Art Design Theme Challenge: All About Eyes

White and Black dragon eye trinket boxes

This month, eyes are the theme for the Art Elements design challenge.  The symbolism of eyes in art is as varied as the structure of literal eyes across the animal kingdom.  Where to begin? As usual, narrowing down a nearly infinite number of ideas to those that can be completed in a month is the most difficult part of the design challenge.  Now that the weather has finally turned less hot (I’m not prepared to call high temperatures in or approaching the 70s ‘cool’) I can get back into the polymer clay studio, which means sculpting is an option.  Also, my infatuation with embroidery that began this summer shows no signs of fading, which had me searching for stitch inspiration.

While down a Pinterest rabbit hole searching for ‘evil eye’ images, I found this great hamsa clipart. Well, technically, I found dozens of great hamsa designs, but one in particular seemed like a good candidate for embroidery.  (It is here I must note that the evil eye and the hamsa are not the same thing, but the Pinterest search algorithm doesn’t seem to know this.) My idea was to embroider the hamsa design with red brown thread the color of a henna dye. So naturally the craft store nearest to me was out of brown thread in any suitable shades. But wait, what’s this glittery brown stuff I see just as I’m turning to leave?  Why, it’s metallic embroidery floss. So sparkly. And there are not one, but two shades of brown that would be just right.  

Embroidery project in hoop with thread and needle minder
For the outline of this design I used the stem stitch.  The floss is a combination of the copper metallic and bronze metallic. This outline with the combination metallic thread went well enough that I was lulled into thinking using metallic thread was no big.  

Have I ever used metallic thread for any purpose? Nope. Did I know what I was getting myself into? Not a clue. This thread is somewhat stiffer than plain cotton floss and has a tendency to fray. It also tends to twist and knot more than “regular” floss. Did I mention the fraying?  So. Much. Fraying. I think I trimmed off as much in frayed ends as I actually got stitched into the fabric. 

Since working with metallic thread wasn’t challenging enough, why not add some beads to the embroidery?  How hard could that be? Well, it’s not actually that difficult to stitch a single bead here and there. Provided you can find a needle with an eye that’s both small enough to fit through the bead hole while also being large enough to pass a strand of metallic thread.  Cue the floss fraying on steroids. And some cursing.

Embroidery work in progress using metallic floss and glass beads
For the details inside the hamsa I switched from the 3-strand combo of the outline to 2-strands of a single color, alternating the copper and bronze metallics by motifs.  For the smallest dots in the design I made French knots (using metallic thread ups the difficulty level by a factor of, idk, 10?). For the larger dots, I attached coppery glass beads in assorted sizes.

The original plan was to stitch the eye in metallic thread, keeping with the monochrome palette. But at the last minute I decided to make it cobalt blue (with some turquoise accents) for some color contrast and a more defined focal point in the design.  I’m not sure this was the right decision. Maybe it’s too jarring? Well, what’s done is done. And I am definitely done with that metallic thread. At least until enough time passes that I forget what a PITA it was and pick it up again.

photo collage showing unfinished and finished back of embroidery hoop
Here is the back of the embroidered hamsa before trimming all the thread ends, and after finishing the back of the hoop with some acrylic felt in oatmeal color. In addition to trimming the thread ends, I put dabs of fabric glue all over the place.  The metallic thread ends had a tendency to untuck themselves and also to poke through to the front as I worked. Pesky.

My time for this challenge was about evenly split between embroidery and polymer clay.  Or at least that’s how it seemed. I wasn’t actually keeping track of the hours. It’s not like I have to punch a clock or submit a timesheet for this stuff.  But since I spent my weekends sculpting polymer clay and my weekday evenings embroidering, I’m going to say it was roughly even.

Embroidery hoop with hamsa stitched in metallic floss
While I can definitely spot oopsies in my stitches, I am overall happy with how this piece turned out. I will probably definitely use metallic thread again, and beads, in my embroidery.  It was fun even if somewhat exasperating.  

In the polymer clay studio (aka a corner of my kitchen counter) I sculpted a couple of trinket boxes with dragon eye lids. Eyelids, get it?   There’s an eye on the lid so it’s … Anyhoo, the eyes are clip art (from this etsy seller) glued under clear glass cabochons. I experimented with a variety of textures in building out the upper and lower eyelids and surrounding features.  Attaching the itty bitty spines was the hardest part. There was less cursing than during the metallic thread embroidery, but only slightly. 

collage showing white dragon eye box sculpture work in progress and finished views
For this white dragon eye trinket box, I blended pearly white and metallic silver clays with glitter to get a platinum shade with pearlescence and sparkle. Before curing the box, I dusted the raw clay with holographic embossing powder. After curing the clay, I used a silver leafing pen to highlight the tips of the spines and a few random scales. You can find this in my shop on etsy.

