A Blue Ribbon for a Rose Quartz Tree of Life

1st Place is a Happy Place

     I was really please to be awarded First Place in the Wire Wrapping Class, Adult Division, at the Arizona State Fair this year. I've been making Trees of Life for a few years now, and this was one of my favorites.  The tree is on a round piece of Rose Quartz that I bought at the Tucson Gem Show two years ago.  It's been in my stash, waiting for just the right project.

      I entered my beaded cuff bracelet, "A Walk in the Woods", in the Fine Arts Division in the 3D Sculpture class.  It was accepted into the competition, which was very exciting.  This was the first time I had entered a juried contest.  It didn't win a ribbon, but I still happy that it got to go to the Fair and be on display for a month. 
       If you have a Fair near you, think about entering one of your creations.  You might win a ribbon, too!  Even if you don't, you're a winner by entering and displaying your work.  It will delight the people who see it and inspire other artists. 
       My cuff is back in my drawer, waiting to be worn on a special night out.  The Tree of Life on Rose Quartz is on its way to California. A very nice woman bought it from my Etsy shop. 
       I hope it brings her as much happiness as it did me.

Tree of Life

 

Tree of Life

     The idea of a Tree of Life exists in nearly every culture, religion, and tradition from ancient times to the present.  The Tree appears from the beginning in the Garden of Eden described in Genesis, and its bark plays a major role in the Iroquois creation.  Scientists, poets and artists all find something fascinating about the Tree.  Charles Darwin discussed the concept of a Tree of Life in his book, The Origin of Species (1872), and trees in general were described beautifully (and famously) by poet Joyce Kilmer.   The PBS program “Nature” features a wide tree in Africa in its opening, and the movie “Avatar” gave the Tree a starring role.    

     So it’s not surprising that artists (including jewelry makers) have added their ideas and interpretations to the Tree of Life.  A quick web search on Tree of Life images will show you a dazzling variety of Tree of Life paintings, photographs, and interpretations, like the one pictured above.

      One of my favorite companies, TierraCast, makes Tree of Life charms, clasps, and links. I've used them in my jewelry for a long time.  

 

  

1.       My latest Tree of Life pendants have been made out of wire and gemstone chips.

  I've been working on my own little forest:

    If you've made a Tree of Life pendant or other item, let me know. I'd love to see it.  If you'd like to learn to make one, check out YouTube for great tutorials and ideas.