Magnolia bloom- shades of pink and cerise.

I am an amateur botanical painter. Every year the beautiful Magnolia in my garden is on my list to paint.  Unfortunately the bloom is rather fleeting. If we get a cold snap the white flowers turn brown and the buds fall off. If it is too hot the tree blooms out in a day or two. And the petals cannot withstand a heavy spring rain. Even under the most optimum weather conditions one has to work fast. I am so busy making jewelry that I do not have time to paint, again! This year's weather was as near perfect as it can be. The tree is in full bloom. I decided to take alot of pictures and maybe I will sketch out a few flowers and make some color notes. I might just get something started to finish next year.  

The fragrance of a Magnolia tree in full bloom is magical. 

Creative play

Entry with some of the material: acorns, Franklinia seed pod, sweet gum  tree pod, pine cone, eucalyptus leaf, wisteria seed, styrax seed. (not pictured:mustard seeds, peppercorn)

I am a collector of seedpods, leaves and pretty much all range of flora.  Often I find inspiration for my jewelry in the infinite shapes, forms and texture.  This year I was able to use some of my stash to create a piece of jewelry to enter in the Jewelry Class at The Philadelphia Flower Show.  The theme, Un Colleir pour la Reine (a necklace for a queen), is not intended to be worn however it is supposed to embody all the attributes of a real piece.  There isn’t a monetary award or notoriety attached to this, however if you win a blue ribbon you and your guest get to attend the big Luncheon for all the winners. If you live in Philly and/or you are into gardening, this show is a big deal. I do this for my own pleasure and to take a creative break even though this necklace took about twice as long as a real piece to make.

Art supplies, nail polish and dried pods take over the kitchen table. 

I have been designing and making jewelry for others and myself since attaining my BFA in Metals from Rochester Institute of Technology, back when it was The School for American Craftsmen. Finding inspiration for new work can be challenging at times and I have found that working in another medium infuses the creative spirit.  The design process is the same as if this were a commission however the only thing at stake this time is satisfying myself. And once completed, my necklace will be seen by thousands of visitors who slowly file past the lighted cases where mine and the other entries of this unique art form are displayed.

The pieces I didn't make.

Looking back over my sketches and holding the finished piece, I see changes that I could have made to make this a stronger design. If I were to make another I know what I would do differently the next time. This is the creative process at work. There is always something new to learn and put to use the next time.

A few things learned:

Admit that something isn’t working and don’t be afraid to start over.

Don’t get hung up using one element.

Step back and see the whole piece.

Rather than add, simplify- take something away.

winter landscape

My recent posts seem to be more about horticulture than jewelry. I have been busy planning new work but I am also thinking about my Philadelphia Flower Show entry in the dried plant jewelry category. The show theme is "Springtime in Paris" and my task is to make a "necklace for the queen".

marshmallow

passiflora tendrils

red twig dogwood

echinacea

Made with sea oats, iris leaves, acorns, orange peel, lombardy poplar branch, dried peas.

A set of bracelets. My entry 2010. 

blue and gray

Three pairs of earrings are part of a small collection that I am currently making. Silvery gray-blue tahitian pearls with blue spinel and quartz drops. Tahitian pearls are natural color and this is my favorite shade. The long drop quartz are from Brazil. I love the elongated shape and cut. The violet blue shade of the spinel is unusual and very pretty. All jewelry is 18k. 

I have a new jewelry stamp of my name FAVRE, seen here on the reverse of the quartz drop earrings.