5/4/13

Hats Off Challenge


I grew up in Louisville, where my parents and their circle of friends celebrated the Kentucky Derby each year with bigger and bigger parties. When it was my parents’ turn to host, my sister and I joined in the pre-party frenzy. Janet whipped up her legendary cream puffs and it usually fell to me to polish the dozen or so silver mint julep cups used only on this storied day.


Hats were always the crowning jewels of the event, both the ones the women wore (there was usually a contest for most creative), and the silk top hat that was passed from host to host and held the horses’ names each year. Guests had to cheer for the horse they drew, and won the pot if they held the winning name.
So, I just had to sign up for Bobbie Rafferty’s Hats Off Challenge, where our goal was to design a piece of jewelry inspired by one of the extravagant creations Bobbie curated for us. I chose this very interesting hat from the Sculptural category.



The day before Bobbie unveiled the designer hats from which we could choose, I picked up this vintage 1950’s focal at a local bead show. Can you see the face in the mahogany obsidian stone?



My design plays up the browns and corals in the hat and gives a nod to blue in the lampwork flower by Sue Kennedy.




My husband and I will be having our own Derby party this afternoon. (The mint julep cups are polished and waiting!) But not until I hop around to see what all the other Hats Off participants dreamed up for this challenge. And thanks so much to Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry for showing us you don’t have to go to Churchill Downs to enjoy Derby Day! Here's a link to all the participants' blogs:
Bobbie Rafferty www.beadsong.blogspot.com
Susan Nelson Bowie www.susanbowie.wordpress.com
 
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19 comments:

  1. baymoondesignMay 4, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    I love how you gave that thrifty pin a new life! Well done!

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  2. Sweet FreedomMay 4, 2013 at 8:00 AM

    Another stunning piece, Karin - it's perfect! I love the chains you chose for the back.

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  3. Sea of DreamsMay 4, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    It is always amazing to see how something "old" can inspire something "new"! Love the necklace you created!

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  4. AntiquityTravelersMay 4, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    what an amazing piece! I love the design and the colors in this piece! just beautiful!!

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  5. BobbieMay 4, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    Oh, my gosh, what a FABULOUS focal you found, and how beautifully you treated it! The hat you chose was one of my favorites, for the mysterious face and the great color combination. You captured both in your necklace. And thanks for sharing your Derby story! Today's definitely one of those years when it's best to watch on the television -- it's rainy and chilly here today. There are going to be a lot of gorgeous hats wrapped in clear plastic rain ponchos today...

    Thanks for being part of the challenge! Derby on!

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  6. LizMay 4, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Great hat choice and even nicer necklace. The focal is lovely and how you put it all together is amazing. It has a super fun, funky bohemian feel to me. The beads, the chain, all of it works together beautifully. And the orange, how I love orange.

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  7. Jean Katherine BaldridgeMay 4, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    This is a charming necklace with so much thought put into it, and yet it all goes together so naturally, it is as if it was "meant to be". I am always staggered by designers who can create beauty like this with that effortless feel. Great!
    Have a lovely day today!
    jean yates

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  8. Christine AltmillerMay 4, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    Karin~the personal meaning and memories of this day makes this hop even more meaningful for you and it clearly shows in your creativity. I am always excited to see what you make and today you blew me away again! The necklace on its own is a stunning statement and a wonderful mix of textures and colors, but adding that big find you made certainly made it a show stopper. People are going to be touching this each time you wear it :-)

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  9. UnknownMay 4, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Such beautiful work.

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  10. KepiMay 4, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    Perfect match to the inspiration, very creative artistry, absolutely beautiful necklace.

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  11. Therese's TreasuresMay 4, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Hi Karin,
    Beautiful necklace I love the focal piece. What a great find!
    Therese

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  12. JasvantiMay 4, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    Really nice inspiration and creation.
    Visit my Hat challenge at jewelrybyjasvanti@blogspot.com

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  13. aneri_masiMay 4, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Loved every individual component of this necklace! The focal, the orange beadwork (is that on silk?), and the chains! Awesome!

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    Replies
    1. Karin SlatonMay 5, 2013 at 2:01 PM

      Thanks, Kashmira. Actually, it's the beading foundation, Lacy's Stiff Stuff, that I dyed to match the darkest color in the etched sponge coral.

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  14. UnknownMay 4, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    Stunning creation!You did a wonderful job with that great focal...the gorgeous orange beads....the bead work on the orange fabric....the fabulous chains. You are a great jewelry artist.....so impressed!

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  15. Dry GulchMay 4, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    A fantastic hat and a very creative necklace, really love it!

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  16. Dolores RamlMay 5, 2013 at 12:59 AM

    Love your necklace, it would really go well with the hat.

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  17. LaneyMay 5, 2013 at 3:08 AM

    I love the sound of the party!! That brooch is the perfect focal piece for the necklace :)

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  18. UnknownMay 5, 2013 at 4:09 AM

    How could you be so lucky♥ to find that focal! You made a very beautiful necklace with it, very stylish...

    Dini, co-participant, you find me @ http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl instead of @ the FB address in the list :-)

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