Sea Nymph Earrings

I loved all three of the paintings for this journey but decided to focus on Proserpina and the Sea Nymphs by Virginia Frances Sterrett. I created a series of sea-inspired beads with coral, shells and starfish. And since I had several of these dagger bead sets, I thought I’d share three design ideas using them.

For this first earrings I took 5” of 20 gauge wire, strung it through the dagger leaving a 2” tail. I created a wire wrap above the dagger and strung on 6mm glass beads and 4mm glass O beads. I finished off the earring with a wrapped loop. One word of advice when adding beads to this style of dagger, avoid single round beads on top – it will look like an ice cream cone!

This next pair uses a two-hole bead for an interesting look. I used 4” of 22 gauge darkened annealed steel wire. I strung it through the dagger, centering the wire and bending both ends straight above the dagger. On each side of the wire I strung 3mm copper beads and 4mm glass O beads. The two-hole faceted pyrite beads are from Dakota stones. I repeated the spacer beads on top of the wires and created a simple loop on each side. I added the earring wire to a 15mm jump ring and threaded the jump ring through both of the loops before closing it.

For these earrings I tried something a little different and used 4ply waxed linen cord to add beads to embellish the daggers. I cut two 6” lengths of cord and centered one cord through the dagger bead. On each side of the cord I added a 3mm copper bead and 3 6x4mm glass drops. I strung both side of the cord through a 3mm copper bead and tied a simple knot with both ends of the cord. I wrapped the cord around the jump ring twice and tied a knot under the jump ring. I wrapped the cord around itself under the jump ring and tied another knot. I used these cool bark texture jump rings from Nunn Designs for added interest.

Here are the beads I created inspired by the painting. The mermaid is my own drawing that has been laser etcvhed on wood. They are available from Allegory Gallery.

You have until the 23rd to share your creations inspired by the current Art Journey. Here are the details.