Art by Dianne: October 2013

Halloween is my favorite holiday! I love dressing up (big surprise, right?) I have been known to have large, fabulous halloween parties in my day, hang out on South Street in Philly, dress up in costumes that others may find ridiculous or have multiple costume changes in a single evening. I have been known to tell people if they weren't going to dress up they might as well not come to my parties. Well, they wouldn't have had any fun anyway. So when the opportunity came up to participate in a blog hop celebrating my favorite holiday and jewelry, well, I couldn't say no!

My story starts with my inspiration -

I love everything about the day, and honoring the dead is a part of the holiday. So it's no surprise that this year I was very influenced by Dias de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead." You can learn more about this Mexican holiday which is actually celebrated November 1-2 at Day of the Dead - Wikipedia. I bought some of this bright fabric to make myself a dress for an event in New Jersey "Chiller Theater." In my last post you saw the jewelry I made to go with this outfit - but oh there's more!!

First I'd like to share e a necklace with this amazing sugar skull focal by Staci Louise. I was so inspired by her style that I have to say the whole necklace is inspired by her. The crosspiece component in between the stick pearls is made by her too - both focal pieces are polymer clay brass. I added some pearl drops and some Swarovski crystals on some antique brass chain and some beaded connectors as well. This is MINE! But I have another smaller focal that will be made into jewelry for sale, later - ;)

Next up we have a piece I made for Philly Comic con this year - a collar with components made by me. The bat focal was completely hand made, cut out of brass, filed, sanded, etched and textured by me, and all by hand. The clockwork focal on the collar was also made by me and functions as a separate pin which can be worn by itself.

All the keys to Gotham City

Removable pin centerpiece

Some close ups of the accents to this lovely piece.

And the matching earrings - etched and torched to make the interesting colors in brass, copper and stainless

And here a picture of the jewelry being worn by me at Comic Con -

My eyes look a little crossed, but that's okay, lol!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my little Halloween celebration here on my blog. Look for new jewelry to be added to my shop at www.wjewelry.shophandmade.com!

Now go on and check out all the other blogs in the blog hop for your Day of the Dead Jewelry inspiration!!

Diana Ptaszynski http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Staci Smith http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/

Kathleen Breeding http://99bobotw.blogspot.com

Sue Kennedy http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Lisa Liddy http://www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com

Toltec Jewels http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Linda Landig http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com

Laura Medeiros http://Www.zoeowyn.blogspot.com

Veralynne Malone http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com

Lynn Jobber http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk

Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com