Challenge of Color Blog Hop
Here goes another blog hop! Erin Prais-Hintz is hosting her 3rd annual Challenge of Color Blog Hop. Imagine 80 artists all joining together in a learning experience, because Erin’s challenges always have a learning process. This year the challenge is Earth as Art.
The Earth As Art image gallery is a group of over 120 pictures taken from the Landsat series of Earth observation satellites since 1972. These pictures of the unique features of our beautiful planet are a vital resource for understanding scientific issues related to land use and natural resources. If you have time, check out the page. The images are just gorgeous!
Each of us is assigned a color palette and a place on the map, a total surprise to us. We travel there via the internet and design a piece inspired by what we learn. My region’s palette was from the Namib Desert. Wow! I never heard of it! This will be fun! Here is my palette. Gorgeous color!
So, off I went, in search of knowledge
You can find this desert along the southwest coast of Africa in Namibia. It’s about 43 million years old and is often called the worlds oldest desert. It is relatively unchanged in its present form for the last 2 million years. The Namib is an huge expanse of moving gravel plains and dunes of all shapes and sizes that stretch along the entire coastline. The most widespread and dominant type of desert sand dune are linear dunes, with crescent shaped dunes common along the coast and clusters of star dunes, such as the towering horseshoe of dunes.
The entire western section of Namibia is comprised of the Namib, which spreads beyond the borders of Namibia and flows into southern Angola and the northern Cape Province of South Africa. There are rivers flowing unexpectedly across an ancient landscape, its dunes, plains, rivers and a foggy coast have all contributed to support an outstanding and fascinating array of bizarre desert flora and fauna.
Evidence of humans living in the Namib through time extends back to the early stone age era. But perhaps the most documented of mankind’s existence can still be seen today in the many rock paintings, stone circles, tools and pottery that have been discovered over the centuries. The most famous rock paintings are at Brandberg and Twylfelfonten.. The Topnaar are a well-known clan of long term residents of the Namib. More famous for living in the Namib-Naukluft Park, there are at least a dozen villages scattered along the lower Kuiseb River today. There are about 400 people of the 3,000 members of the Topnaar tribe living in the desert.
The harsh environment challenges man and mammal alike. Vegetation and wildlife are seemingly scarce in any desert and this is one of the most harshest environments in Namibia. It is a very dry place with low and unpredictable ranges and amounts of rainfall varying from zero to over 100mm. Rain and the chances of it become less towards the coast. It is fog that provides reliable moisture and as with the central Namib area, a fog belt can stretch some 20 and 30 km inland and on occasions further inland.
The southern Namib is home to over 600 species of plants, the central Namib 400 species and some 1,000 species in the northern Namib. Despite being starved of water for most of the year, succulents and shrubs still survive in ridges and valley floors during periods of extremely windy conditions. One of the most awesome plants I saw was this “living fossil” a succulent that has been around since prehistoric times.
Okay……….enough of the learning, let’s make some jewelry! Here’s how my thought process worked.
Since this is such a harsh land, relatively untouched by industry or technology, the people would have little use for ornamental “bling”, fancy stones or precious metals. In all probability, they would use base metals like copper or bronze and natural fibers and bone. Oh, you know I do love the tribal thing!
My focal of the main piece cames from Susan Lenart’s Industrial Chic line at Micheals Craft Store. It has a really primitive look and not a precision tuned vibe. I used some of Marsha Neal’s silk cords from the Elven Woods palette. The green, dark gray and cream seemed to go with both the focal and my pallette. The beads, also from Micheal’s, have a metallic look and reflect the colors of the Namib pallette. The bracelet is very simple, again using the silk cords and beads with the coil clasp echoing the coils of the focal. Looks tribal to me!!!
You know, once I get going on one of these challenges, I don’t stop! I made two other pieces, both using focals I made myself from Bronz Clay. I love the little cave man stamps I used. I put two different patinas on the bronze and the bone beads using pinotage and verdigris Gilder’s Paste which makes a really soft patina. I thought the pinotage reflected the red earthy color in my palette and is meant to honor the primitive folk who left the cave paintings. The verdigris reminded me of the “living fossil” plant and is also in my pallette. It is meant to give testimony to the endurance of this plant that has survived as long as the cave paintings, maybe longer.
WOW! What a long blog! I hope you’ll take some time to visit some of the other 80 participants in this fun blog hop! I’m off to do that now!
