Voting has started at the Etsy BeadWeavers blog. The theme was the ocean, which provided a wealth of creative directions. Obviously, this appealed to many team members because there were an incredible 46 entries. Voting goes until February 15.
The cuff was created with 9 mother-of-pearl cabochons. The cabochons were embroidered with delica seed beads and embellished with more than 250 Swarovski crystals in crystal AB and white opal. The underside of the cuff is a beautiful slate blue ultrasuede.
I work in bead embroidery, which is the art of taking beads and artifacts and sewing them into one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Taking inspiration from nature, I seek to incorporate a variety of textures and colors into the work, while attempting to arrange the materials in a way that creates a sense of movement and light.
As an artist and family farmer, I find that the changing seasons impact my work. When the fields are green or the sunflowers are blooming, my palette reflects that landscape. When the dogs have an encounter with a porcupine, the quills sometimes find their way into a piece.
These native elements, along with fossils, abalone and gems tie the work to our natural lives and history.
Visit me at http://www.jodihorgan.etsy.com