Thursday, February 20, 2020

We're All Ears :: February Inspiration :: Sculpt the World

land art by Jon Foreman
Land art by Jon Foreman

February's All Ears inspiration is the work of Jon Foreman who is a land artist from Wales. He is inspired by the natural materials found in his seaside location there which include stones, sticks, shells, leaves, sand, and more. He uses these materials in his mandala-like sculptures. 


Land art by Jon Foreman
Land art by Jon Foreman
Foreman says, “I create using material that is made from that environment for that environment. The tide washes it all back to the tide line, and I come back the next day with an empty canvas to work with. People often ask if it bothers me that the work has to disappear eventually. To that, I say: not at all. If anything, the fact that it’s short-lived makes it more special to me.”



Land art by Jon Foreman
Land art by Jon Foreman
For this challenge we can focus on the patterns and shapes like Foreman uses or we can incorporate natural elements like sticks and stones and leaves into our interpretation. His creations are not just something he enjoys but it is also a therapy for him, an escape from the stresses of everyday life. My creations are also therapy for me.


I love the beach and spend as much time there as I can. My usual haunts include the beaches in Lewes, Delaware and Key Largo, Florida. Both places provide lots of inspiration for my jewelry and handmade cards. I enjoy walking the beaches. I am always on the lookout for sea glass and interesting shells. Most of my sea glass is from my past visits to the beaches in Mexico and the Carribean. I went through my sea glass collection and found two pieces that were the same color, shape, and size to use for a pair of earrings. Triangle shaped glass is the easiest to work with. I used 22 gauge silver craft wire. Any size between 24 and 18 will work.  I recommend finding a tutorial on the Internet that works for you and your sea glass project.  There are a number of them to choose from.


Natural Sea Glass Earrings by BayMoonDesign
Natural Sea Glass Earrings by BayMoonDesign
For my next pair I decided to stay with sea glass, but this time I used faux sea glass or what is known as cultured sea glass.  I a pretty shade of aqua blue that reminds me of the water in the Carribean and a pair of blue quartz beads on hand.  I love sand dollars and I have a collection of them that I cherish.  These sand dollars are sterling silver.

Faux Sea Glass Earrings by BayMoonDesign
Faux Sea Glass Earrings by BayMoonDesign
I added sterling silver ear wires to this pair of dangles. I love how the faux sea glass gives them a casual look. I also love blue paired with silver. It is a favorite color combination of mine.

This is a blog hop so I am looking forward to seeing what others were inspired to create.   Pop on over to the Earrings Everyday blog HERE to see what everyone else was inspired to make!

7 comments:

  1. What a stroke of luck that you found matching pieces for your green earrings! I love their simple elegance. The sand dollars level up the blue earrings, both with their color and texture. Your love for beaches is evident in these projects.

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  2. I didn't know what a sand dollar was, until I read your post and looked it up. Silly me! Anyway, the free form wire wrap earrings are really cool. Are they natural green sea glass?

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    1. I am glad you found out about sand dollars. They are really beautiful. Yes, the green is natural sea glass that I found on one of my trips.

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  3. You know I love anything beach-inspired and your contributions to this challenge are no exception. The fact that the first pair is sea glass that you actually found makes them my favorite of the two! Lovely contributions to this challenge!!

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  4. Lovely earrings! I, too, enjoy the ocean environment. I think next time I go, I will try arranging stones!

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  5. Yes! Sea glass! What a perfect complement to this seaside inspiration! I love that you used elements that you found in your travels and walks. What a special remembrance those would be! I adore the way you trapped those sea glass shards with the wire. So wild and free. The blue is a calming and soothing shade. Perfect for a seaside vacation! Thanks for playing along with me in the We're All Ears challenge! Enjoy the day! Erin

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  6. Sea glass is such a great idea for this challenge! Really like your wire wrapping in that first pair.

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