“Purple Light” from "Monet's Garden"

“Purple Light” These purple beads represent the warmer and richer tones of Monet's Garden.

The center piece is a Swarovski pearl surrounded by sterling silver. The high light of this bracelet is the Swarovski crystal, Crystal Passion, cyclamen opal.” It is a stunning color, but Swarovski has the best description; “combines glistening berry and fuchsia hues with a soft opalescence. A spectacular color-play of amethyst purple and baby pink shades accented with a flash of blue and yellow, creating a mesmerizing effect.” I agree, and that’s why it’s a fun bead. In this bracelet there are other beautiful crystals, rondelles and assortment of metal beads, including sterling silver. A favorite is a sterling silver heart and a fluer-de lis charm, and a rose magnet clasp. This bracelet is 8 inches in length.

“Monet’s Garden in Giverny” Painted unknown year

Claude Monet, “More than anything, I must have flowers, always, always.”

What draws me to this painting is the time of day. The colors are warmer, the purples are richer, and there are lovely reds in this painting. The light is exquisite and demonstrates the late time of day, when everything becomes more golden. I think it’s the most beautiful time of day.

Monet is truly a student of color and light. You see it not only by what he has said, but through his many paintings. He would paint the same places over and over again, painting in different times of the day, and different times of the seasons. It’s fun to see the comparisons.

“Song of the WaterLily” from "Monet's Collection"

“Song of the WaterLily” is a fun bracelet celebrating Monet’s inspiration, his vision of the water lily pond and his Japanese bridge and surrounding landscape that he was devoted to. His pleasure was designing and developing his spectacular garden and the joy in painting them. His quote, “I would like to paint as a bird sings,” truly demonstrates that, and to represent that I added a pretty little bird charm.

The center piece is whimsical chartreuse color with silver foil inside a glass grommet bead, with three crystals inlays. There are Swarovski crystal elements and an assortment of crystal and rondelles. There are two double sterling caps, sterling silver daisy spacers, delicate pewter caps. There are an assortment of metal beads with two charms, a little bird and a fleur-de-lis. Each of my bracelets has a magnet clasp, and in this bracelet it’s a lovely rose. This bracelet is 8 inches in length.

"The Water Lily Pond, Harmony in Green" painted 1899

Claude Monet: “I would like to paint as a bird sings.”

Monet’s Japanese Bridge and water Lily Pond is one of Monet’s most recognizable works, and you can see many different depictions of them. Monet said, “It took me time to understand my water lilies. I had planted them for the pleasure of it; I grew them without ever thinking of painting them. He also said, “They are beyond the strength of an old man like me, and yet I still want to succeed in rendering what I experience. I hope that something will come of all my efforts.” Indeed it did!

Here we are. My dear friend and I enjoying the view on another pretty bridge in the Paris area. It’s not Monet’s Japanese Bridge, but next time I would like to enjoy the view from Monet’s bridge.

“Fleurs Violet” from "Monet's Garden"

This bracelet, “Fleurs Violet,” inspired by “The Artist’s garden,” is a feast of purple flowers. Monet was known to design his garden the way he wanted to paint them. I wanted to use Swarovski‘s crystal in different purple hues, with a touch of soft green beads. I wanted this bracelet to be delicate with lovely details.

The center piece is a Czech Fire polished bead that gives that illusion that it glows. I find this bead fascinating and it’s definitely a favorite. This bead is violet, and in certain light it reflects blue, stunning. It is surrounded by beautiful sterling silver cap beads. Also there are delicate roses, tiny balls, and two different daisies in sterling silver beads. There are Swarovski crystals. Rondelles and other assortment of metal beads with a fluer-de lis charm, and a rose magnet clasp. This bracelet is 8 inches in length.

“The Artist’s Garden” Painted 1900

Claude Monet: "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

Thank heaven for flowers. In this lovely painting it draws you in. Wouldn't it be wonderful to walk down that little path in what seems like a wilderness of flowers? Natural and uncultivated, heaven's blessing.

“Wild Poppies” from "Monet's Garden"

"Wild Poppies" Growing up in California I loved the wild Poppies found everywhere. The bright orange colored Poppies are full of life and energy for me, beautiful. 

The center piece is referred to as an opal fire color Swarovski bicone crystal bead, and this color is brilliant. Also included are Swarovski pearls. There are beautiful sterling silver caps, and sterling silver heart bead and spacer beads, along with an assortment of metal beads, rondelles, with fleur-de-lis charm with a fleurs magnet clasp. This bracelet is 8 inches in length.

Inspired by “The Poppy Field at Argenteuil,” Painted 1873.

Claude Monet: “Color is my day long obsession, joy and torment” 

Camille Monet, Claude Monet's
First wife. Painted 1875.

The painting "The Poppy Field at Argenteuil" is located at the Musee d’Orsay. I love the Victorian ladies and children, he so loved to paint his family and friends. Another joy I find in his work.

Monet believed he was obsessive about his painting, but I believe he was more passionate. That he had intense emotion about his work, well, perhaps his work did completely occupy his mind. It’s easy to see that he loved his family and his garden, as he often painted them. I have a feeling he would rather not like us to try and figure him out, only enjoy if not love his work. I can’t help it; he was such a fascinating man in his time, in any time.

When I was sixteen I went on a foreign study tour of several countries with only a layover in Paris. I promised I would return for a longer stay next time, and in the summer of 1980 I went to the University of Cannes, located in Cannes, France. I had studied several years of French in High School and College. Following my dream has brought me lifelong friendships, and the joy of learning about cultures, history and a passion for the arts.

