A Curious Design Challenge & Blog Hop

Alice in Wonderland

I have always been a fan of Alice in Wonderland. I think I could easily relate, being very much like the curious girl who could care less about her studies, and could spend the entire day dreaming up some fantastical tale.

When I first met Genea (of Genea Beads)- we were immediately fans of each others work (we found each other through Lori Andersons Bead Soup blog hop). Soon after we began to chat and trade and design together, and I came to find out that she too is a fan of Alice in Wonderland.

So here it is, a Design Challenge Blog Hop.

The theme is Alice in Wonderland. I encourage you to read it, or look up some of the stories within the stories and quotes from the book. Lewis Carroll is just amazing, and love his humor and wit. I love his use of made up language inthe Jabberwocky and how he weaves it into the story.

JABBERWOCKY

Lewis Carroll

(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872) `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.


"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought --
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?                       Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'                                            The Jabberwock, as illustrated by John Tenniel

  He chortled in his joy.


`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

What we want you to do, is make a piece of jewelry based on the story. It can be based on a scene from the book (whenever I see light blue, I think Alice’s dress, or red and black, “off with her head”).  It can represent something- her falling in the rabbit hole, or growing bigger and bigger.

It can incorporate actual beads or pendants depicting characters from the story…….like the rabbit or Cheshire cat, or it can be based on a quote or part of the story that moves you.

OR you can be inpsired by the colors in the Disney movie.

I leave you with some more of the original art from

(if you are a bead maker, it may be fun to make some Alice inspired beads or components for this challenge)

What we are hoping is that you will take a break with us, from this very dull world of sums and facts, and get curiouser and curiouser , and delve into Alice’s world.

Rules:

1.  Your piece must be at least 50% handmade. That means it muse handmade components for at least half of it. You may use hand dyed silks, and patina chain (if handmade- like Miss Fickle Media’s components) as part of that 50%. Making your own closures and components counts as well.

2.  You must explain your inspiration and the inspiration must come from Alice in Wonderland or Alice's Adventures Through the Looking Glass.

3.  You must participate in the blog hop and help promote it by blogging the week before the hop with a blog (its always fun to tease before the reveal).

4.  IF you do all these things, you will qualify to be entered in our drawing for prizes from both Genea and myself, there will be two grand prize winners (and perhaps some small giveaways too).  You may also do a giveaway on your blog if you choose.  Lets have some fun with this!

5.  Sign ups are open until June 4th.  I don't mind adding people that late, but you must get me all your info. right away. 

During the month you have to complete your piece, I will add some simple tutorials to help you with your handmade creations.

Blog Hop date is Saturday June 9th.

Please email me your name, blog URL and the email address you'd like to be contacted on (if different then the one you are sending from).  Please put ALICE in the subject line.
staci.louise@hotmail.com

I am very excited, and I think this is a first for both Genea and myself.  So please be patient with us as we pull this all together.

I leave you with some original art from the books, as illustrated by John Tenniel