Gemstones & Pearls Category

Forest Fantasy

Artist: Laura Adams (San Francisco, CA)
Honorable Mention, Gemstones & Pearls

“As a child, I was fortunate enough to have easy access to several acres of (then) undeveloped forest right across the street from my house. My Dad would take my brother and me for walks and tell us all about the moss, lichens and ferns along the way. With his help, we created a thriving terrarium from our woodland finds. When I discovered the wonderful, large jasper teardrops at your San Mateo, CA, road show last year, I was not sure what they would become, but I knew they would definitely be grouped. After careful searching, the teardrops were joined by pyrite, Mexican jasper and later some mossy green pearls and golden beads and findings. I felt the mossy coolness of the woods reflected in the group of materials. The pyrite and pearls glisten just enough to evoke memories of dew on the undergrowth. The brown variations bring in the colors of tree bark and earth. … It was interesting getting the large teardrops to gather together and stay together. I used a very long length of 49-strand Beadalon® to string and bind them all together. The extra long tails formed both ends of one of the three braided strands. Beaded strands number two and three travel through and over the cluster of teardrops, concealing any exposed wire with a trail of beads. The teardrop cluster is designed to be off-center when worn. The vermeil clasp and chain allow for individual length modification. The stone teardrop tassel provides a bit of balance down the back. The result – a piece to adorn a joyful woodland nymph!” – Laura Adams

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