Look at this sunset!
Here is some Wikipedia information about:
The Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM) is an independent, sovereign island nation, made up of four states from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It
comprises approximately 607 islands (270 sq mi) of
area in the Western Pacific Ocean as part of the Caroline Islands, spread over almost
1,678 mi longitudinally just north of the equator, some 2,485 mi southwest of the main islands of Hawaii and about
1,802 mi north of eastern Australia. Each of its four states is centered around one or more main high islands, and all but Kosrae include numerous outlying atolls. The capital is Palikir, located
on Pohnpei Island, and the largest city being Weno, is located in the Chuuk Atoll.The FSM was formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, a United Nations Trust Territory under U.S. administration, but it formed its own constitutional government on May 10, 1979, becoming a sovereign state after independence was attained on November 3, 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The FSM has a seat in the United Nations.
The topography of the islands is basically ancient lava cones rising out of
the ocean and surrounding land and vegetation that has developed over
generations. This was my first thought in creating something to represent all
four of the states – LAVA BEADS.
The surrounding waters are a mass of coral
filled seas, which delight scuba divers and researchers have been observing for many
years. Ahh, my second inspiration – Coral.
The inhabitants are simple people who live on what they can harvest from the sea and land. One of their main staples is breadfruit. Its name is derived from the texture of the cooked fruit, which has a potato-like flavor, similar to fresh-baked bread. OK add one more item.
From the granite clay Yap "currency" focal,
to the lava beads and the coral accents, they all are. I strung them on green waxed linen cord which continues up wrapping around forest toned Sari silk and end in a knotted and lava bead closure. Did you notice the "breadfruit" beads, courtesy of Lisa Lodge?
So here now, is my tribute to this fascinating place on the globe, that was so much fun to visit, if only from the chair in front of my computer.
Thank you Erin for a great blog hop and the opportunity it brought me.
Here are the other participants, so have fun in your travels!
Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/
Niky Sayers http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/
Therese Frank http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Raychelle Heath http://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com
Joan Williams www.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.com
Sherri Stokey http://www.KnotJustMacrame.com
Regina Santerre http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com
Raida Disbrow http://havanabeads.blogspot.com
Kristi Wodek http://livedinlife.blogspot.com
Sally Russick http://www.thestudiosublime.com
Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Tracy Stillman http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Sandra Wolberg http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.de
Tanya Goodwin http://pixiloo.blogspot.com
Susan Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Beth Emery http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Lisa Cone http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Tanya Boden http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/
Inge von Roos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Dee Elgie http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawson http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Lisa Stukel http://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com
Elly Snare http://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.com
Shelley Graham Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Paige Maxim http://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Evelyn Shelby http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Holly Westfall http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/
Rebecca Siervaag http://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewels http://toltecjewels.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman http://StregaJewellry.wordpress.com
Laren Dee Barton http://larendeedesigns.blogspot.com
Cindy Wilson http://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.com
Kathleen Lange Klik http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com
Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Justman http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com
Lola Surwillo http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Kim Hora http://www.kimmkats.com
Leanne Loftus http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Patti Vanderbloemen http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com
Marcie Carroll http://labellajoya.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com - YOU ARE HERE
Ine Vande Cappelle http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com
Tammie Everly http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/
Alice Peterson http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Elisabeth Auld http://www.beadsforbusygals.com
Susan McClelland http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/
D Lynne Bowland http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com
Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com
Rebecca Anderson http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Mischelle Fanucchi http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Kari Asbury http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Cece Cormier http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/
Emma Todd http://www.apolymerpenchant.com
Debbie Price http://greenshoot.blogspot.com
Fascinating! I loved the journey and how your built your necklace from various pieces of inspiration along the way. The piece about the stone currency is completely new to me, and I like how to integrated that into your necklace!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice idea. As a teacher I have never gotten such a thing and I know your child's teacher will be very touched. Teachers usually get most supplies needed or will buy them or have specific things in mind that may be hard to know. If there are elem. age kids then crayons, coloured pencils, erasers, pencils, little sharpeners, prizes for the kids such as stickers or other little things are always needed and used
ReplyDeletelive tv streaming
Oooohhh - you make me want to be there.
ReplyDeleteYour necklace is perfect for the challenge! Great work.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, wild and rustic, Marlene, you perfectly captured FSM's identity. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteTHis is lovely... and I think Canadian change weighs a lot!
ReplyDeleteVery rustic and really using what would be available in the native environment to add to your design.
ReplyDeleteMarlene,those pics made me think of my all-time favourite musical, R&H's "South Pacific". I think you made great choices for your jewellery elements (and there were so many to consider). That "money" looks just like its inspiration, doesn't it? Imagine the buying power!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your inspiration, I liked retracing the journey you took. Your piece looks great!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful.. I love everything about your blog..
ReplyDeleteI love how you incorporated so many inspirations into one piece and then made them all work so well together. The necklace is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNow see, my first thought of inspiration for this island nation is water --- but I LOVE how you came about your inspriationn elements! Fascinating! Your four elements work so perfectly together! Your design is beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour -your inspiration pieces turned out beautifully ;)
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing about your inspiration for your necklace, looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is beautiful! Love how everything came together in synchronicity, how your clay focal looks exactly like stone, how you've shared the journey of your art along with your journey to the islands! Smiled that Lisa Lodge gave you the cool fruit, and the lava, coral, and fibers come together to be a BEAUTIFUL necklace! It IS a paradise! Excellent travels.
ReplyDeleteYour journey takes me to Peace and Tranquility.
Namaste
rita
P.S. And Sparkles to you too, Marlene!
What is that blue doughnut pendant? is that a lapiz stone? I love the color... thanks for sharing Marlene...
ReplyDeleteNyoman
Baligoodjewellery
I sure do like the way you gave us a tour and picked up inspiring objects along the path. Isn't that what we do when we visit somewhere? Great way to incorporate all into a fab necklace.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I like the idea of "stone currency".
What an education this blog hop has been! I love the way you incorporated the main elements of these Pacific Islands into your necklace. Beautifuly done!
ReplyDeleteThat focal is a real stand-out Marlene, awesome work!
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece and gorgeous inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us on this wonderful walk of inspiration! I loved seeing how you came up with the ideas for your components, and the final design of the necklace is lovely! That focal is amazing ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tour! The FSM is very similar to the Kiribati that I researched.
ReplyDeleteI love that every bead and component in your necklace came from your research of this wonderful place.
I always look forward to seeing what you come up with and this time was no exception. I love how you drew inspiration from so many different aspects and tied them all together into one wonderful necklace.
ReplyDeleteI am very excited to get to know your nation. I really knew nothing about it! I found it fascinating where your inspiration led you. From the lava beads to the stone focal to the breadfruit...fascinating! Thank you for joining me on the journey around the world, Miss Marlene! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteSo interesting and what an amazing piece of art you created - perfect for your chosen country!
ReplyDelete