Inspired by birds, flight and travel

The ring I have made today is part of my Inspired by Heritage series of pieces.  It relates to all the early sketches I did of birds and feathers and the way in which bird motifs are used in all kinds of other objects.  I have also been thinking about the way in which birds feature in artefacts from cultures all over the world.

Based on the pattern I used yesterday.  This is cut from a sheet of faux bone, filed, sanded and hand engraved (I knew I would find a use for those gravers one day).  It is then dyed using alcohol inks and sanded back and polished.  There is a bit more variation in colour on the feather than appears in my photograph and because the faux bone is very lightweight it is quite comfortable to wear.

I have a huge debt of gratitude to Robert Dancik, the artist and teacher who developed faux bone for use in this way.  He is an inspirational teacher and if you get a chance to attend any of his classes then jump at it!  He is due to teach a class at West Dean from 15th to 19th February called 'A bead like no other' and also runs workshops at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery from time to time.

Bird beads

Here are my slightly odd bird beads made a couple of days ago.

Misty Mawn's blog

I have following the blog of Misty Mawn for a short time and she has just posted a January Art Journal join in kind of thing.  From the comments of some of the followers it has obviously happened previously and her pages are so beautiful I have decided to attempt to join in.  Beginning next week she has chosen an artist to be inspired by each day.  I have given this quite a bit of thought while I was working in the studio and decided on Monet, Hokusai, Ansel Adams, Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt, Patrick Heron and Craigie Aitchison.  The Monet choice was partly as it linked it with the Art Bead Scene monthly theme and also with my current preoccupation with snow and birds.

This is my first attempt at making a felt bird.  I think it has somehow become a cross between a mallard and a swallow.  I only had some odd bits of wool a friend had given me a few years ago and very rarely make or wear anything in wool as I have an allergy to it.  I am still trying to work out ideas for a piece relating to all the birds in the museum - and really it should be a charm bracelet but I am fairly confident that will develop eventually.