Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Inspired by Reading Book Club The Cookbook Collector Blog Hop



This month for Andrew Thornton's  Inspired by Reading Book Club we read The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman.  I really like this book. It is well written, and has a great story to tell.  And of course I liked all the tech details and the old books.  A perfect combination for my reading taste.
When it came to thinking about what I would make, I knew I wanted to make some peach beads.  There is a spectacular scene/section in the book about a peach. I won't tell more so as to be sure you also enjoy it when you read the book.  Once I began planning to make the peach beads, I noticed that the cover of the book had a picture of peaches on it.  Funny that I hadn't seen that before.  Since making peach beads is a new experience for me, I bought some peaches and took a very nice one to my studio. 


A real peach

I studied it carefully to see what makes a peach look like a peach.  By the time I got the beads made, sponged and bisque fired, it was time to replace the over ripe  peach in my studio with another one to help me figure out the colors I would need to glaze my beads.  It is surprising to me that I used so many different colors: red of course, yellow, orange, brown, and blue.  All those colors turned into this handful of peach beads.  Since they are made of porcelain clay they were fired to over 2200 degrees F.  I was so excited that the colors came true.
Handmade porcelain ceramic peach beads by Mary Harding

My second inspiration came from Andrew, our group leader.  He posted a picture of a computer motherboard to our Pinterest Boards  and that gave me the idea to use some techno pieces in my necklace.  I immediately looked up my Art Walk Etsy Team friend Patricia Johonson's  Etsy shop and found just what I needed.

There were quite a few of these in my order of Techno Trash from Patricia L Johnson GlassArt on Etsy

These little guys needed some altering to make them into beads.  I clipped off the tops and re-wrapped the copper wire and carefully pulled it through the middle of the piece so that it would not surface and be sharp. Then I wire wrapped them with lots of wire since the  "holes" are not round but little rectangular slots.

Techno trash from PLJohnsonGlassArt  Etsy shop


For the pendant, I made a soldered bezel and filled it with electronic resistors from PLJohnsonGlass Art and then covered them with resin which magnified and intensified their color.  

Recycled Electronic Supply. Computer Scrap. Techno Trash Art Supply. Rust Tan Orange mix. RRCD-1
Electronic resistors, capacitors and diodes from PLJohnson GlassArt on Etsy

I hung some additional resistors on the bottom of the pendant.  To me these resistors under resin look like some kind of text.  The copper wire spools look like scrolls:  all references to written language and ancient texts which the cookbook collector  and book collecting in general bring to mind.  


Close up of pendant.  The light at the end of the dangle is a nod to Diogenes who carried a lantern around in daylight looking for an honest person and a reference to the theme in the story of the characters looking for their authentic selves.

This is a full photo of the necklace which is quite long.  No clasp.  Prayer or mendicant style.

a closer look at some of the necklace elements

I had a wonderful time bringing all of these techniques, alterations, and creations together to make a necklace.  For me this book club is such a rewarding experience because I am introduced to new reads, and get a chance to experiment with new techniques and bring them all together into a piece of jewelry.  Andrew this is such a brilliant idea that just keeps on inspiring.  Thanks so much for organizing and hosting this book club.


Please join in on this blog hop and visit the other participants.  Thank you so much for stopping by.

Mary Harding  you are here

Andrew Thornton, Laurel Ross, Amy Roadman, Terri Greenwalt, and Connie Parsons http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

22 comments:

  1. Wow! I love how you combined the organic and the techno in your piece. And those peach beads...AMAZING!

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    1. Thank yoou Sarajo!! I have never made any fruit beads before and it was such fun to give it a try!! So glad you like them!!

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  2. Those peach beads are so sweet. Love all the tech elements, too. Now I need to read the book!

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    1. It was certainly a good read Michelle. I think you will like it too. Thanks so for stopping by and leaving me such supportive feedback.

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  3. Love your peach beads, they look like miniature peaches. I also like how you linked them up with techno stuff, which is so fitting for the book.

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    1. Thank you Mary. My first try for peaches and using techno stuff. That's why I like this Reading club so much--lots of chances for coming up with interesting new materials or ideas!!

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  4. Holy cow ... I love this, Mary! So elaborate and intricate. I didn't finish the book this time around but it seems like you did a wonderful job capturing all the elements of it. Beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Melissa. I did have lots of fun with the new kinds of elements and making those peaches. I may even make more.

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  5. Your necklace is so cool I want to reread the book. Made your own peach beads! Electrical connectors! ( I read the book ages ago...) You inspire me!

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    1. Thanks Jenny!! I am pleased to be able to inspire you!! It was such fun and why I love this book club so much. New creative ideas and finding that I can make a peach bead was pretty exciting too.

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  6. I am not part of this blog hop, so I did not read the book. However, your tour of techniques and interpretations is absolutely amazing! What an incredible inspiration piece and work of art you have created!!

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    1. Thank you Patti. I am so glad that my telling how I did it is interesting and inspiring. That's what is so cool about this Reading Club lots of fun ideas, not rules (except the chance to make something) and no specific set of beads, and no competition: a perfect combination for inspiring and nurturing creativity.

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  7. I always look forward to seeing what you're going to make! Your piece did not disappoint! I am simply floored by it! I love all the thought you put into it and how you were able to merge two different themes into one coalesced piece. And I love how juicy your peaches look! Nicely done!

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    1. Thank you Andrew. You are so good at inspiring us and then nurturing our creativity. It makes this such a fun and rewarding experience. I am glad you have a list for next year too.

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  8. And thank you for your kind words and for participating! It really means a lot to me!

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  9. Mary, I don't know where to start. I love that you combined to aspects of the story in your piece. The peach beads are beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Jeanne. I so appreciate your enthusiasm for my peaches and how I conceptualized the necklace. Super!!

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  10. Wow Mary! I don't even know what to say...it is such a cool piece. I might just have to check out the book...sounds like you really nailed it! I love to read...it's usually non fiction though.
    I just love what you did with the recycled stuff...especially the beads you made. The peaches, the peaches are just amazing! My daughters really into miniatures...she was just blown away. I think she is going to try and make some. She took some clay classes a couple years ago and loved it. I bought your tutorial, 50lbs of clay and a set of glazes as a Christmas gift that year...she is finally sitting down with it now...so hopefully I will have some things to share with you soon.

    Thank you so much for sharing...so incredibly awesome! Also thank you for your support and friendship!

    Sorry I took so long replying...I have an auto-immune disorder that has been giving me a rough time the last few days.

    Thanks again...I so greatly appreciate it! Kuddos on the fantastic piece!

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    1. So great to get your take on the way I used your components!! and the peaches. I am delighted your daughter is inspired to make some beads from this. Way to go!!
      Hope you are feeling better.
      Thanks again for all your support for my foray into techno stuff!!

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  11. I adore your peach beads! I somehow missed this whole hop and love the idea, being a book lover as well as jewelry maker. Thanks for the peek into your creation!

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  12. Thank you Janet for stopping and letting me know you enjoyed my creation. It is not too late for you to join in on the fun. Just let me know and I will get the urls for you.

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