The eyes have it! The March theme reveal at Art Jewelry Elements

Welcome! Its the end of March and time for the reveal over at Art Jewelry Elements. This month’s theme was very illuminating. I found myself thinking of and researching so many eye motifs… 

Eye inspirations collage

The Egyptian Eye of Horus, Lover’s Eyes and an eye brooch designed by Salvador Dali. (clockwise from top left)

By happenstance, Rachel Helinki of Dida Metals posted a glorious eye pendant/necklace she has created – incorporating one of Joan Miller’s porcelain eye cabochons. I was planning to use a similar cab – so I asked Rachel to appear here with me as my guest… Here is her offering, words and images: … 

“The lovely Jenny Davies-Reazor asked if I wanted to partake in the AJE Monthly Challenge & after seeing the theme — it was a total no brainer for me.  Eyes are a major design element that I like to focus on with my work, so I couldn’t resist participating!  
 
Eyes are actually why I got into metalsmithing to begin with.  Two years ago I was diagnosed with an chronic autoimmune disease of the eyes.  Metalsmithing had always been a dream of mine & the thought of experiencing any kind of vision impairment really put everything in motion for me.  I took a weekend workshop where I had access to materials & tools and never looked back!  
 
Eyes & chronic illness are themes I like to explore personally through metalwork.  I have several eye pieces that I wear as talismans that give me strength when I need it.  I know that many people look to the eye as a symbol for so many different reasons & that it has roots in many different cultures (Thank you Lindsay M Starr for pulling together a great list — I’d not known of the Lover’s Eye before your post!)
 
For this challenge, I’d like to feature one piece in particular — a pendant featuring a gorgeous porcelain cabochon made by Joan Miller!  Joan’s piece was perfect for setting — it has a fun iridescent, detailed iris, but still allowed me to add interest with the setting.  The entire piece is hand fabricated from fine & sterling silver using traditional metalsmithing techniques.  One of my favorite details on this is the bezel which is shaped to look like eyelids!
I’d like to thank the Art Jewelry Elements ladies for hosting this challenge & allowing me to participate (& Jenny in particular for letting me guest post on her blog)!  “

Dida eye1

Detail shots

See? I am utterly enchanted with that necklace! I hope to finally meet Rachel next weekend at Bead Fest Spring – we have been Instagram acquaintances for a while! 

So… the cab ended up in a very different setting for me… 

the beaded eye

I was going to do a wall hanging in an Egyptian style… no – then I was thinking crystals and a teardrop a la Dali… I definitely was keeping to the blue palette in a nod to the traditional evil eye amulets. Then this happenned: 

Eye beading WIP

Now I have to engineer a backing and attach it all together… The frame is polymer from a large! mold I made. It is colored with paint and Gilders paste. I want to use the Latin phrase ” Respice, Adspice, Prospice” somehow in this piece. (It translates as “Look behind, look here, look ahead” or so I have read. Translation apps arent cooperating with me today.) Maybe small stamped brass strips riveted to the frame? Ill keep thinking on this – any ideas are welcome! 

Thanks for stopping by! Please feel free to leave comments for me and for Rachel! We would love to hear from you. Oh – and dont forget the other participants: 

Guests – 
 
AJE Members – 

 

 

 

 

 

9 thoughts on “The eyes have it! The March theme reveal at Art Jewelry Elements”

  1. Lesley Watt says:
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    Two beautiful designs both of which show of Joan’s cabs tot he fullest. Rachel’s necklace is stunning and Jenny you wall hanging has an incredible dimensionality (is that even a word) to it. Great work.

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  2. Kelly Rodgers says:
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    I am flabbergasted. First, I used Joan Miller’s work for mine too…and I am SUPER jealous…like literally green for those eye cabs!!! Rachel…that pendant is to DIE for – absolutely incredible…and Jenny – I LOVE LOVE LOVE how you made beaded eyelids for your cab…SUPER cool design elements going on there. A++++++ for both of you!

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  3. Kelly Rodgers says:
    Reply

    I am flabbergasted. First, I used Joan Miller’s work for mine too…and I am SUPER jealous…like literally green for those eye cabs!!! Rachel…that pendant is to DIE for – absolutely incredible…and Jenny – I LOVE LOVE LOVE how you made beaded eyelids for your cab…SUPER cool design elements going on there. A++++++ for both of you!

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  4. Caroline says:
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    I love how you’ve both used the same component and come up with two completely different and amazing designs. The details on the silver piece are stunning and the beadwork and frame are beautiful!

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  6. Tammy Adams says:
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    How fun to have a guest post within your post. Both designs are fabulous. It’s amazing how different the focal looks in the metal setting compared to the beaded piece. Spectacular work, both of you.

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  7. Lindsay S says:
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    Yay, more Joan Miller eyeball goodness! Both of your pieces are so appealing in such different ways. I’m so glad both of you have been inspEYEred! Thank you for sharing!

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  8. Susan Kennedy says:
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    I love both of your designs – Joan’s cabs are awesome. I loved hearing about the meaning behind Rachel’s piece, and always admire the thought and meaning that you put into your pieces as well Jenny!

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  9. Niky Sayers says:
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    Rachel and Jenny what utterly amazing pieces you both created, Rachel I LOVE this necklace what beautiful metal work and so wearable and Jenny, beaded eyelids pure genius!

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