When I was 18 I left South Africa to travel the world. I was independent, optimistic and ready to fly! At the time I thought I should get a tatoo of a peacock feather so I would always remember that feeling of freedom and power. I never got the tatoo, and now with two small children and a mortgage I feel a little… otherwise.
As soon as I saw the theme for this year’s Art Charm Swap was Soar, I knew I wanted to capture that lost feeling of lightness and optimism.
“But a peacock is not really good at flying.” I told my muse: “It sort of flaps and hops. Eagles and vultures SOAR.”
“Good point, but a vulture feather is not really as aesthetically pleasing as a peacock feather. How about a phoenix feather?”
“Ye-es, I like the symbolism of the phoenix – that there’s always an opportunity for a new beginning. So what does a phoenix feather look like?”
“Um… sort of like a peacock feather but in fire colours – red, yellow and gold.”
“I see. But does a phoenix soar?”
“Of course, it stands to reason, with all that fire there’s bound to be thermal updrafts. Maybe that’s the reason for all the fire?”
…
And so that is why my polymer clay charms feature a phoenix feather :).
Phoenix Feather charms by Cate van Alphen
I used a polymer clay cane but I have individually shaped each one, so they are all slightly different. Just in case you missed the internal monologue and were wondering why I’d done a golden peacock feather…
Phoenix charm by Cate van Alphen
The other side features the actual phoenix. If you dare, you can seize the feather and soar with the phoenix into the open blue sky.
Phoenix Art Charms by Cate van Alphen
Finally it’s time for YOU to be involved in the Art Charm Exchange…
Firstly you can enjoy the blog hop, and have a look at all the talented artists who have taken part in the Exchange. The * indicates the artists whose charms I received. I will do a separate post soon to feature my hoard ;).
Jennifer Cameron: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog
Alenka Obid: http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
* Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca
Andrea Glick: http://zenithjade.blogspot.com
* Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk
Cassi Paslick: http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
–> Cate van Alphen: https://fulgorine.wordpress.com <– You are here!
Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
* Chris Eisenberg: http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins: http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
* Elisabeth Auld: http://www.beadsforbusygals.com
Genevieve Gabbert: https://www.facebook.com/MasuDesigns
Jami Shipp: http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor: http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jill Bradley: http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak: http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com
* Lee Koopman: http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Lennis Carrier: http://www.windbent.net
Lesley Watt: http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger: http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle McCarthy: http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Moriah Betterly: http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com
Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogspot.com
Nancy Smith: http://wirednan.blogspot.ca
Niky Sayers: http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Perri Jackson: http://ShaktipajDesigns.com/blog/
* Renetha Stanziano: http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Shai Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
* Sheila Prosterman: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Susan Delaney: http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com
* Susan Kennedy: http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Terri DelSignore: http://artisticaos.blogspot.com
* Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/
Most importantly, if you can, take part in the AUCTION which is to raise money for Beads of Courage.
Fulgorine 
Oh love the meaning! That intention is wonderful for so many people who meant to have a peacock feather tattoo and didn’t. These are really beautiful. Love them.
Cate your charm is just stunning! I love how you came up with your design and your internal monologue, so funny!
I am just so very lucky to have received one of these gorgeous pieces! Cate, so amazing!!!! I stared at it for the longest time when I opened it – the golden coloring against the beautiful pure blue background… I love it very much and will treasure it always. I want to make a special necklace for it. 🙂 🙂
The detail is amazing. Thank you for sharing your inspiration with us.
Your charm is truly inspiring. I loved reading your internal dialog, and the finished charm is amazing!
Cate – I got one of your charms and it is beautiful – so vibrant and full of action! Thank you!
The phoenix is not my bird, I am the raven, but I’d gladly take a feather and soar with you
Love your charms Cate – such lovely detail.
Those charms are gorgeous! I absolutely love them.
Loved reading about how your designed your charm, it’s beautiful!
Thank you for sharing your internal monologue about your inspiration. I feel like you were talking to me directly. I love the symbolism of the phoenix and your design is wonderful! Great charm….must bid on it in the auction! Cheers!
So what if the peacock doesn’t fly well? I made a bee and the physics of bee flight was questioned for many years LOL.
The design of your charms is amazing… your artistic skills have always astonished me, Cate 🙂
I suppose Art defies Logic 🙂
I would be a wonderful world!
I love it! I knew it was a phoenix feather or a peacock feather! 🙂 (I even said so in my post- I was lucky enough to get one of your charms!)… I adore both, and collect peacock things, so a phoenix feather added to the mix is just perfect.
Thank you for sharing your story!
<3,
Andrea
Excellent. I have been meaning to make more peacock things this year, but I never seemed to get to it.
Beautiful -very unique! Love it!
What a beautiful inspiration to go with the fabulous charm. Very happy to have received one of these!
I liked my charm when I received it. I love my charm now that I know its tale/tail. Id say get the tattoo, especially bc of the kids and the mortgage. You are nested, but can still soar.
what a beautiful charm! Love the story behind it.
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