Glass & Crystal Category

Neptune's Gift

Artist: Frances Kiperman (Boca Raton, FL)
First Place, Glass & Crystal

"Neptune's Gift was created during my mom's battle with terminal brain cancer. We both had an affinity for the sea. This piece represents the jewels of the ocean, the deep green of the plant life and the organic flow of leaves moving with the water. I wasn't going to enter this year, but my mom (my biggest fan) kept insisting I create something new. I struggled, creating another piece first. I beaded beside her, reminiscing of the days we use to swim at Coney Island, the beaches of Long Island and the pools. This piece is in honor of her memory and the courageous battle she fought to try to be here for my graduation with my PhD in Clinical Psychology. This is not any graduation; I struggle with Muscular Dystrophy and limitations of repetitive motion. I love you mom! This piece took about twenty hours to create once the artistic conception flowed." -- Frances Kiperman

In additon to Toho® Treasures, Frances used size 11 Toho seed beads and size 13 charlotte-cut Czech seed beads to form the bulk of this sparkling bracelet. For focals, Frances chose a stunning crystal rivoli stone and crystal round stone, both from SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. The rest of the design was filled in with Swarovski crystal bicone beads, Czech faceted firepolish beads and 12mm Czech glass leaf beads.

View more 2009 First Place winners. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!

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