Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Challenge of Music: I'm Through

I had the most amazing musical experience on the first of this month, I went to a little "pop-up" concert by Ingrid Michaelson in Portland (Oregon, for those of you who don't follow my blog :)).  I have always thought her a good artist, have always enjoyed her music, thought her voice beautiful... but I have to tell you... there is absolutely no comparison to her live.  Watching her interact with her audience, listening to her tell us about her music, catching glimpses into her sweet and warm and funny personality all made me adore her.  But the truly spell-bounding moments were when she sang, her voice is so pure, her emotion so real you feel as if you can grasp it in your hands as it winds around your soul.  Even singing lighter, more upbeat songs, her voice is so beautiful it just captures you.  I cannot for the life of me remember the last evening I enjoyed that way, I was about ten to fifteen feet from her the entire concert and it was incredible.

Every piece was amazing, but the song that pierced me to the quick was "I'm Through."  She confided that we were the first group to ever hear it live and told us in her own words what the song meant.  She told us it was about trying to move on, going out with someone for the first time after losing someone you loved very deeply.  And the new person is really wonderful and ordinarily you might really like them, but you are still too broken over your previous relationship.  When she began singing, it was just her on the keyboard, I was overcome by the beauty of the music and her voice... and the sadness.  Yet there wasn't just sadness, there was the bitter-sweetness of a relationship that was life changing.  There is even a hint of hope, or more correctly, a knowledge that it won't always be so difficult.  That moving on will happen, but when you are ready, in your own time.  Here are the lyrics, courtesy her official website:

http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/music/songs-lyrics/im-through

I'm Through

I'm going out again tonight
the first time in the longest time
he holds the door and holds my hand
but doesn't feel like you

we laugh at all the people in
the restaurant across from us
he talks a lot but not too much
but doesn't sound like you

it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through

I know there'll come a time again
when everything will fit right in
and I won't have to see your face
in strangers on the street

but I would rather feel the sting
than never to have felt a thing
I'll always know that you were the one
to rip me from the ground

it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through

it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through

I did manage to take a video of her on my ipod at the concert I went to, but the quality is wanting.  But I did manage to find another video on youtube of her singing it at the pop-up in Seattle!  Here it is:


And now, finally, here is my piece inspired by this incredible song and the lady who performed it:


The picture came out brighter than it really is, the sari silk is actually a deep navy blue.  I wanted the whole piece to be rich and moody and slightly tattered feeling which is why all of the metal is Fallen Angel Brass.  I chose this amazing pendant from Marsha Neal Studio that I have been hoarding, I love the way it's glazed dark and smoky blues, greys, and browns and looks distressed.  To me it represents the fact that the love had before was beautiful, as she says, she would have rather had it than not... better to have loved and lost.  I used grey fire agate, dark faceted sapphire rounds and a single grey glass pearl.  That pearl is that knowledge that someday it won't be as painful, that life can be good again when the time is right.  


I'm through...

Thank you so much, Erin, for hosting this amazing challenge, I have loved every single moment!  I hope you will take the time to visit all of the other participants on this wonderful ride of a challenge!  

Music speaks to the soul, don't you think?  

~Jenn

64 comments:

  1. A beautiful song and a beautiful necklace - I love the muted colours and the "tattered" look. But the song sounded such a sad one (to me, listening to the youtube video) and yet the necklace looks like it's full of hope - as if it's the happy sequel to the song!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah :) I hope that all those who have loved and lost can find that happy sequel ;).

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  2. love those rich colors! great necklace!

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  3. How beautifully this came together for you and I love the pendant! Your inspiration has totally shown through!

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  4. What a beautiful piece! The pendant is gorgeous! I love the song that sparked your inspiration, and I do think you represented the various moods of that song in your piece quite well. The

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    1. Thank you so much, Alice! You are so kind, I am so happy to get to share this with everyone <3

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  5. Ingrid's voice is so melodic and ethereal! And that song is just incredible...your necklace tells the story of the song perfectly. It's lovely.

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    1. Oh Holly, isn't her voice just wonderful? I love her to pieces! Thank you so very much, it meas so much!!

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  6. I enjoyed watching that video. It was a lovely song and I think you captured the essence of it in that beautfiul necklace!

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  7. It definitely speaks to the soul ;-)

    What a talented musician and a very heartfelt song. I adore the Blue necklace...Color of sadness but hopeful to get back in the swing of things. This is a really Beautiful piece!

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    1. Haha, yes!! Christine it totally speaks to the soul! ;)

      She is so exquisitely talented, being there with her was just... amazing. And the thing is, even though she is so very talented, she's not intimidating, she doesn't have an enormous ego, she's just so sweet and warm!

      Thank you so much, I'm glad you get my piece, sometimes it is so hard to know if I'm getting through to people lol. ((HUGS)) I love your piece too!!

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  8. You definitely captured the song in this piece! I love the focal, and you complemented it perfectly!

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  9. Beautiful piece and great design! Your song fits so well

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  10. What can I say other than -beautiful. I love it!! Really simple, but moving!

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  11. Beautiful, I love the sari silk. I have never tried it but I am thinking I should.

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  12. The tattered distressed silk is so absolutely perfect to conjure up the battered, broken, yet surviving aspects of the song. Lovely simple, wear-anywhere piece!

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    1. Thank you so much Jennifer, it means a lot to me that you "get" my piece :) Thank you!!!

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  13. Ingrid is wonderful! This is my first time hearing her music, and I'm excited because she sounds like someone Mr. Sequin will like, too. Thanks for sharing her with us!

    The necklace goes so well with the song. I can tell that you put a lot of thought/heart into it, and I love the shades of blue. Perfect for such a sad song.

