Matte Plays Well with Others

No, we're not talking about kids on the playground and I didn't misspell a child's name.  I'm referring to matte, as in...Not Shiny.  I picked up some stones at a recent show that I thought might be interesting paired up with some dichroic glass. Those silly stones drove me nuts. For those of you who know me, sometimes I get ideas that just won't let me sleep.  Using these stones was one of those ideas I just couldn't let go.

Ideas, ideas, ideas!  I had ideas of how I wanted to use them rattling around in my head for 3 days! I had a number of other projects already planned that had priority and really didn't think I had time to work on them yet.  In order the quiet the muse, I even wrote them down in my design sketch book, hoping they would leave me alone, but to no avail.  Ah well, when the muse speaks I guess we should listen. 

Photo to the right is titled Pendulum Play, because the glass below the onyx appears to be a pendulum.  Hmmmm...wonder if I can make one that actually swings... Now I've got to add that idea to my sketch book!

The pendant pictured here on the left is the second design I worked on, Heart of Glass. 

On the whole, I'm pretty happy with the results.  The juxtaposition of matte and glossy really appeal to me and I think it adds interest and interesting texture.  In addition to using the matte onyx, I incorporated a new design element I've been wanting to try for some time but never had the right project...soldering silver wire accents to the bezel and base itself. I have to say, adding the wire element was way more nerve-wracking than I expected.  I melted a few wires before I got the hang of it.

I guess the designs worked out, because I slept like a baby after they were done! Don't get me wrong, I love the muse...but I was really glad she finally shut up for a little while so I could sleep!