Wow, I've been busy....and not in the fun way! Seems there has been so much going on lately that I've been barely able to spend any 'fun' time at the bench. Until last weekend that is..
It's kind of a long story, so stick with me. A few months ago, we had some rain. Not just some rain actually, a whole LOT of rain. This brought out the cicadas, big time. Phil called me outside one day when he found a cicada emerging from its shell on the side of our house. It was fascinating. The wonders of nature never cease to amaze me - how beautiful and complicated some creatures can be. Over the next three hours, we watched the cicada transform from a dirty, creepy looking thing into a stunning, if somewhat alien, creature. Of course, I was there with my camera......
Meanwhile, I'm guessing millions (OK, maybe not millions) of other cicadas were doing the same thing.....and what's a cicada to do after emerging from a long sleep in the ground? Sing, of course!!!
So for weeks, we were driven nuts by the sound of cicada love...really, really nuts...(but let's not go there). Anyway, while walking back to the house from my studio just after Christmas, I found a perfect cicada wing on the ground. The shape and the glimmery iridescence of it really caught my eye and I just had to pick it up and bring it inside. I placed it on my bench, just knowing that this shape would inspire something creative in me. But there was work to do, matters to attend to, the usual day-to-day stuff, and the wing sat there on my bench for weeks.
Last weekend, I was planning some jewellery-making workshops and was working on ideas for non-soldering projects for upcoming classes in South Australia. I saw the wing and sat a while, trying to use the shape for inspiration. Then it hit me. It was perfect just as it was, there was no improving it, no stylising or tweaking neccessary. So I scanned it, actual size, saw-pierced it and came away with the most gorgeous pendant. Sometimes you can try an try to come up with something creative only to find it's been right in front of you the whole time.
I'm so happy with this piece and very pleased to be able to offer it as a half-day workshop, so you too can make your own cicada wing pendant. The project is designed for beginners and will really get you used to using the jewellers saw. Not to mention the compliments you will receive wearing this little beauty, trust me, I've been wearing mine and people comment all the time.
The back plate is brass, but looks just like gold (it will be our secret) and it looks great on a leather cord.
If you're interested in attending a workshop, or getting a few friends together for your own group session, drop me a line and I'll be happy to give you some details.
Help a Great Cause....
One of my Grafton Artsfest students, Sally, who has also become a good friend, is taking on a massive challenge and riding a push-bike from Sydney to Surfers Paradise. Now, I know what you're thinking.....she's mad!! Well, maybe, but she's going all out for a great cause and that is a wonderful thing (and it kind of cancels out the craziness).
The Macsim Sydney to Surfers Charity Bike Ride is in its 13th year and raises money for Father Chris O'Reilly's Youth Off The Streets.
Sally leaves on 30th April for the 7 day, 1,000km ride and is hoping to raise $3,000 for Youth Off the Streets. It's a great charity and a huge effort by Sally, so I'm asking you to please be generous, show some support and make a donation.
Just visit the website and be sure to enter "Sally Spillane" as the supported rider, so the donated funds go to her tally. Let's get her to that $3,000 goal, she's certainly working for it!
Good luck, Sally.......
I'll post some updates soon on the studio as well as some possible classes that will be available soon.
Thanks for visiting and please check back soon.
