Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Round Robin Reveal

I posted the premise and inspiration of this Round Robin Challenge below, in a previous post.
...Here is the beginning of my bracelet before Carla and Steph added their magic...

The Round Robin began a couple of months ago, and during that time our three bracelets have been shipped across the country, pondered over and creatively expanded.

~~~~~Here is my finished Bracelet!~~~~~



I can't stop looking at it and rolling it around my arm and appreciating all the little bits of it!
It is soooo gorgeous and it is already one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry.
And the personal feeling it gives me, knowing my friends thoughtfully labored and created;
warm emotions just overflow my heart.


Steph added some fabulous metal daisies near the closures that I just adore! A world charm, to represent the distance between us, a snowflake (appropriate for Maine!), a C Koop enameled ring and some bright colors that are showcased in aquamarine, swarovski crystal and Lucite that are so very Steph! The colors mesh so well with the other vintage bits!

Carla added some silver with an oxidized silver anchor that represents hope, a beach stone bead from her own beloved lakeshores, and aquamarine because she knows I adore the color! As is Carla's style, it is simple and understated. Carla is my hero when it comes to simplicity and restraint!

I loved getting their unfinished bracelets but I anguished over adding to them, since both ladies have such different styles than mine. Carla is earthy and outdoorsy and loves order. Steph is bright and colorful and sparkly. I was hoping I had something in my stash that would honor their styles, but still reflect my vintagey feel. As soon as they have posted their bracelet on their blog I will post their links so you can see all three finished pieces.
I am still blown away by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and care used to pick and design each other's pieces.

Then there was the journaling aspect of this project...
I began with watercolor paints and markers and stamps and everything I think I own in my scrapbooking stash...heaven forbid I keep it simple....
Here is my first page.....


Steph has 25 jobs, runs 48 businesses (yes, I'm slightly exaggerating) and has a wonderfully artistically talented young teen daughter and husband. She must have a cache of elves to keep her household running because she is juggling so much in her life, I am amazed how she does it all! As we began this project, she was leaving on a bead-buying trip to Tuscon and had barely a moment to begin her journal. But she added a beautiful page to mine! It even has glitter! Oh, I may love the old rusty part of me, but glitter does something to make the girly in me happy! (I did some photoshop editing to the picture of her page to highlight my favorite part)


Carla is a wonderful photographer and she shared her thoughts and processes with me in pictures and newly acquired scrap booking supplies. As usual, Carla's eye for balance and symmetry was reflected throughout the pages she created even though this was a medium she had never played with before. I appreciated her thoughts about the challenges and learning experiences she experienced. It was like a revelation when she said this was a group project and she mostly works alone. Huh. Me too. Us artists can be a solitary bunch. All the more reason to participate in things like this Round Robin. It reshapes our creative ways!
(This photo is also photoshopped!)

I know we all have grown as artists.
Every bead, charm and embellishment was thoughtfully placed and every page is full of the essence of who we are. I have learned new things about my long-distance friends and gained an insight into their character and lives. It is amazing how you can discover such incredibly extraordinary people through such an impersonal vehicle as the internet.
Through this Round Robin Challenge, not only have I acquired a bracelet, I have gained friendships with two very wonderful women.
And THAT, dear reader, is the real treasure.


Please check out Stephanie's Journey here at Pixybug Designs

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Pam you are AWESOME! Not only did you start this "bead" rolling, but you are the first to post about it! Beautifully written and illustrated, and I loved getting to be first to add to your bracelet! It was divine intervention that those metal daisies were added, I bought them in TUCSON and they were perfect for my addition! Loved the project, just one thing~what shall we do next time?!! :0)
Steph

Unknown said...

Oh, and I wish I had elves to help with my life! That would be so much easier!

Carla said...

Pam, you totally and completely rock! Great post and fabulous project. Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of it.

The Folk Art Tree said...

Steph and Carla, I LOVE my gorgeous bracelet, and I keep thumbing through my journal with warm sentiment. This adventure broadened my artistic vision and made my heart grow too. You are wonderful women and I am grateful to have met you! I DO have a project in mind but it will have to wait until my surgery is done and I am finally mended!

Cindy said...

Pam, I truly enjoyed reading about your Round Robin journey. Your finished bracelet is really incredible. I can easily see how it is your new favorite. I know it will be cherished for years to come. And your journal! I loved your painted page with the hand-written entry. What a wonderful Round Robin experience. :-)

Esther said...

pam! this one is magic too!! and what a beautiful journal!!

The Folk Art Tree said...

Cindy and Esther~Your Round Robin experience just touched my heart and as I read your blogs about your journeys, it sparked a desire to embark on my own creative adventure! I appreciate your willingness to share your creative lives with the world, as art is such a wonderful tool for bringing joy and encouragement into life. Thank you for inspiration and kind words!

Attic Clutter said...

Saw you on Cassie FB and I see we have the same lastn ame..mine was
McFarland before marriage (:) You never know we could be related~
hugs,patty vickery