
Sometimes I think that it is in learning my limitations rather than my skills, that I am able to create my best work.
My son loves pirates and rings. He has several replicas of Captain Jack Sparrow's beautiful rings. One boring day I offered to try to make him a ring. We looked through some books, hoping to find something within my abilities. We came across a picture of Steve Midgett's $100 dollar ring. Hmm.. I don't want to use a $100 bill to make a ring, I said. What else is made of paper, but could be recognized for what it is, even when folded so small? A map!, we both yelled at the same time! A treasure map, like a pirates, like the rolls of extra wallpaper we have behind the basement door!
I then needed a way to create a connection that would be both comfortable, as it's pressed against the finger, but also completely removable, so the map could be unfolded. I can imagine the pirate removing the ring and undoing it, by candlelight. Perhaps there's a secret message or love poem written on the reverse? Or a picture of a key?
My connection solution was finally realized when I found a tiny earrings stud of malachite that has lost it's mate. I snipped the post and used a comfortable plastic earring back to secure. I singed the edges of the map, for a dramatic final touch.
Thank you so much to EBSQ for your inspiring challenges. I enjoy them so much and feel I learn each time I enter one of the contests.
Detail Images

View of inside ring

View of connection removed, map spread out
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