Hello! This week, I decided to turn an incomplete, abandoned artwork into something new. While this was notĀ technicallyĀ repurposing, it felt like an emotional version of recycling a “failed” project. A few months ago, I started an underpainting of sheep in a meadow. Of course, I stopped at white blobs on a green-brushed background. I love animals, so I assumed this piece would motivate me to get back into the habit of painting when I felt I needed a creative outlet. Painting is very intuitive for me. I rarely use reference photos as it’s more about the fun I have during the process. However, now that I have fallen out of the routine of using this medium, I think the hardest thing is getting the paint on a blank canvas. While I lost the motivation to finish this painting, I wanted to create something less daunting with these adorable animals!
A close-up of my wildly unfinished painting of “sheep” in a “meadow”…
Since I had quite a specific theme for this necklace, I had to source a few particular beads. I thought I would go to one of the numerous bead stores around town, but I knew none had the little animal-themed beads I was looking for. After some research, I found the best place to source them isĀ Etsy! This website is the best place to find handmade, high-quality beads with fast shipping. I wish I could make these adorable glass beads by hand, but I unfortunately don’t know lampworking yet. Maybe a project for the future!
Here are the cute beads from Etsy and Michaels!
This necklace was definitely a practice in patience. I started building this piece without a plan, with just a few farm animal beads and wire. I was unhappy with the first version I strungā¦and the second. I was finding it hard to find the “perfect” supporting beads for these specialty charms. So, I unstrung the whole necklace, chose a new colour palette, and tried again. The third time, as they say, was the charm. I was finally happy with the final colour palette and materials I used. It wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t care. This ability to easily revise the layout and design of a piece is one of the things I love most about jewellery making.
This is my second attempt… my first try was not very photogenic…
Here is the colour palette that I landed on! I found that these “beadsmith” trays are super helpful in planning the arrangement of the beads.
To make a “centrepiece” for the necklace, I strung my bead onto a small pin with a stopper. I then added some tiny colourful beads to keep the sheep from slipping off the pin.
I ended up switching the support beads, yet again, and crimping the loop sideways so that the little sheep could sit facing forward!
This project allowed me to practice patience and gave me a sense of accomplishment for perseveringā¦unlike my painting. This piece might not be profound, but the trial-and-error process was enjoyable. I wanted to demonstrate how inspiration in this medium of expression can come from anything. It doesnāt necessarily have to be super meaningful or powerful. I found that this type of jewellery-making can act as more of a lighthearted activity in comparison to painting, which can often be an emotional experience. Anyway, here is the final piece, I may open the clasp and restring the entire necklace again one day, who knows!
