When I was very young I joined a homeschool sewing circle with my mum. It was here that I made my very first apron with a cornflower blue fabric and frilly white eyelet lace. It was here that I also learned to crochet, one of my favorite pastimes to this day. I had so much fun, but times got busy and the sewing circle ended. I made the occasional handmade goody here and there, but it wasn't really until I started taking photography classes that I began working with my hands again, in the darkroom.
Times changed and digital photography took over most of my celluloid film and darkroom time, for monetary and time reasons...and there's the fact that I don't have my own darkroom. In film school I was happiest when taking marks and pulling focus by hand, clipping gels to some barn doors, clicking away on my light meter, or when hammering in rivets to a spaceship set. I love making things, creating things with my hands.
If you've looked at this blog before you may have noticed that I also REALLY LOVE necklaces. Besides a good pair of glasses, they are the perfect accessory for any occasion! So naturally one thing lead to another. When I realized my sister Shelly really wanted a necklace with a skeleton key, I decided to make her one for Christmas...but I couldn't stop with just one necklace. I started taking apart thrift store necklaces, cutting up and sanding branches, hand staining wood appliques, etc.
So here are a few of the necklaces I have recently made, I am starting the next batch, having aquired more supplies and having received some good feedback on my phase one prototypes, so that I can make the next round better, more wearable, and sturdier!
My very first wood applique necklace.
The second wood applique necklace...for my sister Jenny.
Third wood applique necklace with vintage wooden beads and a parrot...made for Safia!
Hardware pieces plus beads!
Hardware, beads, and a real skeleton key.
Vintage wooden bead, regular beads, and some Virgin Mary metal pieces.
An assortment of beads and chain and a pendent piece.
Metal and wood, made from wood found on a walk through a park!
More to come soon...
