Resolve and Thou Art Free

The creation of this necklace actually began in November of 2009 when I found the pulley for a window weight at an antique store in Columbus on my way to Valley Ridge Art Studio with Jill. I finished it yesterday. The leather cord is from a boxer's jump rope I found at the village wide rummage in Fredonia for 50 cents last Spring (score!) I doubt that I will find another one, much less at such a deal! It fits around the pulley wheel like it was made for it. This is the process of assemblage that I find so appealing, bringing together disparate pieces so that they look like they were always made to be that way. I also hung a jump ring made from rebar wire in a hole that was already in the pulley wheel. Next I hammered the stem of a clock part flat and drilled a hole which was strung onto the jump ring before it was closed shut. I like to represent the concept of time in my work. The pulley would move around freely if not bound by time. Instead it is able to only move back and forth within the constraints of time.

I like to combine words with my art and spent an afternoon at Jill's looking at quotes. Sometimes I create my own phrase or poem. Other times I like to use a quote for inspiration. Another requirement was that the words had to fit around the brass ring I had cut out. Resolve and thou art free by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This quote fits me on so many levels and the more I thought about it the more I liked it. Next I etched the quote on the brass ring.

I spent a huge amount of time trying to decide what to put in the resin of the threaded brass plug with the hexagon opening. My first thought was a mustard seed. I was attracted to it for it's biblical meaning. Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable he put forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. I do like mustard but I am not obsessed with it. What we do have sowed in our fields is alfalfa, clover timothy grass and wild Queen Anne's lace. After researching the symbolism of each and in retrospect of my life I have decided on alfalfa. Alfalfa hay has been the bane of our existence. We have harvested 20 acres of hay for the past 15 years. At one time we had 17 goats but this is another story. Baling hay usually happens on the hottest most humid day of the year with the threat of rain in the near future. I hate baling hay! Having goats was my idea :) I also included an engraving of an eye (all seeing past and present).

If you look at just the right angle in the resin you can see my fingerprint. Not being able to let well enough alone I picked the brass plug up to look at the resin before it was completely dry. I fumbled and left a print so I promptly made up another batch of resin and added a thin layer to cover the rough texture.



Back view of necklace.

After several attempts and 4 1/2 hours later I finally finished fabricating the rebar wire clasp yesterday. Not one of my most productive moments but I am pleased with the results.

I also wrote much of the process and ideas that were developed for this project in my journal. Journaling is a wonderful tool for reexamining ideas, thoughts and time.