Pining Over You
© 2009 by Melanie Potter

Nature is the greatest creation that inspires and influences artist to create. Pining Over You is a design that emerged from the observation of pine trees in nature. Pine cones grow from pine trees and they come in many different forms and colors depending on the variety of tree. Specifically, this piece was inspired by the Bulgarian Fir cone which has a slender, elognated body with delicate scales giving it a very elegant appearance.

Pining Over You is a lariat and earring set with the central theme being the pine cone. This pine cone is a three-dimensional structure created in seed beads using peyote and chevron chain stitches. It has a bezeled jewel at the tip in charlottes and seed beads. The lariat neck strap is swathe in pointed leaves or needles created using chevron chain stitch in seed beads and magatamos. The opposite end of the lariat features a pine cone tassel with fringe ending with tiny deep-set jewels bezeled in seed beads and charlottes. The earrings use the same techniques as the lariat in a diminutive size with rolo chain attaching them to an ear wire.