There was going to be a third dragon (or lizard) eye box – perhaps in green (maybe purple) – but I spent one entire weekend binge-watching season six of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and reading the last novel in the ‘All Souls’ trilogy by Deborah Harkness.  I got absolutely nothing else done that weekend except laundry (because I can’t wear my flannel jammies to work even if they do have gnomes and owls on them). There’s more than one way to feel productive and sometimes my brain needs to escape deeper into another reality to fully recharge my battery. 

collage showing black dragon eye box sculpture in progress and finished views
The black dragon eye trinket box has the same basic textures and shapes as the white one.  The spines are a bit smaller, the overall shape of the eyelids is a little rounder, and the ridges are larger.  These differences were not on purpose. They were sort of the opposite of purposeful. As in, I was not being meticulous about the details between the two pieces.

In the final weekend of this month, rather than more polymer clay sculpture or embroidery, I spent a little time at my jewelry design table. I have a bunch of evil eye pendants I made from polymer clay (using a stamp I carved) earlier this year so decided to work up a necklace with one for this challenge.

Purple evil eye talisman necklace coiled on whitewash wood background
This evil eye talisman necklace is available in my Paisley Lizard shop on etsy. The polymer clay connector in distressed purple finish has a wire-wrapped amethyst crystal point dangle. The neckline is beaded chain using amethyst round beads and dyed marble marquis beads with antiqued brass links. The back of the necklace is finished with textured antiqued brass rolo chain with a lobster claw clasp and chain extender.

Two final pieces inspired by this month’s theme are not art per se.  But I’m sharing them anyway because my blog, my rules. I made a couple of flying eyeball necklaces assembled from mass-produced components in my stash of craft store impulse buys.  (“Why does she have so many Blue Moon and Bead Landing clearance items?” is what the person packing up my craft room after my death will wonder aloud. “I don’t know, but I found a bunch more over here.” is what the other will say in bewilderment.)  I made two versions, in different metal finishes, because the pendants came in a pack of two and I happened to have assorted gears and charms in coordinating metals.

Flying eyeball necklace on distressed white tile background
This subtly asymmetric flying eyeball necklace has a steampunk vibe and is available in my Cactus Frog shop on etsy.  The pendant is a pair of antiqued brass/gold filigree wings with a bezel tray in the center.  I glued a glass eye cabochon into the bezel and added some key-shaped charm dangles to the bottoms of the wings.  The pendant isn’t necessarily intended to have added dangles. But when I see an opening, I tend to add them. For a little more interest in the neckline, I connected chain from the pendant to a couple of mis-matched gears before adding more chain to the back.

The necklace design looks fairly straightforward – pendant on chain – but I spent way more time than you might guess resizing the chain bits to get things to hang the way I envisioned. The pendant is designed to be attached to a necklace via a single jump ring in the center.  That seemed like an invitation for pendant misbehavior, so I added chain to the top points of each wing for stability. While the chain attached to the center is now more decorative than functional, the pendant isn’t likely to present its backside. I also spent an inordinate amount of time ransacking my stash and auditioning bits to find the “right” dangles.  I wasn’t planning to use only keys, but none of the [dozens of] other metal charms I had were the right size. 

Antiqued silver flying eyeball necklace hanging on whitewash wood backdrop.
This antiqued silver version of the flying eyeball necklace is available in my Cactus Frog shop on etsy.  The components are similar to the original brass version. Assembling this necklace was a bit trickier than the brass version because I don’t happen to have a lot of silver chain, jump rings, etc. I guess I need to go shopping. *sigh*

This design challenge is also a blog hop. Please visit the other participating artists’ blogs, where you will be treated to all manner of eye-themed designs in a variety of media.

AE Team: Laney (our hostess)  Susan  Marsha  Claire  Cathy Jenny  Niky  Jennifer

Guests:   Dawn  Hope  Beth & Evie  Kathy  Michelle Tammy  (<–You are here!)  Cat  Elaine

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27 thoughts on “Art Design Theme Challenge: All About Eyes

  1. Niky Sayers

    I really enjoyed your post Tammy it was like going on a journey! You created so many wonderful things but oh my did I gasp when I saw the white dragon eye trinket box, what a beauty. It defiantly has a magical other worldly feel!

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Niky. I think the white dragon eye is my favorite, but don’t tell the other dragons.

  2. Kathy Lindemer

    Everything that you created is wonderful. Your blog was a fun read. My favorite necklace is the evil eye talisman necklace. I love purple and the wire-wrapped amethyst crystal point dangle you added really makes the necklace special. The hamsa is great. I am glad you are enjoying embroidery. I may go back to it someday. Your trinket boxes are always unique and well done.

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Kathy. I love purple too. It’s a fun color filled with possibilities.

  3. Alysen

    I’ve never seen the flying eyes and find that concept interesting. However, I am mostly impressed with your dragon eye trinket boxes and the craftswomanship applied to them! Also the Hamsa is so detailed and tho you had troubles with the metallic thread it did come out stunning!! The blue eye adds just enough color to pop.

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Alysen. I’m not sure the makers of those winged bezel trays thought people would glue eyeballs in them, but they were the right size so, you know. 😉

  4. Claire

    I already was so curious seeing your sneakpeaks on Instagram. I love the different takes you took on the theme, from jewelry, to embroidery and sculpting. My favorite pieces just have to be the two tins you made! I may or may have not squeaked out loudly seeing the spikes around the eyes! So stunning and cool! 🙂

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Claire. If I make more dragon eyes, I think I will pre-cure the spikes to make handling them easier. Don’t know why I didn’t do that in the first place.

