below this post. Your comment MUST include your EMAIL AND BLOG address so we can contact you should you win.

• Please — only leave a comment if you can commit to creating a finished piece and blogging about it on the reveal date.

• The names of the 2 winners will be announced on Monday, May1, 2016.

• This giveaway is open to US and international countries, but please be aware that these will be posted from the US and international addresses will have longer postage times… sometimes up to 3 weeks.

• The blog reveal will take place on Tuesday May 31, 2016.

I will also have random sets of these baby cabs available in my SueBeads Etsy store for purchase if you don't get chosen but want to play along as well.

I look forward to the reveal!

Susan Kennedy

Buried Treasure - the "Use your stash" reveal!

Treasures inside, savvy? 

Welcome!

The first reveal of 2016! 

We all unearthed treasures in our hoards, stashes, treasure troves, inventories... now its time to see what wonder we have created. Please join us and out guests this month. 

AJE team:

Lesley Watt

Lindsay Starr

Caroline Dewison

Jennifer Cameron

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Susan Kennedy

Niky Sayers

Guests: 

Terri - Terrri’s Blooming ideas

Shai - Shai’s Ramblings

Melissa - Bead Recipes

Tammy - Paisley  Lizard

Sarajo - SJ Designs

Kathy - Bay Moon Designs

Karin - Ginko et Colquelicot

Lola - Bead Lola Bead

Samantha - Wescott Jewelry

Mona - Bijoux Gem

Suntsa - Suntsan

Brooke - Artistic Endeavours 101

January challenge: Buried Treasure

Buried Treasure aka "Use your stash!"

Dig into the treasure you have been hoarding... 

We all have one. Call it a treasure, or a bead stash. Call it loot or inventory. It most likely does NOT look like this: 

Keeping your beads safe? Paranoid? 

It probably looks more like this: 

ONE of my 4 artist bead treasure boxes. Can you spot all the pieces by AJE team mates? LOL

What could be better than starting the year off right with new creative ideas? Using a treasures bead or component! Last year we started what may become a tradition here at Art Jewelry Elements - the "Use your Stash" challenge. (Granted, thats not a very poetic name, but it gets right to the point.)

Here is how it works: 

• Gather your beads and components by any and all of your favorite artisan bead makers. 
• Fondle. Think. Plan. Design. Dream. 
• Create! 
• Sign up here! Leave a comment with your name AND your blog address. 
• Blog! Buried treasure reveal date is January 31st 2016. 

**Please — only leave a comment if you can commit to creating a finished piece and blogging about it on the reveal date.
**Pull out those pieces you love from your stash and ENJOY them. What are you saving them for? 
** This Buried Treasure challenge is NOT limited to AJE artists - but we DO love you see what you create with our creations. 

Until then - Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! Happy Creating!

Celtic Ravens - Myth and Magic

Raven Fey by Brigid Ashwood. Available as prints, totes, journals... 

There's a chill in the air. Mother Nature has freely splashed the colors of gold, pumpkin orange, deep red on the foliage. Costumes are being assembled with humor and fright. Its that time of year! Halloween? And October - time for the ravens to take the lead role as the theme this month.

For out AJE theme challenges - we invite you all to join us and create jewelry or art in other mediums, with ravens as the theme. Raven beads? Raven jewelry? yes and yes. Please see Karen's original post with all the details on how to participate. 

As I prepare for FaerieCon - I realized I have many artist friends/colleagues that love corvids (Corvus corax - common raven) I decided to share art with you today for inspiration - and knowing me - a little mythology thrown in... 

Meredith Dillman - is an artist and illustrator originally from Minnesota. She now lives in Wisconsin. She is known for her colorful watercolors which blend Art Nouveau, fantasy and Asian influences. She enjoys painting fairies, woodland creatures and other fantasy and medieval themes and has been drawing such since childhood. She is inspired by Pre-Raphaelite artists, Japanese comics, and turn-of-the-century book illustration.

Diverse raven offerings from Meredith: "Throne of Ravens" & "Raven's Treasure" 

Stephanie Lostimolo - "I suppose I've always been a "creator." I think we all are, but most people are forced to (or choose to) abandon their creativity in order to "fit in" or "get a real job." Sometimes I make books, other times I build worlds, still other times I fashion things out of horns, bones, and some modern materials like resin and polymer clay. I double as a graphic designer for many book projects, websites, and special events."

Clockwise from top left: "Fire in the Belly", "Raven Talisman of Protection", "Generations" and "Rosemary is for Remembrance". 

