Summer Carnival - Ferris Wheel

Earlier this summer, a package of wonderful surprises arrived for me from the ever faithful Lisa Lodge to inspire my creative impulses for this summertime challenge.  Out of this terrific collection, I selected the components in the black tray for my carnival creation.

My initial idea came quickly (which is really unusual) and was seriously amazing!  I have been wanting to explore metal and bead combinations more as well as develop my metal working techniques, and this challenge with these materials seemed to fit this purpose wonderfully.  The history and images of highly decorative carousel ponies captured my imagination and this picture I found on shutterstock became my starting point.

I found a piece of scrap copper sheeting that I transferred the outline of this prancing pony onto and got to work.  It was at this point, however, that my troubles began and they centered around the fact that I did not have the correct tools for this endeavor.  I spent a tremendously long time stubbornly trying to make what I did have work and was surprisingly successful until I came to the cutout for the tail.  There was no way that was going to happen with my sad assortment of rudimentary "tools."  I decided to shelve my attempt until I acquired the necessary equipment and could do justice in real life with what I had created so perfectly in my mind.  This is how far I got ~

Someday I will post my finished piece which I intended to name "merry" . . . do not hold your breath for that reveal however, as my life is seriously crazy and I have no $$$ to buy tools right now! Any recommendations on "must have" tools though, would be greatly appreciated!!!

So now as time was running out, I needed to whip something together for the quickly approaching deadline.  I decided to go with a technique I knew and something that was more symbolic visually than realistic (like my carousel pony.)  I settled on the iconic ferris wheel and made a simple focal piece suspended on a complementary brass chain.  I think it captures the open airiness of the structure, suggests the suspension and rotation of the individual seats and incorporates the festive colors and lights of a carnival at night.  For once I did not try to "hide" my weaving lines since they perfectly represented the architecture of the wheel as well as the sense of holding it all together . . . just as in my miniature rendition.  Enjoy!

  

 

Thank you for visiting my wanderware blog site today and for your ongoing commitment to your art which so obviously makes the world a happier and more beautiful place.  Applause and bouquets once again to you, Lisa, for all your hard work and inspiration.  Please visit the sites below for more summertime delights!

Our hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Catherine Yvonne King, Catherine's Musings

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Dee Alcalde, Agape Creations Jewelry

 Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry

Carole Carlson, Bead Sophisticate

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Dolores Raml, CraftyD's Creations

Marianne Hurley, Reads and Beads

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Marci Allen Koziolek, Krafty Max Originals