Friday, February 27, 2015

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:

18 comments :

  1. Oh this does sound like fun! I don't have any hare or rabbit beads so I am going to have to look around. Hmmmm.. I would also like to enter my name into the hat.

    blogbaby@comcast.net

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  2. The hare is a perfect theme, and your post was so inspiring. Brilliant! I'd love to play along. Your hare pendants are so sweet. Can't wait to see what everyone creates!

    martinshaw@comcast.net
    http://cmsdesigns1.blogspot.com

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  3. How perfect! I have for some time now on my list to finally try to create my own one... but delayed it until ... So this is a great challenge! Of course I would also love to win some of your beautiful beads :)

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  4. What beautiful and unique beads you all created around the hare! That sounds like a great theme to work with, I might try to join...

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  5. I would love to join in the fun and create with one of your terrific beads. I have an active blog at http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/. I can commit to this. baymoondesign@gmail.com.
    I am keeping my fingers crossed!

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  6. Fabulous theme. I loved the bits of history and lore. And I want one of each of all of those components. Maybe two. :) I have a few rabbits in my art bead stash. Time to see what they want to become.
    Email paisleylizarddesigns at gmail .com.
    Blog at http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/

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  7. I love your hares, Jenny! I'd love the chance to play along. Here's my blog: http://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/ and email sjdesignsjewelry(at)gmail(dot)com Thanks for the chance!

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  8. I really like this theme of hares. I like all the hares created by you talented artists. I will definitely work on this and see what I can come up with.

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  9. I've been anxiously waiting for you to get this post done - so cool! I learned a lot about Hares and I love seeing all the interpretations!

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  10. I have always been drawn to these creatures and even more to their depiction in many forms...

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  11. We have gigantic bunny prints in the snow around our house so these really made me smile.The workmanship on the components is amazing!

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  12. I am a collector of rabbits and hares. I enjoyed your post and learned a few things too. All of the piece finished and in progress are beautiful. I have a few bunnies in my stash so I think it is time to use one or two in a piece.
    Therese
    theresestreasures59@gmail.com
    http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

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  13. Hey, this sounds fun. I loved those pendents! Also I would like to play along..my blog address is https://flaneurdesigns.blogspot.in/ and you can reach me at flaneurdesigns@gmail.com. Thanks for providing chances.

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  14. I love this theme! And of course i am fond of bunnies.

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  15. What a wonderful theme to remind us that Spring will indeed come. Count me in! My blog address is http://hiddenridgestudio.blogspot.com/ and my contact email is scherger5{at}hotmail{dot}com.

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  16. I love all those hares and I'd love the chance to play along. Here's my blog: http://suntsan.blogspot.fi/ and email merja(dot)sundstrom(at)honkajoki(dot)fi

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  17. oh how fun! We don't have hares in Australia (our hoppers are rather, um, bigger!) but I do love them! (melissa_trudinger at yahoo dot com)

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  18. Bunnies/Rabbits/Hares are my favorites...I even raised them for a while...rabbits are everywhere in my home (tastefully done)...dishes, pictures, décor accents, jewelry, etc...they do multiply. Just received my purchase from blueberribeads...So I must join in the fun please.

    klassyjoolz@yahoo.com
    http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com

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