Saturday, November 24, 2012

November Echo Creative Club Reveal - The Happy Dove

You may (or may not, go here, if "may-not") remember my post from about 20 days back, where I introduced this cutie:


This is one of the two beads I received from Jeannie Dukic, an amazing polymer clay artist who has started the Echo Creative Club. She picks artists that receive her lovely creations, and we in turn reveal what we made on the 25th of the selected month. So, since today is the 25th....... :-)

My first thoughts were to make some sort of twig and use silk ribbon. But I have seen that being done sooooo often, so chucked that idea. The I thought I would use yellow and brown crystals. So I opened my box of brown beads, and found my stash of Rudraksha...errr....faux-rudraksha.

What is rudraksha, you say?
It is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally used for prayer beads in Hinduism. The word Rudraksha is derived from Rudra (Shiva—the Hindu God of all living creatures) and aksha (eyes). One Hindu legend says that once Lord Shiva opened His eyes after a long period yogic meditation, because of extreme fulfillment He shed out a tear. This single tear from Shiva’s eye grew into the Rudraksha tree. The central hard Rudraksha uni-seed may have 1 to 21 faces. Ones with 5 faces are considered to be the best!

Here's what they look like:


I think mine are "faux" because I bought them at a craft store in India. I am tempted to crack one open to make sure ;-)

Moving on...I settled on the Rudraksha beads to use with the dove. And selected a dark rust colored waxed linen cord to string it. Now I wanted something else to "break" the monotonous brown (the color of the cord pretty much matched the beads, so even though I knotted in between the beads, it was alllllllll brown). Sitting in front of me were these white faceted czech beads. And some Greek ceramic gears! I was liking how diverse my list of materials was becoming, and how beautiful they all looked together. Here is version 1!


Yeah! I know! Very pretty :-) But incomplete :( I was not sure what I should do to finish it. Didn't want to add more of the same beads. Showed it to my friend, and she said she liked it simple. So, simple it stayed. I wrapped the cord with some wire and decided to add a rollo chain. But I did want to add a bit of playfulness to it, so added some bells.
(Bells always remind me of you, Marla Gibson!)



I also made a clasp for this one since I am bored of the lobster clasp that I use for most of my necklaces. Its a very basic clasp, but I like it soooooo much better than the lobster!



And I also made matching earrings!



I like how the beads and the bird that symbolize PEACE are coming together in this necklace!
And the gentle tinkle of the bells, so soothing....

 Yeah, I know you want to see the whole thing, NOW. I know I am a tease, haha :-)

Here it is :-) All set to fly away!


Thanks a LOT Jeannie, for my pretty bird :-) He is my happy dove, not lonesome at all!

Now, if you are done admiring him, go visit all the other participants....actually, go even if you are not done. You can always come back ;-)

Charlie Jacka http://clay-space.com/
Cindy Cima Edwards http://www.cindycima.com/
Sonya Ingersoll-Stille http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/

38 comments:

  1. Love the rudraksha beads, faux or not and they are perfectly paired with the Dove. Thanks for sharing the info on those beads. I like both versions, but the second version with the chain really makes the beads pop. And the bells, oh the bells especially on the earrings-adorable. I love your clasp too, great job. Thank you Kashmira for creating such a beautiful necklace and joining me this month.

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    1. Thank you, Jeannie :) Now you see why I was so excited to show it you when I was done. Thanks for letting me play :)

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  2. Fantastic post and fantastic necklace and earrings! Love the bells and thanks for the explanations on the rudraksha beads. I have some of them in my stash and knew some facts, but your post was very informative.

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    1. Thank you, Andrea! I had them in my stash since February, and I tried SO many times to use them. But I guess they were waiting for the little birdie :)

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  3. So elegant in its simplicity. Thank you for the story of the beads, it gives such meaning to the piece.

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  4. I love the background story of your necklace. It is very pretty!

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    1. Thank you, Kathy! Am so glad I could finally put them to use so nicely :)

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  5. Hi Kashmira,
    Beautiful necklace. I liked it when it was simple and now I love it with the added chain and bells, so Zen! It is funny our friend Marla Gibson has so many sides to her personality, because everytime I see a peace sign I think of her.
    Therese

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    1. Thank you, Therese!
      Yeah, Marla has so much good in her :) Music (bells) and peace are just one of them :)

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  6. oh you know I LOVE this piece!! and the pattern is oh so pretty just how it is ... but I do like the addition of 'Marla's Bells' ha!! nice touch. And I of course love the story behind those beautiful beads ... Shiva's tear .. you know I LOVE that!

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    1. Yup! I know you love everything Shiva :) And thanks for steering me away from overdesigning this!

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  7. I love this necklace Kashmira! Love the use of the Rudraksha beads and the bells with the dove - perfection!
    Love the earrings too!

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    1. Thank you, Cindy! I tried designing with the rudraksha before, and I tried designing the bird with other beads, but they seem to be made for each other :)

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  8. Wow! I love all the symbolism in this piece! Beautifully done.

    And I now know the name of an odd bead I used in a piece ages ago. I knew it was a seed pod, but what type I had no clue. Now I know, I had a Rudraksha bead. Thank you! :)

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    1. Thank you, Karen!
      Do you have pictures of your work with the Rudraksha? I have only seen it used in religious context, so would love to see what you made.

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  9. The necklace turned out just great, Kashmira!

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  10. I really enjoyed learning about the prayer beads you used and I think they go beautifully with Jeannie's dove. Such a pretty and peaceful necklace!

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    1. Thank you, Lola :) Yes, it makes me happy and peaceful to see it, so I do love it a lot :)

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  11. Oh, I so love your story, Kashmira!
    The little dove is perfect with the mix of materials and colours: a happy dove, indeed!

    I agree with Cynthia - I like it simple too :) You can always mix it with other strands of different necklaces!

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    1. Thank you, Alicia! Yes, happy happy dove :)
      I still need to learn the art of layering necklaces, even this will fill up my neck!

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  12. I really love the design of your necklace. I agree with you the second design with the chain is better. It does give it that bit of umph...lol.
    Sonya

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  13. Gorgeous and cool work! Peace comes through beautifully -- absolutely love the bells :)Great colorway too, Kashmira!

    namaste,
    rita

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    1. Thank you, Rita! Have to thank Jeannie for the colors, the dove dictated what colors I use :)

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  14. Beautiful focal...beautiful beads...beautiful design!

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  15. Simple and beautiful! Love that you made it a set!

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    1. Thank you, Jessica! I am trying real hard these days to stay focused and make sets. Its hard, but am trying :)

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  16. You've outdone yourself Kashmira - this one is so perfect!! Love the history you've given behind the Rudraksha beads. Your clasp is awesome and the bells are such a lovely touch and truly add something special to the design. You've highlighted Jeannie's pendant so pefectly! Love this one - it's one of my favs!

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    1. Thank you, Shel! Such a sweet comment :-) I do love it a lot myself too!

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  17. WOW! I love learning new things and you are right those beads are perfect for the dove. I also agree with adding the chain and bells still simple but just a hit of playful! Gorgeous!!!!

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    1. Thank you, Kristen! Yeah, those are special beads, and were waiting for this very special dove :)

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