'Nebulae' necklace **Pic Heavy**

[bushbaby]

I have just finished what I think is my best piece to date  I am so proud of this one.

I have named this piece 'Nebulae' (the plural for more than one nebula of stars).

It is made with seed beads of various sizes, delicas and 9 swarovski rivoli's (the large crystals) and to my own pattern.

Whole piece



Front detail



Close up of clasp
its a little difficult to photo but the crystal in the clasp toggle is a paler blue/green/pink colour known as Vitrail Light



Necklace worn


(not colour enhanced - yes I am that pale!)

What do you think? 

I should add that on the 4th September I am submitting this and three other beaded pieces (these two and an as yet unfinished 'fire/star' inspired bracelet/cuff which will be a contrasting partner to 'Nebula) before a committee for consideration of my being invited to join the Glasgow Women Artists. This is a very prestigious organisation who set a major exhibit at least three times a year. Many of the artist make a very good living from the sale of the pieces at the exhibitons and are widely recognised for their artistic talents.

In saying all this they also have a tendancy toward being a little 'old-fashioned' in they're opinion of what constitutes 'Art' and what is 'Craft'.

They currently only have three 'Jeweller' Artist Members who all work in silver and semi-precious stones. When you fill in the application you are asked to specify your speciality, so naturally I thought I wouldnt use 'Jeweller' as it tends to imply silver- or gold-work. Once you are a member you can exhibit any type of artistic work not just your entered piece type (ie in my case beaded work), and I hope to exhibit some of my bags and textile art. I figured that 'Craftswoman' was the most apt description of my work, but I thought I woul be better checking with a member of the committee. I spoke with the (female) president of the GWA and asked her what she thought I should describe my self as. Her response?...and I quote (and I mean seriously) "Oh, you cant use 'craftswoman' thats demeaning...what about 'Ethnic Jeweller?" 

ok, so, apparently describing someone as 'ethnic' (when they are of white scottish background) is less demeaning than the term 'Craftwoman' - does this not seem a little ridiculous to you?!" Apparently they think that craft and art are totally different things which cannot overlap - I say William Morris might have a few things to comment on that!

The end result of all this is that I am entereing as a 'Mixed Media Designer' as I am a fully qualified Graphic Designer as well as 'Craftswoman'.

I will be interested to see whether I will actually get in or whether they will decided that what I do is 'Craft' and not 'Art' 

sorry for the long post but I figured you peeps would understand the frustration!!

[katcal]

Wow i love it 

[Hatty109]

I would definately describe this as art. It's like a sculpture you can wear. It's also beautiful and should surely be worthy of a place! Good luck!
xxx

[grendelsmom]

1.  The necklace is fabulous, beautiful form, material choices and color.  You deserve to be part of any artist's guild (Glaswegian or otherwise) you desire.
2.  On the nomenclature (I hate all that deliberate obfuscation, it's ALL demeaning):  How about Bead Artisan or Multimedia Artisan?  In my mind an artisan is both an artist AND a master of their craft.

Good luck to you!

[piratelibrarian]

It's wonderful.  I love your inspirations for the things you make and how aptly you pull their spirit into the end results. 

I hear your frustration on the application front.  It's really astounding how much weight a title can bear in this day and age.  Perhaps you should label yourself 'honky-white-girl-train-of-consciousness interpreter?'  Maybe that will get their attention

I will you all the best with it, though.  There are huge benefits to artisans in joining such groups and you deserve them all.

[TexasThistle]

I loove your necklace. and there was a time when being called a craftswoman was a title of honor. wear it with pride

[bushbaby]

thanks all 

I hear your frustration on the application front.  It's really astounding how much weight a title can bear in this day and age.  Perhaps you should label yourself 'honky-white-girl-train-of-consciousness interpreter?'  Maybe that will get their attention

ok that made me lol! Damn- I wish I had put that on the form instead!!

....and there was a time when being called a craftswoman was a title of honor. wear it with pride

I know  Its astounding how narrow minded some peope can be. Ah well, in my mind I am a craftswoman.

I have also decided that if I do get in I am going to make a few pieces, probably bags, with text work on them of the definition of 'craft' and 'art' 

[zenthistle]

I think this necklace is museum worthy.. I would juse enjoy looking at it under a high powered light in on a dark room on the black velevet displays  they use in the gem museum.  the choice of color and beads are amazing..
I could see the Alanteans displaying this piece with pride...  well if it scottich ethnic work you do a service representing.
I think that Artist   Vs crafters is very hard line to describe..  Many Artist have never breeched in to the craft world and many crafters have not breeched the art schooling ways...

But once you have  the ways of expressing your vissions are unlimited because knowing all the tools availbe to carry out ideas it very liberating!   Go figure in Art class I never learned about preserving work  because some paper or material wasn't acid free... it took working at a craft store and having to demo scrap booking supplies to realize what a lot of artist lose when the educators don't listen to the crafters!

And of course art class will help you "see " diferently   and a crafter will experience that as well..

Good luck it's gorgeous.

[MidwestManiac]

Lovely! Very Varvara-esq.

[Gemcraft]

Good luck - thats a great necklace