I usually zen-out while I'm soldering and completing orders in my basement studio. But sometimes, I do miss doing the other stuff, too: selecting and arranging beads and other jewelry components to create OOAK pieces — getting into the creative flow! I'm really not complaining, though, because my basement studio is perfect; it's loaded with spiders, it's underground, it's dark, it's quiet... But my UPSTAIRS studio is where things really happen. It's filled with insect-inspired art of all kinds & heaps of sunshine from three big north-east facing windows. It's where most of my designs are born; I carve wax prototypes up there as well as sketching out new ideas. There is a disappointing lack of spiders, but if you add Butterbean's and Theo's legs together, that's at least equal to one spider. Plus, they will happily snooze close by, and their sweet, little sleeping faces and happy dream twitches make my heart swell.
This week, I'm working on finishing the following piece. When I'm done, that delicate and ever-so-slightly haunted face will be enrobed in a sterling silver bezel and festooned with a silver fly resting on her head. To keep her company, obviously. The clasp will be hand forged in sterling silver as well. I'm slightly tempted to make the clasp maggot-shaped, but I think I'll keep it simple and let the pendant do all the talking — she's going to have enough to say, I think! 😉
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, fellow bug jewelry lover! More WIP coming soon!
Take care & 🐝 well!
— 🐜 Johanna