OH, I almost forgot! I’m having a giveaway! Each person who comments on this blog will have their name put into a hat. If you are a jewelry maker and participating in this hop, you will win some special beads I got at the gem show last year. If you are not a jewelry maker/hopper, you will win a pair of earrings! Actually, that is two giveaways! Yay!!!
Here are the other hoppers. Some of them may be having giveaways also! Go check them out!!!
Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color-reveal.html
Rebecca Anderson http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Kris Auderer http://strandedinthecity.wordpress.com
Chrizette Bayman http://beadsoupmix.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Courtney Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com/
Lynsey Brooks http://yellowunicorncreations.blogspot.co.uk
Stephanie Buss http://maxandlucie.blogspot.com
Iveth Caruso http://www.creativeatelier.net/
Shannon Chomanczuk http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com
Lisa Cone http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier http://thebeadingyogini.com
Lori Dorrington http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com
Dawn Doucette http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com
Jeannie Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/
Kim Dworak http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Beth Emery http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Janice Everett http://JLynnJewels.blogspot.com
Pam Farren http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Gloria Ferrer http://judetaama.blogspot.com.es/
Cherrie Fick http://designsinthelight.co
Therese Frank http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Patty Gasparino http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com
Tanya Goodwin http://pixiloo.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color.html
Ambra Gostoli http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/3rd-challenge-of-color
Jess Green http://tabbiekoshka.blogspot.co.uk/
Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com
Mary Harding www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Karla Hartzog http://www.karlakrafts.com
Kim Hora http://www.kimmykats.com
Brandi Hussey http://brandigirlblog.com
Emanda Johnson http://ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com
Jennifer Justman http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Ema Kilroy http://emakaye.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman http://Stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Linda Landig http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com
Kirsi Luostarinen http://kirsiluokorut.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca
Beth McCord http://www.ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com
Mary K McGraw http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Karen Mitchell http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Cheri Mitchell-Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Aimee Moisa http://threecatsdancing.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan http://www.texaspepperjams.blogspot.com
Penny Neville http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Alice Peterson http://alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Kayla Potega http://www.teejewelry.blogspot.com
Debbie Price http://greenshoot.blogspot.co.uk
Bobbie Rafferty http://beadsong.blogspot.com
Caron Reid http://caronmichelle.blogspot.com.au/
Nicole Rennell http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Cynthia Riggs http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color.html
Andrea Ross http://silvermapledesigns.blogspot.com/
Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com
Annie Scherz http://www.studioluma.ca
Pam Sears http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Sandra Stein http://sannipanni.wordpress.com
Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Sherri Stokey http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2012/11/challenge-of-color-reveal.html
Lola Survillo http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Jo Tinley http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com
Emma Todd http://www.apolymerpenchant.com
Cory Tompkins http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Pam Traub http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle Tucker http://michellescreativemusings.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Rachel Van-Walsk http://balancedcrafts.com/blog
Patti Vanderbloemen http://www.myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com
Lesley Watt http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Lynn White http://lynnwhitejewelry.com/Lynn_White_Jewelry/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog.html
Joan Williams http://www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Love your bronzclay pendants, Lee… great pieces for the challenge!
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Comment by Monique U (A Half-Baked Notion) | November 30, 2012 |
Thanks Monique!
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Comment by stregajewellry | November 30, 2012 |
Hi Lee,
I always find inspiration in color palettes in nature. I remember a long time ago, asking a friend if two colors ‘went together’ and she remarked that she had seen them in a flower–and Mother Nature doesn’t make mistakes. I simply love the way you took this photo of the desert, the colors and created this tribal piece. It’s truly, truly beautiful. I hope to teach a photo workshop in Africa next year, and this just inspired me even more to make it happen!!! Just beautiful!!!
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Comment by Vickie Lewis | November 30, 2012 |
Vickie, you are so right! Mother Nature does not fool around and make mistakes! We are so blessed with this beautiful inspiration all around us Thanks for stopping by! So glad I could give you a jump start in learning about Africa! LOL
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Comment by stregajewellry | November 30, 2012 |
Lovely work! I thought the living fossil was a mound of hand dyed silk ribbons! You can’t beat nature!
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Comment by caroldeesigns | November 30, 2012 |
Great minds think alike! Those were my thoughts also! You see where our brains go first!!! LOL
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Comment by stregajewellry | November 30, 2012 |
One gorgeous piece after another! I love them all!