Here is my profile picture full framed,  taken in 1987 at a friend’s home  in Paris France.

Taking a walk down a Paris street, and  stopping for a patisserie (pastry) of  course. That’s me in the door way.

“Fleurs Rose” from the collection "Monet's Garden"

There is a flower that was designed and named after Monet, called Rose Claude Monet. I’ve seen this beautiful rose in Paris, and my bracelet “Fleurs Rose” is also inspired by his flower named after him.

The center piece is a Swarovski Pearl surrounded by a beautiful sterling silver caps. Also included are Swarovski crystal rondelles, and bicones. There are sweet little sterling silver sculptured rose beads, and pewter plated in sterling silver caps, very delicate. There is an assortment of metal beads with a fleur-de-lis charm. This bracelet is 8 inches in length.  

I recall how excited I was to see “Claude Monet Rose” while visiting some of the most beautiful rose gardens in Paris, but in my personal pictures I took, I didn’t have a photo of his flower. I found a picture I took of “Buffalo Bill” roses which I was amused by and the French loved him in his day, but alas no Monet Rose. Fortunately we have access to some great photographers at our finger tips, and here is a beautiful picture of “Claude Monet Rose” taken by Georges Seguin.

"Rose Claude Monet" by Georges Seguin (2007, CC-SA)

Photograph the Buffalo Bill flowers I took during my stay in Paris

“Flowering Arches Giverny” also inspired my bracelet “Fleur Rose,” translated in English it means pink flower. Rose is an adjective and a noun in French. We both enjoy the beautiful flower we call Rose in any color.


 “Flowering Arches Giverny” Painted 1923.

Claude Monet: “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”

Monet painting the
"Flower Arches Gateway" 1923

While in France I did not have the opportunity to visit Monet’s home with his magnificent garden, however, when I return to France that will be on the top of my list. Monet has said that he had put most of his money into his garden. He truly loved the nature and his flowers. Clearly his greatest pleasure was to paint them.

"Obsession" from "Monet's Garden"

“Obsession”  is the name of my first bracelet in the "Monet's Garden" collection. it was designed having respect for Monet’s passion, for his water and reflection. The beads I’ve chosen have the beautiful light and reflection of his waterscapes, and I wanted it to feel like you have a piece of his lily pond.

The center piece of my first bracelet is turquoise glass with two perhaps lily flowers floating inside. Swarovski AB crystal cubes and bicones. Included are two foiled Italian glass beads that give that illusion of reflection in “Nympheas” beautiful landscapes of water. There is an assortment of metal beads with a fleur-de-lis charm. 8 and 1/4th inches in length.

I want to share with you his amazing works of color and reflection. Each bracelet is inspired by a painting by Monet and a quote from him. I hope you enjoy Monet, as I feature them along side my original bracelets in this collection.

“Nympheas,” Painted in 1915.

Claude Monet: “These landscapes of water
and reflection have become an obsession.”

  Oscar Claude Monet, born in Paris France on November 14^th 1840 and died in 1926. He is the founder of French impressionist painting. Throughout his artistic career lasting over sixty years, Monet pursued his art with an originality which has yet to be equaled.

Monet once said, “People discuss my art and pretend to understand, when it’s simply necessary to love.” 

I believe that of all art. When you look at it, what is important is that you love it, and you find joy in it.

I‘ve had the opportunity to visit Musee d’ Orsay in Paris, and seen his massive paintings of the Water Lilies in his landscapes of water. His use of color and light in reflection is exquisite.  He spent the last part of his life working on these huge paintings.

Monet Painting in his specially designed studio. 1924.

I could sit for hours studying his brush strokes and his use of light through his colors. His works are fun to spy up close and then continually stepping back to see his paintings change in perspective as you see the whole picture from a distance.

"Reflections of Clouds on the Water-Lily Pond" - 1920

To begin with

Behind Reflections of Light

When I was in high school in the late 1970’s I discovered making jewelry. It had become a new fad and beads stores were popping up everywhere.

We’ve come a long way from puka shells and heishi beads. Today it’s a melting pot galore, beads from all over the world

I’ve recently fallen in love again with creating beautiful bracelets inspired by art. Beads have become my color palette.  As an artist whose passion has been painting since I was twelve years old, I find creating with these lights and colors great fun.
 

I want to share in my passion. I want to share the inspiration behind each piece. Each series of bracelets are inspired by either art or historical figures.

Join me every week as I post my new creations and find out the story behind each of these bracelets, original paintings, as well as other fun stuff.

About My Bracelet

Each piece is uniquely designed. Like a blank canvas, my bracelets start with multiple strands of steel wires coated in nylon.

I’ve discovered how wonderful magnet clasp are to use, and friends and family love the ease of putting on my bracelets.

I work with a multi mediums of beads. I love the mix of eclectic beads. Creating new looks.

 One of my favorites is Swarovski Crystals, also known as Swarovski Elements, for their stunning reflection of light and color.

I work with semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls, shells, crystals and glass. I also work with a variety of metals. Including sterling silver, silver plated, pewter, gold plated, platinum plated, steel, copper etc.

Some metals can be affected by individual chemistry, and that’s what makes each piece look unique and eclectic.

Most of my Bracelets are 8 inches long, however, some are 8 1/4 inches in length. My bracelets, like a charm bracelet, are designed to be worn loose on your wrist. I find this to be the best length, because it fits almost all wrist sizes very comfortably.