It's time once again for the latest installment of the Inspired By Reading Book Club.
This month we delved into the anthology My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, edited by Kate Bernheimer. The book is a compilation of fairy tales with a modern twist. As it is a rather long book, It was decided we could read as many or as few as we wanted as we found our inspiration.
After reading several of the fairy tales, "The Brother and the Bird", by Alissa Nutting spoke to me. It is based on the Grimm fairy tale, "The Juniper Tree". In this modern version, the jealous stepmother kills her husband's son, cuts him up and feeds him to his father. His sister eventually rescues his bones from the deep freeze and plans to bury them under the juniper tree. The juniper berries swarm off the tree to consume the bones. Meanwhile, the family's radio would mysteriously turn to static, send out the sound of fluttering wings and play the following song, "Mother killed her little son; what a beautiful bird am I. Father ate 'til meat was gone; what a beautiful bird I am. Sister saved my bones; now I sing and fly..."
I did a little research. Found a few photos of juniper berries. And went in search of the perfect beads.
I found them in NYC at the Whole Bead Show. These vintage pine cone shaped vintage Blue Heron beads were perfect.
I actually won these beads from the Whole Bead Shop! I entered a contest on their Facebook page - Whole Bead Shop - and won a $25 gift certificate! Yeah - I spent more!
But scored some amazing vintage glass beads.
The beads were wrapped onto a medium flat oval chain to resemble a
cluster of juniper berries. I added some pale gray labradorite to represent the the layer of ash at the base of the tree.
And a bird from Green Girl Studios finishes off the necklace.
As always, I have enjoyed the challenge put forth by fearless leader, Andrew Thornton.
Don't forget to check his blog, as well as the other participants.
I hope you'll consider joining us in the future.
Andrew Thornton Our host!
I did not read that tale, but I guess that is where the title of the books comes from. Great interpretation of the story with your design.
ReplyDeleteWell, they do look like the juniper berries! A great necklace with the ash and berries and bird. I am very intrigued by this tale and look forward to discovering it! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeletePretty necklace, love the symbolism!
ReplyDeleteI read that one too... very creepy and violent. Those beads are just perfect for what you wanted to do...and I'm always happy to gaze upon a design with my favorite gemstone, labradorite!
ReplyDeleteYou've created a charming necklace! The vintage beads definitely resemble juniper berries (and how lucky are you to have won a gift certificate)! I bet the necklace has a lot of lovely movement and is really just pretty. And the Green Girl piece fits perfectly! If you're looking for whimsy, my family's pieces fit the bill!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for participating! I hope you'll get to come out again to visit with us! When you come out, make sure to let me know beforehand and I'll give you a list of local things to do as long as my arm.
I love the way you transformed that grim little story into such a lovely necklace. The colors of gray and blue are beautiful together. Your wire wrapping is so elegant.
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