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Comment by Sherri Hartman Stokey | November 30, 2012 |
Agree, succulents are strange and wonderful. Like the verdigris cave painting necklace.
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Comment by Cece | November 30, 2012 |
Love your pieces… I especially love that you took the culture of the land and included that in your inspiration in addition to the color palette. Happy Hopping!
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Comment by Designs by Dawn Marie | November 30, 2012 |
I was struck by that too, as Dawn mentioned. Your cave painting focal is great.
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Comment by Andrea Ross | December 1, 2012 |
Your verdigris pendant is so earhty! I love it.
Beautiful creations!
Ambra
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Comment by chicandfrog | November 30, 2012 |
What a stunning palette… And an even more stunning selection of eye candy to go with it! So much talent 🙂
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Comment by Jess Green | November 30, 2012 |
thank you
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Comment by stregajewellry | November 30, 2012 |
All of those are beautiful. I have to say, though, that I absolutely adore the pendants you made. They are stunning! They look as if they belong in a museum. 🙂 Amazing work!
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Comment by Tanya Goodwin | November 30, 2012 |
You know, when I added these, I thought that no one would appreciate them. I love the little pictographs and working with the Bronz Clay. One even cracked in the process and I used it anyhow because it gave it a more authentic look. Thank you.
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Comment by stregajewellry | November 30, 2012 |
I love all the pieces you made but I’m partial to the caveman “primitive” look ones. Don’t know why, just am. Lovely job!
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Comment by The Crazier Sister | November 30, 2012 |
I am so amazed at all the folks who like my little cave painting pendants. It was the first time I worked with the bronze clay and I loved them, but sometimes others dont’ care for my weirdness.
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 2, 2012 |
Your color and even better your interpretation of the picture is amazing. Great job!!
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Comment by Cherrie Fick | November 30, 2012 |
Thanks Cherrie!
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Comment by stregajewellry | November 30, 2012 |
I love each of your pieces the caveman primitive are awesome!!
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Comment by Cheri Reed | November 30, 2012 |
They are all beautiful pieces. Shades of brown and green are my favorite colors. I live in nature and love to bring nature inside. My home uses these colors inside and out.
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Comment by Priska | December 1, 2012 |
I think that you captured the area well with your matte finished beads. I too did the Namib palette. I chose to focus on the golden sunshine.
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Comment by Becky Pancake | December 1, 2012 |
Wow – really beautiful and organic … I love that focal!
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Comment by antiquitytravelers | December 1, 2012 |
Love the palettes and you did a super job with those gorgeous designs of yours – really love the metal work and feel to your first piece! JLynn
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Comment by jlynnjewels | December 1, 2012 |
I love your clay painting. I just love it!
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Comment by windbent | December 1, 2012 |
This is not my color palette I usually work with so I would have been so stumped — you NAILED it and rocked it! I love them all! So creative and beautiful.
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Comment by Lori Anderson | December 1, 2012 |
Thanks so much, Lori!
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 2, 2012 |
Wow! Your pieces really not just beautifully convey the color pallet but also the feel of the region. Absolutely amazing!! Love them!
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Comment by Sannipanni | December 1, 2012 |
We had one of the same palettes! I love what you did with it 😉
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Comment by strandedinthecity | December 1, 2012 |
I love your earthy piece! What a wonderful palette. You have definately captured the sand dunes . . . The Namib desert is very close to my heart as I live in South Africa, not far away.
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Comment by Chrizette | December 1, 2012 |
Wow! So you have probably seen this desert. I could only guess at the feel and the tone of the place from the colors! I”m glad that the colors inspired my imagination truly.
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 1, 2012 |
I absolutely love that you not only used the colors of the palette, but picked up on the feel of the area, too! Wonderfully done – I love how each piece feels tribal yet modern.
Thank you for playing along!
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Comment by Brandi | December 1, 2012 |
Brandi, you made these pallettes SO easy to work with! They were a dream! I fell in love with so many of the color sets and now have a list of places on earth that I want to learn more about……….like Lake Disappointment and No Man’s Land……….LOL. Thanks for all that inspiration!
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 1, 2012 |
I adore this colour palette – you have create an amazing piece!
