Friday, July 22, 2011

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, Grand Prize Silver Medal Winner


I've produced so few new pieces in the past couple years, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to be able to reveal, finally, one of my favorites - my bracelet entitled "Evolution". Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has just announced the winners of its 2011 Metal Clay, Metal Beads, Wirework or Chain Jewelry-Making Contest. I am so pleased to report that my bracelet has taken the Grand Prize Silver Medal in this contest.



My original concept was a substantial cuff - something that would take up a large portion of the lower arm - combined with one of my cabinet of curiosity pendants. It's a little difficult to tell in these photos but this bracelet is huge. (There is a photo of the piece being worn by a model on the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads website that gives a better idea of scale.)

As always, the chain and box were all handmade by me using silver metal clay. In this piece, I've included a beautiful fossilized urchin, polished half geode, fossilized polished trilobite, fossilized ammonite and a vintage glass taxidermist eye. The bracelet has been weighted so that the focal will sit properly on the wrist.

Thank you to Fire Mountain Gems and Beads for showcasing my work. Please visit the company's website to see the other award-winning designs from this contest (I am personally quite smitten with Rachel Justina Fleming's cufflet "Robotic Take-Over" which won the Silver Medal in the Bracelet category and Michela Verani's piece "The Dragon's Hoard" which took the Grand Prize Winner Employee's Choice Award.)

25 comments:

TesoriTrovati said...

Oh my word! That is a substantial cuff. That is a beautiful piece. It should be in a museum. I am in awe of the time and talent it took to create this piece. I have worked with PMC and while I loved it is not my thing, so I appreciate every nuance of this design. Congratulations Miss Melissa! That is just wonderful news!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Absolutely stunning! Congratulations on the award-well deserved. I have noticed your pieces in Stringing magazine and think your work is amazing!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thanks, Erin - and thanks for continuing to check-in. I really appreciate it. One of these days, I'll get back to active jewelry-making! Hope all is well with you.

Christina J. said...

Amazing work! Congratulations!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Hi Kathleen, Thank you so much and thank you for stopping by!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Hi Christina, Thanks - I was thinking about you the other day. We were at Rosewood Beach collecting small pebbles and beach glass. It really is a good beach for collecting smooth pebbles!

Michelle Mach said...

Wow! Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. I agree with Erin--that's definitely museum-worthy!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thanks, Michelle! (and thanks for stopping by!)

Tari of ClayButtons.com said...

OMG it is big AND absolutely beautiful!!! Congratulations!!!!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thanks, Tari!

stregata said...

Congratulations! So deserved! This bracelet is nothing short of awesome. Love the balance of the components. Really marvellous.

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thank you, and thanks for stopping by! I hope you are well.

Regina said...

OMG! Congratulations on a wonderful work of art!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thanks, Regina!

Unknown said...

Congrats! Your piece is amazing.

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thanks, Gunilla!

Sarah said...

Wow, that's a doozy! You're the prize-winning'est beader ever. I keep having to say Congratulations, but worry not, I never tire of it. I hope you'll get back to beading soon, I miss seeing what you come up with. You put more thought into your jewelry than most other beaders I know. Including myself.

Melissa J. Lee said...

Hey S,

Surely you jest. I'm loving your glass bullets - they are full of win (as the saying is)!

I just have to get back in the habit. I actually did pick up a few new beads over the weekend, so I'm hoping that motivates me to work a little.

Hope you are managing to keep cool in OKC.

M.

Erin S said...

I love your style! This is an amazing piece and certainly deserving of your win. Watcha gonna buy with your $750 prize? That might almost be enough to buy 1 oz of silver metal clay...
Erin S

Melissa J. Lee said...

Tell me about it! I was thinking about that this morning. Still a small amount of clay is better than no clay...

JeannieK said...

I'm speechless! I argree with Erin, it looks like it should be in a museum, an art museum that is. I just love the rustic look of it. Congratulations Melissa!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thanks, Jeannie!

Eva Maria Keiser said...

Unique and fabulous design. Congratulations on your designs!
Greetings,
-Eva Maria

Charm Bracelets said...

That is a very big and has a very chunky look.It is surely going to be the central worn anywhere...nice design worth the win.

Rachel said...

Congratulations! I agree well deserved. Even if your not beading right now I hope all is well in your part of the world. I am sure you will come up with another amazing thing soon.