ArtBeadScene Editors Take the Challenge Blog Hop: December

Choir of Sint-Bawokerk by Pieter Jansz Saenedam

This month some of the ArtBeadScene Editors are taking the Challenge for December and having a blog hop.
I enjoy a challenge but I must admit this month's painting, Choir of Sint-Bawokerk,  pictured above, has been difficult for me and has taken me way out of my comfort zone.  I looked at this painting a long time before I came up with an idea.  I decided to focus on the many arches that make up this painting.  I even made a drawing of the the shape I perceived-- inverted and reshaped a bit.

I made the sketch on an envelope handy on  my computer desk and then copied and resized it both larger and smaller on my printer/scanner.

Once in my studio I began to render it both in polymer clay and copper.  For technical help with the polymer version, I am indebted to my two master teachers, Claire Maunsell and Christine Damm who have taught me everything of the little I know about this amazing material.  I made a very large pendant in the polymer and used the burgundy brown in the painting for the color inspiration.

Polymer Clay pendant by Mary Harding

 The pendant measures 4 inches tall and 4 inches wide.  I envision it used in a freeform peyote stitch piece I might make in the future where it will fit in despite its large size.  I know to pull that off I will be again very challenged.  But I always learn so much when I travel unknown terrain and am grateful that our Editor in Chief at Art Bead Scene, Heather Powers, continues to encourage us to participate  in these adventures.

I tried a smaller version of my sketch in copper and envision these to become earrings.

jewelry components inspired by the ABS Dec. painting

I went out doors early this morning and picked some Holly and styled my large polymer pendant with a seasonal flair to wish you all Happy Holidays and an enjoyable, or at least doable winter!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope this post will encourage you to participate in this month's ArtBeadScene Challenge.( the particulars for entering are below)  You can see what the other editors made too.  The list follows:

Heather Powers

How to enter the Monthly Challenge:

1. You need to have a Pinterest account. Go get one ASAP if you don't have one already. It's easy, fun and inspiring. 

2. Email us at absmonthlychallenge@gmail.com to get added to the monthly challenge board.

Subject: Monthly Challenge Board Request

Indicate if you want to be added to the Jewelry Board, Bead Board or both.

You will be emailed an invite to the board within 48 hours. Accept the invite and you are ready to pin your entries.

3. Two ways to pin your entry to the board.

Pin your photo from the internet (on your blog, Etsy shop, etc.) 

Add your photo directly from your computer

Create something using an art bead that fits within our monthly theme. We post the art to be used as your inspiration to create. This challenge is open to jewelry-makers, fiber artists, collage artist, etc. The art bead can be created by you or someone else. The challenge is to inspire those who use art beads and to see all the different ways art beads can be incorporated into your handiwork. 

An Art Bead must be used in your piece to qualify for the monthly challenge.

***Beads strung on a chain, by themselves and beads simply added to wire or cord will not be accepted.***

Please add the tag or title DEC ABS to your photos. Include a short description, who created the art beads and a link to your blog, if you have one.

Deadline is October 31st. Photos are approved by our moderators, if a photo hasn't followed the guidelines it will not be approved. You may upload 2 entries per month.

ENTRIES for ART BEAD ARTISTS!!
• Beads Makers Pinterest Board-Art beads must be created by you and fit the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge theme. They can be made for the challenge or ones you have made before. 2 entries per month are allowed. 
One entry will be picked by the editors on the 28th of each month for a free month of advertising on the Art Bead Scene. Bead entries have to be pinned by the 27th of the month.
Beads only - do not post jewelry on this board. If a post doesn't fit the challenge it will be deleted.

What is an Art Bead?

An art bead is a bead, charm, button or finding made by an independent artist. Art beads are the vision and handiwork of an individual artist. You can read more about art beads here.

***A bead that is handmade is not necessarily an art bead. Hill Tribe Silver, Kazuri ceramic beads or lampwork beads made in factories are examples of handmade beads that are not considered art beads.

Beaded beads, stamped metal pendants or wire-wrapped components are not considered art beads for our challenge.***

p.s. If you have a blog, post your entry and a link to the ABS challenge to spread the beady goodness.