  5. Cathy Mendola

    WE keep thinking alike on these theme challenges! Hamsa hands and dragon eyes. We must be sisters separated at birth-LOL I love your Hamsa hand and i admire your resilience in sticking with the metallic thread. I steer clear of it if at all possible. If I choose to use it, it’s only sparingly b/c it is a major PITA. So you get Brownie points for doing the entire hand except the eye in the metallic thread. I think the blue eye is perfect. It really POPS. The dragon eye trinket boxes are fabulous. I love the black one the most!! Your flying eye necklaces are fun as is your evil eye necklace. Lots of goodies this month!

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Cathy. We may not be sisters, but we do seem tuned to the same frequency of the collective consciousness. 🙂

  6. Laney Mead

    ….. and why on earth not wear flannel pjs to work especially if they have owls on them? LOL! I knew your pieces would be a feast for the eyes but WOW!! totally blown away. You m ust have the patience of a Saint to use that metallic thread but those trinklet boxes with the eye – lids 😉 are just fantastic. Love those eye necklaces too. Thank you for joining in the challenge 😀

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Laney. I think my owl pjs would be at least as office-appropriate as my co-workers’ flip flops. 😀
      As for the thread, I’m not terribly patient. What I am is incredibly stubborn. Same end result, I guess. Just with more cursing. 😉

  7. Dawn

    Wow! So much eye candy; where do I begin?

    The Hamsa hand is great and the metallic thread (pita that it may be) really gives it that little something extra. The blue eye is just the right amount of color in the otherwise neutral color scheme.

    I’m in love with the boxes especially the addition of the spikes. They are just fabulous!

    Last but not least, the necklace is gorgeous.

    You really nailed this challenge!

      1. Tammy Adams Post author

        Thanks so much, Dawn. The blue in the eye is growing on me as I look over at the hamsa hanging on the wall. It does make a nice focal point.

  8. Susan Kennedy

    You are too funny! That embroidery is awesome – I used to do a LOT of cross stitch so I know what you mean about the metallic thread, but it was perfect for your piece. And the boxes , they are fantastic! I love your necklaces as well! Thanks for sharing your process!

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Susan. I did a lot of cross stitch in my younger days but I don’t remember ever seeing metallic thread. It’s very pretty but does take some special handling. I’ve since bought thread conditioner, which may help next time.

  9. Hope Smitherman

    As always, you made some reall stunners! I hate that the metallic floss was such a booger, but love your addition of beads to the design. Very cool! And, those dragon-eye boxes. Oh my word, they’re gorgeous! The details you are able to eke into each of your clay pieces is amazing. As for the jewelry, it’s lovely. I like the whimsical ones. They make me smile. And, I’m glad you got some reading and binging in there too! (I finished the All Souls Trilogy sometime this year too.)
    I must ask though, why do you have two different Etsy shops? I’m sure there’s some obvious reason that you’ve likely explained before, but I was just wondering.
    Loved seeing your beauties!

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Hope. You get the prize for noticing that I have two different etsy shops. I did write a blog post about it a while back. There are basically two reasons. One, I had an idea for a cute logo, which a friend turned into a digital file, so then I needed a place to use it. Two, my jewelry does have a split personality and breaking things into two shops gives them both a more cohesive look by separating the art jewelry from the costume jewelry. Or something. LOL

  10. Michelle

    O.M.G! These are all fabulous! I love the blue eye in your Hamsa hand. I knew when I read you’d picked up metallic thread, you were going to have problems. I once hand-quilted a wallhanging with it. My experience with it mirrors yours. I love, love, love your trinket boxes. Between them, your polymer clay eye focal bead (and other inspiration from around the web), I am itching to try polymer clay. The Steampunk necklaces are awesome!

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thank so much, Michelle. The metallic thread definitely tested my patience but it’s just too pretty not to try. I hope you do give polymer clay a try. It’s got endless possibilities and I’d love to see where you take it.

  11. Evie and Beth

    Ohhh…I love everything, but I am serious love with the dragon tins. I saw them and just swooned! I love dragons!
    Your embroidery is seriously bad ass! I love that you added the beads to the piece and the blue eye just make it pop. Awesome!
    The last three necklaces are amazing! I especially love those flying eyes – they are phenomenal!

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Beth and Evie. Dragons are, I think, one of those art subjects where you can’t go wrong. The flying eyeballs make me giggle a little every time I look at them. I’m glad this challenge gave me inspiration to use those bezel trays.

  12. Jenny

    Oh heavens – metallic floss. I know that particular hell I am so sorry. You persevered though and it looks amazing!
    Love the eye-lids. really cool! Glad temps are allowing you to get your polymer on. ( Sorry I was so late to the hop.)

    1. Tammy Adams Post author

      Thanks so much, Jenny. I probably should have guessed the metallic floss would be trouble but I’m glad I tried it. And you’re not late; it sometimes takes me weeks to make it through all the links.

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