Art Bead Scene's April Challenge

"Jacob’s Ladder", 1957

by Helen Frankenthaler

oil on canvas, 9' 5 3/8" x 69 7/8" (287.9 x 177.5 cm)

I am so proud of myself that I didn't wait until the end of the month to design up a piece to celebrate this month's inspiration.  But then I loved the painting and couldn't wait to dive in.  I am sure that you can see why.  All those swirls of color with the greens, pinks and terra cotta.  Yep.  Right up my alley.

As soon as I saw this piece of art, I knew that I had the perfect focal for the design.  I had just picked up at bead from Sue Beads as part of a destash that she was holding.  Talk about serendipity.  It had that free form feel that I was looking for as well as most of the colors in the painting.

I wanted to make a necklace that was a bit different then my usual style so I decided to use four strands of waxed linen in sage to bring in more of the green colors.  To add some pink in, I used some pink crystals which I knotted between some more lampwork from Studio Juls and Art by Lisi.  I finished it all off with a sterling clasp that I have been hoarding for a few years.

Because of all the neutral space in this necklace, it is fairly lightweight and perfect for the summer.  I think that I like this style and it's a great way to use up some of those orphan lampwork beads that I have been collecting.

To learn more about the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge, just click here.  They have to be one of my favorite beady blogs and I have been following them for years.