A Necklace in Two Parts.

Hello! I'm thoroughly behind on all things bloggy, chiefly, saying hello to blog pals and visiting blogs. I'm so sorry about this, so sorry, something always has to give when things get stupendously busy.

But on to other things, like my jewellery making!

It's a new year, and things are evolving in every area of my work, from the books I illustrate, to my sculptures, and now there has been a progression in my jewellery making.

You may remember these brooches I made, which I sold before Christmas..........

Welllllll........ Fliss, from blog Joshy and Belle, you may find yourself going oooooooohhhhh wonderful! at some of the things she makes, the Debbie Bliss pattern for a fair isle top she's working on at the moment is amazing, the link to Fliss' blog is here. Fliss' writing is magical, and her new baby is very, very, sweet. I'm not sure how she manages to look after three young children, write a blog, run a home, have a job outside the home, and come up with wonderful ideas, but she does.

Fliss bought a holly and berries brooch from me, and then decided on the strength of the brooches I had made, to commission a necklace.

For someone to have so much faith in you, over such an unknown quantity, feels amazing, and a bit scary, incase it turns out to be not up to much.

Fliss told me about her influences, images she likes, things she collects, and she asked for a necklace in two parts. A basic necklace that could be worn during the day, and then a part that could be added to make it more of a statement piece for the evening.

So I came up with a necklace that could have a brooch pinned to it, and the brooch could also be worn on its own.

Fliss is like a muse, she feeds me ideas, and I act on them. Fliss has been imagining a jewellery range for me, which is rather exciting that she has so much faith in me. At the moment, I'm spending spare moments making the components for necklaces and brooches.

I've just been looking at the dog in the brooch above, and realised he needs a red collar! How annoying that I missed that.

I did, however, put in finishing touches like little red bells to cover the knots in the ends of the cord, which Fliss can shorten if she finds the cord too long, by cutting the ends shorter and tying new knots.

The details are important to me, like tending to the ends of cord or string. That expression "the devil's in the detail", I think it must be referring to the detail being devilishly difficult and trying of ones patience. For me, I find that "joy is in the detail", and is essential. If I had a mathmatical brain, maybe I could have been a watchmaker, I like sitting hunched up with my entire focus on a tiny thing.

Such a nuisance I didn't apply myself enough to realise the dog should have been given a red collar. Sloppy of me.

Well I must now apply myself to the making of a cup of tea, and the savouring of a little something sweet of taste. That'll be some chocolate then.

Just before I go, talking of tea, Helen Stephens, a hugely talented writer/illustrator of children's books, came by to say hello and draw my doggies yesterday. Helen has a website here. Her work is magical and funny and touching. Her partner, Gerry Turley, was at The Royal College of Art at the same time as me, and I love his work too, which you can see on his website here. Hugo very generously gave me one of Gerry's gorgeous prints for my Christmas present.

I like to share wonderful talent with you all, it's enriching, don't you think?

Now where's that cup of tea I've been going on about?

Cheerio!

Vanessa xxx

 P.S.  Something else to share with you, a rather wonderful giveaway from Lori, of superb blog Lori Times Five. If you read her magical blog post here, you will be inspired, and it will lead you to how to enter her giveaway, it's wonderful. The time for entering finishes tomorrow, Sunday 22nd.

 

Comments

[Kate]

Well deserved choc and cuppa.Lovely stuff!
I did like Mr Turley's sketchbook,lovely to see someone who draws....why is January so stupidly busy this year? One usually has a chance to draw breath in January.

[amanda makes]

Bloody hell Vanessa! Can you get any more wonderful? I adore this necklace! Love everything about it! Lucky Fliss! Audrey says 'xxxxxx'

[Vintage Squirrel]

What a fabulous necklace - eyecatching, beautifully made and great fun. A real talking point and no doubt everyone will be asking Fliss all about it, understandably!
K x

[Carol]

Hi Vanessa, Love, love, love, love that necklace. You continue to amaze and astound with your creativity.
Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind comments. I'd love to be able to visit an exhbition of your work at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park!
Have a lovely weekend.
Carol xx

[Liz in Missouri (with Lucy)]

Well I'm absolutely charmed by the necklace/brooch. How could anything be more fun? Happy Fliss. Smart woman to choose your special set of skills.
And so I visited Helen and Gerry's websites and was excited all over again. I love both their styles. Helen's work reminds me a little bit of the Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline books - stories that made me smile as a child. I hope you will show us Gerry's print that Hugo got you. Happy YOU to have connections with such artistic people. Happy THEM to know you!

[Jenny]

That's the most gorgeous necklace I have ever seen Vanessa! It is so quirky and original, you are such a talented lady - your jewellery making career is obviously going to be a huge success! Jenny x

[Annie]

Wow Vanessa, what an amazing necklace! I LOVE it!!

Is that knitted i-cord I see there? I've been playing a lot with knitted i-cord jewellery this last week or two. I posted about it last weekend and there's another post in the pipeline. Nothing so wonderful as your fantastic creation though.

What a lucky lady Fliss is to have something so personal and wonderful!

