Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Inspired By...Challenge Of Music

Challenge of Music: select a song and create an accessory that evokes that theme song.


When it comes to music, I gravitate towards punk, ska, new wave 80's and new rave. Green Day, The Toasters, Duran Duran and The Sunshine Underground are my favorite bands in those genre. Their styles define my taste in music. But when it comes to selecting a song that inspires me, there has always been one that speaks to me like no other. It reminds me of all the wonderful people, places and things I love in this world. I hear it playing in my head from time to time. I sometimes (very poorly) sing it in the shower or as I am working on designs in my studio. It makes me happy when I am sad. It reminds me of all that I am grateful for. It is my anthem....What a wonderful world!

Louis Armstrong first recorded "What a wonderful world" in 1968. The song was written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele (as George Douglas). It actually was a bigger hit in the United Kingdom, where it reached number one on the music charts, than it was in the United States. This was due to ABC Records not liking the song and therefore did not promote it.


So when I signed up for Erin Prais-Hintz's Challenge of Music,  it wasn't long afterwards that I knew this would be the song I would choose.  As I mentioned earlier, "What a wonderful world" reminds me of all that I am grateful for.

So I thought about key events in my life;

 ...those that make me smile:
annual family vacation and my wedding day

 ...the ones that define me:
my BFA in photojournalism
and our first home


and decided to create a bracelet.


So I printed out photos of these key events in my life:
-me with my family after my college graduation at RIT
-annual vacation with my husband's family in the Adirondack Mountains
-the day I married my one true love beside the Concord Point Lighthouse
-the first home Brenton and I bought in Maryland and the dog we adopted (and love more than anything)

I glued the photos into Tierra Cast frames that I purchased from Rio Grande with Diamond Glaze from The Queen's Ink. I then attached them to a really fun circle chain from Lima Beads, adding drilled seeds that I purchased from my favorite local bead shop in Maryland, The Twisted Bead. The matte silver ball headpins are from CLBeads. I finished the bracelet with a Blue Moon clasp from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts.

The addition of the seeds, in case you are wondering, represents life and new beginnings. I lot of aspects of my life have the color brown incorporated into them ie; my wedding colors, my business packaging, the furniture in my house, RIT's school colors. Bizarre coincidence, if I do say so myself!


I added a tiny tag with the word "Life" on it. I created it with tin that I purchased from Old Forge Hardware and a metal stamp that I purchased from Fire Mountain Gems.

I really enjoyed participating in this wonderful blog hop created by the lovely and ultra talented Erin Prais-Hintz. Please check out the other participants:

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-Caballer
Erin Fickert-Rowland
Therese Frank
Amy Freeland
Tanya Goodwin
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

23 comments:

  1. How totally cool! I would wear it often and play with the charms constantly and smile at the great memories :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a special and meaningful bracelet! And a perfect song to match. <3

    -- Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is such a great bracelet, but more importantly, how wise you are to know what is important in your life and be grateful for it. I believe it is not until afterwards that we see how wonderful the simple good times are when shared with family and friends. Perfect musical choice!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this song. It's my mother-in-law's favorite song, and I share her love for it.

    Your charm bracelet is beautiful and hold so many memories. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the thought behind every memento you chose. What a special bracelet! That's something to treasure. :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. So sweet! I love that you picked this song. It is a song that is my husband's favorite. We would go to the Union on campus and study and he would play this every single time. And the fact that this is so very personal, that you chose these wonderful moments from your life are truly precious. Thank you so much for playing with me in this Challenge of Music! You have inspired me to take a look at those moments of my own life that are important and design around them! Enjoy the day!
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  7. Louis Armstrong is a classic for a reason, as is this song! I love how you've personalized this bracelet so perfectly. It's a keeper, that's for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very well done!!! The song is so beautiful, and you interpret it perfectly by highlighting special moments in your life. Love it. Wear it with pride!

    ReplyDelete
  9. How perfect your bracelet compliments your song
    or
    your song compliments your bracelet!

    "What a Wonderful World" and what wonderful Life memories. You created such a Beautiful bracelet you are sure to cherish.

    This song closed out out wedding :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful treasure to add to your wonderful world! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Perfect concept for that song - to create a personal talisman/timeline. Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very pretty! It compliments the song beautifully. I liked hearing it while seeing and reading about your design. A true treasure.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful world indeed ... and what a wonderful appreciation you have of all that is in it! I love every detail, big and small, behind your creation ... truly a treasure!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ahh, Louis! I love that man, one of my favorite artists ever. I love that song and this bracelet is just perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kathleen, Great song choice I have always liked that song it makes you think happy thoughts. I love that you made a charm bracelet reflecting special moments in your life.
    Therese

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a wonderful song and such an inspiring bracelet. The idea is such a good one. I just love it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Just love your bracelet! It's so meaningful. That song is one of my favorites - reminds me of my dad. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh I LOVE this song so much!!! One of my artists (Eva Cassidy) does a version of it as well. I could listen to it all day. It just calms my heart and fills it with hope ya know? We hear all about the horrors going on around us all the time and it's so easy to think that we live in a crappy world. But these lyrics remind me otherwise especially when I look at my sweet babies. Your bracelet is fabulous and so fitting. Enjoy wearing this beautiful beautiful piece.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great way to carry great memories with you and celebrate the bright spots of your life. And I love the Louis Armstrong song -- reminds me to be grateful each time I hear it!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wonderful story! I love the idea of your greatest memories right there in a wearable piece of art. How very special!

    ReplyDelete