Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Carnelian Night Garden


8"x10", black burlap, bleached fabric, beads, cotton backing, machine stitching.

My original intention was to begin new work with pale desert colored cloth and then this little black unraveling piece caught my eye as well as the remainder of my carnelian looking beads. So one thing led to another and I paired this dark cloth with cut out shapes revealing bleached printed floral fabric. These blossoms took on a moonlight glow for me. I added the beads in a splayed out fashion and added a red backing. I quickly ironed and photographed this piece as it was really difficult to hold together...like a dream.

The photo is of a silver and carnelian ring I've had for well over thirty years. I was told at the time it was old and possibly created in Morocco. Its design resembles the old poison rings and has always brought up
romantic desert tales for me. The stone is found in India which makes me believe it could have easily found itself on a caravan as a trading item. Carnelian is considered a joyful stone with calm energy. I wear it often stacked with other silver bands...fun!

16 comments:

  1. I saw this piece on Facebook this morning and was drawn to it immediately. I've always thought carnelian beads to be magical because they wash up on our wild coast beaches from an old shipwreck.

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    1. Robyn, Magical indeed...washing up on the beaches! Thank you!

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  2. just had to stop by and see it for myself, the contrast is magnificent and how I would love to see your pieces up close... sigh, and the ring yes... it does look like a poison ring... it is all like a dream...

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    1. Caterina, What would the world be like without a dream or two? Thank you!

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  3. Thank you for sharing on my blog, you were the first and the link works. Yeah. And I love the piece above, very dramatic.

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    1. Maggie, I have enjoyed your 30day project and happy to be a link! I'm also glad you like this piece...drama is good!

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  4. As usual - your pieces capture something so aesthetically moving. I'm now off to see if I can find your Facebook page :>))

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    1. Bridget, Glad you like this piece, thank you. Now we are facebook friends!

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    1. Thank you Connie Rose and thanks also for stopping by!

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  6. The piece is wonderful... I love the glowing flowers against that deep, rich black. The carnelian does look old. I've got some carnelian beads which I was told came from an archeological dig somewhere in the Middle East.

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  7. Sharmon, Thank you! I love that your carnelian beads hold the mystery of an archeological dig...oh, the unraveling of the old stories ...powerful indeed!

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  8. Love the windows to another world that you created with the cutouts, revealing what lies beneath. Red and black very dramatic: mysterious and passionate. The scattering of beads lends a playful movement while the larger beads (shells) at the bottom right anchor the piece. Of course, I am a total sucker for frayed edges. A really satisfying piece. And your ring is gorgeous and full of mystery, too.

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    1. Lynne, Thank you...I am also a big fan of the frayed edge...not so much for the unraveling! Working with black was an interesting experience.

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  9. I love your ring.. the color is a favorite of mine... and your black with pieces of brightness is wonderful.

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    1. Donna, Some pieces of jewelry stay favorites for a lifetime...I don't think carnelian is an especially valuable stone but I too love the color! Thank you for stopping by!

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