Inspired by Reading Book Club: Into the Wild January Selection

ATTENTION POSSIBLE VISITORS.

S.O.S.
I NEED YOUR HELP. I AM INJURED, NEAR DEATH, AND TOO WEAK TO HIKE OUT OF HERE. I AM ALL ALONE, THIS IS NO JOKE. IN THE NAME OF GOD, PLEASE REMAIN TO SAVE ME. I AM OUT COLLECTING BERRIES CLOSE BY AND SHALL RETURN THIS EVENING. THANK YOU,
CHRIS MCCANDLESS
AUGUST ?

Our selection this month, Into the Wild, is a sad story of an idealistic young man.  I tried to focus on the positive aspects of what Chris McCandless attempted to do when he gave away his money, cut ties with the materialistic world and embarked on adventure.

I chose several quotes from his journal as inspiration and created a piece of jewelry that he might have worn, or at least, summed up for me the purpose of his life.

I was especially taken by his quotation from Thoreau at the beginning of Chapter 6

ANZA-BOREGO 

 "No man ever followed his genius till it misled him.  Though the result were bodily weakness, yet perhaps no one can say that the consequences were to be regretted, for these were a life in conformity to higher principles.  If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet scented herbs, is more elastic, more starry, more immortal,--that is your success.  All nature is you congratulation, and you  have cause momentarily to bless yourself."    Henry David Thoreau, Walden or Life in the Woods
This  passge was highlighted in one of the books found with Chris McCandless's remains.

Here is what I made:  Two pendants strung on leather cord.  I made the pendants on steel forms that I had on hand and used soft solder to give everything a rustic look a la Stephanie Lee's Homesteader's Metalsmithing Revamped OnLine course
.

I used this map of Alaska cut out for the 2nd pendant because it seemed that McCandless believed that the key to his search lay :  in the wild of Alaska

On the back of the pendant with the map  cutout I put these words from Thoreau to sum up what McCandless was attempting to do.

This pendant is supposed to represent where McCandless felt the answer to his mission lay--  in the woods of  Alaska.

                                                       The necklace assembled.

Please visit the other blogs where participants posted their take on the book.  You can find them at our Facebook Page HERE

The Winners of My Giveaway ARE....

Congratulations ShellyKatsh  and Ashar Gems!!! You each have won one of my Adirondack Heritage Toggle Clasp Wrist Wrap Bracelet Kit.  I will be contacting you for your mailing addresses.
Thanks to all who participated: for your kind comments about my work and the paintings of Judith Utter.  Your feedback is inspiring and so appreciated!!