[Fliss]

Hi Vanessa, thank you so much, he he about the collar! I think he's gorgeous still! And thank you for writing such nice things about me, I'm hoping to do a post tomorrow, hope you have a lovely weekend, fliss xxx

[Teresa Kasner]

Vanessa.. I love seeing your sculpture used on jewelry! I had to look twice on the cord as it looks a bit like peyote stitch beadwork. I've done several necklaces like that and it's so neat. We're having some really bad weather here, lots of rain and flooding. I am so looking forward to Spring! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[lori]

well first you must never apologize, you have obviously been very very busy, doing the most delightful things! what a fabulous necklace vanessa! i don't know if i've ever seen anything quite so charming or unique.

i'm glad so many good and great things are happening to you dear, they are all so well deserved.(still giggling over your puppy)
happy weekend! lori xxx

[Trudy McLauchlan]

Vanessa your necklace is absolutely gorgeous in every way!! The detailing is brilliant. To be able to create something so unique must be wonderfully fulfilling.

[helen]

Thanks Vanessa! love Helen and Gerryxx

[Jo Norman]

Oh my goodness ... how wonderful is that necklace? You are so talented - it is beautiful.

[Crafted by Carly]

I can't believe that necklace!!! It's the most beautiful, most wonderful necklace I have EVER seen!!! The colours are my absolute favourites, and the detail is stunning!!! Is there no end to your amazing talents???
Carly
x

[Heather L.]

I just love your necklace!! What a treat to see a post from you today! And thanks for the links to all the other blogs too. It is wonderful to be surrounded by creativity via the internet. Can't wait to see more necklaces and brooches!

[Stephanie]

Dear Vanessa,

This is perfectly uplifting! I never cease to be amazed by your generous spirit and your creative energy. Your neclace is stunning as is the joy with which you share others' artistic capacities. Thank you for being you. And yes, I agree, the joy is very much in the details one adds.

Stephanie

[Magic Cochin]

The necklace is quite amazing! I must make time to visit those links but like you I've hurled myself into 2012 at a cracking pace and am trying not to get distracted too much.

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed wearing my holly brooch at Christmas - our (lady) vicar admired it greatly at the Christmas service :-)

Best wishes
Celia
xx

[Planet Penny]

Firstly I have to say how wonderful the necklace is...quite amazing! Secondly though, I am more than a little envious of the wonderful dress form it's displayed on. it's fab! You always deliver surprises , Vanessa!

[Frances]

Wowee Vanessa! You are off to a splendid start in this still very new year. The necklace is a delightful collection of unique elements that all reinforce the joy of each other. Having the brooch as a separate component that can join the party is a brilliant idea.

I also agree with you that Fliss is a rather remarkable lady.

Thanks, too, for the links to all those other wonderfully creative folks. It's great to be able to see so many people doing marvelous things, each one totally unique.

xo

[Jeanne]

So cute! I love the little dog brooch (and the holly and berries, of course!)

[Fiona]

Hi Vanessa, I got a Phoenix catalogue put through my door yesterday and as I was looking through it I noticed they were looking for new artists to join their team/design cards. I have no idea if this would be of any interest but thought about you and the gorgeous cards you have sold via your etsy store. If interested their web site is easily found by typing in phoenix trading into any search engine (ps I am no way involved with this company, it was just that I thought of you when I saw their ad!) Happy New Year btw!

[The Muse of The Day]

OK. The brooches are one thing ... But the necklace? You just jumped a planet. It is really a wearable sculpture, with freedom for the wearer to decide just how much they want to wear. I can't believe the jump in creativity. Really Vanessa, you have outdone yourself. Carolina

[Mojca]

The necklace is gorgeous, what a splendid idea!

[Archie the wonder dog]

Fabulous necklace and brooch - what a wonderful idea!

[julie]

wow, that necklace and brooch are amazing, and such a clever idea to combine them together or have them as separates. Am gutted that I somehow managed to miss your winter holly brooches, they are beautiful too. Sorry, I've not been about in blog land so much, lots going on at home (new house, new job, busy commute, studying, plus all the normal family stuff, and something had to give, but I am finally hopefully starting to catch up a bit). Love all what you are doing and am looking forward to seeing more. x

[Nana GoGo]

What a most beautiful creation. I've just bought 'Bringing Down the Moon' for my Grandaughter's 3rd birthday tomorrow and can't wait to read it to her. It has the dvd too so we can watch it together. I almost don't want to give it to her! Your artwork is so beautiful.

[Alessandra]

Your necklace left me without breath....It's really wonderful, Vanessa! You are an amazing artist, honestly!
Love, xxx Alessandra

[Danette Bartelmay]

Love, love, love your wonderful blog. And I am a miniature dachshund mommy too. Sophie, a chocolate long hair and Phoebe a double dapple short hair. Plus a little 3 1/2 pound chihuahua squeezed in there too! Happy knitting!

[Mia]

There's no end to your creativity, Vanessa, and I am so happy for it. I love the new piece, and simply can't wait to see more.

Wonderful year 2012!

Yours,
Mia

[annabel burton]

love your work... it just makes me feel happy! I come on to your blog when life is a little dull and too hard and whoosh! all is well again. Many thanks! By the way, your marathon knittings have inspired me to give up so easily!

[jenclair]

I love your blog. Would you mind if I used a picture of Evangeline on my blog, with full credit and link to you?

[Mike]

The little female sailor is adorable.