• Ravens have appeared in myth from Ancient Greece/Rome to modern day Native American belief systems. While Karen shared more Native American inspirations in her original post - I am drawn to the Celtic mythos and to a lesser degree the Norse as well. 
• Ancient Greece - ravens served as messengers to the gods, were considered lucky, and especially searched to Apollo, in his role as god of prophesy. 
• In the Norse world, Odin the father deity was accompanied by two ravens, names Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory). Each day the ravens fly out from Hliðskjálf and bring Odin news from Midgard. Odin was associated with knowledge, healing and runes among many other things. 
• The myth of Bran and Branwen is a complex tale that links ravens to the Tower of London and the present day. The original tale is from the Welsh Mabinogion. 
• In Celtic and Irish myth ravens are often associated with the Goddesses the Morrigan, Macha, Badb. Warrior goddesses all there then becomes and association with ravens and the battlefield, the slain. ( Ravens are omnivorous, but will feed on carrion) This trifold goddess is described below. 
• Badb - an Irish warrior goddess known as the "Battle Crow". She is known to cause fear and confusion among soldiers to move the tide of battle to her favoured side. Badb may also appear prior to a battle to foreshadow the extent of the carnage to come, or to predict the death of a notable person. She would sometimes do this through wailing cries, leading to comparisons with the bean-sídhe (banshee).
• Macha - warrior and goddess of sovereignty. Also associated with horses. 
• Morrigan - also a warrior goddess, associated with strength and the cycles of life death & birth. 

Jane Star Weils - Ancient cultures, myth and magick are the basic core elements that inspire my artwork. Fascinated with symbolic mythology, I try to weave a bit of symbolism into every painting.
I want to create artwork that draws the viewer in, unfolding and revealing it's meaning slowly.
Color is also extremely important to me. Exploring it's richness, the way light creates and interacts with it, and how even the darkest shadow has an unexpected depth to it. My medium is a combination of watercolor and colored pencil. I build up many layers with these two mediums and quite often will ad gouache or ink.

Jane Star Weils brings us: "Branwen ( white raven)", Celtic Raven", and "The Morrigan"

Brigid Ashwood - " Art. Words. Design. - I am an artist who paints steampunk bugs, clockwork dolls, fairy tales, magick and myth. I also write stories... My technique is well rooted in traditional mediums such as oil paint and silverpoint. But I also work in the luminous tones of the digital palette; merging the labored craft of portraiture with the flexibility of modern mediums." ( See her ravens that open this post)

Brigid shared a few images with me of an upcoming project. Her Morrigan concept drawing is shown below with its initial sculpt. Brigid has licensed designs and is working with Pacfic Trading to see these goddesses come to life in detail and color. The second picture here is the first completed sculpt! I love it, and think it maintained Brigid's original detail, palette and symbolism. (Releasing soon. Sign up for her mailing list for details. )

Concept drawing and sculpt preview of B. Ashwood's Morrigan

The Morrigan by Brigid Ashwood. 

I do hope you will join is for the Raven theme challenge this month at AJE. There is still time. (Details here.) I personally just had an insane idea for a bead embroidered piece while looking at these artworks. Gotta go sketch... 

Artists featured in this post retain all copyright; images used with permission. For more information: 

Meredith Dillman's website and store

Stephanie Lostimolo website and Etsy  store

Jane Star Weils website and Etsy

Brigid Ashwood website and store

March Hares - the AJE Themed Challenge Reveal

March is often associated with idioms about lions and lambs... but here at AJE it was the month of the Hare. We had discussed this "theme" idea for a good while before deciding to move ahead. And we, as a team, felt there were myriad reasons to give it a try... We wanted the bead makers, the component people to have an opportunity to be involved in a monthly challenge. I mean art beads - am I right? And we wanted to encourage dialogue on inspiration, and shared inspiration. We wanted to demonstrate individual styles of expression, and the diversity of artist offerings within limited parameters. But enough philosophy - on with the reveal!

This month we have many participants - team members, 2 winners and a great list of artists and designers that hopped to the challenge. Take a look. Enjoy.

Happy Spring!

AJE Team
Jenny
Caroline
Lesley
Linda
Niky
Melissa
Rebekah
Lindsay

Guests
Aural - Woodland Bay Native
Heather - Hidden Ridge Studio
Cindy Martin-Shaw
Keren Panthaki
Jackie Ryan
Karin Grosset Grange - Ginko et Coquelicot
Pamela Traub - Klassy Joolz
Paisley Lizard Designs
Karen at Ditsy Blue
Michelle McEnroe ( 4 pieces pinned on the AJE Pinterest page)

AJE COM Theme: March Hares

The *new* AJE Theme challenge!
A variation on our Component of the Month feature! 

1. A. Durer - Young hare, watercolor, 1502.  2. Lepus Leporidae   3. B. Flanagan - Leaping Hare, 1982 bronze
 4. M. Ohara - Ivory netsuke, mid 19th century

You, our loyal readers, know us. You know that we are constantly evolving, creating, discussing and challenging ourselves. This year the team decided to initiate four themed challenges, loosely aligned with the seasons. We wanted to offer a creative challenge that was broader in scope, drawing in bead makers, component makers, as well as designers/jewelry makers.

The theme for Spring 2015 is the Hare. 

We are creating hares in our respective mediums - from clay to metal, polymer to resin. We invite you to join us: create a bead, a pendant, a finished piece of jewelry. It may be whimsical, naturalistic, or abstract. Just hop to it. (Details on entry/participation at end of post.)