    Also, yay for concerts!!! I was in the front row for a Zoe Keating concert, and I couldn't believe it. :)

    -- Sarah

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    1. Oh Sarah! It makes me so happy to be able to introduce someone to her music!!! Everything she does is magical, I swear!! (and especially wonderful if the Mr. will love it too!)

      I did put a lot of my heart into this piece lol, I actually cried as I made it... listening to the song on repeat. I felt the heartbreak, relived some of my own, ached... and yet felt more full as I finished it.

      I am really goofy excited because I get to go see her again in April!!!! At her "big" show! Sooo excited! Though I don't know if anything can match that intimate little pop up atmosphere, but I know I'll love it regardless!!

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  14. I loved your writing about the experience you had, the thoughtful emotion of the song, and the symbolism in your necklace- it is very beautiful, and I think it captured your song perfectly! Wonderful job, Jenn!

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    1. Thank you so much, Erin! It was difficult for me emotionally, but in a good way... challenging! Thank you thank you!!

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  15. Just beautiful Jenn! I feel like I know you through this post! Great to see your creativity and you paired it so well with this song!
    {Hugs!}

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    1. Aww, thank you so much, Dawn Marie! It's wonderful to get to know you guys and I am happy to share bits of myself even though it's a bit scary LOL <3 Thank you!!!

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  16. Her voice is amazing! Like an angel. I can see why you were spellbound and touched by her presence. I love the sweetness in the necklace you created to tell this story. xoxo Beth

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    1. That is exactly how I feel about her, Beth, her voice is like an angel. She touched my soul, kindred spirits perhaps? Thank you so much for your kind words!! <3

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  17. I love the necklace. It so perfectly fits the song.

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  18. Beautiful necklace! Lovely colours and a nice blend of soft and hard, grey and blue. And the pendant is so pretty. Great job!

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  19. Beautiful song and your beautiful necklace represents your song choice so well.
    Therese

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  20. That song is hauntingly beautiful and Ingrid's voice is quite captivating ... I can see how engaging her presence would be in a live concert. Thank you for sharing Ingrid's song with us Jenn, along with the amazing necklace it inspired. The hard stones, the soft silk, the bright ribbon, the softer colors of the pendant ... so beautifully perfect.

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    1. Thank you so much, Lola!!! She is incredible. Thank you so much for leaving such kindness on my blog as always, dear friend, I always look forward to hearing from you <3 <3 <3

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  21. Love the song - I am going to have to check out her album. I love how you used the components of the necklace to capture the essence of her song. I also love the one pearl and the reason one. Fabulous necklace!

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    1. Definitely check out her album! She is wonderful :) Thank you so much!!!

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  22. What a beautiful necklace! I love the shades of blue, you captured the spirit of the song beautifully. I also really like the use of the "tattered" sari silk and different elements, makes for a visually interesting piece. Ingrid has quite a voice.

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    1. Oh Kathleen, thank you so much!!! It means a lot to me that you "get" what I was trying to do!! <3 <3

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  23. Miss Jennifer, you have created a most lyrical piece of wearable art. I love Ingrid's voice. I am all about the singer-songwriter type of music and she pops up on my Pandora station all the time. There is a lot of heart and soul in her singing. You can tell she feels things deeply. And I get that from your lovely necklace too. The softness of the sari that soothes the aching heart, the little bit of sparkle for when you can get it back to your life, and the lovely pendant from Miss Marsha that is like a fading memory but yet has the appearance of new beauty in the blooms rising to the surface. So pretty. I would wear this in a heartbeat! Thank you so much for joining me on this musical journey! I am having a great time getting to know you all through your unique musical styles.
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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    1. Thank you so much, Erin, praise from you means so very much to me! Thank you so much for this challenge, it was a challenge to me in a way I didn't expect. I am used to challenges that challenge me artistically... this one challenged me emotionally. It is a beautiful thing to be able to take that feeling inspired by music and translate it, tears and all!

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  24. Gorgeous interpretation! The tattered silk is perfect with the blue feeling of the necklace. I listen to an independant radio station in MA and they play Ingrid Michaelson often although this is the first time I have heard this song. She must be so amazing live!

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    1. Thank you so much! She is absolutely transcendent live lol, or at least to me she was!! I recommend seeing her live if you can, she is just wonderful!

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  25. I LOVE it! The fraying silk with the beauty of the pendant. Hurt yet moving forward, with strength and beauty. Your interpretation of the music into a piece of art is gorgeous.

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  26. Beautiful interpretation, Jen! The tattered texture of the silk and rustic feel of the focal with those pretty blue beads creates such a perfect piece of wearable art.

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    1. Thank you, Sally! I loved making it though it challenged me, as I told Erin, emotionally. I get so emotional with music and this one touched me deeply. I cried as I made it. Beautiful music and I'm so happy I got to do this! <3 <3

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  27. Ingrid does have a lovely voice. I love your necklace, what beautiful colors and texture.

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  28. I love Marsha Neal's pieces. This is gorgeous! Congrats on such a great piece!

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  29. What a soulful song sung so beautifully. Thank you for sharing this artist! Your necklace is awesome. The pendant is amazing and I love the ribbon. I especially like the tattered edges-it is so fitting. Beautiful colors too.

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    1. Thank you so much! I love Marsha's pendants, they are amazing :)

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  30. Love the symbolism of each type of bead and the choice of the metal and fiber. It's nice to think that, while we can all get a little battered and beaten by lost love, we can still come through it and be beautiful. So pretty!

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  31. Gorgeous piece! and i love Ingrid too - she is so awesome!

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  32. This is so lovely! I wish I'd known about this challenge in time to do it myself...next time!

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  33. Wow, that is one gorgeous necklace...I hope it is a keeper, it will look great with jeans and a white shirt:-)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it means so much to me!