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Beads!!!!! => Bead Embroidery and Bead Weaving => Topic started by: Enchantra on June 02, 2016, 12:25:06 PM

Title: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 02, 2016, 12:25:06 PM
Several years ago I made a piece I called "Warrior Woman," which is in the pictures below.  I am going to be remaking her into a "Warrior Goddess" for the Gemstones and Glass bead Competition that Fire Mountain Gems is holding this year.  I will be posting updated photos here and there as I go to show my progress from the initial four year old piece below to the final submission piece.
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Kaljaia on June 02, 2016, 05:25:29 PM
That will be a fun sequence to watch. It is a beautiful center piece and color palette. I love the contrast between the beads, carving and smooth white (bone? tusks?)
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 02, 2016, 10:41:25 PM
The "tusks" are dentalium shell.

Here is a day's work using a combination of metal beads, gemstones beads and various glass beads.  The bottom has been intentionally left unbeaded.  There's a reason for that, which will be revealed later.  The picture is a bit dark, but as it is 10:40 at night, I don't have good natural light to use.

Gemstones used so far in this piece:  Dragon's Blood Jasper, Aventurine, Russian Serpentine.
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 06, 2016, 11:26:03 PM
Apparently I take sucky photos late at night when I'm posting updates.  Cannot really help that. 

So Warrior Woman is slowly becoming Warrior Goddess.

Main Focal is DONE.
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: albertto on June 07, 2016, 03:19:08 AM
Wow! Great!. How many time for the piece?
Metal is copper?
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 07, 2016, 09:17:02 AM
So far I have a total of 16 hours into the piece.
The metals are gold plated and copper plating over brass and pewter along with bronze wire.
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: FLRocks on June 07, 2016, 06:51:41 PM
Looking really great Amanda.  I wish I had bought it a couple of years ago when you had it in Etsy.  I thought it was a knock out then, now it's even better.

Bennett
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 08, 2016, 08:37:03 AM
Looking really great Amanda.  I wish I had bought it a couple of years ago when you had it in Etsy.  I thought it was a knock out then, now it's even better.

Bennett

I never had an Etsy shop.
It's been in my personal collection, and has never been for sale.

I do have a similar piece of lapis and pyrite in my Artfire shop however.
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 11, 2016, 07:41:02 PM
Here is a work-in-progress update.

Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: hummingbirdstones on June 12, 2016, 05:44:47 AM
It is coming along beautifully, Amanda.  I really like how you are updating this piece.  Even better than before!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 13, 2016, 11:40:47 PM
The necklace is done.  Now to make the earrings!

Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on June 15, 2016, 02:21:59 PM
DONE!!!

Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on October 07, 2016, 10:21:16 PM
So this piece grabbed me a Grand Prize Employees Choice award! 

You can see all the winners in the following link along with my piece which is the fourth one down...
http://www.firemountaingems.com/beadingcontests/gg2016sdbdwinners
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: 55fossil on October 08, 2016, 07:35:41 AM
    WOW.....   You are one inspired artist. Do you draw out a plan first or just have an idea and let it flow? Guess I will see your picture in my next new catalogue.   
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on October 08, 2016, 12:24:57 PM
    WOW.....   You are one inspired artist. Do you draw out a plan first or just have an idea and let it flow? Guess I will see your picture in my next new catalogue.

Most of the time I let the materials and design just flow.  Very rarely do I draw out a design.  I find things just turn out better if I let it flow from my fingertips.  I will draw inspiration from ancient works done by other cultures, historical and ancient artifacts, and from more modern interpretations of artwork from other cultures.  My Background as a Historian and Anthropologist has helped in that regard.

I've appeared in several magazine ads for Fire Mountain and also in quite a few of their catalogs over the past few years.
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Kaljaia on October 08, 2016, 12:36:36 PM
Congratulations!! I'd have voted for it too.
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: hummingbirdstones on October 08, 2016, 02:54:37 PM
Congrats, Amanda!  You continue to inspire us all with your amazing beadwork.   :occasion14:
Title: Re: Warrior Woman Makeover
Post by: Enchantra on October 10, 2016, 10:59:24 AM
Thank you!   :icon_sunny: