AJE Component of the Month Reveal
Once a month Art Jewelry Elements (AJE) hosts a component giveaway and jewelry reveal. January’s component was made Jenny Davies-Reazor. Members of the Art Jewelry Elements team, plus a few lucky guest artists were given a personalized polymer clay and resin focal that Jenny made for us. Since these components were made at the start of the new year, Jenny chose words to guide us on our journey through 2014. My word was “Courage”. I need courage to try new jewelry techniques without being too self-critical about the outcome during the early learning stages. I also need courage to start submitting jewelry designs to magazines, knowing full well that the process will involve some rejections along the way, with (hopefully) some acceptances.
Courage Pendant
Unfortunately I’ve been sick for nearly 3 weeks now and after seeing my doctor yesterday, I’ve learned that I have bronchitis. Now I know why I have been feeling so exhausted and lousy. Which is to say that, while I’ve developed plans for this focal, I haven’t actually executed them yet. So this will be a work-in-progress blog post. I’ll share my plans with you and when I get this necklace finished, I’ll post an update here.
The focal has an old-fashioned, elegant antique vibe to it, so I immediately thought of a wonderful old bracelet that I picked up in an antique store about a year ago.
Jenny’s focal has two holes at the bottom of it, so I thought I would use them to attach the dangle focal from the bracelet.
The bracelet’s chain is unusually lovely and I want to incorporate some of it in the necklace, though I’m not yet certain how I will do so.
I plan to finish the necklace with small champagne colored pearls and faceted garnets.
Want to see more gorgeous jewelry with Jenny’s focals? Here are all the links. Have fun!
Guests:
Hope of Craftyhope –
Sarajo of SJ Designs Jewelry
AJE team
Jennifer Cameron
Diana Ptaszynski
Lesley Watt
Susan Kennedy
Caroline Dewison
Linda Landig
Melissa Meman
Keirsten Giles
Rebekah Payne
Kristen Stevens
Jenny Davies-Reazor
I am always delighted to read your comments! Hope to hear from you.
Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings 
So sorry that you’ve been feeling so crummy! I hope that you feel much better soon! I look forward to seeing where you go with your design… I think that you have pulled some lovely things together that complement Jenny’s focal so well.
Thank you!
Feel better my friend!! I really like where you’re going with this, the colors are beautiful!!
Thanx for sharing your design ideas with us. The pearls and garnet look great with the focal. I hope you feel better soon.
Your plans for this focal sound amazing and I can’t wait to see the finished design. That chain really is divine and a great find, perfect for the component.
Here’s hoping your doctor gave you some good drugs to get you back up and running again. In other words, get well soon. Take care!
Thanks Hope! I’ve got antibiotics going on now–ruining my stomach, but hopefully knocking all the bad germs on their asses!
I love the plan you’ve got going so far. The bracelet is really cool. I never find cool old jewelry. Or at least, none that doesn’t cost a fortune…
Look forward to seeing the completed piece.
You had me at garnets and pearls!!! I hope you feel better soon – and then you can relax into creating and enjoying the process. The bracelet looks like fabulous fodder for repurposing. Good eye! I look forward to updates, and I am glad you are liking your focal, and your word!
I hope you feel better soon and I can’t wait to see the finished necklace!
Great ideas. This is going to be a beautiful necklace! I hope you feel better soon.
It sure sounds like the creeping crude is spreading all over WA. My hubby has had it for the past month. I can definitely see why you wouldn’t have the energy to finish the necklace. I can hardly wait to see what you come up with.
Creeping crude – LOL! The pharmacist called it the 100 day cough. Not a very encouraging name either!
I think your plan is going to turn out a stunner! That chain looks perfectly suited to the focal–if feels from the same era, with the same rustic luxuriousness. I love your champagne peals and garnets with it–can’t wait to see how it turns out! Hope you feel better soon, it sucks to be sick and tired. Sleep lots and take it easy!
Linda: sorry to hear you’ve been feeling bad. It’s hard to create when you are feeling terrible. You have been able to make some good plans. Love the colors of the beads you have chosen. Feel better soon.
My favourite part of designing is getting everything out and putting the pieces together, I loved seeing what your plans are and I’m looking forward to seeing it finished!
Hope you’re feeling better soon! x
feel better and know that you received a valiant treasure! jean
An excellent book on this topic is called “Art and Fear”. Have you read it?
No I haven’t, but I’ll look into it. Thanks for the recommendation!
I love where you’re going with your focal Linda! Jenny chose a perfect word for you! Maybe a tiny lion charm could be incorporated in too? That’s what immediately came to mind for me—the royal colors and components you have picked are perfect and you’re definitely braver than I think you’re aware. 🙂 I hope you feel better soon!
I look forward to seeing this finished Linda – hope you feel better soon.