Challenge of Music

 

Earlier this month, Erin Prais-Hintz from Treasures Found issued another challenge:  the Challenge of Music.  It took me a few days to wrap my head around this one.  I spent almost a day perusing the songs in iTunes.  I did no beading that day and didn't even get to play Star Wars.  Yes, I blame Erin.

What I came to realize, though, is that most music puts some sort of vision in my head.  "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" conjured images of Marilyn Monroe in that gorgeous pink dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  The theme from Angel made me think of Gothic lace and red jewels.  "Me and My Shadow" had me really wanting to bead a top hat.

I not only found it hard to choose one song, I found it hard to begin beading from only the music or lyrics.  I kept seeing the movie, television show or video associated with the song.

Then I came upon  this:

The song is "Hurt," written by Trent Reznor and performed by Johnny Cash.  This song is on Johnny Cash's album America IV:  The Man Comes Around, which is an amazing album.  (Seriously, go check it out.  I don't mind waiting.)

I listened to Cash's version and Reznor's version several times and thought it was interesting that each version made me envision totally different things.  It might be my remembering the videos or it might be the totally different styles.  They are two totally different songs which happen to have the same melody and lyrics.

Speaking of lyrics, here they are:

I hurt myself today
to see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
the needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but I remember everything

what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear my crown of thorns
on my liar's chair
full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
beneath the stain of time
the feeling disappears
you are someone else
I am still right here

what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

if I could start again
a million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

Cash's version makes me think of love and life and regret.  I've listened to it many times this month and am amazed at the emotion it delivers.  The video reminds the viewer of Cash's life and accomplishments while simultaneously presenting the idea of how empty those things can be.

I wanted to showcase something old and worn, a piece that might carry with it a lifetime of memories.  I made a pendant using a wooden circle I picked up at Michaels for 5 cents (yep .. 5 cents).  I used a mix of gold, pewter and bronze delica beads to bezel the pendant, then added a bit of chain around the edge.

The bezel is inspired by a technique by Julia Gerlach.  Her "Catch a Cab" necklace graces the cover of Beautiful Jewerly:  Make It and Wear It.  I loved the use of chain in her bezel.  My wooden disc isn't quite the same as her cabochon, so I stitched the chain around the outside.  I love the way it turned out:

The pendant was easy, but the rest of the necklace was a challenge.  (I suppose that was the point.)  While experimenting with a variety of chains, pearls, beaded ropes and ribbon, a little voice kept nagging me about an idea I was "saving."  Since nothing looked quite right and I was coming down to the wire, I gave in and dug out this chain:

When I saw this chain at the bead store, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  It was perfect for Marcie Abney's Looking Glass Pendant pattern.  How much fun would it be to bead around the big circles in the chain?  (The answer .. pretty fun!)

Using Marcie's pattern as a jumping point, I beaded around several circles in the chain, using different types of beads in shades of gold, bronze and copper.  (Marcie's blog is full of beady goodness and her etsy store has more beautiful patterns.

The circles in the chain seemed to "work" with the song and Cash's video.  Circles are symbolic of union.  Cash's love for June Carter Cash is evident in the video.  The impending loss of that love is also apparent. (Cash was in frail health when he filmed the video.  June died soon after the filming and Cash followed her not much later.)

The video shows Cash at the end of his life remembering the beginning.  The stark contrast between the beginning and end reminds me of the "circle of life."  The dark chain contrasts with the brighter, beaded circles, almost like a beginning and an end.

For the final touch, I grabbed a small charm I bought from Staci Louise Artisan Accents.  (Check out Staci's shop for more goodies.  Her blog is also full of eye candy.)

I'm quite happy with the result.

I will certainly be beading another, colorful necklace for spring using the same technique.

Before deciding on the circle chain, I grabbed a wooden washer and made a toggle clasp using the same technique I used to create the pendant.  Since I didn't use that clasp in this necklace, I decided to make it into its own necklace.

This simpler version is great as a choker.

Erin, thank you for the opportunity to challenge ourselves with music.

Here is a list of all the participants.  Please check out their blogs for some awesome and inspiring work:

Erin Prais-Hintz

Marcie Abney

Christine Altmiller

Elisabeth Auld

LJ B

Lori Bowring Michaud

Shannon Chomanczuk

Cece Cormier

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Malin de Koning

Beth Emery

Michelle Escano-Caballero

Erin Fickert-Rowland

Therese Frank

Amy Freeland

Tanya Goodwin - you are here

Stephani Gorman

Amy Grass

Beth Hemmila

Kristina Johansson

Jennifer Justman

Tari Kahrs

Susan Kennedy

Ema Kilroy

Kathleen Lange Klik

Kirsi Luostarinen

Paige Maxim

Beth McCord

Natalie McKenna

Alice Peterson

Cat Pruitt

Bobbie Rafferty

Johanna Rhodes

Cynthia Riggs

Sally Russick

Sarah Sequins

Amy Severino

Staci Smith

Kristen Stevens

Lola Surwillo

Stefanie Teufel

Sandi Volpe

Holly Westfall

Shaiha Williams