The Challenge of Music by Ema K Inspired by Stevie Nicks

"What song do you connect to so personally that every time it comes on the radio the beat moves you, the lyrics speak to your soul, and the harmonies make your heart sing? If you love music, this is the challenge for you! For the Challenge of Music, we will choose a song that speaks to each of us personally and translate that song into an accessory.", quote from Erin Prias-Hintz of Treasures Found. Erin had the idea for a challenge, The Challenge of Music.

I love when a challenge inspires me to create. I didn't have to think twice about entering this challenge. I knew immediately what I would create and which song my piece would represent. I grew up in the 80's and have always been a huge fan of Stevie Nicks. There are so many songs I could have choosen for this challenge. Ultimately I ended up going with an old Stevie Nicks song, The Highway Man. I hope you will take a moment to listen to it. This song is from her album, Bella Donna. I don't believe this particular song was a hit that aired on the radio but it is one of my favorites from the album.

"Alas he was the highway man

The one who comes and goes

Only the highway woman keeps up with the likes of those."

...."A dream begun in white."...

                                             -Stevie Nicks, The Highway Man

The piece I created for The Challenge of Music

A Dream Begun In White

A Dream Begun in White Necklace began with a variety of different types of yarns. (I wrote about the search for these specialty yarns, you can read that backstory here.) I knew I just had to create a whimsical, white, fairy tale type of necklace using the kumihimo braiding technique. Once I began working the necklace and saw it coming together I began to envision the beads that would accompany it. I didn't want the beads to take away from the necklace yet they had to be strong enough to stand with it. My vision was to create some beads that were white with gold foil shimmering from within. If you have been following me you will know that I am in love with a certain type of lampworking glass known as Kalypso. (aaaahhhh Kalypso!) Naturally I thought a couple of beads that included the beauty of Kalypso would work perfectly with the shimmery, sparkly yarns in the necklace. Mission accomplished!

I learned something through the writing of this blog. I have to laugh because all these years I thought the words to the song says "a dream begun in white" I found out that the words are actually "a dream begun in wine". Now isn't that funny? Perhaps my creation would have been completely different if I had realized this sooner. I for one am glad I DIDN'T know this fact until I completed the necklace. I am quite happy with this necklace and the lampwork beads I created to accent it.

I have been completely inspired by Erin's challenge. I have so many songs that I feel have been a representation of my life as I have moved through various phases of living. Some of the songs I would call theme songs, others provide inspiration and others are simply just fun. I would like to continue creating based on some of my personal theme songs. The ideas are rolling in. I guess it is time to get out my sketch book and start taking down some notes and drawings.....

Remember Bette Milder's The Rose? I walked down the aisle to that song. I see a necklace.....

Here is a list of the artists involved in The Challenge of Music. I'm sure they would love you to stop by and see their wonderful creations.

Erin Prais-Hintz

Marcie Abney

Christine Altmiller

Elisabeth Auld

LJ B

Lori Bowring Michaud

Shannon Chomanczuk

Cece Cormier

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Malin de Koning

Beth Emery

Michelle Escano-Caballero

Erin Fickert-Rowland

Therese Frank

Amy Freeland

Tanya Goodwin

Stephani Gorman

Amy Grass

Beth Hemmila

Kristina Johansson

Emanda Johnson

Jennifer Justman

Tari Kahrs

Susan Kennedy

                   Ema Kilroy  (you are here)

Kathleen Lange Klik

Kirsi Luostarinen

Paige Maxim

Beth McCord

Natalie McKenna

Alice Peterson

Cat Pruitt

Bobbie Rafferty

Johanna Rhodes

Cynthia Riggs

Sally Russick

Sarah Sequins

Amy Severino

Staci Smith

Kristen Stevens

Lola Surwillo

Stefanie Teufel

Sandi Volpe

Lesley Watt

Holly Westfall

Shaiha Williams

What is your theme song? I would love to hear your thoughts on music, life and art.

Big Reveals this Week

This week is an exciting one. I joined a couple of challenges and the reveal dates for both challenges are this week!

The first is the The Challenge of Music hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz. The date for this challenge and blog hop is leap day, February 29th. Find more info on The Challenge of Music on Erin's blog.

The second challenge is Bead Soup hosted by Lori Anderson. The reveal date for Bead Soup is March 3rd.
To join in all the blog hopping fun you can visit Lori's Bead Soup blog.

There will be lots of great blog reading and beautiful creations revealed for both of these. I hope you can join us and have some fun with the participants. Some people are adding giveaways to their reveals. You won't want to miss it.

Here is a sneak peak of tomorrows reveal......

Inspiration is Everywhere

I have been inspired by Romana at Create with Joy to write this blog. Romana writes an " inspirational blog that celebrates creativity" and she  invites us "to inspire others and nurture your creative spirit" by linking to her Inspire Me Monday postings.

Today I share my new love...Kumihimo braiding. I have been completely smitten since I took a class back in October 2011. Recently on a shopping adventure, in search of ribbon I could use to create some Kumihimo bracelets, I stumbled on some yarn that was off white and white. It was actually a combination of different types of yarns and ribbons that, when all together, got me to thinking of flowy, fairies, romance, victorian and bohemian styles. This yarn was GORGEOUS! I had to have it! I swear I had heart palpitations when I saw it. The cost was out of my league at over $50.00 for a small skein. So I walked out of the store with my "reasonably" priced purchases and headed home to create my bracelets.

The tools I use to make Kumihimo braided jewelry.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this small skein of yarn. It has been haunting me ... before I fall asleep, when I wake up in the morning, as I showered, waiting to pick my son up from school ... every quiet moment I had I envisioned the finished piece I would be creating with it. The beads I would be making to accompany it. Seriously I couldn't stop thinking about it. 

Then along came a challenge from Erin Prais-Hintz at Treasures Found, The Challenge of Music.  I have always felt certain songs reflect on my life and I didn't hesitate to sign up for Erin's Challenge. Now I knew I had to have this yarn!!! I knew exactly what I would create and which song my creation would represent. Here began my frantic internet search to find an affordable alternative to the much coveted yarn I had to have. I found something I could afford and anxiously awaited its arrival. I had a couple of false starts and needed to make a couple of additions in materials to get the look I was going after but when I had it I knew I was right on track with my vision. Now I just have to get into my studio to create the beads I need. Here is a sneak peak of what I was able to put together using Kumihimo braiding techniques and my fantastic, whimsical yarns. 

Stay tuned for the reveal of the finished piece. The reveal date is February 29th!

You can find more info on Erin"s blog post on the Challenge of Music. 

As always, you can visit my Etsy shop to find unique lampwork beads and jewelry.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me.

Bead Table Wednesday - Feb 8 2012

Here is shot of what is on my bead table this week. 

Kumihimo braiding to compliment my lampwork beads. I love working the Kumihimo technique. The plan is to make two kumihimo bracelets. One will be a double wrap bracelet. The second will be a single layer bracelet with a lampwork bead. I am interviewing each bead along the side the kumihimo braids.....hmmm....I can't decide. Do you have a bead preference?

You can find more Bead Table Wednesday images here.