Art Elements Rune Challenge Reveal Day
Last month I was lucky enough to be selected to receive a hand made RUNE as part of the Art Elements Monthly Challenge. Niky Sayers is the talented artist who made this array of Viking Runes in copper clay. The Rune I received is titled SOWELU, meaning Wholeness, Life Force, or The Sun's Energy.
This is the Rune Niky sent to me. It didn't have any holes in it, as she left it up to me if and where I wanted to put any holes.
Based on it's size -5/8 inch x 3/4 inch (14 x 21 mm)- I decided to use it in a bracelet. I decided on 4 holes for best visual and physical balance.
I wanted to create something in keeping with it's rustic nature as well as it's symbolic ties to the past and to nature. I also wanted to incorporate stones that would symbolize The Sun. In my stash I have an assortment of yellow semi-precious gemstones. I chose to use Citrine, and some very rough stones that I think were once labelled Herkimer diamonds (they had previously lost their tag.) They have a lovely sparkly, but subdued, finish with many inclusions within the stones. However the yellow didn't seem to enhance the copper Rune when adjacent to it, so I decided to add some Amethyst to the composition. This made me happier. The trick was how to assemble these into a substantial bracelet without using flex wire, -the hole edges on herkimer's and other diamonds are rough on flex wire and it often breaks or shreds.
So out came my roll of 20 ga. bare copper wire. I had to use that gauge as A. I didn't have any 18 ga, and B. -more importantly-a lot of my gemstones have extremely small and uneven holes. They are typically drilled from each end (or side) and hopefully they meet in the middle . With flex wire it's not an issue but it sure is with forming wire. I had to cull each and every bead. Many didn't make the grade. After several failed attempts to get the wire to look decent and intentional I finally found a solution. I created my own links that attached to the subsequent element. This will be clearer in the photos.
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| close up of the front with amethyst and then the rough Herkimers |
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| On my wrist (ignore the freckles please) |
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| stretched out flat to show the whole thing. Overall I am pleased with how it turned out but I know i will be remaking it to get those links more consistent in width. I didn't realize I was making the back links a tad longer and they grew exponentially. I hope you enjoyed reading about my process. There are more goodies in store for you to see at the other artists blogs. Please show them some love and visit them . the links are below. just point and click . |
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Art Elements Team
I love this Deb - the design style is really in keeping with the rune and I can imagine it being worn way back in the distant past.
ReplyDeleteGreat design! Your selection of stones certainly give it an ancient 'feel'. And I love the way you constructed the links in your bracelet.
ReplyDeletejust lovely, like Lesley I can imagine it being worn in the past :D
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece, Deb! I really like that you chose stones to go with the rune, most particular the colors!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely piece meant to be worn. I think it will look even better when the wire slowly starts to age. Even if you didn't mean to have the size gradiation, I would have never guessed, because it does it evenly on both sides and enhances the rune as center.:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design, the shape is perfect for the rune. I'd wear that a lot!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Deb! I am so glad you were able to play along with all of us this month. I love that you made a bracelet too...sometimes it seems like they get left out a bit, but Niky's piece is the perfect size to work with!
ReplyDeleteThe stones are gorgeous with the rune! I like the engineering /design of the piece. It is ingenious and looks great!
ReplyDeleteI really love your design Deb, the stones are beautiful and go so well with the rune and the way you have wired it up is just perfect! Thank you for playing along x
ReplyDeleteAwesome job Deb! I wasn't brave enough to punch holes in mine, I'm glad you did and your design is awesome for your rune meaning!
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