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Inspired by Reading Book Club Blog Hop

Andrew Thornton hosts a monthly book club called Inspired by Reading.  He picks books and we read the section and create based on our reading!  Although I've been able to read only one book (and it was good) so far, this time Andrew was nice and provided me with a selection from this month's book, "My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales", edited by Kate Bernheimer - basically adult fairy tales!

 The story I chose was First Day of Snow by Naoko Awa, a Japanese fairy tale that borrows elements from folktales about disappearance. This story is about a girl who finds a mysterious round hopscotch trail and takes it for what seems like miles and miles.  She finally sees snow and hears a rhyme; it's the bunny rabbits, appearing as snow to take her away from the world and turn her into a chunk of snow.  The only way she can get back is by chanting a rhyme about spring and a mugwort leaf.


My idea for the necklace was a white bunny bead I had from LeAnn Weih (Summers Studio) and a round handmade chain (engagement ring) taken from Cindy Wimmer's new book, The Missing Link. The design calls for dead soft wire, which I did not have.  I used 18g copper wire, in a spool, and have no idea where I even got it.  It's not even round, it's sort of square.  Let me tell you, you need the dead soft wire.  The links just do not work right if you don't use dead soft.  So while I didn't finish the necklace, I did make 7 links to show you what the idea was!

Here's the link chain I made; I used copper, patinaed it in LOS, and tumbled it for a while.



As I mentioned, the bunny bead is from LeAnn and fits perfectly with the story.

It will dangle from the middle of the chain.  I was thinking of adding white beads to the chain, to show the snow.  I also wanted to add one large green bead, to show spring.

I'll probably make this necklace eventually!  But I did want to show you my process and that this time, I actually got farther in the process! 

Please visit Andrew's blog for the complete list of participants and see what funky jewelry they made from these interesting fairy tales!





Comments

Sarajo Wentling said…
Oh, I hope you will eventually finish and share with us. That bunny is adorable and sounds perfect for the story you chose!
I love the BUNNY bead - and your beads, too! Try annealing your wire with the flame - it will soften it up for you! The Engagement Ring link is one of my favorite's from Cindy's book.
Diana P. said…
Great job on the chain! I really want to see the finished necklace! Get to work! ;-)
Thanks Sue for sharing what you have done so far! I love the chain. As well as the beads you have chosen. I haven't read this particular tale, but will have check it out.
I'm glad you've joined the group!
Mary K. McGraw said…
Looks like you have a great start on your creation.
TesoriTrovati said…
Great minds think alike, Miss Sue! I chose that story as well. I love the idea of those links from Cindy's book! I have yet to really dive into my copy, but I think you have inspired me to do so tonight. That color green is so rich and vibrant and I do so love Miss LeAnn's work! I can't wait to see the finished piece! Enjoy the day. Erin
Mary Harding said…
Love your chain using Cindy Wimmer's links. Great way to represent the hopscotch circles. And your bunny from LeAnn is super. Look forward to seeing what you make up with these lovely components.
Andrew Thornton said…
I'm so glad that you were able to participate this month! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

I can't wait to see what the piece looks like when you finish it! I bet it's amazing. You've selected some really cool elements. The chain looks really interesting and has so much texture and dimension. I see that Cindy's book has really been influential on a lot of the participants' work this month. I will definitely have to check it out!

Thanks again for participating!

Looks like you've got a great start on that necklace-- you made Cindy's links beautifully.

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