Mother Necklace

Hello again :)
I thought I'd share some pictures of my Mother Neklace with you.
I call it Mother Necklace not only because I actually made it for my Mom, but also because it's mother themed.

It all began when I found some bottle tree (Brachychiton populneus) seed pods on a weekend trip to Barceloa a few weeks ago. I looked at them and found that their shape was...ahem...quite female :)
It reminded me on childbirth.
So the idea was born to create a necklace for my Mom from it.

This necklace is full of meanings and symbolism. Almost every detail tells a story, but most of them even my Mom won't understand. To make this piece, I went on a trip down to memory lane, and sometimes it hurt a bit. In a way, this was some kind of birth for me, too.

Behind a "leaf" (sewn of recycled recycled sari fabric and Lacy's Stiff Stuff and adorned with some glass beads, a brass sequin and a garnet) are childhood photos of my sister (top), my brother (bottom) and me, embedded in resin.
I didn't pour the resin directly into the pod. You can'tsee it very good, but I made a mold especially for this piece. The finished resin piece has the shape of a leaf, and on the back of the piece you can see the cast of an elder blossom that is shining through. I highlited the elder blossom a bit with Gilders Paste in antique gold. Then I put some dupioni silk loosely into the pod. Above came a piece of mica, also cut into leaf shape. Finally the resin piece was placed on top. Tiny golden glass seed beads, "sewn" into the pod with waxed linen thread, prevent everything from falling out.

I am quite pleased with this necklace. 

Yesterday I gave it to her. 

Versatile Blogger Award and a necklace

Normally I am not the award type.
But I am feeling very honored because Steph gave me the Versatlile Blogger Award.

Steph is one of my favorite artists, blogger friends, etsy sellers and fellow etsy circlers. Please visit her incredible blog and shop.
I don't take this as an award only but most of all as a good opportunity to show you some of my favorite blogs and... to finally blog again :)

There are several rules to accepting this award:
1. Add the award to your blog -- To come. Blogger doesn't let me today.
2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you. -- Merci beaucoup, Steph! 1000 Dank!
3. Mention 7 random things about yourself. -- See below.
4. List the rules. - Check!
5. Award to 15 bloggers. -- See below.
6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

The 7 random things about myself:

1.) I can't stand to see a fruit fly in need. I have already saved the lives of thousands of fruit flies, snails (yes, even the naked ones, and even in my own garden), spiders and other little insects, crawlers, mice, rats..... Whenever I see a being in need, I help. The only exception: ticks, lice and fleas. But I would save their lives too, if I only knew how to save them and my family (including the cats) at the same time...!

2.) Ever since I was a little child I have altered and distressed things, and I have always collected what other people call "waste"

3.) I am coffee addicted and love to sit in coffee bars, writing or doodling and watching people.

4.) I love cooking, but I don't like to cook for my family.

5.) Someday I gotta get organized.

6.) I love Berlin. Every time I go there it immediately feels like home. Actually I am a town mouse. But I am also a nature lover and often need the silence.

7.) One day I want to say hello to a blue wale.


And the Versatile Blogger Award goes to...

...these fabulous bloggers:

1.) Mary Anne

2.) Claire

3.) Kim

4.) Richelle

5.) Petra

6.) Louise

7.) Steffi

8.) Nicki

9.) Mich

10.) Annette

11.) Gaby

12.) Mary Jane

13.) Moxie

14.) Vera

15.) Kate


Thanks to you all for being you.

And now to something different:
This is what I made for my little one's 13th birthday. She had asked for a white necklace with the same lace and one of the same tiny folding knives I used in these earrings.

Please double click the pictures to see more details.

 The adorable handmade leather book is made by Louise (see list of awarded bloggers). It's detachable, so Yola is able to write in it without taking off the necklace. 

I have also incorporated a bead from Steph and one of my paper beads.

Printed leather strap.

Yola loves her new necklace. Pheew....