My name is Kaori Nakakohji, I'm from Nara, Japan. Last year everything was new experience and a big start for me. When I began doing soutache embroidery I strongly felt enjoy working with beautiful braids and creating unique shapes; and it was a real fun. That time I wasn't confident about my work and had no idea how it could be valued.
So, I started participating in different contests and learned a lot of things after that. When I received the Second Place in the Fashion Colorworks 2015, I was very glad and satisfied; and finally felt confident in my abilities and skills. Therefore the Aqua Trickle Necklace that won the award last year is very special to me.
Since then, I've been trying to create something even more unique and original. Recently, my piece "Moonflower" has been selected as the Bead Dreams 2016 finalist. I was very happy and really surprised because I haven't expected any recognition this year.
When I thought about design of my Moonflower Necklace, I imagined Ipomoea Alba flower. It's also called "Moonflower" because it blooms in the moonlight and has a shape like a full moon. This mysterious flower inspired me and I wrote a story, "Moonflower blooms under the full moon. The moon gives the light to the flower, and the flower sparkles like a full moon."
I tried to express the full moon night, so I mostly used silver and blue colors. To make the flower sparkle, I used Japanese kumihimo, which has been woven using metallic cord. Soutache embroidery with metallic kumihimo was slightly more difficult than I expected before but trying this solution was a good challenge for me and I really enjoyed it.
A contest is a great opportunity to challenge for me. Also it's extremely exciting and pretty funny! I really love the Fashion Colorworks contest. "Choose the color combination - you can only use limited colors to make the piece." This approach is quite interesting and very unique. Also it's great to challenge! I think the contest is a perfect chance to develop and improve skills in using colors.
2016 was my second year to enter the Fashion Colorworks, so I decided to raise my bar because I believed the contest would help me push myself to see what I was capable of. To challenge myself, I purposely picked up the color combination which I didn't usually choose. It was very exciting!
When I started my design in Rose Quartz/Peach Echo/Lilac Gray colors, the first image that came to my mind was a heart, so I took inspiration from my recent piece "Wonderland". And then, the image of the "Cupid" came to my mind. Speaking of the Cupid, bows and arrows are recognized symbols and I imagined such a story, "Cupid's arrow is about to reach the core of heart."
I used peyote stitch to bezel the Preciosa round element for the part of the core, the color was really beautiful and I loved working with it. It was fun to design bows and arrows in the heart shape. The design around the neck toward to the clasp expressed the angel wings.
I don't draw a sketch when I start creating the design; sometimes I draw an approximate sketch, but it's not often. I always play around with soutache braid on the sketchbook to get some idea of a design. It's pretty interesting, but sometimes my head aches when creating something new. However, I really enjoy it!
I wanted to make Cupid Necklace partly like as mosaic, so I used my favorite Kheops beads (Kheops Par Puca 2-Hole Triangle Shape Pressed Czech Glass Beads) as one of the primary materials. I bought these beads at the Bead & Button show last year and decided to feature these beads in my contest entry.
As to show, there were so many things going on. I was so excited to see a lot of amazing pieces! Because I saw them only on the photos, it was great to see the actual pieces. I was also really happy to meet many wonderful artists. I've never been to such a big bead show in Japan or any other country before and my trip was a great experience.
Now go back to my topic... Usually, I use Kheops beads with soutache to create triangle or rhombus shapes and it turned out a new challenge for me to create a curve. I was very excited when I came up that idea, but after I started working Kheops beads with soutache I found out it to be very difficult! So, the Cupid Necklace took me about more than one and a half months to complete.
When I found out the result of the contest, I got shocked! Literally, I've been speechless. Since I implemented lots of new things in the necklace I wasn't confident in a positive result at all. However, I put a lot of efforts into this piece and I'm very pleased. This is the first time I have been awarded such a great prize for my work! From the bottom of my heart I would sincerely like to thank the organizers, sponsors, and all of the judges! And I look forward to the Fashion Colorworks 2017!
My gallery on MyLovelyBeads.com
About author:
| Kaori Nakakohji, Nara, Japan | |
| Email: | kaorina.art@gmail.com |
| Blog: | kaorina-art.blogspot.com |
| Facebook: | facebook.com/kaorina.art |
