ArtFire

IN THE DREAMING is a stunning handmade necklace that you will find nowhere else but here! Created with a truly amazing handmade polymer clay Tree of Life pendant, citrine, pietersite, pearls and sterling silver, it will be a real conversation piece when you wear it. IN THE DREAMING is a one of a kind (OOAK) necklace that was carefully handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.

The highlight of IN THE DREAMING is the fabulous polymer clay tree pendant, handmade by Michele of Gabriel Studios, one of my favorite, very talented artist friends. IN THE DREAMING refers to the dormant tree in the pendant, looking like it is waiting and dreaming of Spring and new growth, one of the cycles of the Tree of Life. To create the pendant, Michele first made a polymer clay base and then transferred one of her original drawings to it. The piece was then sculpted, textured and hand painted in browns, golds, amber and black. Take a look at some of the close up photos to see the incredible detailing. I love the slightly off-square pendant because, not only is it artistically beautiful, but it also looks like it could be an artefact that was found during an archaeological dig! The pendant is signed by Michele on the back (see photo #9).

To bring out the amber colors of the Tree of Life pendant, I decided to use rather unusual citrine. As you can see in the photos, the citrine is a light yellowish color but has darker, mossy looking inclusions in it. Perfect for a tree! The citrine was hand cut into a unique flat horse-eye shape. Since the citirne was hand cut, the gemstones are very similar but not exactly alike as far as size or shape goes, which gives the necklace an additional rustic appeal. Sterling silver 2mm beads separate the citrine from each other and also from the pietersite and pearl clusters.

To mirror the dark browns in the tree pendant, I used an amazing stone called pietersite along with brown pearls with a peacock finish. Pietersite is primarily brown but can also have swirls of lavenders, golds, reds, creams and other colors running through it. It has a chatoyancy much like tigers eye and is absolutely beautiful when in good light! Pietersite is only found in two places in the world: Namibia (Africa) and China and was only discovered in 1962. In between the pairs of pietersite rounds, I placed brown freshwater pearls that have a peacock finish. The sheen of the finish sometimes shows greens, purple and pinks when the light hits them just right. Beautiful!

To finish IN THE DREAMING, sterling silver wire protectors connect the ends of the necklace to a sterling silver toggle clasp set. The toggle clasp is beautiful in its own right, a twisted design that is seen on both sides. A perfect finish to an other-worldly necklace.

Since ancient days, trees have always been a symbol of strength and perseverance. Citrine enhances light-heartedness, joy, happiness, wisdom and peace. It is said to help the wearer to dispense with fear, brightens the darkest corners of ones perceived reality and helps one to laugh without restraint. It used to be carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts! Pietersite helps the wearer to see the beauty of the soul & the brotherhood of humanity; it is said help the wearer make positive changes in their lives. Pearls are used to spread loving vibrations. Silver is the metal of love and healing.

To find out more about the history and mythology of the Tree of Life or World Tree, please follow this link to my blog: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog_post/ShadowDogDesigns/6544/tree_of_life

Here is the important information for IN THE DREAMING:

Tree pendant: app. 50mm (longest side) x 30mm x 6mm
Citrine: app. 20mm x 10mm x 6mm
Pietersite: app. 6mm
Pearls: app. 5mm
Metal: sterling silver
Clasp: twisted toggle clasp set; sterling silver
Length: app. 18"/45.7 cm
Pendant drop (including bail): app. 2.25"/5.7 cm

IN THE DREAMING will come with two informational drop tags: one with the piece's name; the other lists the materials used in the necklace and the language of the stones and metals.

If you are looking for a one of a kind necklace that you will relish wearing over and over, the IN THE DREAMING is just the necklace for you. Like most of my necklace designs, it can be worn with many different pieces from your wardrobe. Definitely with bluejeans, but, since it is so unique, I would would not hesitate to wear it with a little black dress for a night out!

***Please be aware that not all monitors show colors exactly the same. The colors of the items used to create my jewelry are extremely close to the actual color on my monitor. The colors may appear lighter or darker on your monitor.

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It is always a pleasure to work with one of Michele's tree pendants - I always look forward to it. I wanted to capture the spirit of the Tree of Life "sleeping" in its winter dormancy. The somewhat rustic quality of the citrine along with the pietersite and the pearls highlights that feeling from the pendant. Because of that feeling, I named the piece IN THE DREAMING.

handmade polymer clay tree pendant; citrine; pieteriste; freshwater pearls; sterling silver 2mm beads, wire protectors, 3mm beads, crimps, crimp covers and toggle clasp; 49 strand jewelers wire

Carefully handmade in a pet friendly, smoke free studio :)