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Comment by Caron | December 1, 2012 |
I LOVE how you strung your beads on your necklace – it is so beautiful! Your bronze pieces are spot on, as well! Beautiful, beautiful job! May I add that I fell in love with the first photo that pops on your side bar – the one with the pups! 🙂
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Comment by Patti Vanderbloemen | December 1, 2012 |
Those goofy dogs own the place! Oh, and the cat who thinks he is a dog!
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 2, 2012 |
I am totally blown away by the beauty of all of your pieces. Love the bronze clay piece. Love all of them.
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Comment by Mary Harding | December 1, 2012 |
thank you so much, Mary.
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 1, 2012 |
Love the metal clay pieces. Beautiful designs.
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Comment by Renetha Stanziano | December 2, 2012 |
I love the color of your pieces, they all are nicely done. Great work!
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Comment by Iveth Caruso | December 2, 2012 |
Miss Lee! I think that you just schooled me! I am thrilled that you took the initiative to share this knowledge with us. That is what is most exciting for me! I am delighted by what you have created. You really internalized and channeled not only the earthy raw palette but released it in such a rugged and tribal set of accessories. Love them! Enjoy the day. Erin (and I hope it goes without saying that while I would love to win, I want you to spread the love to someone else who comments!)
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Comment by Erin Prais-Hintz | December 2, 2012 |
LOL, Erin, you taught me WELL! I can’t wait to explore some of the other places I saw in this challenge. I’ll be learning things all year just from this challenge! GIRL! Like you NEED more beads! I keep hoping you will drop a whole box on the floor and invite us over to “help you find them! LOL, as one bead junkie to another, I totally understand! Never fear, your name has gone into the fishbowl with all the rest! It is up to Crabby Patti now as she will be picking the winner.
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 2, 2012 |
You sure rocked the color palette with your pieces! All of them are stunning!
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Comment by Beth | December 2, 2012 |
You nailed the color palette. All of these pieces are fantastic! I love the blend of different materials.
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Comment by Michelle Tucker | December 2, 2012 |
Such wonderful designs…right on with the color palette!
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Comment by Pam Traub | December 2, 2012 |
Your pieces are fabulous…love them all!
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Comment by Pam Traub | December 2, 2012 |
I’m in total agreement with you on the tribal thing; love, love, LOVE it!! 🙂 Definitely find myself drawn to it a lot which it makes perfect sense why I’m drawn to all of YOUR pieces! They’re stunning! I love the technique you used on the first necklace and bracelet. You definitely did your color palettes proud ^.^
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Comment by Kayla Potega | December 2, 2012 |
fantastic interpretation of the palette and the environment. You, my dear, are an over-achiever!
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Comment by emanda | December 2, 2012 |
You think? I thought I was just having fun!
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 2, 2012 |
Absolutely amazing…I love your color palette, and I love everything you made. I am a fan!
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Comment by Donetta | December 2, 2012 |
Thanks, Donetta. I’m always glad to get a fan! Whoo hoooo!!!!
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 3, 2012 |
Your pieces captured the Namib desert perfectly! I love how magically everything blends together.
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Comment by Penny Neville | December 3, 2012 |
Beautiful work! A perfect match for your palette and a fantastic mix and organic feel!
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Comment by Alicia | December 3, 2012 |
You know that first piece kind of strikes me as mother earth with arms outstreched, I’m seeing the bail as her head. Very pretty and in keeping with thte palette. Love the bronzework too
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Comment by apolymerpenchant | December 3, 2012 |
You are right. I took a look from your perspective and see it. No wonder I was so drawn to it.
Thanks for pointing that out.
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 3, 2012 |
I love your Namib bracelet and necklace. It really picks up the colors in your palette wonderfully. And what a neat succulent. Very interesting. Would love a chance to win the beads.
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Comment by Kay | December 4, 2012 |
I love your clay work! I used to do some primitive-looking hand building many years ago. Your desert-inspired work makes me want to get back into it! Thank you!
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Comment by Karla Hartzog | December 5, 2012 |
Oh, Karla, I love the metal clay. The bronz clay is the easiest to work with and not so expensive but I don’t have a lot of luck firing it. I’m going to try the copper clay next and can’t wait. I’ve done one piece with it and its differnt to work with, dries out quicker. You can do so much with metal clay.
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Comment by stregajewellry | December 5, 2012 |
What a great necklace!!! I love the primitive look of it, and the metallic beads are a great addition. Your clay focals are fabulous!!!!
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Comment by Alice | December 15, 2012 |