Neutrality, by Jennifer Dangerfield photo by Jennifer Dangerfield

When I first saw this necklace offered by its designer, Jennifer, on Facebook, I said to myself, "This is an example of what I think is a perfect design." From there I attempted to figure out why I felt this way. Incidentally, Jennifer is getting a lot of reactions on the photo, all as positive as mine, from other people who are having the same sort of intense reaction I have. You might want to see it larger, by hitting on it, here, or going to Facebook. Jennifer was anxious to let me know that the beautiful art beads are by Dora Schubert ( http://www.doraschubert.com/) . However, you can hold beauty such as this in your hands, and if you do not have a "good eye", the willingness to stick with your desire to express yourself, and, finally, the ability to really fly the way that Jennifer Dangerfield does when she designs, you have nothing. Jennifer positioned the beads in a sinuous manner in her design. This was assisted in a lovely manner by her choice of smaller, bronzey colored square coin pearls as spacers. These are perfect as a complimentary color which has some kick to it. Also, the pearls are natural, as are the peachy colored freshwater pearls she used as well. Pearls are from Nature, and there is something profoundly earthy and sensual and natural about this necklace. Any neutral necklace could potentially offer this as a concept, but Jennifer's necklace is quietly powerful in this manner of attracting the viewer. I sometimes see a snakelike attraction here which holds me in its thrall. I was interested to note that there was not a whit of turquoise used in the design of the necklace, except for in the art beads themselves. I think that this empowers the turquoise which is in the actual beads, and compells the viewer to recognize consciously that the turquoise is quite important to the design of the beads as well as the necklace. The turquoise and black designs and the tiny shreds of other colors recall ancient pictograph markings to me. They also remind me that where there are neutral desert colors, there is turquoise blue sky. The manner in which Jennifer finished the necklace is a perfect, quiet, echo referencing the black dots on the beads. Jennifer said to me, " The toggle clasp is Karen silver & came from the Fair Trade company of Shiana (http://www.shiana.com/) - there's a link to their mission statement here: http://www.shiana.com/Shop/Control/fp/SFV/29696/view_page/extra4 " Other things which Jennifer mentioned to me about this beautiful, remarkable necklace: "How I love the subtle light play of pearls!" and what a success she had evoking that, here. Then she added, "It's quite a heavy necklace ( 20 inches long) so I used my favourite Twisted Tornado crimps from Via Murano. These crimps retain a pretty decorative texture when squeezed. For me, how something feels is almost as important as how it looks. I personally think this is a nice necklace to handle; it feels a little like a chunky spine & I like the contrast in the more delicate raised stringer work surface decoration on the beads". When I asked Jennifer's contact details she said, "My email address is art_of_curiosity@btinternet.com and then there's my website http://www.jenniferdangerfield.co.uk/ which needs a spring clean when I get a round tuit. My blog can be found at http://theartofcuriosity.blogspot.com/ and my Flickr Gallery is http://www.flickr.com/photos/theartofcuriosity/ I'm also on Facebook." I am thrilled to know I can communicate with Jennifer on Facebook! She is a remarkable, thoughtful (and by that I mean very thoughtful and also full of thought, all the time) woman who has been a dear friend to me for quite a while. Jennifer loves beauty. I hope I have done her necklace justice. I did not analyze it classically--I am presenting this to you from my heart. I believe that her talents as a photographer are amazing as well. The frame for this necklace, an open, blank paged book, can take you anywhere you want to go. The angle of the photo is engaging as well and it is a clear a photo as any professional photographer could take. Finally, as a note from Jennifer: "I've always loved jewellery, but I didn't start making it until 2004. I remember being given a handmade charm bracelet, admiring it & then trying to work out how it was done. And then attempting to 'source the ingredients' on the internet & make one for myself. Shortly after that, I discovered art glass beads and a passion was born! I've learnt the little I know from books & magazines, but mostly trial & error; this is especially true of photography. You can learn a lot of good things when you're busy making mistakes! What else can I say? That I try to use my creativity to do battle with my demons & bipolar? But you already know how important I think that is :-)" What an amazing artist Jennifer Dangerfield is, and a great person. Thank you Jennifer, for letting me analyze your amazing necklace, Neutrality, by Jennifer Dangerfield, in my own way! jean! xox