WHITE December Challenge Reveal & Blog Hop

Ouf! As we say in French. I just barely got my item done in time for this month's Art Elements Theme Challenge chosen by Claire. She gave us the pure, neutral, very vast choice of White as the theme to design away to our heart's content. I had an idea a couple of days later and set to work ordering a couple of things. I usually like to try a new-to-me technique and so I chose leather. White leather, of course. No tools, paints, stains ... nothing else purchased, but hours were passed gathering 'intel' on internet.

Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada          Photo by Mike Yip

I settled on a White Raven Wing to tie in with some Outlander-Inspired jewelry I've been doing for our online gig. You know, kill two birds with one stone? Pun intended. If you don't watch that Series, or haven't read the books, White Raven is the name the Indians have given to Claire, one of the main characters.
Here's a link to Ravens & the Native Americans:  http://www.avesnoir.com/ravens-in-native-american-culture/ 

Just when I was raring to go with my Raven Wing, I had a couple of orders for a pendant that's been pretty popular and Peg's sister Rob asked me to make a custom jewelry piece for P's Christmas Gift. That made three little hiccups in my carefully (ha) planned timeline. But I must confess that revenue-generating jobs take precedence over 'leisure' activities. After I got those little works of art on their way I remembered that I still had a couple of things for Sissie to make. And since Xmas Day was before the Big Reveal Day, a little more creative planning was in order.
I originally thought this would be a nice, big focal neckpiece but then decided upon a shawl pin since I had ordered some wood hairsticks for Peg's piece and didn't use them.

When I finally got back to Challenge business, I cut the wing pattern on white leather and added some textural interest with some scoring on the surface, with the rounded edge of my little metal ruler no less. I decided the leather was too soft and thin (like me 😜) so back to the Big "G" to find out how to stiffen it.

I dipped it for a couple of minutes in some very hot water with a drop of ammonia, draped the feather around a ceramic bowl to give some shape and then placed said bowl in front of the little space heater in my 'dungeon' work/live space at Sister's to dry for several hours. That's my pet name for their very nicely finished basement, which is anything but dark! South-facing windows galore.

Break Time! Espresso with a little cashew milk, Magic Cookie Bar & Bourbon Balls.

My next great idea (since I just have to add more) was to paint along some of the scored (barely there) areas to bring out some definition & create texture. Well, that turned out mediocre, Ho Hum ... and I think this will become a focal necklace after all. Maybe.

In spite of this project not turning out as I'd imagined, it was definitely a positive learning experience and I'd like to continue leatherworking. I gleaned so much insight by 'researching' that now I need to procure the correct weight of leather, a few proper tools and create one awesome Feather Scarf Pin.

We had a large turnout for this Challenge, so give us all a little Holiday Love 💟 and join in on the Blog Hop below ... Comments are very much appreciated by all participating Artists. Don't feel pressured to do it all in one day, I usually take a couple of days to get through all of the fab entries.

Have a Safe, Fun & Happy New Year,
Alysen

Guest Artists  

Alysen (you're here)  Anita   Beth   Cat    Divya   Elaine   Hope   Jill   Karin   Kathy   Lucy   Rozantia    Sarajo   Susan  Tammy 

 Art Elements Team

Caroline   Cathy   Claire   Laney   Lesley   Marsha   Susan