I selected the hare, as its my totem animal of sorts. In myths the world over the hare is associated with fertility, creativity and rebirth. I wanted to share a few stories here, and I will delve deeper into the myth and symbolism on my own blog throughout the month. I am continually inspired by these legends, myths and lore!

Now it IS March... "Mad as a March hare" comes to mind. This is a British idiom, referencing the antics of hares in their Spring breeding season. They are often seen "boxing" as a courtship display. The March Hare is commonly known from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland".

Image credits: 1. Boxing hares 2. Boxing hares 3. Tenniel illustration from Alice in Wonderland
4. Cheeky hare by  Simon Litten
   

There are many pre-Christian goddesses associated with hares and springtime, including Kaltes, Freyja and Eostre, the namesake of Easter.  Spring is a time of rebirth and fertility, so the connection with rabbits is clear, and was maintained via the Easter Bunny.

Antique Easter postcard, the Germanic goddess Eostre, an antique chocolate mold. 

The Asian folktales and myths offer a wide range of hares, most often associated with the moon. In China the hare is the consort of moon goddess Chang-O, and grinds the elixir of immortality in a mortar in pestle. In Japan - he's making mochi! The hare is seen in the craters on the moon's surface, forging a tangible link between myth and reality.

1. Lunar rabbit netsuke by Eilchi, late 19th cen. 2 & 3.  Lunar hare in the moon diagram and noren 4. Ivory netsuke  5. Embroidery, Chinese Imperial robes, 18th century

Here is what the team has been up to: (I'll let the pictures do the talking!)

Rebekah's trio - arctic hare, hare, and jackalope! Melissa's molten morsels in progress. 

Caroline's stunning silhouettes in raku. 

Karen has work in progress! Available soon - complete with the iconic spiral of life stamped on these totem beads. 

Lesley has etched, and soldiers, and cast and fired... 

Lesley is glazing these beauties now! Niky, although new to the team, has jumped in, sawing these  pieces/WIP.  

My own old and new: casting a 3d detailed hare, my hare and lunar hare ceramic pendants . 

The *new* theme challenge details:

 

1. Giveaway - This theme challenge DOES include a giveaway! ( This will vary each time.) 

I will be giving away one hare and one lunar hare pendant - winners selected randomly from comments on this post. 

• Winners selected Sunday March 1.
• You must have an active blog. 
• Email and blog address requested in comments. 

2. Goal - Have fun! Try something different! Hop to it! Be inspired by the creative nature of the hare! Make something that fits within this theme. This can be an artist bead, a component, or a finished piece of jewelry.    

       *You are free to use any artist bead/component in your design -

• from an AJE team member 
• of your own creation
• from another artisan bead maker... 

3. Share/Reveal - Reveal date March 31st! 

If you would like to be included in the blog reveal at month's end, please email Jenny at jen.davies.reazor (at) gmail.com. Since this is open to all, this is the most efficient way to be included. Emails need to be received by March 29th  to be included. 

Rabbit manju

Resources:

• The Symbolism of Rabbits and Hares by Terri Windling (a brilliant overview of myths and literature from the world over!)
• A reprised Windling article on her blog 
• The Jakata/Buddhist tale of the selfless hare
• Japanese hare mochi
• Japanese myth and folklore: the hare

January COM winners!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The plethora of prizes is announced! 

The January Component of the Month/Use your Stash winners are: 

Niky - Silver Niknats

Lee - Strega Jewellry

Samantha - Wescott Jewelry

Melissa  - Bead Recipes

Kathy - Bay Moon Design

Becky - Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Yvette - Blue Kiln Beads

Shaiha - Shaiha's Ramblings

Karin - Ginko et Coquelicot 

Winners: you will be contacted  by your AJE team member - via email for mailing addresses and the like. Please watch your in box. Pieces will mail ASAP - taking into consideration holiday timing and general hectic time of year. Especially mailing overseas!!!

Reveal day: January 31st.

And now for a little Grinch-i-ness:  

(Opinions expressed are mine, and may or may not be shared by my fellow AJE members.) 

• Email - there is nothing worse than having to delete someone from the give away list because they neglected to include their email. An oversight, but frustrating! 
• Blog - to participate in the AJE challenges, its stipulated that you have a blog. It is an unspoken understanding that you blog be active. No post at all or  posts dates 2 years ago... these are not active blogs. I would say within the last 6 months is reasonable. Life happens; blogs get neglected... 
• Names/blog identity - if I click on your comment and can't find you - I will search your name. If I can't find your blog - I take you off the list. Is it me, or is it frustrating when the blog never has the person's name? Anywhere? In the About section? If I am searching your name, I won't find your blog unless they are somehow connected. Just saying...  (I know this is my pet peeve, and others aren't so bothered by it. ) 

Which one will you receive? 

Having said all that... I need to clean house, blast the Holiday music and then look at MY personal stash. Its NOT too late to start fondling, planning, designing. Have a Merry! See you January 31st!